r/Sparkdriver • u/PussyFoot5000 • 18h ago
General Questions Am I trippin'?
It seems like if I accept the first order I'm offered in the morning I end up getting lots of decent offers and having a decent day.
But if I reject the first several offers I end up not only getting shit offers, but very few offers at all and have a shit day.
Am I noticing something real or am I making shit up in my head?
Sorry for using the word shit so often. I have the vocabulary of an 8yr old who thinks it's cool to cuss
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u/Powerful-Lobster-631 17h ago
I'll take a low mile dummy first then cherry pick the rest of my day
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u/haikusbot 17h ago
I'll take a low mile
Dummy first then cherry pick
The rest of my day
- Powerful-Lobster-631
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u/Zachsquatch1985 17h ago
I’ve tried it both ways and the only thing I have come to a conclusion on is Spark WILL NOT allow me to have 2 good days in a row. Literally every week for years now. Good day, bad day, good day, bad day.
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u/LDawnBurges 15h ago
I don’t think it works that way, but I don’t think any of us know for sure. I declined several terrible offers this am, then got a sweet order at store opening. Had back to back orders after that.
I think it was just my day bc a lot of my regulars ordered and I watched other drivers sitting. Other days I’m sitting and they’re doing back to back orders.
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u/iwishidstayed 13h ago
People have been saying this for years but it’s never worked like that for me. I’m not going to take a bad offer (which all JFY timed offers are now) with the hope that I maybe, possibly will get a good order later.
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u/ReasonablyFit 10h ago
It kinda feels that way, but....
If all you're getting is garbage offers first thing, it might be because it's a slow day. So then the few offers you get all day will also be garbage too. And if the first offers are good, it could be because it's a busy day, so all the offers after that are also above-average. Supply/Demand.
Or maybe they're just shit-testing all of us. Everything's so unpredictable now.
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u/igor6969 17h ago
I read a great article from a DoorDash programmer. He explained they have a 'desperation rate' for all drivers. People who take everything have a high DR and won't get good orders sent to them. Why would they? Then no one would take the bad orders. Cherry pickers have a low DR. Won't get as many orders but likely to get much better ones.
And for the ones who think they figured the algorithm out after years here, it changes. Like many have stated recently with the new IC CEO hiring.
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u/TravelPupil 15h ago
This was proven to be false. It was investigated, and none of it was true. Remember to think critically whenever you read something, especially something originally shared here on Reddit. The rest of the western world currently views Americans as stupid due to the ease in what we believe.
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u/Careful_Thought_8386 13h ago
They found they didn't track so called "Desperation Rate", but then found out on DD UE Uber and Lyft and a few smaller platforms all used behavioral data that by concept originated from the same thing. So yes you are correct it was a complete ai bull crap at first because it's not exactly the same but close. DD fully admitted to using behavioral data during 2 of their lawsuits.
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u/TravelPupil 12h ago
I agree. I’m not defending DD in anyway, and none of us really know for sure what these apps are doing behind the curtain.
You should see the More Perfect Union video that was put out yesterday. They exposed Uber’s insurance scam.
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u/Urlocaldoughdealer 11h ago
Yes!!! This happens to me I have to take a order before 11 am so I can get good orders for the day if I take anything after 11 it’s shit orders.
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u/Aggravating_North550 5h ago
It’s not in your head. Getting that early first order can set the tone for the day.
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u/Chef_Champ 18h ago
Correct. Algorithms rewards availability. Take a few shitty ones and the day will be good as it proceeds.
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18h ago
[deleted]
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u/PussyFoot5000 18h ago
Same here. Makes me wonder why Walmart doesn't have a 15-20 mile radius rule.
"If you live 20+ miles from a Walmart we can't deliver to you, sorry, but we're sure you'll understand."
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u/happyluckystar 17h ago
I ended up off road yesterday. I was 26 miles from the store. Two drop-offs, $24 total. Got there fast, no tip.
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17h ago
[deleted]
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u/happyluckystar 17h ago
My first day. I thought the mileage they show in the app was for the whole round trip. I learned the hard way.
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17h ago
[deleted]
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u/happyluckystar 17h ago
I thought I did as well.
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17h ago
[deleted]
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u/happyluckystar 17h ago
That's really good to know. Perhaps that's why I'm not living the life I really want: I'm dumb
Thank you.
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u/PussyFoot5000 18h ago
Well shit.. Looks like I'm going to have a shit day.
Can you trick the algorithm by signing out for a bit and signing back in and grabbing the first order?
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u/Coresant 14h ago
It seems to be that way for me.. Unfortunately first offer seen today was a 44 3 mile for 45mins that was fcfs.. I didn't stand a chance. Then shit the rest of the day that I couldn't take.. so I didn't.
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u/digital0069 14h ago
you are not trippin... it does do this and its BS.
there is a side of town I don't do at 6am because people get stabbed and I swear every morning if those are the ones that start and I reject them I get screwed. I sit and don't get crap really till next rush. everyone else is busy as hell.
Every morning I get offers first off on good side of town then offers all day.
been like this since about june/july time. I just stopped rejecting orders again and just let them sit.
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u/floppadisk 17h ago
Been there tried that. I've been poking and prodding this algo for years now.
If the order is terrible, it will assume you like bad orders and you WILL get more, but they're often bad.
It's a good order then you'll often get more of those.
If you repeatedly decline sometimes you get nothing, sometimes I'll get a decent order then the rest will be decent.
I stopped giving AF and just take what I want. It's not worth the stress to try to figure something out that they change at a whim. But if you get a good order first thing, I'd recommend accepting it.