Delivery Tip Etiquette
In the United States and Canada, it is customary to tip a great many service people, including delivery people. This is not always the case elsewhere in the world, so it is important to observe each culture's rules regarding tipping when traveling. In the U.S., tips may be more important than customers realize.
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Purpose
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Individuals and businesses alike tip people who deliver their food to show gratitude for their timely, professional and courteous service. This is the most common delivery tip situation, although other goods may be delivered as well, and other delivery people tipped. The reasons are usually similar, if somewhat less pressing, as food temperature is not a factor.
Normal Situations
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It is customary to tip delivery people anywhere between 10 percent and 15 percent of the bill before tax. The rate depends on how pleased a customer is with a delivery person's service. If food is delivered on time, appropriately hot, and with courtesy, customers should tip well. If a delivery person goes above and beyond the call of duty in some way, grateful customers may wish to tip slightly more.
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Extraordinary Situations
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Even during extreme weather, delivery people still make the rounds and bring food to customers. In those situations, grateful (and hungry) customers may wish to reward those stalwart delivery people with a slightly larger tip for a job well done. Customers, however, should be understanding in the event of catastrophe. If a major fire has streets around a customer's residence blocked, that customer should understand that his food may arrive a few minutes later than expected while a delivery person finds an alternate route.
Considerations
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Delivery people often depend on tips to supplement decreased hourly wages. Depending on local laws regarding their wages, those delivery people may make a very small hourly wage because the bulk of their income comes from tips. Additionally, delivery people must account for wear and tear on their vehicles, as well as gas (unless they deliver via bicycle). Customers considering not tipping or tipping a very low amount should keep these factors in mind.
Warning
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Customers hoping to establish a good relationship with local eating establishments should always be courteous and tip fairly when delivery people arrive. Eating establishments often keep notes on customers in their records, including order history and ordering problems. The customer is usually right, but even if a delivery person has arrived a few minutes late, some retaliation should be considered out of bounds. Threats of withholding payment or violence against a delivery person are quick ways to ensure that a restaurant will no longer deliver to a particular customer.
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References
- Photo Credit delivery vehicles only! image by TMLP from Fotolia.com
