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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

WIBU to remove the tip from the Amazon Prime Now order?

54 replies

coralpig · 15/04/2016 18:36

I'm on a train to my parents house and I'm bringing my small pets with me- I've done this before. It's about a 4 hour journey door to door.

I've noticed that I've forgotten their water bottle. They can't get to a local shop to pick one up for me unfortunately so I was wracking my brain for options.

I remembered that I have Amazon prime now and they do a two hour free delivery service. I've never used it before but it seems perfect for this.

I'm really broke at the moment and scraping the pennies together before payday.

I made the order for the water bottle which will be delivered tonight. I'm amazed at how easy it is. There's a £20 minimum spend so I bought a few extra things that I've been putting off buying for work just to meet that spend. As I'm a prime member the delivery was free. Amazon suggested a £2 tip but, because this was an unanticipated expense, I removed it from the order.

I now feel really really bad. I'm a bit hypocritical with Amazon as I don't think it's a very ethical company and I'm now reading about how little the drivers get paid. I certainly won't starve if I tip but I'm very strapped for cash at the moment.

The terms and conditions of Amazon say that drivers can't accept cash and I don't think you can add the tip on later.

I don't really like how Tipping is deemed necessary and added to your bill automatically as I feel an employer should pay their staff enough so that the customer doesn't feel obliged to tip but I know that's not how the world works.

Was I unreasonable?

OP posts:

Standingonmytippytoes · 15/04/2016 18:39

No I've never heard of leaving a tip put it out of your mind and never think about it again you clicked no end of

freshprincess · 15/04/2016 18:39

Tipping Amazon? Not a chance. P

whatsonyourplate · 15/04/2016 18:39

Are you in the UK? I've never seen this and use Amazon a lot.

Original poster

coralpig · 15/04/2016 18:42

Yep in the UK- tipping only applies for the prime now service. So delivery within one hour (for an extra £6 I think) or 2 hours which is free if you are a prime member.

OP posts:

blueskyinmarch · 15/04/2016 18:42

I order stuff with Amazon prime a lot and have never seen this. I ordered something earlier today and there was nothing about a tip.

whatsonyourplate · 15/04/2016 18:44

Oh right, don't think I've seen that option, maybe they don't do it in my area.

catsoup · 15/04/2016 18:45

Well maybe amazon should pay their drivers a decent wage and not ask for tips. I would just forget about it.

whatsonyourplate · 15/04/2016 18:47

Yeah, just checked, not in my area.

GrimmauldPlace · 15/04/2016 18:51

On my prime now app it always automatically adds the £2 tip. I order a lot on it and sometimes I tip usually because I'm a bit ocd with numbers and don't like having pennies on the end but if I'm a bit strapped for cash, then I don't. I do feel a little bit bad because I never know if the driver knows whether I've paid a tip or not.
You can alter the amount you give as well. Think the lowest I've given is 41p to make it to the nearest pound

I wouldn't worry about it though, my driver's are just as pleasant whether I've left a tip or not.

misskatamari · 15/04/2016 18:52

I ordered from Amazon prime now for the first time this week and also noticed this. I did tip as felt the same as you, and didn't want to be mean. It did annoy me that it was an option, as it's not something I would normally tip for, but it seems stingy to not do so when given the choice.

chipsandpeas · 15/04/2016 18:55

id rather tip the driver than pay it thru amazon as u dont have any gurantee it will be passed to the driver

Capricorn76 · 15/04/2016 19:04

Amazon are a multi billion dollar company. They treat their employees like shit. They are hoping we will subsidise their staff pay by adding tips. If enough customers do this they will probably reduce staff pay and say they need to work harder for more tips. Please don't support this.

You've paid for the item and you have no other option than for it to be delivered to you so why would you tip for delivery?

Scooterloo · 15/04/2016 19:15

Appalling - the fact that they add a tip on. They have huge profits and do this. I'm seriously reconsidering my amazon default place to buy stuff place. [shocked]

ohmywhatamisaying · 15/04/2016 19:18

hahaha that is hilarious. "Tipping"? Fuck Amazon.

bluesbaby · 15/04/2016 21:24

I can't believe anyone would tip Amazon!! Amazing gall!

Rainbunny · 15/04/2016 21:31

Seriously you're not sending a message to Amazon, you are sending a message to the lowly paid delivery person. Are you in the USA or UK? I'm in the USA and use Prime now regularly, I would NEVER dream of not tipping but I remember in the uK it's not customary.

NadiaWadia · 15/04/2016 23:42

Maybe this is a cultural misunderstanding? As in Amazon UK have just copied what happens with Prime Now on the Amazon.com site, not thinking about the different customer base.

We don't have it in my area, but it does seem very bizarre to British eyes for a huge company like Amazon to do this. Why don't they just call it a delivery charge, and be done with it? I would never think to tip a delivery driver, TBH, only waiters, hairdressers and taxi drivers.

MissTurnstiles · 15/04/2016 23:46

We use Prime Now occasionally.

As far as I can see the difference seems to be that the Prime Now deliveries come from people who are clearly using their own cars, a bit like a takeaway delivery. Normal Prime and other deliveries come from an established courier, usually DPD in our area. I wonder if the 'tip' is some recognition of this?

ParadiseCity · 15/04/2016 23:47

That sounds rubbish of amazon. How can you know in advance of you want to tip? I tip for prompt/professional service - when I'm ordering something how do I know if this is going to apply?!

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 15/04/2016 23:52

I'm literally sat here with my mouth open. Totally gobsmacked that Amazon think this is acceptable.

andadietcoke · 16/04/2016 00:00

Deliveroo is similar in that you're paying a tip in advance of knowing what service you're going to get too. We had an awful experience with a delivery driver picking up late and arriving very late, and it really annoyed me I'd paid a tip when I ordered.

RealityCheque · 16/04/2016 00:29

Pmsl at everyone (in the UK) who would tip.

This is NOT the good old U S of A. Batshit crazy.

ScoutandAtticus · 16/04/2016 08:37

How bizarre. You pay for Prime membership so there is supposedly no other charges. I definitley wouldn't pay.

Bearsinmotion · 16/04/2016 08:45

Rainbunny would you tip in advance though? That seems very odd to me - I tip for good service, i don't know if it will be good service in advance.

SquinkiesRule · 16/04/2016 08:49

How weird I haven't noticed this on my prime account. Is it only on two hour deliveries?
Anyone know an Amazon delivery person, I wonder if they actually receive all these £2 charges. I'd rather hand a tip over in person if required.

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