Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: do you tip pizza delivery guys?

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Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 08-12-2010, 04:17 PM:

Subject speaks for itself.

Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 08-12-2010, 04:23 PM:

Yes.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 08-12-2010, 04:31 PM:

$20 *IF* he's cute! Hubba Hubba! [evil]

(God! I'm soooo shallow! HA!) [thumbsup]

Posted by David E. Nedrow (Member # 4981) on 08-12-2010, 04:42 PM:

In the context of home delivery? Or delivery to a theatre?

I always tip with home delivery... assuming the pizza arrives whole and hot, and seemingly without additions. [Wink]

We've worked with a couple of pizza places, one of whom has a no tip policy specifically because they have a delivery charge that they basically hand to the driver.

The current place we're working with is great and I tip the drivers because I want them to get the pizza to us within 20 minutes of the order being placed.

-David

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 08-12-2010, 06:33 PM:

Just so everyone knows... typically a pizza delivery driver uses their own vehicle, insurance, and fuel. They typically make minimum wage to cover their labor and may or not get paid a small stipend per delivery (a dollar or so) to help defray their fuel and wear and tear.

Without earning tips the delivery person would actually lose money by using their own gas, and paying for wear and tear on their car and for their auto insurance. Earning tips makes it worth it for the driver so that they can take home their minimum wage without having to spend it just to work.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 08-12-2010, 08:20 PM:

Yes.

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 08-12-2010, 08:51 PM:

Yep.

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 08-13-2010, 12:13 PM:

Interesting artical I just found. pizza

By the way, my 2 dominos pizzas which are advertised as $5.99 each cost me almost $20 bucks after delivery charge and tip.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 08-13-2010, 12:58 PM:

Sounds to me like the Teamsters should organize pizza delivery drivers [Razz]

They are clearly being abused.

Steve

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 08-13-2010, 01:00 PM:

I'll tip a $5 MINIMUM. Louis

Posted by Todd McCracken (Member # 4718) on 08-13-2010, 01:37 PM:

Yes, however the amount depends upon the included delivery charge. In LA its getting kinda stupid, pizza+ 5$ delivery charge+tip.

No delivery charge very nice tip, delivery charge reduces that option.

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 08-13-2010, 02:15 PM:

At the theatre the minimum tip is $5.00, I never order at home.

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 08-13-2010, 04:25 PM:

Yes. I always tip.

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 08-13-2010, 04:29 PM:

I adjust my pizza delivery tip based on attitude and weather. If they earn it, why not?

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 08-13-2010, 05:54 PM:

Yes I do, but in principle, I am vehemently against tipping the way it has evolved today. Tips were intended to acknowledge particularly good, personal service, not an automatic number that is both expected and in many places even MANDATORY; it is a perversion of the original intent of our Founding Fathers.

What automatic tips at automatic percentages of the bill do is, they reward the employer for being a cheap unethical bastard for not paying his employees a decent living wage. And how does he get away with it? He doesn't have to pay that decent wage because TIPS are built into the system; he knows WE will subsidize his workers salaries. The expected 15% is not graded to the quality of service, but simply a fixed, presumed amount that will, if the worker is lucky, be added to his take home pay. Make the damn employer give them a 15% pay salary increase and be done with it and I will tip the person giving me service commensurate with how exceptional or mediocre I feel that service has been, or not at all -- my choice.

And not meaning to criticize delivery or waitering workers, but maybe they SHOULD get a little proactive and speak up for themselves and yes, unionize; demand a decent wage.

We should all write on the checks when we add the tip, "Mr. Cheapskate Employer -- pay your workers a decent wage so they don't have to rely on the kindness of strangers to support themselves."

My JoAnne says I am insane.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 08-13-2010, 06:23 PM:

Not to get this into political territory, but part of this is that businesses are (depending on the state) allowed to pay less than minimum wage since the tips are meant to cover it to make them go to minimum or above. IMO, if the costs of the services and product are so high to neccessitate adding a tip... the people should simply charge me more up-front.

For instance, I once had a massage that was priced at $60 for the hour. When it was over, I left a $10 tip with the hostess. She started asking me if that was all but stopped herself mid-sentence. Personally, I consider 16.7% pretty generous but apparently it's not enough...

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 08-13-2010, 06:39 PM:

Exactly! If the 16.7 percent is ESSENTIAL to cover the cost of the service and without it, it puts the service rendered in the red, then don't call it a tip; just charge the REAL cost -- make it a $70 or an $80 massage. Don't try to camouflage and call it a $60 massage and socially pressure me into making up the difference with a "tip." Because that can backfire -- calling it a tip means I can give whatever I like, or nothing at all and if I choose to tip, say 6% or worse, nothing at all, then there goes their little marketing slight-of-hand scam, right down the drain with the rubbing oil.

Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 08-13-2010, 06:41 PM:

Regarding the whole tipping thing, might I suggest the opening scene of Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs"...

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 08-13-2010, 09:37 PM:

Frank - I have to disagree here. I attempt to explain:

We, as customers, subsidize 100% of the workers salaries by buying their product or services. If a business pays their employees more, they just end up charging more for the product/service. So your scenario of paying a "decent living wage" would only result in higher prices anyway.

The reason for the fixed percent you refer to, rarely used since it is almost always reserved for larger parties (often 8 or more) is so the server doesn't get stiffed. If a group of 12 runs up a $800 restaurant/bar bill, and the server has had to dedicate his or her entire time to that one table instead of having their normal number of tables, and whoever pays decides $120 is a lot to tip, regardless of quality of service, the server gets screwed. And this automatic tip is so rarely used that its hardly an issue. Or do they add it for parties of 2 and 3 in New York?

Lastly, what is a "living wage?" Who gets to decide what that is? Minimum wage (the real perversion of the intent of our Founding Fathers, but that's another issue) certainly isn't a living wage, so why do we even have it? Why is a business obligated to pay a living wage? You have just as much ability to choose your job as the employer does to choose its employee.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 08-13-2010, 10:37 PM:

quote: Chad Souder
We, as customers, subsidize 100% of the workers salaries by buying their product or services. If a business pays their employees more, they just end up charging more for the product/service. So your scenario of paying a "decent living wage" would only result in higher prices anyway.

Except he wasn't complaining that the price was too high with tips.

If business A charges you $60 for your meal and the server talks down at you for giving a $10 tip and business B has a rule of no tips but charges me $70 up-front, I pay the same either way but with the second one I am not treated like I am an asshat (even if I happen to be one...)

Posted by Dennis M Dow Jr (Member # 1970) on 08-14-2010, 12:04 PM:

I tip the pizza guy when he delivers. I tip the waiter/waitress when he/she gives good service.
If I feel they have been lacking in service the tip goes down. I usually tip at least 20% if service is good. If service is bad they get no tip.
What really gripes me is if you go to a store nowadays they have a tip jar set up on the counter. If I am coming into a store to buy something, I do not feel you have the right to ask for a tip esp if you are only getting me a coffee.
As far as adding on the tip to the bill, a lot of restaurants by me add 15% to the bill for parties of 8 or more. I do not agree with this but they state it clearly at the beginning so you know it is there.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-14-2010, 02:30 PM:

Usually 5 bucks for one pizza and an extra buck per every extra pizza over that delivered on the same order. If you have a favorite pizza joint near you then taking care of your delivery guy will usually get you your pizza quicker and while it's still hot.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-14-2010, 02:31 PM:

I do not allow the pizza guy to deliver, I go get it my own damn self.

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 08-14-2010, 03:21 PM:

This dominos is only about a 5 minute drive, so the pizza guy only drove about 5 or 6 miles tops round trip. The surcharge for delivery I can understand, It was more convenient for me to have it delivered, but all the driver did was walk 10 feet from his car to my front door, which I answered right away because I was waiting for my pizzas [Big Grin]

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 08-14-2010, 03:26 PM:

quote: Chris Slycord
Except he wasn't complaining that the price was too high with tips.

Right. He was complaining that employers don't pay much because they know WE will subsidize their wage with automatic tips, going so far as to suggest they unionize in order to get higher wages. I then responded that automatic tips are rare, and if the employer paid higher wages, WE would pay more automatically, subsidizing their wage anyway, because ultimately all costs just get passed along to the customer. He was complaining about the automatic 15% added on and how it makes up for low wages by unethical owners, and my response was that a higher wage would automatically add to what the customers pays anyway, not decrease the profits of the cheap owners, except it would do it for parties of all sizes, not just large ones.

If you're going to play film-tech policeman, you should really try reading so you don't look silly. Or, just stay out of it, since you're offering nothing relevant to the conversation, just getting off on pointing out what you think is a mistake by me.

Also, if you're getting "talked down to" or "treated like an asshat" for giving a small tip, then just don't go to that place anymore. Or mention it to a manager if you really like the place, just not that employee. It's pretty simple. If you're feeling shame or guilt or anger after being talked down to, that's your own fault. I would feel just fine knowing I left a tip I thought was equal to the quality of service I received, regardless of the reaction of the employee.

Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 08-14-2010, 06:34 PM:

The most popular pizza shop in town does not deliver, but has almost a cult following among the locals at its many different locations around the area. As for some of the other lesser shops, my wife usually tips in the $5.00 to $10.00 range depending on the order.

quote: Chad Souder
Lastly, what is a "living wage?"

The amount of money that I earn per hour (or contractually through salary) in which myself and/or family members can carry on the basic necessities of life in which I do not have to engage in anything illegal or unethical to make ends meet.

quote: Chad Souder
Who gets to decide what that is?

I do, when I accept employment.

quote: Chad Souder
Why is a business obligated to pay a living wage?

Because as a local radio talk show host recently admonished to his listening audience: "If you are making more on unemployment than you are working for $8.00 an hour then I whole-heartedly support you staying on unemployment".

Now that is why a living wage makes sense.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-14-2010, 06:35 PM:

Richard, it is highly unlikely that his trip was so short. It is very common for drivers to take 2 or sometimes 3 pizzas per trip.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 08-14-2010, 07:16 PM:

quote: Chad Souder
If you're going to play film-tech policeman, you should really try reading so you don't look silly. Or, just stay out of it, since you're offering nothing relevant to the conversation, just getting off on pointing out what you think is a mistake by me.

1) Try being a little less smug once in a while. It might make people think you actually care about what they have to say.
2) When I saw you saying that you disagree with Frank, I assumed this also included the post where he was agreeing with the points I had made since you didn't specify otherwise. But clearly this is a sign of me being an idiot who can't understand what is/isn't relevant to a conversation and am just playing policeman.

quote: Chad Souder
If you're feeling shame or guilt or anger after being talked down to, that's your own fault. I would feel just fine knowing I left a tip I thought was equal to the quality of service I received, regardless of the reaction of the employee.

Why is it "my fault" to be annoyed with someone treating me poorly?

Also, I have no idea where you got the idea that I felt guilty for giving the tip. I said that they tried to guilt me into giving a higher tip. That doesn't mean I felt guilty.

Posted by Jason Metcalfe (Member # 5739) on 08-14-2010, 09:00 PM:

There should be a law relating the number of posts and topic to the speed of thread degeneration into petty semantical arguments.

1) Waiters are assholes, I know because I used to work in a restaurant. They will bitch at anything and anyone, the size of your tip will do very little to change this fact.

2) The food service industry is a generally shitty place to work. I'm not sure how many posters in this thread worked their way up from theater floor staff but I remember my days of selling $7.00 popcorn and $4.00 water bottles to people who just paid $10.00 for a movie ticket. People turn into real assholes when it comes to their food, that's why I always tip well. It's rough to be a waiter/food handler and polite service with a modicum of civility should be appreciated financially.

3) The bottom line, however, is that tipping is completely voluntary, no matter how ingrained it has become in our culture. If you don't tip then don't expect to be treated particularly well on your way out of the restaurant, which is understandable as you have just thrown up the ultimate in service industry insults, but no one is holding a gun to your head either way.

quote: Chris Slycord
For instance, I once had a massage that was priced at $60 for the hour. When it was over, I left a $10 tip with the hostess. She started asking me if that was all but stopped herself mid-sentence. Personally, I consider 16.7% pretty generous but apparently it's not enough...

I bet you never got a good handjob there again.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-15-2010, 02:21 AM:

I'm curious as to what the consensus is on tipping when the pizza place is not even half a block away. I know a few people that are in that scenario.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 08-15-2010, 09:54 AM:

quote: Jason Metcalfe
I bet you never got a good handjob there again.

Considering the place closed down a while later, that's true. [Wink]

In any case, that was the normal going rate for real massages in the Seattle area.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 08-15-2010, 09:55 AM:

To me the concept of tipping is the same as having an agent.

This guy knows the ins and outs of a place and is going to give you the best food/service he can. You reward him based on the degree to which he succeeds.

The best waitress I ever knew ($1200 tips on Sunday afternoon in the 1970s) said her success is easy: "I tip the chef!" Louis

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 08-15-2010, 03:07 PM:

As far as Brad's question - yes, doesn't matter how far away it is. Though their job is easier, my laziness is increased as well. If I don't feel like walking a block to get a pizza, then I should expect to tip for that service.

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 08-15-2010, 03:25 PM:

quote: Mike Spaeth
then I should expect to tip for that service.

Ummm? isn't that what the delivery charge is for? The service of having it delivered?

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-15-2010, 04:15 PM:

The delivery charge does not go to the driver. The driver doesn't get much from the company per delivery and actually loses money on gas, etc if he/she doesn't get a tip. That's how it is at Pizza Hut, anyway. A friend of mine worked at Pizza Hut for 15 years and it got progressively worse. He was able to support himself, a wife who doesn't work and two kids at one time just on that job alone.

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 08-17-2010, 03:53 PM:

I've never had a pizza delivered. I order it over the phone and go retrieve it myself. Saves a lot of money, and I get out of the house, which I'm told is a good thing to do periodically.

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 08-17-2010, 04:26 PM:

> The delivery charge does not go to the driver.

Then maybe they should find another line of work.

The delivery person is working for the Pizza establishment, not the customer. As a customer, if I am paying for delivery, then the delivery person is just doing their job and it is not worthy of an additional tip. The fact that the delivery person is allowing the Pizza establishment to screw him over is no reason for the customer to be screwed over.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-17-2010, 04:39 PM:

quote: Mitchell Dvoskin
Then maybe they should find another line of work.

I'm sure that many would like to, but (this may come as a bit of a shock) finding new work isn't always easy, especially when it needs to have a comparable wage to what one can make delivering pizzas AND when pizza delivery driver is the main thing on your resume. Good luck with that.

The delivery charge was added (and increased) to supplement the company's profits. It was never taken away from the driver. The driver still gets a delivery stipend, but it is nowhere near what the delivery fee is. Maybe you should just not order pizzas from places that do that. By doing so, you are directly endorsing bad company practices by rewarding them with your business. Next time, ask how much of the delivery fee goes to the driver when you order your pizza. If you feel you are being lied to, ask the driver when he gets there.

Bottom line: The pizza company isn't screwing the driver with the delivery fee. They are screwing you.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 08-17-2010, 08:34 PM:

If I were the delivery guy, I'd probably figure out why you were asking and give you an inflated percentage because if you decide to stop ordering from that I can pretty easily calculate X% of $0.

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 08-18-2010, 08:05 AM:

Hey, I'm expecting a delivery from UPS today, should I tip the delivery driver?

Posted by John Lasher (Member # 968) on 08-18-2010, 12:15 PM:

I usually tip pizza drivers/restaurant waitstaff 15% rounded to the nearest dollar, if the pizza is late/service is slow I sometimes knock that down to 10% (unless I've paid the tip in advance via credit card). I hardly ever tip less than $1.

Posted by Fred Georges (Member # 505) on 08-18-2010, 09:45 PM:

"Hey, I'm expecting a delivery from UPS today, should I tip the delivery driver?"

I Do...Every Christmas...& the FedEx ground driver too. My packages are always wrapped in plastic on rainy days & My Film delivery's are left hidden in back by My shop. Tipping builds good will & is cheap insurance. Sure, it's not "necessary" but, it pays dividends in MY piece of mind. [beer]

Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 08-19-2010, 10:49 AM:

quote: Chris Slycord
For instance, I once had a massage that was priced at $60 for the hour. When it was over, I left a $10 tip with the hostess. She started asking me if that was all but stopped herself mid-sentence. Personally, I consider 16.7% pretty generous but apparently it's not enough...

A Happy ending is a lot more valuable than a happy meal! [Big Grin]

In all seriousness, I think standard tips should be built into the food charge which should be used to pay the server a better wage. I am going to be very un PC here. But if you get more expense accounts, you will get good tips. If you get a bunch of secretaries, watch them count every penny and tip you 12-15% no matter how good your service is. I dont think tip levels reflect the server's service as much as the clientele he or she gets. I know people who will tip 15% at the very least no matter how bad service is. Then you got some people hwo will tip 10% for excellent service. A tip should be for only excellent service.

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 08-19-2010, 01:24 PM:

quote: Pravin Ratnam
A Happy ending

What is that? [Big Grin]

My $1500 package was left at the front door yesterday. I heard the UPS truck pull up, and before I could get to the door he was already driving away. No knock on the door, no doorbell, he just left it there.

I thought about calling UPS and asking where my delivery was [evil]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-19-2010, 02:49 PM:

At my place the doorbell is rung and before the doorbell sound even stops resonating they are already driving away.

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 08-19-2010, 02:56 PM:

poor UPS guy, I was going to tip him too!

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 08-19-2010, 03:56 PM:

In general, why it's better to order pizza for delivery than to eat out.

Posted by Joe Elliott (Member # 4006) on 08-19-2010, 04:21 PM:

You know, after reading this, I think we should start tipping our UPS guys at the theater. They have been very good lately, and even come up to the 4th floor to get their movies without bitching. We've been pretty busy lately, I it had just not occurred to me until I read this post. Maybe can use the money from recycling the tungsten (which isn't much as only 1 recyling place will even bother accepting it).

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-20-2010, 03:44 AM:

quote:
This dominos is only about a 5 minute drive,

You call that Pizza???

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 08-20-2010, 07:52 AM:

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
You call that Pizza???

Not really, but my niece and nephew were here and it was cheaper than me going to the local pizzeria which doesn't deliver. The kids don't care what brand of pizza it is as long as it has pepperoni and cheese on it.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-20-2010, 10:09 AM:

I know a guy who works for FedEx and they do not expect tips at all, period. However they certainly wouldn't refuse one! My friend has been tipped a couple of times in his many years.

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 08-21-2010, 03:26 PM:

I know many people that give Christmas gifts to their UPS/Fed Ex/USPS drivers. I suppose that counts as a tip.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 08-23-2010, 04:06 AM:

Now this reminds one of that iconic homoerotic classic, just celebrating its 20th Anniversary....

OK, so who is going to tip him?

Phil, I am waiting for another "hubba hubba"

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 08-23-2010, 08:28 AM:

quote: Chad Souder
I know many people that give Christmas gifts to their UPS/Fed Ex/USPS drivers.

Maybe business owners who get daily deliveries. I get about 3 packages a year delivered to my house. If I ship something, I have to carry the packages into UPS, stand in line, fill out forms. I never get a tip for that.

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 08-24-2010, 08:15 AM:

So today I'm expecting a FedEx package, we'll see how this guy does. Maybe I'll leave a cookie hanging by the doorbell so he accidentally rings it [Big Grin]

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 08-24-2010, 04:41 PM:

Well, I was home all day, checking FedEx website (tracking) and looking outside every 1/2 hour or so. I just checked and my 2 boxes which are valued at $5000 were sitting on the doorstep. No knock, nothing, I think the FedEx guy must be a ninja.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-24-2010, 04:57 PM:

You should move your house way back off the road if they continue to do that. Thats what I did... keeps the curious from pokin around!

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 08-24-2010, 05:24 PM:

Richard, Was a delivery signature required? If the sender doesn't check that option box when generating the shipping label, the drivers don't have to wait around. Not that I'm excusing them for not even knocking on the door. But they'll probably do the minimum required by the shipment paperwork.

Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 08-24-2010, 05:48 PM:

quote: Chris Slycord
Not to get this into political territory, but part of this is that businesses are (depending on the state) allowed to pay less than minimum wage since the tips are meant to cover it to make them go to minimum or above.

Just to clarify, from the Fair Labor Standards Act:
http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/q-a.htm

quote: Chris Slycord
Not to get this into political territory, but part of this is that businesses are (depending on the state) allowed to pay less than minimum wage since the tips are meant to cover it to make them go to minimum or above.

If a tipped employee receives $0 in tips they will still earn at least $7.25 an hour, just like all the other minimum wage employees out there. Also, pizza delivery drivers using their own vehicles can claim the uncompensated expenses on their taxes-though of course I'm pretty sure not many pizza guys itemize their taxes.

And yeah, I usually tip, though I do vary it based on the service.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 08-24-2010, 06:12 PM:

I never claimed that they would be allowed to pay you below minimum net pay. My point is that this tipping structure exists because we allow it to exist codified in law. It's a way for me to act like I have low prices when really you're not paying the listed price at all.

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 08-26-2010, 03:32 PM:

Yesterday I talked with a Peavey tech because they sent an outdated manual with an X-Frame. They overnighted one to me and the Fed Ex guy left it laying by the front door. I was in the back yard and heard him pull up. He just layed it down and walked back to his truck. I was walking around the corner of the house and he just pointed and yelled from his truck that it was by the front door.

Posted by Fred Georges (Member # 505) on 08-26-2010, 04:22 PM:

quote: Richard Hamilton was the last to post

the Fed Ex guy left it laying by the front door. I was in the back yard and heard him pull up. He just layed it down and walked back to his truck. I was walking around the corner of the house and he just pointed and yelled from his truck that it was by the front door.

In best Soup Nazi voice...."NO TIP FOR YOU!!!!!!" [fu]