If you’ve ever ordered a cheeky kebab or a piping hot burger through Uber Eats, you probably expect your meal to arrive quickly, safely, and at your front door.

Yet, a troubling trend is emerging, frustrating Aussie customers and hurting small business owners.

And the worst part? It’s unfolding right under our noses.

John tried to contact the driver, who simply replied, ‘I’m coming,’ but continued to dawdle.

For a busy small business, every minute counts—especially when hungry customers are waiting.

‘Mate, you don’t like it? Cancel the job. Give it to someone who’s close by,’ John vented.

Aussie kebab shop owner slams Uber Eats drivers for falsely marking orders as picked up, causing delays and frustration for businesses. Credit: Google Maps

‘You cannot. This is not fair.’

But the problem doesn’t end with late pickups. John explained that if he gives the driver a negative rating for the delay, there’s a real risk the driver could retaliate by leaving a bad review for his business on Google.

‘Is this fair? Is this justice?’ he asked, echoing the concerns of countless other small business owners who feel trapped by a system that can punish them for speaking up.

And it’s not just kebab shops feeling the heat. Social media is awash with stories from frustrated customers and business owners alike.

One user shared, ‘I had one say they had picked it up, but the store rang me to say they hadn’t. I told them I’d pick it up, and in the meantime, the driver cancelled the order. I got a refund and the food. Some drivers are very dodgy.’

Another added, ‘Lately my Uber orders are cold. The problem is they are multi-lapping and have three or four orders at the same time.’

This practice, known as ‘stacking’ or ‘multi-lapping’, means drivers accept multiple orders at once, often leading to delays and cold food for everyone involved.

But the dodgy behaviour doesn’t stop there. In a particularly brazen case, Corey Davis, a retail worker in Adelaide, ordered a feast for himself and his colleagues.

CCTV footage showed the Uber Eats driver taking a photo of the food on the kerb to ‘prove’ delivery, only to pick it up again and drive off with the meal!

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After lodging a complaint, Corey was offered a flat $25 refund—hardly compensation for a stolen lunch and a ruined workday.

So, what’s going on here? The Uber Eats rating system is supposed to keep everyone honest, allowing both customers and drivers to leave feedback.

But for small businesses, the threat of ‘revenge reviews’—where a driver retaliates with a bad public review—can be devastating.

A single negative review can hurt a business’s reputation and bottom line, making some owners reluctant to report poor service.

John Jenkins and others are calling on Uber to fix the system. ‘This is causing businesses big problems. If you don’t fix it, you will lose a lot of customers,’ John warned.

And he’s not wrong—trust is everything in the world of food delivery.

Key Takeaways

• An Aussie kebab shop owner has criticised Uber Eats drivers for falsely claiming to have picked up orders when they haven’t even arrived at the shop, causing long delays and frustration for businesses.
• The owner, John Jenkins, said leaving negative feedback on dodgy drivers can backfire, as drivers might retaliate with poor Google reviews against the business.
• Social media users shared similar stories, including drivers accepting multiple orders at once, leading to cold food and cancelled or stolen deliveries.
• Concerns have been raised that Uber Eats’ feedback system increases risks for small businesses, and calls have been made for Uber to fix the issue to prevent further loss of customers.

Have you had a dodgy delivery experience? Have you ever received cold food, or worse, had your meal go missing? We’d love to hear your stories—share your experiences in the comments below.

Read more: ‘I want to sleep with you’: Woman shares terrifying experience with food delivery driver

 

[Catherines]

What is wrong with people these days; so little compassion for the situation others find themselves in and critical about just about everything. Any wonder this world is in such a state - wars, weather against us, famine etc., etc., etc. - no one wants to live amicably and understanding of their neighbour.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

What is wrong with people these days; so little compassion for the situation others find themselves in and critical about just about everything. Any wonder this world is in such a state - wars, weather against us, famine etc., etc., etc. - no one wants to live amicably and understanding of their neighbour.

The world has changed since we all here were young, and it has changed not for the better.

 

[7777]

What is wrong with people these days; so little compassion for the situation others find themselves in and critical about just about everything. Any wonder this world is in such a state - wars, weather against us, famine etc., etc., etc. - no one wants to live amicably and understanding of their neighbour.

Dear member Catherines, thankyou for your post. I believe the the internet has shaped the way people interact with each other. Everyone seems to be a star with their countless selfies 24/7. People email the rudest messages to each other because it's not a face to face conversation. People are exposed to some of the vilest things on the internet. Basically, all respect, morals and empathy for one another has been wiped out by the manipulation and devious ways of the internet. Yes the internet has its positives, but the dark side of the internet is absolutely destroying everything and anything that is still good in our lives. Wishing you a pleasant evening.

 

[Catherines]

Indians and Sri Lankans learn English from an early age. I've called them out before.

And most of them work multiple jobs to support themselves, their wives/husbands, their children, their parents and sometimes even their grandparents. But bad apples are in EVERY bunch, black, white, yellow, Indian, Australian etc, etc, etc, no doubt. Do a menial job yourself people here, then comment.

Some (not all) of the immigrants, of all/any nationality, are also fleeing their countries because of hardship, war and torture by their countries’ regimes. Walk a mile in their shoes FIRST. I also accept that most of them know English or understand it enough to know what we are talking about. Reading what many seniors have commented here in the past - ignorance of other nationalities and what people go through - is widespread and their cultures and knowledge of their abilities is not acceptable and shows some of the ignorance here and that ignorance and rudeness here is quite unacceptable.

If an Italian was speaking to another Italian it is only natural for them to converse in their native language and that goes for Indians, Malays, Chinese, Philippinas, Sri Lankans, and the list goes on and on and on. I came here from India in 1965 and was asked where I learned to speak English and did sit under trees to learn? That showed the ignorance of the Australians, at that time.

Now Australia is a country of immigrants and many, many, many mixed races. I have a better command of the English language than a great number of Aussies having been to an English speaking school with French and Irish nuns and there is no way I will comment the way some do here. I am an immigrant with Australian citizenship, my three children have all been to university here with degrees in Speech Therapy/& Linguistics, Arts/English literature, Science (now working as a Laboratory Manager in a High School) and my first grandchild has just graduated with a degree in Criminology. Everyone is different, has different abilities and education, money or ability to study to a high level.

 

[Catherines]

Dear member Catherines, thankyou for your post. I believe the the internet has shaped the way people interact with each other. Everyone seems to be a star with their countless selfies 24/7. People email the rudest messages to each other because it's not a face to face conversation. People are exposed to some of the vilest things on the internet. Basically, all respect, morals and empathy for one another has been wiped out by the manipulation and devious ways of the internet. Yes the internet has its positives, but the dark side of the internet is absolutely destroying everything and anything that is still good in our lives. Wishing you a pleasant evening.

Thank you for your comments. I totally agree with every word you have said. The world as we know it (or rather ‘knew it’) is on its way out, so to speak, slowly going to the dogs.

 

[7777]

And most of them work multiple jobs to support themselves, their wives/husbands, their children, their parents and sometimes even their grandparents. But bad apples are in EVERY bunch, black, white, yellow, Indian, Australian etc, etc, etc, no doubt. Do a menial job yourself people here, then comment.

Some (not all) of the immigrants, of all/any nationality, are also fleeing their countries because of hardship, war and torture by their countries’ regimes. Walk a mile in their shoes FIRST. I also accept that most of them know English or understand it enough to know what we are talking about. Reading what many seniors have commented here in the past - ignorance of other nationalities and what people go through - is widespread and their cultures and knowledge of their abilities is not acceptable and shows some of the ignorance here and that ignorance and rudeness here is quite unacceptable.

If an Italian was speaking to another Italian it is only natural for them to converse in their native language and that goes for Indians, Malays, Chinese, Philippinas, Sri Lankans, and the list goes on and on and on. I came here from India in 1965 and was asked where I learned to speak English and did sit under trees to learn? That showed the ignorance of the Australians, at that time.

Now Australia is a country of immigrants and many, many, many mixed races. I have a better command of the English language than a great number of Aussies having been to an English speaking school with French and Irish nuns and there is no way I will comment the way some do here. I am an immigrant with Australian citizenship, my three children have all been to university here with degrees in Speech Therapy/& Linguistics, Arts/English literature, Science (now working as a Laboratory Manager in a High School) and my first grandchild has just graduated with a degree in Criminology. Everyone is different, has different abilities and education, money or ability to study to a high level.

Dear member Catherines, thankyou for your post. I believe a lot of members could learn so much from reading your honest and valuable post. God bless,

 

[Catherines]

Bingo......immigration does it again.

You may have been born in Australia but your are of mixed race, no matter how you look at it. Sit down, take the time to research your heritage and see where you lie. No TRUE Australian.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

You may have been born in Australia but your are of mixed race, no matter how you look at it. Sit down, take the time to research your heritage and see where you lie. No TRUE Australian.

I disagree with you Catherines. I'm a true Australian. You may not be, but I am.

 

[Catherines]

I disagree with you Catherines. I'm a true Australian. You may not be, but I am.

OK you have your beliefs.

 

[Catherines]

And most of them work multiple jobs to support themselves, their wives/husbands, their children, their parents and sometimes even their grandparents. But bad apples are in EVERY bunch, black, white, yellow, Indian, Australian etc, etc, etc, no doubt. Do a menial job yourself people here, then comment.

Some (not all) of the immigrants, of all/any nationality, are also fleeing their countries because of hardship, war and torture by their countries’ regimes. Walk a mile in their shoes FIRST. I also accept that most of them know English or understand it enough to know what we are talking about. Reading what many seniors have commented here in the past - ignorance of other nationalities and what people go through - is widespread and their cultures and knowledge of their abilities is not acceptable and shows some of the ignorance here and that ignorance and rudeness here is quite unacceptable.

If an Italian was speaking to another Italian it is only natural for them to converse in their native language and that goes for Indians, Malays, Chinese, Philippinas, Sri Lankans, and the list goes on and on and on. I came here from India in 1965 and was asked where I learned to speak English and did sit under trees to learn? That showed the ignorance of the Australians, at that time.

Now Australia is a country of immigrants and many, many, many mixed races. I have a better command of the English language than a great number of Aussies having been to an English speaking school with French and Irish nuns and there is no way I will comment the way some do here. I am an immigrant with Australian citizenship, my three children have all been to university here with degrees in Speech Therapy/& Linguistics, Arts/English literature, Science (now working as a Laboratory Manager in a High School) and my first grandchild has just graduated with a degree in Criminology. Everyone is different, has different abilities and education, money or ability to study to a high level.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

OK you have your beliefs.

Yes I do. And I also have beliefs about you.