Peapod Delivery Guy Wants a Tip

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Do you think he would take a check? What if I don't have any cash or change?

You don't have $5 in cash?

wth?

Go to the bank and be prepared.

duh

I'm not the OP, but do people really have cash around? One of the things that stresses me out when I go to get my hair cut is the realization that I don't have the right cash for a tip. I have a few 20s, because you yave to use cash to get change. I rarely use cash anymore. I use credit/debit cards, I pack my lunch, and I don't buy coffee. And - I do my banking online (the only branch is a 30 minute drive away, with strange hours).

Anyway, I can see why the OP asked.

[Anonymous]

Interesting topic. I thought I would add something to the discussion.

I spoke to my first Peapod delivery man and asked him if he picks and packs the groceries at the warehouse. He said he doesn't, only delivers it. The last three men I had were working part-time doing Peapod and were full time firemen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP sounds like a stingy cheapskate to me.

I am. That's why I use Peapod.

It's funny how people on this board think that since I get groceries delivered I have wads of cash laying around to tip the delivery person on top of fee. I don't . And since I get Peapod I have to sacrifice other things. I think I already pay a lot for the privilege and it could actually be that the delivery guy has more disposable income than I do.

Get off your ass and go to the store like the rest of us "normals"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
It doesn't help them. My point is that I don't understand why the Peapod delivery guy who is just one person in the chain of people involved in getting me my peapod order the one who gets the tip. I understand why I tip the pizza delivery guy - he's using his own car plus the delivery is free. I tip people at the salon because they give me special, personalized service and I want them to continue giving me this service. I tip the cab driver so if he sees me hailing a cab again he might be more likely to pick me up. I tip the waitress because I know she or he survives and depends on tips. I don't see how any of this fits with the rationale of tipping the Peapod delivery guy. The rationale here seems to be that I should tip him out of pity.

You haven't worked low-wage jobs in a while, have you (if ever)? Jobs which have exposure to tipping typically receive the bottom of the wage-earning line. Waiting tables actually pays under minimum wage because it is assumed that there will be tips. Likewise in jobs like the Giant Peapod service, the driver's receive minimum wage. Jobs in the warehouse often start at somewhat over minimum wage. I've seen places where those exposed to customers make minimum wage and those who work behind the walls earn between 10-25 cents per hour more to compensate for the fact that they don't receive tips. I've worked in places like that (no, not recently, but I do know people who do work in places that are still like this). My guess is that the drivers make dead minimum wage and the warehouse workers probably earn 10-15 cents more per hour. So, yes, often tipping factors into wages which is why you should tip the drivers.

And for those who think the Peapod driver was rude, he specifically said "For future reference, we now take tips." Doesn't sound like he was asking for a tip. He couldn't be assured that he would be the driver for your next delivery so the "future reference tip" could be going to some other guy. Tip the guy a buck or two. Even a buck can make the difference between his hourly wage and the next guy for the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When we first started using Peapod, I went to tip on the form and he said he would prefer it in cash, I just stared at him. Obviously this was an end run around taxes - or Peapod divvies up the tips (doubtful) and gives it to them (minus taxes) at the end of the month. That's why he wanted unreported cash. But I didn't like being told HOW to tip and called the company. They said Peapod delivery men should not be asking for tips at all. It's already taken care of in the price of the food and the service charge.

Not always. In some cases, tips that come in on the credit card get distributed to all of the drivers or sometimes to a wider pool. So, if you tip $5 cash, he gets $5. If you tip $5 on the credit slip, he may only get a dollar or two out of that. Don't always assume the worst. Some of you are such negative people. Why is it so hard to just be nice and hand the guy a couple of dollars. Stop being so condescending to the lower class people that serve you.

[Anonymous]

Jobs with tipping are lucrative. A waitress can easily get $3500 a month. Not bad for a job that is not full time. Not the easiest way to make a living, but money none-the-less that is difficult to walk away from.

[Anonymous]

I've worked plenty of low-wage jobs and am now an excellent tipper...but someone asking for a tip, even if it's indirectly, really annoys me and makes me not want to tip.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, I've used peapod many times over the years. I have always tipped on the credit card slip and have never, ever had the driver say anything about wanting cash instead. It's a different driver every time and they are always polite. I'm happy to say thank you with a few bucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On the piece of paper where you sign for your delivery, there is a place to add a tip.

+1 and it has been there for at least a year.

There's been one since Peapod started. I rarely have cash, so I just tip that way.

[Anonymous]

When my mother got deliveries I always suggested that she tip the driver $5.

[Anonymous]

If you don't want to tip, use Safeway. Their drivers aren't allowed to accept tips.

That said, we use Peapod. I'm more than happy to give the guy a few extra bucks for carrying my heavy groceries up the steps in the blazing heat, pouring rain, freezing cold, etc.

[Anonymous]

We take care of our Peapod guy. $10 is the norm, more if there is heavier items. Always polite, and always lets our little boy sign the paperwork, He gets a kick out of that!!

[Anonymous]

As a peapod driver I want to say that tips are VERY much appreciated. We are in the union but we still make minimum wage. Tips are the only thing that make the job worth keeping. There is a 7.95 delivery fee but the drivers do not see a dime of that. I don't expect a percentage because the average bill is around 200 $. But when someone provides a service and brings your food to your door and if you ask us to we will take it to your kitchen. For an average delivery 5 $ i think is appropriate. But if your ordering 35 packs of bottled water and you live on the fourth floor 5$ is an insult. Tipping is common coutesy.

[Anonymous]

I spoke with my peapod driver and he said they start off at minimum wage and get a 50 cent raise every year up to 10 $ an hour. We tip him 10 $ in cash and he always brings our eggs and bread separate as to not damage them. In my opinion tipping may not be mandatory but it is a common coutesy. If you are too cheap to tip then go to the store yourself and carry your own groceries. Imagine having to do that job for 8 dollars an hour these guys and gals work very hard they deserve atleast a few dollars for a tip

[Anonymous]

I am all for tipping and always tip generously even though we are at the lower end of what people make around here. That said, it upsets me that these enormous corporations get away with paying their hardworking people a shit wage and passing off the responsibility of helping them earn a living wage onto customers who already pay for the groceries and the service. It's a vicious cycle of enabling that crap. I'd rather pay a little more knowing someone like a Peapod driver was making a good wage and getting good health insurance. Studies on the restaurant industry have shown that tipping does nothing for motivation, and that restaurants that pay their servers a good hourly wage generally have equal to more positive feedback from customers. The only problem is that some customers don't like the threat of a giving a crap tip taken off the table (so to speak), and they push back.