AIBU Not to tip Just Eat driver?

[DukeofEarlGrey]

I’m open to whether or not AIBU here.

During lockdown I started using Deliveroo and Just Eat a bit, usually for the occasional lunch or dinner at about £10-£15. On Deliveroo there is a delivery charge and then an additional option to add a driver’s tip and I would always add an extra 10-15% to the initial delivery fee.

I then broke the Deliveroo app (don’t ask me how) and switched to Just Eat. Just Eat doesn’t have an option to add the delivery tip and I’ve never been sure of the etiquette for cash tipping the driver. I occasionally do it but more often than not either forget or don’t have cash at home. It’s never seemed to offend the driver and I’ve never given it much thought.

Anyway, I just ordered lunch from Just Eat and when I thanked the driver, I think he said ‘thanks for the tip’. I didn’t give him a cash tip so assume this was sarcasm and now wonder if I am being really harsh in not tipping.

I get that it is technically optional, but am curious to know what others do and whether there is an established etiquette, so...

YABU - They should be tipped, bad form not to
YANBU - It’s a nice-to-have

I am in the UK, by the way.

@MsHedgehog I was responding to your 'gig economy' post...

I always tip 10% through Uber Eats, the driver messages thank you via the app.

@girlmom21 JustEat stopped using the gig economy for delivery drivers, hence why they pay a normal wage.

To correct some information on this thread. As an outlet, you can choose to use just eat drivers or use your own. Just eat drivers earn a fair amount per order. Restaurants own drivers earn whatever their employer sets, usually an amount per hour and an amount per delivery.

Uber eats is the same process, use theirs or your own.

Deliveroo is also the same.

I don’t usually tip the drivers unless I’m paying cash anyway, in which case I’ll tell them to keep the change.

It was really rude of the driver to say that to you, and I would report it to the restaurant before getting just eat involved - unless you are sure it was a just eat driver.

@DifferentHair

I do, and I tip more if it's raining or very cold.

As above, if I can afford food delivery I can afford a tip. It's a hard and poorly remunerated job.

This is how I feel.

The idea that someone sitting home on their rump can't tip the person out in the weather hauling their food to them is just amazing. Low-class to say the least.

@PerveenMistry

Can't imagine not tipping. I tip at least $10 US for a pizza coming from half a mile away.

They have to pay for their own fuel & vehicle upkeep, and they don't get the whole delivery fee.

My god people are cheap.

Isnt the whole wage situation different in the US though (assuming as you used $). My understanding is food service jobs are largely tip based? Whereas we not only have a minimum wage but also things like health care etc. I totally get why tipping has to be more important in the US. There seems to be a much greater disparity in incomes and a lot more to pay for.

That said I have tipped for food deliveries but usually where delivery isn't included or they have done something extra rather than standard. Often I've already paid for the delivery

@girlmom21 The very concept of paying minimum wage goes against the gig economy.

I think tipping should be reserved for those that do a good job, there are plenty of gig economy drivers who cheat the system.
They multi -app and pick up more than one delivery at a time to increase their earnings but this means food can be cold for some of the customers. They also claim to have bicycle accounts when in reality they have a car which they are not paying the appropriate insurance for etc.
So if I order and they collect the food and deliver it straight to me without delay (aside from when the app tells me they are on a legitimate double delivery), in the appropriately listed vehicle, they are using a proper delivery insulated bag, are polite then I will happily tip. If not then I don't.
The app charges for delivery which is paid to the driver and those doing it properly can easily earn a good wage from it. My DH does it as a side hussle and makes good money. He never expects tips but is always appreciative when he gets them.
But never feel obliged to tip if you don't want to. Also do not hesitate to report drivers who do not do it properly as they ruin the companies reputation and make it harder for the ones who do it properly.

I always tip, delivery drivers, restaurants, hairdressers, beauticians...I run 2 businesses that receive tips and they are always gratefully received

www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/25/some-uk-deliveroo-riders-earning-just-2-an-hour-survey-finds

@Waveifyouknowme

They are in a car, alone, with your food.

I always tip.

What the hell does this mean? If you don't tip then next time they will shit in your food? 🙄

My delivery drivers always seem to put the food on the doorstep, ring the doorbell and then run back towards their car. No hopeful hanging about for a tip!

i noticed that about the car/bike thing always says bike they alaywas turn up in a car sometimes with someone else with them so i assume theyre working for more employe4rs but claiming theyre not

I'm always somewhat doubtful the driver gets the full delivery fee, so I always give something cash (usually £2, unless exceptional circumstances).

Most of the delivery drivers I have either leave food on the doorstop and ring the bell, or hand it over and are back down the garden path before you can even offer.

I just don't think it's expected by most drivers in the UK. The US is obviously very different socially.

I've never tipped a single delivery driver in my life, and if one made passive-aggressive comments like that, I would be scoring them very badly on the app. Cheeky shit.

I don't order often and I always tip, generally 15 or 20%. I do so because there's the option on the Uber Eats app. I never never have cash so wouldn't be able to tip otherwise.
I'd feel bad not tipping when given the option.

@whynotwhatknot

i noticed that about the car/bike thing always says bike they alaywas turn up in a car sometimes with someone else with them so i assume theyre working for more employe4rs but claiming theyre not

You should always report them if they do this. To deliver food you have to have hire and reward insurance on top of a normal policy, the apps make you prove you have it by uploading your insurance documents, the cheaters circumvent it by claiming a bicycle account. The police do random checks and will seize cars etc but people still do it. You will sometimes have 3 or 4 family members in the same car operating an account each, so 1 will get their order then wait another 10-15 mins while another gets theirs and the first persons order is getting cold! its disgraceful behaviour!

Extremely rude of the delivery driver. I don't tip. I'd have asked him for his name and passed on my unhappiness at being sarcastically spoken to, to the company.

@PerveenMistry

Can't imagine not tipping. I tip at least $10 US for a pizza coming from half a mile away.

They have to pay for their own fuel & vehicle upkeep, and they don't get the whole delivery fee.

My god people are cheap.

Continues are much much better here thank God. But I agree it is cheap and I always tip Amazon Ocado and good delivery.

The riders are treated dreadfully by their employer and paid a pittance for a pretty unfulfiling job. By using the service you are encouraging this practice to continue, therefore if you have a takeaway delivered you have a moral obligation to tip. Surely the takeaway must taste pretty sour with all the guilt if you know you've dragged someone out to your property and left them without the pittance that allows them to scrape by.

@TinySaltLick

The riders are treated dreadfully by their employer and paid a pittance for a pretty unfulfiling job. By using the service you are encouraging this practice to continue, therefore if you have a takeaway delivered you have a moral obligation to tip. Surely the takeaway must taste pretty sour with all the guilt if you know you've dragged someone out to your property and left them without the pittance that allows them to scrape by.

@TinySaltLick can you explain how the riders are treated dreadfully please? Also, you say they are paid a pittance, so how much do you think they get paid?

@MsHedgehog

If you can afford a take away, you can afford a couple of extra pounds as a tip.

My daughter can’t afford a takeaway. Her employer gives her £10-£15 to buy a takeaway including alcohol (eg can of cider). She then writes a report on whether she was ID’d for the alcohol by the driver. She gets to keep any surplus plus gets to eat the food.

Tipping shouldn't be necessary - the fees should be increased so they can pay their staff fairly. If the prices cannot sustain a fair wage then the service isn't viable - and profits shouldn't come at the expense of the riders who are often without a choice.

@TinySaltLick

The riders are treated dreadfully by their employer and paid a pittance for a pretty unfulfiling job. By using the service you are encouraging this practice to continue, therefore if you have a takeaway delivered you have a moral obligation to tip. Surely the takeaway must taste pretty sour with all the guilt if you know you've dragged someone out to your property and left them without the pittance that allows them to scrape by.

Gotta love the dramatics on Mumsnet 😂