点外卖

Leo, you've been staring at your phone for ten minutes just to order delivery?

Because I want to order lunch in Chinese, but I'm afraid I'll misread or say something wrong and end up with a strange meal.

Then today let's make this clear: how exactly do you order delivery on your phone in China?

Great. My goal is simple: eat a hot meal before twelve thirty.

Let's start with the basics. First, download a delivery app and link your phone number.

Is my phone number important? In the UK I usually just pay with a bank card.

Very important, because order status, the rider's call, and verification codes are all sent to that number.

I see. The phone number isn't only for signing up; it handles all later contact too.

The next step is filling in the address, and it has to be very specific.

Can I just write the name of this dessert shop?

It's better to include more than the shop name: the floor, room number, or a nearby landmark.

Got it. The more specific the address, the easier it is for the rider to find me.

You can write a road and number, the floor, and "near the window."

But I can't say "floor"; I only know how to say "first floor."

The first floor is completely fine. The key is letting people know where to come in.

Then I'll write: 38 XX Road, first floor, dessert shop.

Nice. That address is clear at a glance, so the rider doesn't need to call and ask where you are.

It sounds like a good address already solves the first big difficulty of delivery.

Next, let's look at the menu. How do you usually choose?

I look at the photos first. If a photo looks good, I want to order it.

Be careful. A nice photo doesn't mean the portion is big or the flavor suits you.

So what should I look at first?

Look at sales volume and reviews first, then real photos uploaded by customers.

High sales means many people bought it, so it usually isn't too bad, right?

Most likely it won't be too bad, but you still need to judge your own taste.

If many reviews say it's too spicy, I should be careful.

Right. Since you can't handle much spice, that kind of review is more useful than the photo.

Then I'll learn to read negative reviews first before deciding whether to order.

One more thing: many dish names have details below them.

Does "details" mean large size, small size, adding rice, and so on?

Yes. Check carefully before ordering, or two people might not have enough food.

Last time I ordered noodles thinking it was a set meal, but it was only one bowl.

That misunderstanding is common, so check whether it includes side dishes and drinks.

If I want less salt, less oil, or no cilantro, where do I say that?

Before placing the order, there's a place called "remarks."

Are remarks extra notes for the restaurant and the rider?

Right. You can write "less spicy," "less oil," or "no cilantro."

Those expressions are practical. I can use them tomorrow.

If you want extra rice, you can also write "add one portion of rice" and see if the price changes.

What if I write "no spice," but the restaurant still adds chili?

Don't get angry right away. Contact the restaurant first, explain the situation, and see how they handle it.

I can send them a photo. That makes the evidence clearer.

Great. A photo works better than a long explanation.

Still, I should first check whether the restaurant can adjust the flavor.

Some dishes are already made, or the restaurant is too busy, so they may not fully follow your remarks.

So remarks are a request, not a command. I need to understand that.

Yes. Polite wording also improves your success rate.

Then I'll write, "If possible, please use less salt. Thank you very much."

That sounds natural, and the restaurant will feel comfortable reading it.

After choosing the dishes, can I pay right away?

Wait a moment. Let's see what's hidden in the price.

I've seen "delivery fee," but I don't know what it means.

The delivery fee is the service charge for the rider bringing food to you.

So it isn't the food cost, but part of what the delivery person earns?

You can understand it that way. The platform or restaurant may subsidize it, but you'll see this item.

Sometimes it says "free delivery." Is it completely free?

Not necessarily. Many free-delivery offers have a minimum order or only work at certain times.

Is that like "conditions apply" in English?

Exactly. That's the feeling: conditions apply.

Then I must read the rules carefully and not just look at the big words.

Besides the delivery fee, there's also a packing fee.

The packing fee is for boxes and bags, right?

Yes. Packing fees for soup, porridge, and drinks can be a little higher.

I understand, because they need to prevent spills.

Then you may see "spend more, save more."

Does that mean the more you buy, the more you save?

Right. For example, spend 30 yuan and get 5 off; spend 50 yuan and get 10 off.

But I don't want to order three dishes I can't finish just to save five yuan.

That's the trap of spend-more-save-more deals: cheap doesn't mean suitable.

If I'm not hungry, I'll still only order what I need.

You can also order with a friend to reach the discount without wasting food.

That's a good idea. Tomorrow I can ask my colleague if they want to order together.

Finally, check red packets and coupons.

Can a red packet be used directly as money?

Yes. Some come from the platform and some from restaurants, and the rules can differ.

Some red packets only work for lunch, and some require spending twenty yuan.

So spending ten seconds to check before ordering often saves a little money.

The money I save can buy me a coffee.

Your coffee money will always be the strongest study motivation.

I can't help it. I really need coffee for afternoon classes.

Now we've ordered. Let's look at the time on the page.

It says estimated delivery in thirty minutes. Is that accurate?

Usually close, but rain, rush hour, or a hard-to-find address can slow it down.

So I should order a little earlier, not wait until I'm really hungry.

Right. When people are very hungry, they order too much and get impatient while waiting.

Is the rider's location on the page updated in real time?

Usually yes. You can see how far away the rider is.

Then I won't need to call every five minutes.

Right. Pressing the rider repeatedly doesn't solve the problem.

I'll wait first and see what to do if it goes past the estimated time.

When the rider is close, you can get ready to pick up the food.

What should I say? I'm afraid I won't express myself clearly.

If you're going down to meet them, you can say, "Hello, I'm here to pick up my order."

If I'm on the second floor and want the rider to wait, what do I say?

You can say, "Could you please wait two minutes? I'm coming down now."

That's polite and also makes the time clear.

If you can't leave right away, you can say, "Please leave it at the door. Thank you."

There are many deliveries at the door. How will they know which one is mine?

You can add, "I ordered beef noodles and a cup of soy milk."

I see. Describing the order is more useful than just saying "delivery."

Right. Many doors have dozens of deliveries at the same time, so clearer details are better.

There's another thing called a pickup code. I've seen it but don't know how to use it.

In some office buildings and residential areas, riders put food in lockers, and you need the pickup code to open one.

Is that like the code for collecting a parcel in the UK?

About the same. The page gives you a string of numbers or a QR code.

When I reach the locker, I enter the numbers and get my food.

Right. Check it immediately after receiving it to see whether anything is missing.

If a box of rice is missing, it's easier to handle when you contact someone right away.

Exactly. The closer in time, the clearer the responsibility.

What if the drink spilled, or half the soup leaked out?

Take photos first, then contact the restaurant or platform customer service.

I should first make clear what I ordered and what went wrong.

You can say, "My order number is XX. The drink spilled. Please help me handle it."

Where can I see the order number?

On the order-details page, usually at the top or bottom, you'll find a string of numbers.

With the number, customer service can find my order.

Right. That works much better than only saying "my delivery is damaged."

What if I receive the wrong dish?

Also take photos and contact them. Usually they'll resend or refund.

I shouldn't scold the restaurant in a review first, right?

I don't recommend that. Solve the problem first; then a review is fairer.

If it's handled well, I can leave a good review.