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No Holiday Cheer for Gig Workers Hunting Your Last-Minute Gifts

More competition, unforgiving algorithms and the pandemic. “Customers don’t understand that any rating less than five stars crushes us.” 

Photographer: Ezra Acayan/Getty Images
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As you mull ordering some last-minute gifts or goodies, chew on this.

Amid the frenzied journeys to restock fridges or drop off stocking stuffers, drivers and shoppers for on-demand delivery apps like Shipt, DoorDash and Instacart must navigate a maze of pandemic-induced obstacles, any one of which can shrink their pay.