Tipping for take-out or counter service (coupons, how much, gated)

[pinetreelover]

The tipping thread got me thinking about this issue. Do you tip and if so, how much for take out or counter service. For instance if you order a pizza and get it yourself (not delivery - that is different) and you charge it, there is always a blank for tip. What about places like Moe's or Willy's? What is the appropriate tip (if any) for take out that does not involve delivery?

[Mattie]

I don't feel obligated to tip under these circumstances, but will sometimes do so anyway, for "cheerful"
service.

[PKCorey]

I don't tip for picking up my pizza. Defeats the whole purpose.

Same for chinese food.

I've never done curbside to go but idk, If I would tip. If I did, it would be a $1 or $2..if that...

[spotch]

At pizza places I frequent often I'll usually toss in a buck. It's always good to be friendly at the places you frequent, especially when they hook you up with free coupons and extra sauce

[neil0311]

I tip for delivery if it's fast, but not if they charge extra for delivery or if it takes too long to arrive.

[flyonpa]

Never, ,... I also think I should get a discount for doing take out at Med level Familiy Places. The menu price inclued the cost of the overhead of the space for tables, bar etc . Take out is VERY profitable to them.

[arjay57]

I don't think I should have to tip at a coffee shop when I'm the one walking up to the counter, carrying the coffee to the condiments bar, adding the cream, throwing away the trash, carrying the coffee back out the door, etc.

But I usually do it anyway because they guilt trip me by putting those big jars right there at the cash register. If I had a coffee shop I'd ban that practice, pay my employees a little more, and put up a sign that says, "No tipping, please -- we're just glad you stopped by."

On the other hand, if somebody is going to camp out in a coffee shop and take up a table for hours on end and treat it like their personal office or study room, then they should definitely pay more.

[WestbankNOLA]

I don't necessarily agree with tipping if I'm simply picking my food up and walking out of the door with it. I will every so often, but I've started to notice restaurant employees getting an attitude when you don't leave a tip for carry-out.

[spotch]

If I had a coffee shop I'd ban that practice, pay my employees a little more, and put up a sign that says, "No tipping, please -- we're just glad you stopped by."

I hope you do, but 99.9% of places don't. It's sooooo much easier to just pay minimum wage and hope the customers pick up the rest of the tab. The temptation is strong for owners!

[aries4118]

People do need to know:

1. For pizza delivery, $2.00 should be the minimum tip. This is adequate. $3.00 is the ideal minimum tip. Anything less than $2.00 per delivery (no matter what) is inadequate/insulting/cheap.

2. Then, the normal way of things is $1.00 for each additional pizza.

3. So, no matter what is delivered, a driver should be paid $2 or $3 (or more!) minimum. If you ordered 2 pizzas, your minimum tip should be $3 or $4. If you ordered 3 pizzas, minimum of $4 or $5. If you ordered 10 pizzas, a minimum tip of $11 or $12.

4. The "delivery charge" is not a tip that goes to the driver.

5. If you cannot afford to tip, do not eat out or order delivery.


*(And I do understand that a tip is optional/not deserved for very poor service...just make sure the ire is directed at the correct person/people {cook, owner, pizza-maker, waiter, driver, etc.}...!)