SUPPORT
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before — and after — you start.
START
Getting started
How do I start?◇
Sign in with your email — no password, no app. Type what you need in any language. That's it.
Is the first chat really free?◇
Yes. Your first chat is free, and you'll always see the price before you pay anything.
What languages can I use?◇
English, 中文, 日本語, and 繁體. We reply in your language.
Do I need to download an app?◇
No. Everything works in your browser at dowame.com.
Do I need a Korean phone number?◇
No. Your email address is all you need. No Korean SIM or local number required.
FOOD
Food delivery
Which restaurants can you order from?◇
Almost any restaurant on Korean delivery apps — 두찜, BHC, 교촌, 에그드랍, 신화불닭, and thousands more.
Can you deliver to my hotel?◇
Yes. Just give us your hotel name and room number. Most hotels across Korea accept delivery.
What if my hotel doesn't accept delivery?◇
We arrange lobby pickup and notify you the moment it arrives.
How long does delivery take?◇
Usually 40–60 minutes after you confirm the order.
Which cities do you cover?◇
All of Korea. We're based in Seoul and Busan and can help travelers anywhere — Jeju, Gyeongju, Gangneung, and beyond.
HOTEL
Hotel & shopping proxy
Can you order Korean products before I arrive?◇
Yes. Send us links from Coupang, Olive Young, Musinsa, Daiso, or Naver. We check stock and deliver to your hotel.
Can hotels receive packages before check-in?◇
Some can. Policies vary by hotel, package size, and reservation details. We review the pickup path before charging you.
What if my order cannot arrive before checkout?◇
We check delivery timing before you pay. If the timing looks unsafe, we hold, decline, or suggest a safer option.
When will my items arrive?◇
We confirm delivery timing before you pay — usually before your hotel check-in. Coupang is often same-day or next-day.
What if an item is out of stock?◇
We check availability before charging you. You never pay for items we can't source.
PAY
Payment & pricing
How much do you charge?◇
Shopping is ₩8,000 for the first product link from each store, and ₩5,000 for each extra link from the same store. Food delivery is a ₩8,000 service fee plus the cost of the order; when food plus delivery comes to ₩50,000 or more, the service fee is 18% of that amount instead. Grocery runs are priced like shopping: ₩8,000 covers up to 2 items, plus ₩3,000 for each item from the 3rd, plus the cost of the groceries. On top of that, payment and currency handling is 8% of your total — the same for card and PayPal — and for shopping and grocery runs it is free when your items come to ₩30,000 or less. Nothing is added to the exchange rate itself. In-store visits start at ₩50,000 per shop in Seoul. Pickups and courier runs are quoted by distance, time, weight and size, and everything else is quoted before you pay.
How long is a quote valid?◇
3 days — food quotes 30 minutes, because menus and delivery times change fast. If a price goes up or an item sells out after you pay, we ask you first: pay the difference, or we refund that item.
How do I pay for international shipping?◇
In two steps: first our handling fee, then the shipping cost once your parcel is weighed. Import duties and taxes are paid by the recipient. EMS includes basic insurance, and extra insurance is available for a fee.
What payment methods do you accept?◇
PayPal — which also accepts credit and debit cards — plus Wise and Alipay.
Do I need a Korean credit card?◇
No. PayPal and Wise work with cards from any country.
Are there any hidden fees?◇
Never. You see every cost before you pay. No surprises.
When do I pay?◇
Only after you see and accept the quote. Never before.
HELP
Cancellation & support
Can I cancel a food delivery order?◇
Before we place the order: refunded minus the payment & currency handling fee. Once the restaurant starts cooking, cancellation is not possible — this is a platform rule from Baemin / Coupang Eats.
Can I cancel a shopping proxy order?◇
Before we purchase the item: refunded minus the payment & currency handling fee. After purchase, returns for your own reasons follow the store's return policy and return shipping is on you, but we don't charge our service fee again. If you cancel or change your mind, our service fee is non-refundable; if we or the store can't complete your order (the store refuses or cancels it, it sells out before we buy, or we make a mistake), you get a full refund, including the service fee and the payment & currency handling fee.
How do cancellations and refunds work?◇
Before we buy: refunded minus the payment & currency handling fee. After we buy: returns for your own reasons follow the seller's return policy, with return shipping paid by you — we don't charge our service fee again. Once cooking, production or dispatch has started, the order can't be cancelled. If you cancel or change your mind, our service fee is non-refundable; if we or the store can't complete your order (the store refuses or cancels it, it sells out before we buy, or we make a mistake), you get a full refund, including the service fee and the payment & currency handling fee. Refunds reach your original payment method in 3–7 business days.
What if I'm not there when the delivery arrives?◇
We wait a short while, then leave it at your hotel front desk or the spot we agreed, and message you. If something goes missing we help with the hotel's CCTV and reports, but we can't help if it was collected after a long delay and can't be found. Re-delivery is charged to you.
How long can you store my items?◇
Free for 30 days, then ₩1,000 per day. Items may be disposed of after 60 days without contact.
Is there anything you can't buy?◇
Prescription medicine, alcohol and tobacco, counterfeits, and anything illegal. International shipping has extra limits (batteries, sprays, some foods) — we tell you before you pay.
What if I'm not satisfied?◇
We'll do everything we can to fix it. See our full policy at dowame.com/refund.
Is DOWAME a registered business?◇
Yes. GTOH Co., Ltd., Business Reg. 398-88-01210. Full details are in our website footer.
Are you affiliated with Coupang Eats or Baemin?◇
No. We're an independent concierge service. We use these apps on your behalf.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Just ask us directly
We respond in under 30 minutes during business hours (9 AM – midnight KST).