12 hours ago
I've delivered food to hundreds of homes… some customers really need to work on their attitude
A former paramedic turned DoorDash employee has exposed the brutal reality of customer service, claiming people treat him terribly since becoming a delivery driver.
Political candidate Cody Scholes shared a video to social media highlighting the difference in treatment he experienced while working as a paramedic compared to a DoorDash delivery driver.
Mr Scholes explained when he was a paramedic people would 'bend over backwards' to be respectful, courteous and grateful.
He said people often showed respect for him and his work even if he was at the grocery store or getting lunch and not on scene or actively treating a patient.
However, Mr Scholes said he noticed a stark contrast in the way he was treated when he started working as a DoorDash driver following his failed political campaign.
The former One Nation candidate turned Independent for Barker described the treatment he receives as 'terrible'.
'Since I've been doordashing, I realise now that people will only be nice to you or treat you with respect if they think that it benefits them or if they can get something out of it,' Mr Scholes said.
'It has kind of been disappointing in a sense because the more I engage with people, in customer service roles, the more I'm let down by the general public.
'They see people who work in jobs like this as being far below them. Not worthy of their time.'
'I am used to being ignored, staff turning their backs on me, staff criticising me for things that aren't even my fault like the customer's order, or like how DoorDash has assigned the order. They treat you terribly.'
Mr Scholes explained DoorDash delivery drivers had a high migrant workforce and were among the lowest paid workers in the country.
In his video, which he filmed in his car, Mr Scholes said the treatment makes him and others in his industry feel lonely, ignored, invisible, and worthless.
'To me it sucks to see the state of customer service be so terrible,' Mr Scholes said.
'It's no surprise to me why so many people in our community feel lonely, feel invisible, and feel worthless.
'Especially when you've got to go out everyday and interact with a society that is so hostile, that treats you as though you don't matter, that you're invisible, that you're replaceable, and that is so quick to snap at you and judge you.'
In the caption for the video, Mr Scholes said he could not blame people for being angry and rude as many are struggling to cope with their own life pressures.
However, he urged Aussies to be friendly to customer service representatives as they too are just trying to do their job and 'make someone's day'.
Social media users agreed with Mr Scholes' observations, with many delivery drivers and workers in customer-facing roles sharing similar experiences.
One female DoorDash driver, aged in her 40s, said she has 'never been treated so badly' in her life.
Although having a university degree and previously managing a Myer store with 300 staff, the woman explained she has been ignored while picking up orders.
'They make me wait 15 minutes purposely ignoring me then the customers get cold food and I get a bad review,' she wrote.
'I have also seen poverty that I never knew existed in Australia. Like horror living conditions.
'The wealthiest customers don't tip and don't leave positive reviews. The poorest customers hand me a tip in cash to show that they are grateful for my delivery.'
A second person commented: 'I do Uber, I feel your pain. We are treated second rate'.
'I've worked in customer service, waitressing, washing dishes, cleaning, bar work, secretary in law offices, lots of various jobs through the years to keep food on the table & put our kids through school, disrespect for 'lowly' jobs is absolutely a thing,' a third person chimed.
A fourth added: 'I used to be an Uber Eats driver for extra income and I have so many story times about people being rude... [those] moments were eye opening'.
Others simply urged Aussies to use the golden rule and treat others the way they wish to be treated as being kind and respectful did not take any effort.
'Lowest paid or highest paid, whether you're a king or a servant, refugee or citizen no one is better than anyone. We are all equal and deserve to be respected equally,' one person wrote.
Another person added: 'Doesn't take much to be courteous.... Be kind to people it doesn't cost anything'.
Mr Scholes withdrew as a One Nation candidate in February after the party failed to vote against legislation which made it a criminal offence to advocate for hate crimes.
He decided to run as an Independent for Barker instead, claiming 'anything that threatened freedom of speech needed to be met with solid and decisive action'.
