To tip or not to tip Supermarket Delivery Drivers

[hellhavenofury]

AIBU to not know the etiquette of tipping supermarket delivery drivers? What does everyone else do? Is there a rule for this? We have had food deliveries for ages but never thought about it before until last night. Had a lovely delivery driver who was super helpful, really chatty and he kind of lingered when he was done and I didn't know what to do.

I never tipped them when I got deliveries. Maybe would if I had the same driver regularly who was nice and it was Christmas or something?

I don't. I've been told they're not allowed to accept tips (although I must admit that I've never actually tried).

I never have, it’s never even crossed my mind that I should

I never have. I rarely tip anyone though tbh.

No, they get paid a wage and you pay for the delivery as well anyway so you don’t tip supermarket delivery drivers

I have only ever heard of tipping delivery drivers on Mumsnet. I've never known anyone to do it in 'real life' so I assume it must depend where you live. It doesn't appear to be the norm in my area.

Never even crossed my mind to

I tip at Christmas or if it’s a really big shop, for a bbq or party in the summer.

It would never occur to me to do this.

I've had my groceries delivered for years but have never tipped the delivery driver - it never crossed my mind to! I believe they get paid a fair wage and I've already paid for the delivery service.

i wouldn't have thought to, no.

not a thing and i'd assume they can't accept it anyway - feel free to offer them a drink or a biscuit though, i'm sure they probably get thirsty and peckish on the job like the rest of us, so that couldn't hurt if you want to be nice.

I don't like the culture of tipping, because once it becomes normal in a sector it almost gives the employer a justification to pay less. Unless there was an exceptional circumstance (keep seeing the same delivery driver & become friends, he/she does something extra helpful, it's a holiday etc) then I would not tip.

No I haven't ever thought about it either until my OH mentioned it and made me doubt it! I tip the room service guy in a hotel and I pay higher prices for the food because I can't be bothered to go down to the restaurant. Is this Not a similar thing?

At the supermarket I work for they're not allowed to accept tips, but if you're particularly pleased with something they have done you can call the store to let the online department know. It's possible that some money can be put into a reward account for the driver by the supermarket if they feel it's warranted.

I don't normally tip except at Christmas, or if they've battled through foul weather like snow or in one case, the vehicle broke down and the driver delivered in his own car. If I am ever asked to do a survey when I'm ordering online, I always praise the drivers.

Everyone else you tip 'gets paid a wage' - but no I don't do it but feel like I kinda should. I tip take away delivery people.

I used to be a home delivery driver. Albeit about 6 or 7 years ago now, but the shop I worked for, we were not allowed to accept tips. We would rarely get them to be honest. I did get the odd fiver at Christmas, or if I had to carry lots of stuff somewhere awkward, or if a lift was broken in a block of flats, etc. However it was the policy that we would sometimes get a tip, we had to hand it in to management to be shared around between all branch employees....will let you guess how often that happened!
The nicest was when it was particularly hot, and someone would give you a bottle of water/can of coke. One time I got a bottle of orange juice and that made my day, hah. I'd say do that if you felt so inclined, otherwise don't bother.

My DH always has a go at me for not tipping the supermarket delivery drivers, and usually does give them a tip if he is here....but we don't tip amazon deliveries or other deliveries so not sure.... Glad I'm not the only one who doesnt tip

My dad is a Sainsbury's delivery driver. I'll ask him.

My dad said they're not officially allowed to accept tips but on the rare occasion he's been given one he's kept it.

I'm pretty sure they aren't allowed to accept tips and shouldn't have money on them

Esp in warm weather, I offer them a drink, bar of choc, ice cream or something nice, I also offer to see if they need the toilet while they are here.

I have become friends with quite a few of them over time, I am often bedbound so they sometimes end up unpacking the groceries or just putting the fridge/freezer stuff away for me and can leave the rest on the ground.

Treat others as would like to be treated. The Christmas delivery if it is one of the regular drivers they get a tip (and kept sttumm), same with the postman, bin men get drinks left on top of bins (as they come around the back of the house for mine).

No they wouldn't be allowed to accept it either.

I've tipped 3 who were exceptional I can't afford to tip them all though.

Never tipped any of mine and, like pp, it never occurred to me. I have weekly deliveries so tips would add up.