How do you tip curbside pickup?

[spinbaby]

Not getting near people complicates tipping and I do want to tip the people who are basically risking their lives to get my groceries. My tactic so far has been to put a $20 bill into a sandwich bag with a post it note that says “TIP.” I leave this in the back of my car where they load in the groceries and it invariably gets a cheery thank you. My order is usually around $150, so I’m beginning to wonder if I should be tipping more.

[woodsprite]

1. I've decided my "base" tip is 15% of the order.

If they do really well or somehow go out of their way, I go back in the app and up it to 20% of the order. I've heard they've been having issues where a person would log on and zero the tip out after they received their order. I would only remove or lower a tip if I didn't get my stuff - otherwise, they keep their 15%.

I was walking the dog yesterday and thought I might have to do that. The shopper pulled into our driveway and then pulled out again and drove away, and a minute later I got the message my order had been delivered. I texted her and said "Are you in a white car? You were in the right place when you turned around. I know our development can be confusing. I was walking the dog and couldn't get back to the house fast enough." She answered "Yeah, that was me." After that, my groceries arrived. My development is 4 streets, only about 30 houses and we're on a cul-de-sac with a clearly labeled house number. I don't really think it's confusing, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt.

If I can't change it (we do online restaurant ordering or instacart), I'll leave extra labeled in an envelope taped right where I ask them to drop the order (so like what you're doing).

My highest tip so far has been $37, with an extra $13 taped our van, and the guy really earned it. He was shopping for me at BJs on a crowded Saturday morning, kept me in constant chat, photographed shelves if they were out of something so I could pick a replacement, and it was a good sized order. It happened all with 1 hr, so he was efficient as well and took great care when setting the food by the garage door (all frozen together, all fridge, etc.).

[enough]

2. I agree 15% minimum sounds good. More if very complicated, late at night, etc. NT

[spinbaby]

5. I haven't had delivery

Instacart locally only works with a grocery store I don’t frequent because they’re dirty and Aldi, which I like, but doesn’t have everything I need. A couple of other stores deliver, but don’t have openings for delivery. Curbside usually has openings and I don’t mind going over to get my order.

[Bengus81]

3. LOL...thought you meant trash!

Actually I do tip my independent trash guys on the first pickup in Jan and sometimes in the summer when it's blazing hot. Those guys are hero's in my eyes,they're out in every kind of Kansas weather.

I've always supported independents when Waste Connections and Waste Management did everything they could with buy outs to rid this City of competition back 20-25 years ago. They almost succeeded, but now there are more independents than those two over priced asshats and we have lots of choices and affordable rates because of it.

[Ptah]

4. Easy.

[Ptah]

6. Tough room. Tip your waitress!

[Kali]

12. I need that guy to do some work for me.

(you know I am actually serious, right?)

[Skittles]

7. ...

the folk having to deal with multiple people on the job deserve compensation

I'm using cash. I hope they're savvy dealing with cash amid coronavirus.

[MissB]

8. Fred Meyers doesn't allow tipping

And that’s where I do my curbside pickup.

I have one persons doing shopping for me at a particular store/delivering to my porch. She charges me 20% of the receipt amount which is a reasonable tip equivalent.

[LeftInTX]

9. Employees are paid at least standard wages for curbside.

At HEB. Tipping is not allowed.
The person shopping is an employee. They would be at more risk if they worked at the register.

Based on what I see, I get the impression they get the groceries mostly from stock. For instance, I can NEVER find Diet Blue Power Aide, but when I ordered curbside, I got it. Also I got an interesting brand of bleach, which I've never seen in the store.

If anyone deserves tipping, it is the cashier

[retread]

10. I always add at least 15% to Instacart orders. More if total tip is less than $20. Recently

I discovered my wife was putting cash in an envelope and taping it where the groceries are delivered. How much cash she hasn't disclosed!!

[LisaL]

11. I use amazon prime delivery.

Tip is included at the time of purchase (on-line).

[Kali]

13. I didn't tip anything on the single thing I did curbside since this new life started,

10 bags of livestock mineral at Tractor Supply. It is actually a service they have always had and I didn't even think about it. I have instructed son to tip at the two restaurants we occasionally get take out from. Grocery and Ace in nearby town don't do delivery or curbside.