For Dasher, mobile bike mechanic, and car enthusiast Joshua L., Shop & Deliver is the kind of dashing he genuinely looks forward to. It's a different kind of challenge compared to restaurant offers — one that feels more active, more hands-on, and even more rewarding.
Originally from Ortonville, Michigan, Joshua first started dashing in 2019 — fresh out of high school — to help keep his high-maintenance sedan on the road. With experience delivering everything from rolls of paper towel to sizable electronics in both cities and rural areas, Shop & Deliver lets Joshua tap into the freedom that got him hooked on dashing in the first place.
Source: https://ridgewoodridesbike.wordpress.com/
I've always had a need for speed
I didn't really plan on how long I'd be dashing for when I first started. At first, it was just a way to keep my car running. But it was also a great way to make flexible part-time income while I was in school. Even when I started as a bike mechanic for a local shop, I was still able to dash in my spare time.
These days, I'm a mobile bike mechanic by day, and I still dash when it works for my schedule. Especially with DoorDash Shop & Deliver, the more efficient you become with experience, the more you can earn. Not to mention they're generally higher-paying offers**.
From quick deliveries to meaningful connections
Marquette is a small town. When I was in college, the dashing radius was an eight-mile stretch between the stores and campus. Orders were super condensed, which meant quick trips and better earnings.
You start seeing the same people, picking up from the same spots, delivering to familiar faces. You become part of the community.
I only ended up making more connections when I started accepting Shop & Deliver offers. One year on Black Friday, there was a huge spike in electronics offers — TVs especially. Most electronics are easy to handle with any car, but because I have a larger vehicle, I can get assigned oversized offers. I think I ended up dropping off something like 15 TVs that day! People were like, “He’s back! He’s the only guy delivering today.” Honestly? It was awesome.
Why I accept Shop & Deliver offers
More than five years in, I'm still dashing — and DoorDash Shop & Deliver offers are my go-to. So, if you're asking, "is DoorDash Shop and Deliver worth it?" I’ll save you the suspense: absolutely. Here’s why:
I control the shopping experience. With restaurant orders, there are circumstances you can't control — like potential wait times and restaurant staff packing orders. But with Shop & Deliver, I’m the one doing the shopping. I know everything’s packed right, and I can communicate directly with the customer about any substitutions or issues. Then, I just have to use my DoorDash Red Card for payment.
It's rewarding. Shop & Deliver offers aren't just about walking into a shop or restaurant and grabbing a bag. I've been doing Shop & Deliver for so long that I've figured out a way to make it really rewarding. I go into these offers asking myself "How efficiently can I shop?". I treat it as if I’m on a mission, making sure I'm collecting all the right items and checking off my list. It keeps things interesting and helps me move faster which, in my experience, means I can potentially earn more.
Fewer delays. Sure, sometimes there might be a lon line at checkout — that happens. But compared to the wait times that can come with busier restaurants during peak hours, I usually feel like I'm making better use of my time. Even if a Shop & Deliver offer goes a bit longer than expected, at least I’m moving, not just waiting around. That makes a big difference for me, personally.
Real connections. I’ve met a ton of great people doing this. That sense of community, and knowing customers trust me to do a good job, makes dashing worth it. I’m proud of the work I do.
My advice for delivering electronics with Shop & Deliver
Whether you’re new to DoorDash Shop & Deliver or just want to get better, here are my go-to tips:
Introduce yourself upfront. With every offer, I use the prompt in the DoorDash Dasher app and start with a quick message: "Hi, I'm Joshua, your Dasher today. I'll be in touch if anything comes up." It makes it personal and lets them know I’m here to help.
Keep communicating. Stay in touch the whole time. If something’s missing or out-of-stock, offer substitutions and wait for them to approve. If they don’t answer in time, I usually skip the sub — no one wants to pay for something they didn’t agree to. Be proactive and polite.
Come prepared. Electronics can get big and heavy. Sometimes you’ll need two carts, or a couple trips to the car. Gear up with bins, bags, even a dolly. Check the item list before accepting an offer and be realistic.
Ask staff for help. If you're stuck locating an item, grabbing something locked up, or need help transporting a bulky product, don't be afraid to ask staff for a helping hand. That's what they're there for. Especially if you're new, it's not worth getting stuck and slowing yourself down.
Stay cool. Not every offer goes smoothly. Sometimes you're waiting, sometimes you're walking the entire store for one item. Take a breath. Ask for help. Learn and move on. No stress lasts forever.
Protect the goods. High-ticket items deserve extra care. I’ll often wait longer at the customer’s door just to make sure they get it in hand. If no one answers, I’ll tuck it away safely on their porch or landing, snap a pic, and message them where to find it.
Most importantly: enjoy it. Have fun, be polite, and take dashing seriously. The more care, effort, and enjoyment you put into the process, the more rewarding the experience becomes. Customers recognize that.
As for me, I'll be out here doing what I love: dashing in Ortonville and fixing up bikes at my business Ridgewood Rides (also on Instagram).
Get started with DoorDash***Get paid more per order as compared to a restaurant delivery order, based on average Dasher payouts nationwide while on a delivery. Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries completed, time of day, location, and expenses.
