Is tipping online retailers now a thing?

[GoingBacktoSchool123]

Just placing an order on Saint & Sofia and at checkout I’m offered the option to tip their staff 5%, 10% or 20%?

Have they lost their minds? What on earth is the tip rewarding? People doing their jobs properly? You don’t even know until the delivery is complete.

AIBU to think that extending tipping to online retailers is a terrible idea and they should be paying their staff properly so that tips aren’t needed.

They can fuck right off with bells on. Why would you tip somebody before getting the service?

Shite like that would make me stop using a company.

That’s some crazy bullshit, all right.

Whaaaat?! I haven't come across this but it's clearly madness. I work in an office... maybe I should add a crowdfunder link to my email signature if this is becoming a thing!

Off topic but I found their stuff was pretty variable - nice tops but the stitching on the skirts pulled and broke as soon as you moved in them!

Bizarre. Not something I've come across. As you said it doesn't make any sense to tip before you've even received the service. Even if they sent out an email after with "review your purchase: and then a tip option at least that would be logical (though a definite no from me!)

I was amazed to see this the other day when I bought an Ashley alarm.

Excellent staff in real life shops don't get tips, so there's no way I'd give one online when you have no idea what or who it is you're tipping.

Why on earth would you to tip at the start of the transaction anyway? They might make a complete mess of your order.

Just done a dummy order (didn’t press enter on the payment page) just to check I’m not losing my mind and imagining it.

Nope….!

wtaf!
never seen this and don't want to.

No.
So someone in a shop could spend ages with me helping, taking stuff to a changing room, talking about choices, advising on other clothes to go with what I’ve chosen and they get nothing.
Someone in an office prints off the order and puts it in a bag and they get a tip? No way.

Grifters gotta grift

OMG, I would totally boycott this shop for that tactic!

When Saint and Sofia had a private sale online recently they were saying you could only have a credit note or gift vouchers if you wanted to return items. This is against distance selling regs. Wouldn't touch then with a bargepole

It’s possible it’s just something the software provider for their shop includes when making their website

So, is this the companies way of saying they don't pay their staff a decent wage?

Great way to put people off using them.

They are having a fucking laugh.

Absolutely ridiculous.

@Dogscanteatonions

When Saint and Sofia had a private sale online recently they were saying you could only have a credit note or gift vouchers if you wanted to return items. This is against distance selling regs. Wouldn't touch then with a bargepole

It doesn’t look like that is currently the case. Free returns for a refund with 14 days.

I have to say I do absolutely love their clothes. I have lived in the Apartment Pants and Runway Pants for the last two years and they are my preferred choice of WFH attire.

I think this is a big misstep / PR disaster and I hope it doesn’t catch on with other retailers or be used as a way to underpay staff.

@foxgoosefinch

Off topic but I found their stuff was pretty variable - nice tops but the stitching on the skirts pulled and broke as soon as you moved in them!

Yes this Was v expensive item and shonky stitching Sent it right back

Shopify give you option of turning tips on at the checkout. I'm kind of torn to be honest. Nobody has to tip, it doesn't hurt anyone having the option there and I don't know maybe some people really love their stuff and want to tip to show that or something? It's not like the staff are standing there staring at you as you decide whether or not to tip so there is no pressure.

I just had a look at their website there and would be extremely surprised if it isn't a shopify store judging from the layout. They just ticked the box to enable tips to chance their arm. They probably see no harm in giving people the choice.

@GoingBacktoSchool123

Just placing an order on Saint & Sofia and at checkout I’m offered the option to tip their staff 5%, 10% or 20%?

Have they lost their minds? What on earth is the tip rewarding? People doing their jobs properly? You don’t even know until the delivery is complete.

AIBU to think that extending tipping to online retailers is a terrible idea and they should be paying their staff properly so that tips aren’t needed.

Ridiculous (the concept of tipping a sofa company, not you OP). Indeed, who expects a tip apart from taxi drivers and certain hospitality staff? Tell the Daily Fail, they will love it!

Interesting…just looked at their US website and added a pair of boots to my basket abd went all the way as if I were about to pay….no option to give a tip.

That has completely put me off buying anything from them. I was actually weighing up some trousers and a scarf. This just says to me "please subsidise our staff's wages because despite selling premium products, we choose not to pay them enough". Disgraceful tactic.

I did a rare order on uber and it asked tip the driver. Had already paid 2.99 delivery.