How a DoorDash error charge is decided, and what actually helps your dispute

Before it charges you

DoorDash says its fraud and support teams evaluate customer claims on photo evidence, the type of error, possible customer or Dasher fraud, and other criteria it doesn't list. It asks every customer who reports a problem for photos and comments.

When it does charge you, it's 25% to 100% of the item's price plus tax for an item reported missing, incorrect or of substandard quality, and 100% of the subtotal plus tax, net of commission, when the Dasher got the wrong order altogether.

DoorDash says it typically doesn't charge you for:

• Late deliveries, no-shows and temperature problems, which it calls outside your control.
• Problems the customer reports 72 hours or more after delivery.
• Reports it finds to be fraudulent.

What the dispute form takes

DoorDash's dispute form has two things: tick boxes for the items, and a reason from a list. There's no box to write in and nowhere to attach a photo. DoorDash says it reviews each dispute on its own merits and posts the decision on the Merchant Portal within a few hours.

When you open a charge, DoorDash also shows how long the customer has been on DoorDash and how often they order from you.

What helps

DoorDash doesn't publish how it weighs a dispute or how often they're accepted. Going by what it does publish:

1. Start with what DoorDash says it doesn't charge for. A charge for a late, cold or no-show order, or for a complaint made 72 hours or more after delivery, goes against DoorDash's own page.
2. Tick only the items you're disputing. The charge is per item, so the dispute is too.
3. Pick the reason that says what happened. It's the only words DoorDash gets from you: "the item was in the bag", not a general complaint.
4. Keep your own proof anyway. The form can't take it, but a bag photo or a ticket with the order number is what you'd point to if you take a charge further with DoorDash. See what to photograph at hand-off.
5. Don't dispute everything at once. A very high volume in a short time can switch off your Dispute button, usually for up to 72 hours. Closest deadline first, over a few days.

And watch the clock: 14 days from delivery. How to download the report and dispute.

Sources

Each app's own pages, checked Nov 2026. If a page now says something different, the app's page wins; tell us at hello@getuncomped.com and we'll fix the guide.

• DoorDash: Understanding Error Charges and Disputes