Uber Eats launches $5 doorstep return pickup service for major retailers in 5,000 U.S. cities

Uber has rolled out a new doorstep return pickup service through its Uber Eats app, allowing customers in nearly 5,000 U.S. cities to have gig workers collect eligible return items from their homes for a flat fee of $5 per pickup—or $3 for Uber One members. According to Uber's announcements and reports from The Next Web and TechCrunch, this feature partners with major retailers like Target, Best Buy, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Pacsun, Petco, and Pet Food Express, making it easier to handle returns without trips to stores or shipping centers.

The service, launched as part of Uber Eats' push to expand beyond food delivery into an "everything app", targets the hassle of returns for online shoppers. Customers access it directly in the app's order history: select an item, confirm it meets the retailer's policy, and request a courier pickup. As reported by Uber Eats, refunds process instantly once the courier collects the prepaid and sealed package—up to five at a time in some cases—while live tracking lets users monitor progress, complete with photo confirmation of drop-off at locations like post offices, UPS, or FedEx.

This builds on Uber's earlier Return a Package tool from 2023, which focused on general shipping, but the latest update zeroes in on Uber Eats purchases from thousands of retail locations nationwide, including cities like Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. TechCrunch notes limitations, such as the courier fee calculated by time and distance in some implementations, though the standard rate remains affordable. Users can still opt for free in-store returns if preferred.

For consumers, the rollout means less time and effort on returns, especially amid rising online shopping volumes where refunds are common—potentially speeding up cash back and reducing parking woes at malls, as Uber highlights. Gig workers benefit from additional earning opportunities, fitting Uber's broader ecosystem of rides, deliveries, and now logistics.

Retail partners gain a seamless channel to recapture value from returns, while Uber positions itself against competitors like DoorDash in on-demand services. As The Next Web details, expansion to more partners is planned, signaling Uber's intent to dominate everyday errands.

What happens next remains tied to adoption: the service is live now across the U.S., but fees and eligibility could evolve based on feedback. Shoppers in supported areas can test it immediately via the Uber Eats app, streamlining a process that often frustrates even the savviest buyers.