Tip the pizza delivery driver!

[Japanrocks12]

it's optionally technically but socially it isn't. IT WOULD BE, however, the nature of these jobs and others (such as waiter/tresses) make tipping a lifeline. You need to understand that before deciding to be stingy that one day that the delivery guy comes over.

 

[Lotus49]

And another thing: for those who will reply and say that 'tipping gives an incentive - thus it's really to your (the customer's) benefit!' Well, that's right - I am the customer... and it's not my place to be REQUIRED to be involved in the process of your performance evaluation. That's between you and your employer. I only step in, if it's called for.

If YOU are late, in delivering this wretched slimey ball of cheese (outside of the timeframe which it was supposed to arrive), then it is the company that should take the hit. You are not a contractor... you are a part of the company. The company should receive less profit from the sale, and then your employer takes care of you once you get back.

I just want the stinkin' product, at the price quoted to me during the transaction. If your company refuses to pay you decently, and says, "go out and beg for spare change door to door", then that is a problem. But not mine.

It makes sense, yes?

 

[Grisu]

where I live the tip is usually included in the drivers' pay, and the cars are usually owned/operated by the pizza delivery service. As such I don't give tips for regular service.

I do give tips for above average service though.

 

[Bugfatty300]

On a side note, due to my lack of cooking prowess, I was thinking of going for the NutriSystem thing. So what am I supposed to do? Tip the UPS guy, 'cause it's food.

Sigh. No you do not tip the UPS guy. He'd laugh at you and give it back.

- UPS guy makes +$20 an hour while driving a company truck with company paid gas.
- I make minimum wage, drive my own car with my own gas.

See a difference?

IF you had a real job

Maybe I could get a "real" full time job if I weren't going to school 5-6 hours a day.

 

[Fetus4188]

Fine but keep in mind that when I deliver late pizzas it is always the kitchen people's fault and not mine. Either they put the order in the warmer as a carry out or just not make the order at all.

People have gotten their orders hours after a big SNAFU in the kitchen and they've still given me a tip.



It doesn't really matter to me. If you put the tip on the slip we get it at the end of the shift as opposed to getting it on the spot if you give us cash.

Some people just put a line through the tip portion and don't give anything even though the delivery was on time and I was courteous. This is the biggest insult IMO to pizza delivery drivers.

Give those kitchen guys some credit. I used to be one. We don't get any tips and we're the ones doing most of the work and standing in a stifling hot room with pizza ovens. If anyone should be blamed for the wrong delivery times it's the managers who give out incorrect estimates.

 

[LightFang]

Don't mind Lotus. He's just trying hard to seem above human while not realizing that one of the flaws of being human is that you can never surpass your humanity!

 

[Bud2998]

I work as a delivery driver at Pizza Hut as well and pretty much agree with everything Bugfatty has said.

I try not to expect a tip, but it's difficult sometimes. When you live in a society that expects tips, it's hard to not be in that mindset. If I get the pizza to someone's house on time (with an estimated delivery time less than an hour), am courteous to the customer, and everything is proper and not get a tip, I can't help but to feel a little stinged.

Time often isn't a factor in getting tips from what I've noticed (though they do effect the size of it). I've gotten about as many tips from people who have gotten their pizzas late than those who don't tip when their pizza was early / on time. In fact, I'm usually not even bothered by people who don't give me a tip for a pizza that was fairly late as I totally understand that. The people who don't tip no matter how quickly I get their pizza to them always bugs me, though. My quickest delivery was 13 minutes after they placed their $30 order (often quicker than carryout and dine-ins) and how much did I make for that? Nada. I just find things like that inconsiderate. If you don't appreciate my service, then I won't feel obligated to give you very good service. With customers like that, I often make it a point in stopping at some store on the way, getting something to eat and just taking my time (provided we aren't busy with other deliveries, of course). That's about the worst I'll do, though.

People who assume that delivery charges go directly to the driver and base their tip on that also get to me. In a sense, they are sort of right because here we're compensated $0.95 per delivery with a delivery charge of $1.95, though that kind of compensation has always existed, even before we had a delivery charge. Not to mention, most of that money goes to the store. The reimbursement does manage to barely pay for my gas as my car is reasonably fuel efficient, although it sure won't compensate on the wear and tear on my car. I have to rely on tips for that (and usually, they do manage to cover it).

Sorta off topic, but one thing that really bothers me even more than not tipping are customers who don't tie up their dogs. I can't understand why someone wouldn't tie up their pitbull if they were expecting a delivery. I really don't appreciate being mauled by someone's dog and having the customer yell at me because I kicked the stupid mutt in the stomach when it attacked me. Granted, this rarely ever happens, but it has happened to me twice. And even then, I didn't really get tipped for that because the customer is so appalled about my kicking their dog, despite my arm bleeding from its bites. It still astounds me how inconsiderate some people can be about this.

 

[Bugfatty300]

Give those kitchen guys some credit. I used to be one. We don't get any tips and we're the ones doing most of the work and standing in a stifling hot room with pizza ovens.

I do give you guys credit since I would not want to be a kitchen jockey for the reasons you gave but we also do a lot of work if not more. Who washes the dishes all day when not on delivery? Who is there till 1 in the morning preparing dough, mixing sauces, breaking down boxes, emptying trash cans, mopping, sweeping? Where I work its us drivers. Kitchen people are gone by 9 or 10 at the most.

No offense intended but, where I work, when they're not preparing orders kitchen people are either playing grab ass with the waitresses or out back on break smoking pot.

And They do mess up a lot orders that drivers get blamed for. If they make a POS pizza or forget to include drinks in the order then its us drivers who have to take the second order to the customer. And we get nothing for second (sometimes third) trips to correct orders. Not from customers or Pizza Hut.

Not saying thats how it is every where or where you were. But that is how it is here at my Pizza Hut.

 

[Lotus49]

Btw, I have always tipped (the standard amount). I did it, because it's expected - and because I don't want to 'ruin the day' of the poor person that's just trying to earn a living (as if they could possibly understand). But I just fundamentally have a problem with the whole setup, so several years ago I stopped doing anything that involved me having to give tips. That's right... your industry is suffering because I don't like this crap. If you would just leave me alone, and stop asking for hand-outs, then I'd be more than happy to eat out all the time... keeping in mind standard product/value/price considerations.

I just don't like people informally asking/expecting hand-outs. It bothers me. It lacks dignity. I would never do it. If I were in poverty, I still wouldn't do it. It's just a disgrace. It's not professional, and it's not respectful. Not to mention it's just all in bad taste, monetary etiquette speaking.

Imagine some big institutional investment bankers, sitting in a boardroom - doing business. One buys some shares of a company from another. Standard taxes, fees, rates apply. Then the purchasing banker says, "Gee thanks... now here... take this..." and slips 15 bucks across the table.

What the heck is that #^%$. You see what I'm saying? Business is still business. Be respectful, and quit begging for / expecting hand-outs. It's degrading. And nobody wants to see, or be a part of degredation.

"Golly gee, thanks mister! A whole ten dollars! You're a good man!" So what are you, some kind of 'judgement from God on wheels?' Delivering judgement along with food for each unsuspecting customer? Is my self-worth supposed to be determined by the look on your face as you walk away? Is that how shallow I'm supposed to be? Think again.

I think it's the whole carelessness with money that bothers me. Money is a resource that should be used wisely - not whored around like a bunch of kids playing with marbles. I don't know - I can't explain it. I just don't like it. Basically you - expecting me to treat my money like I don't respect it... that's an insult.

If I were to come up to you and say, "Hey, go burn a hundred dollar bill -- I've heard it makes you a nice person". Or, "Hey, go spend 5 grand on a collar for your dog... then he'll know you love him" How would you take it? You'd probably be insulted, because I'm insinuating that you're a fool when it comes to handling your money.

That's it.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

It is truly amazing how many cheap there are where I live. They order a $18 or $17 worth of food, give me a 20 and they expect every penny of change back. Then there are the people who give the exact amount. You just know they were never intending to give a tip in the first place.

Some points and grievances:

For those who do not tip:
-Pizza Hut does not pay for the gas which I use to bring your pizza to your sorry ass. I do. It is not worth my time and effort for me to drive to your house and give you pizza and get nothing in return.

-Pizza Hut does not include tips in the bill. Its up to YOU to cover it.

-Pizza delivery (sales drivers) is considered the 5th most dangerous job in America. Not just danger from robbers and murderers but also from car accidents since we are on the roads and highways pretty much all day.

-The "Tip" section on your visa slip is just that: A tip for me. None of it goes to Pizza Hut. Its all mine.

I'm sorry, but how is that my problem? Take it up with your employer, asking the customer to shell out becuase you are underpaid is rediculous. You should not expect a tip by default. A tip is an extra for good service. And thinking of a customer as a "sorry ass" will not help. If you show that attitude when delivering, ecxpect less tips. I didn't force you to deliver pizza's but I have to shell out for your inconvinience?

For others:
-When you give the pizza driver the money, make sure you indicate that they can keep the change or tell them how much change you want back. I'm not allowed to ask how much you want back. And If you don't tell me to give change back then I assume the change is my tip then I say "thank you and have a nice day" and I walk away. Don't chase after me cussing me because you didn't get your 3 bucks back.

Excuse me? If I am including a tip I will tell you. If I tell you nothing you will pay back every penny of chance. You are not allowed to ask because you should pay every bit of chance back unless told otherwise.

Imagine this kind of practice at the grocery store.

-Please do not pay half the charge in quarters. So far I have been nice and accepted it but its getting to be a pain to count them all on your doorstep and cause me to loose time.

It might be bothersome, but you will remain nice even if someone pays with pennies.

-Please do not prank people by calling in fake pizza orders. The only person you are hurting is the drivers who you don't even know. When we take a pizza to someone who didn't order it, it is a huge waste of time and money for the driver.

Totally agreed. That's a crappy prank.

So please remember. When you order a pizza, please tip the driver.

If he deserves it. If he gives me headache because he doesn't like the way I pay him, I am not going to tip. If he's late, I'm not going to tip. If he has attitude, no tip. If he sighs and rolls his eyes when I pay with small bills or coin, forget it as well.

 

[Bugfatty300]

And nobody wants to see, or be a part of degredation.

Your entire post is degrading and insulting. Tips are not "hand-outs" since I am preforming a service that goes above and beyond virtually all other food services. I'm delivering prepared food to your house (mostly on my expense and my own personal safety). And I do not ask or beg customers for tips, they either give to me or they don't.

 

[Lotus49]

Don't mind Lotus. He's just trying hard to seem above human while not realizing that one of the flaws of being human is that you can never surpass your humanity!

No, I'm trying to help humanity. Let me tell you a little story about when I was tipped. There I was, about 8 years old... my parents were having a party with all their friends (sort of a formal kind of party). Anyway, the house was looking pristine, everyone was dressed up, and I was trying to be discrete. But, I had been taking some piano lessons, and we had a baby grand piano, so it occured to me for some strange reason that I could do some entertaining - you know, add some background music. Of course I had to get all dressed up in my church clothes, and play some Beethoven, Mozart, etc. No big deal... it's not like I was the center of attention or anything, just eine kleine Nachtmusik, in the background.

Well, some of these people were fairly wealthy I guess, and there just HAPPENED to be this vase thingy on the piano. Suddenly people started dropping some dollars into it, from time to time. I was astonished. I didn't know what to think. I just kept playing for a little while. Afterwards, when I was done, I retired back up to my room and played with my Ninja Turtles (or whatever). At the end of the night, my parents told me to come claim the tips.

I don't know. It was a disgusting feeling. The feeling of cheapness. Normally a kid is happy to get some cash from adults, but this time, I was being 'tipped'. It was a whole different feeling.

Some people just have pet peeves. Look at Axl Rose... he goes crazy when people throw stuff up on the stage at him. In his mind, it's a sign of disresepct... as if he's just some animal at the zoo for your entertainment, and you can throw some fruit at him or something. Usually all it takes it for somebody to throw a coin or something, and he'll just walk off the stage right then, after cussing someone out.

I guess my pet peeve is along these lines, with regards to tipping. It's belittling. Even as an 8 y/o, it made me feel 'beneath' the others (even more than I naturally would, being a kid).

"Ah yes... don't forget to throw some change in the guitar case, as you pass him by in the subway". Man, come on. Maybe some people can live like that - with no dignity. To me that's just disgraceful.

 

[Bugfatty300]

And thinking of a customer as a "sorry ass" will not help. If you show that attitude when delivering, ecxpect less tips. I didn't force you to deliver pizza's but I have to shell out for your inconvinience?

I show nothing but good will and courtesy to all customers even the ones who never tip a dime on perfect on time deliveries and even the ones who cuss me over the phone for asking them to repeat their number or respell their name. But If I want to personally think of them as sorry ass cheapskates and call them that on the internet then I will. Probably not a good idea to do so when arguing for tips but thats what rants are for.

Sorry but tipping is simply a common courtesy that people do. When people are rude and uncourteous for no apparent reason or fault on my part then I will definitely have a less than good opinion of them. But thats just me.

You are not allowed to ask because you should pay every bit of chance back unless told otherwise.

Actually I don't. We do not carry exact change. If the customer doesn't have the proper amount then I can just leave and take the order back with me. I really hate to do that so I actually put up with being short changed more often than I should.

If he gives me headache because he doesn't like the way I pay him, I am not going to tip. If he's late, I'm not going to tip. If he has attitude, no tip. If he sighs and rolls his eyes when I pay with small bills or coin, forget it as well.

None of which I do btw.

 

[Lotus49]

Your entire post is degrading and insulting. Tips are not "hand-outs" since I am preforming a service that goes above and beyond virtually all other food services. I'm delivering prepared food to your house (mostly on my expense and my own personal safety). And I do not ask or beg customers for tips, they either give to me or they don't.

Well I guess when you're scratching to make ends meet, you've gotta do what you've gotta do. Me - I just have a problem with the whole, "use innuendo (or sales pitch, or whatever the case may be) to effectively reach into their pockets, and relieve them of that weight in their wallet by a few ounces". I don't like it... I wouldn't do it, and I don't like it when other people do it.

Salesmen are very similar. They do what they do.... and then you are 'obligated' to 'give them their due', by throwing your money down the drain. I dunno man, in my mind that's just not a respectable way to make a living.

You've seen the movie Terminator (who hasn't?), take the Mexican kid at the end of the movie. That's just flippin' extortion. BUT... c'mon NOWwww... give him a hand out! "That's just how things work!" Yeah, it works for people who have no dignity. Get this whole game out of my face.

It's laziness. You're not hardworking enough to actually provide some valuable service that can make good money on it's own merit. That's all good and fine... IF you are disabled, or very old. Then, you need help. But if I see a perfectly strong, able-bodied guy delivering a pizza, hoping people will "GIVE" him some money... c'mon man. I sure as heck know it wouldn't work if I did it. "What is this?" They would say. "Why has this perfectly intelligent, healthy young man turned into a beggar?" "What a shame."

But it WOULDN'T be enough 'shame' for them to actually throw some cash at me. Some would... though. And those are the ones that are the worst of all. They're buying drinks, for the alcoholic.

 

[Bugfatty300]

BTW, here is good site that explains why pizza delivery drivers deserve tips, what the proper tip amounts should be and also when not to tip the driver.

 

[Bugfatty300]

Get a job at Domino's. They pay more than a dollar per run that you take.

Other than that, I'd say, as a former delivery driver, that if you habitually neglect to tip your driver or tip poorly, then I guarantee that you've eaten tainted food more than once and it is only a matter of time before it is something that is going to make you sick, whether that is the intent or not. I've worked at three different delivery stores and I would estimate that at least half of the drivers are unscrupulous enough to do things like this.

AFIAK the Domino's here pays the same as Pizza Hut, which is $1 per delivery.

 

[brennan]

If *insert company name here* charges me £1.50 for a pad of paper, I damn well expect it to cost me £1.50 and i'd be pretty pissed off if some stroppy kid at the checkout expected me to 'tip' them for doing their job satisfactorily.

If *insert company name here* tells me it's £6.99 for a pizza they get £6.99 for it. End of.

Yes I tip. When given very good service. Not when someone does their job.

 

[Bugfatty300]

If *insert company name here* charges me £1.50 for a pad of paper, I damn well expect it to cost me £1.50 and i'd be pretty pissed off if some stroppy kid at the checkout expected me to 'tip' them for doing their job satisfactorily.

What if the stroppy kid drove the paper pad 10 miles to your house with his own car and gas? Considering gas prices in the UK would consider that outstanding service.

People, please stop using cash register people as an analogy. They do not do the nearly the same amount of service as a delivery person does.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

What if the stroppy kid drove the paper pad 10 miles to your house with his own car and gas? Considering gas prices in the UK would consider that outstanding service.

Not if it's part of their job. Then it's part of the product I paid for. Your beef isn't with the customer, it's with your employer who refuses to pay for the gas you use when you work for them.

I believed I should have recieved a bigger bonus last year than I got. Does that mean I can bug the people playing on my machines in bars and restaurants for a tip?

 

[brennan]

Not if it's part of their job. Then it's part of the product I paid for. Your beef isn't with the customer, it's with your employer who refuses to pay for the gas you use when you work for them.

Agreement, go moan at your boss, not your customers.

Edit: I walk the 5 minutes up the road to the pizza shop myself. Ordering is lazy.