THE ALGORITHM
When demand changes delivery fees
Higher demand can raise some fees. That is not proof the app priced your state of mind.
Some delivery prices vary with conditions around an order. The factors and disclosures differ by platform and market. [1][2]
Uber currently says a higher delivery fee may apply when demand is high, including during bad weather or peak times, and says the higher fee is displayed before the order is placed. [1] Instacart says delivery fees can vary by retailer, delivery window, and order total, while service fees vary with factors such as location and cart contents. [2]
What that does not establish
The reviewed sources do not show that a platform measures a customer's willpower, hangover, fatigue, or desperation when setting a delivery fee. Demand-based pricing is not, by itself, proof of individualized vulnerability pricing.
Nor is every high-demand order necessarily more expensive. Membership benefits, promotions, merchant pricing, distance, order size, available couriers, and local rules can all affect the final amount.
If the current total is higher than usual, waiting, choosing pickup, selecting a different merchant, or not ordering may cost less. The amount saved depends on the actual options available at that moment.
A higher-demand fee is a price signal, not a diagnosis of your state of mind.