Dominoes clerk asking for tip for take out pizza

[Digit]

Does anyone else find this odd?
I stopped at a local Dominoes to get a pizza to take home. I used my debit card since I did not have enough cash on me and the clerk presented me with the receipt to sign saying, “A tip is not required but appreciated”. If I had ordered a pizza to be delivered, I would of course give a tip. I happen to live outside of the Dominoes delivery area, so delivery is not an option. Since when are the clerks asking for a tip at the time of purchase at the counter?

I thought it was rather bold, and in the back of my mind I wondered if they would tamper with my food for striking a line through the tip.

Is this something new? If so, it made me very uncomfortable.

[Hoyt]

1. Having worked for tips, I usually do when picking up food from a place like that.

I know a lot of folks do not tip, so I don't think it is expected. I definitely do if they have a tip jar. My assumption is that the wage they are being paid assumes tips.

Not sure guy should have said that, but wouldn't worry about it. Give them a good tip next time.

[Digit]

7. There was no tip jar, it was a Dominoes Pizza

Nope, I will not be going back...at least to that location. For one, it is the worst Dominoes I have found as far as being a tasty pizza, and two, it is almost impossible to get out of the shopping center where they are located.

[Wait Wut]

2. Most of the non-chain takeout places here have tip jars.

I always toss in a couple of bucks...more if I have an abundance of singles clogging my purse. I figure it's compensation for dealing putting up with some of the assholes in this town.

[Digit]

8. This is Dominoes Pizza, isn't that a chain?

An abundance of singles has never been a problem for me....

[Wait Wut]

12. Yes, that would be a chain.

But, I haven't eaten at a Dominoes in about 20 years.

I refuse to use a wallet, so there are always random singles flying around in my purse. They like to attach themselves to other things and attempt escape. It's better to donate them to the underpaid.

[Boom Sound 416]

3. I tip for take out

Usually five bucks flat for bagging it up and what not on larger orders or the "taxi tip" (change plus a buck) on smaller orders

[Digit]

9. It was one pizza

I drive there, tell the guy I want one large plain pizza, wait 10 minutes, take pizza box, drive home.

How much for that?

[Boom Sound 416]

10. Taxi tip

I'm not saying your heartless. It's just what i do. If I use my debit card i add two bucks.

Mostly, for me, I do it because I had those jobs once and couldn't tip and was thankful for the 1 in 20th person who did it. Now I can afford an extra couple bucks here and there so I'm paying it back or forward or a little to the left.

[Digit]

17. Well, I am not working at the moment

So I don't go out to restaurants and such.

It is very nice that you spread the wealth. I am sure they appreciate it.

[Boom Sound 416]

20. I won't lie

I get some self gratification out of it too. But those who can should ( in my view). Those who can't probably would but life happens. And thanks.

Did I get you right. The clerk or whomever brought it up to you. IMO that's a little rude.

[Digit]

21. Yes, they brought it up

Thanks

If I had plenty of money, I would like to spread it around also. My belief has always been when you can make someone feel good, they in turn will most likely pass it on to someone else.

Maybe a little pollyannaish, but it's better than the alternative.

[Boom Sound 416]

22. Are you kidding

That's the secret to this whole dern human comedy.

Stick with it.

[blogslut]

4. Was it printed on the receipt or did the counterperson say those words?

If it was printed on the receipt then the staff have no control over that. If the counterperson actually said that, then that's pretty freaking wrong. It's one thing to display a tip jar but when one is displayed it's approved by management/company policy. If the employees are straight-up asking for tips for counter service, well, it's rude, probably in defiance of policy and just-this-side of extortion.

[Digit]

11. Since it was visa I used, the receipt had a place for tip

You know the kind of receipts: amount $8.61, next line said tip with a spot where you could put one, and under that says total which is where I wrote the total of 8.61 after drawing a line through tip.
He kind of pointed at the tip line as he handed me the receipt, stating what I had said.
The impression I was given is that he expected one.

[Xyzse]

5. I tip a little for take out.

Maybe a buck or two at the most.

[Digit]

13. Wow, I wish I had had you for a customer back in the day!

I can recall years ago when I worked for Dominoes delivering pizza that I had two pies I gave to one guy and he stiffed me.

It was Christmas Eve, and it had been raining horrendously for a few days and the Superbowl was on. I was soaked.

I was stiffed so much that day, I quit work early, went home only to discover my basement was flooding.

It was a bad, bad day all around.

[Xyzse]

37. Oh, I worked delivery in a Chinese place when I was much younger.

I almost never get delivery, and usually go for pick up.
Since I feel bad if I don't give at least a minimum of 4, especially if the weather is bad.

It racks up pretty quickly. I especially do not do Pizza delivery. Some reason or another, they started tacking off "Delivery Fee" added to the tip, which never seems to go to the drivers any way.

They even add a damn convenience fee for web orders.

So I generally go to the store themselves. All they get from me is another 1-2 extra. Usually, it is the 1 plus change to round it up to the nearest dollar.

[LynneSin]

6. You know I don't have an issue tossing a buck into the tip jar for take out

I mean they did take the time to assemble your order and it's just a buck (but unlike real waiters these folks do make minimum wage).

But if someone said to me “A tip is not required but appreciated” as they handed me my change or receipt to sign, I would have left nothing. I kinda find that offensive to ask even if the person asking was a waiter who made $2/hr.

[Digit]

16. I have been out with groups that were not tipping enough

I will always make sure to take care of the waitperson even if I have to hand it to them on the sly.

I just thought this was different and wanted to find out how others felt.

I wonder if he would have said it if I had paid cash.

[LynneSin]

28. But from what I read - that person is NOT a waitperson

It's true waiter can be paid $2/hour because the expectation is that the tips will make up the difference between a waiter salary and a living wage. I waited tables for 3 years and estimated that I was making $13-$18/hr waiting tables based on my hourly wage plus tips received. And the biggest no-no was to ask a customer for a tip or to mention it. The most we were allowed to do was to circle on the bottom of the check if the tip was included, which customarily 18% was added to parties of 6 or more as mentioned in the menu.

I'm not sure who started the practice of tip jars at non-waiter food positions, but the counter person at Domino's makes at least minimum wage and thus is NOT a tipped position. Because Domino's does delivery food, a service which would normally require a tip, their credit card slip system probably automatically includes a tipping section but you are not required to tip simply because the kid behind the counter boxed your food and rang up your bill.

Do I give money to the tip jar? Of course, especially if the order was complicated or at a coffee shop where I regularly visit and the staff gives me one of the super-secret hidden behind the counter Stevia packets for my coffee. But in the end we are not required to add to the tip jar so don't feel guilty about whatever choice you made. Most of the time if there is coin change from my purchase I'll drop it in the jar.

[riderinthestorm]

14. I don't ever tip when I pick up take out. I put a line through that part.

FWIW, I used to be that person behind the counter of a small mom and pop pizza place when I was a teen and nobody ever tipped me.

I never, ever expected it either. It was simply the way the cash registers were organized if someone paid with a card.

[Digit]

18. This was actually Carry-Out since I ordered when I came in

I don't think it makes a difference.

I just hope nobody gets offended enough to adulterate my food.

I don't think I will check out YouTube videos on the subject, either.....

[LynneSin]

29. If they did you have every right to complain

These people are working a non-tipped position.

[JVS]

15. Nope. The point of takeout is that nobody has to wait on you and nobody has to deliver.

[Digit]

19. That is what I had always thought

I see some on here feel differently.

[OriginalGeek]

23. Carry out is for when I don't have tip money for delivery

That's the whole point. I tip well for delivery and my pizza guys know me and I get great service because I am a known good tipper.

BUT, I still throw a buck or two in the jar when I pick up at the store simply because they DO know me and I like to maintain the relationship.

However, as a guy who has worked behind the counter and as delivery and as a waiter, it would embarrass me to no end to _ask_ for a tip. And it would irritate me to no end for them to ask me.

[Digit]

25. Thank you for your input

It seems there are opinions on both sides of the fence.

There is only one pizza place that delivers to my neighborhood and it is not worth eating. It is not Dominoes, either.

I can say that nobody else heard him ask me. I was the only customer in the shop and the other employees were not visible.

[Incitatus]

24. That is definitely an inappropriate comment.

I do tip when I get takeout, but I get takeout from real restaurants. There's a little more to my order than handing me a pizza. My orders have multiple items and often special requests such as extra or omitted items. I tip and I get remembered and have my orders done correctly and quickly. I expect when someone takes the trouble to drive to get their pizza instead of having it delivered it is to save money and the person at the counter should know that.

[Digit]

27. Like I have said, I am outside of their delivery area

It was only the second time ever being at this Dominoes and no, they did not bring up the tip issue last time.

I believe that because the visa receipt had a spot to add a tip, he felt he could ask.

My concern was also that someone feeling "wronged" might adulterate the order...especially since you pay up front before your order is made. I may just be paranoid.

I don't want to cost anyone their job. I don't wish that on anyone.

[NightWatcher]

26. I dont tip the McD's guy at the drive thru. I wouldn't tip the Dominoes' guy either

I don't tip 'non tip' jobs unless they do something far above and beyond. Taking my money and handing me a box of pizza isn't above and beyond.

If I pay cash and there is a tip jar, more times than not, I'll at least drop the coins in.

If you go so far as to ask for a tip, I'm even more inclined to not tip.

[panader0]

30. Would you tip the cashier at the grocery store?

I tip well when I'm out to dinner-20 to 25 percent. But fast food?

[Agschmid]

31. I usually tip $2 for that kind of thing...

$5 if they bring the food to my car, like curbside to go.

[flvegan]

32. Domino's for pizza? What, no Olive Garden?

[Incitatus]

35. Oh, you didn't hear?

Olive Garden is the go to place for burgers now.

Olive Garden puts a burger on its menu
Casual-dining chain offers Italiano Burger nationwide as part of menu overhaul
Dec 2, 2013 Ron Ruggless



Olive Garden joined the casual-dining burger battle on Monday after 31 years of touting its traditional Italian-influenced fare.

The 832-unit division of Orlando, Fla.-based Darden Restaurants Inc. introduced nationwide a new Italiano Burger, a six-ounce patty for $9.99, as part of a broader menu overhaul.

http://nrn.com/casual-dining/olive-garden-puts-burger-its-menu

I hear tacos are coming next.

[ashling]

33. When I order a pizza delivered

which I have not done in ages - but that is another story - I will always give a tip

except if the guy asks how much change I want,

This makes me mad.

My answer is "All of it"

[DebJ]

34. If there is no tip jar, there might be negative ramifications.

I worked in an upscale Quick Service Foods local franchise. We explained to all of the employees that they shouldn't take the occasional tips proferred because that would mean the IRS would then withhold some 'expected' or 'average' tip amounts from their paychecks, and since most likely there would only be few-and-far-between-tips, they would be having excess withholdings from their paychecks automatically, per IRS rules, and wouldn't see the money again until after filing their actual taxes the next year.


So I'd want to know from the manager or franchise owner what their policy is.

[TeamPooka]

36. Dominoes pizza sucks. Find a good local non chain pizza place.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

39. They've improved lately, to medium-ok-mediocre

There are better places, but worse ones too. In local shops, quality varies.

There's a good pizza joint near me, but it's always so dang crowded. Imagine that.

[TeamPooka]

40. I stand by my original statement. :)

[Digit]

42. Dominoes crust has improved quite a bit

When you find a good eatery, it is bound to be popular!

[Digit]

41. Recently when visiting family out of town I had an opportunity to have a slice and it was decent

That is why I stopped by to pick one up on my way home from an appointment.

I don't know of any other "good" pizza places in my neck of the woods.
...I wish I did. There used to be one that was very good, but they went downhill. The dough is now disgusting. It is tough and rubbery...consistently.

Of the 3 Dominoes locations I have had pizza from, the one closest to me has the worst tasting of the 3, but it is okay.

[Feral Child]

38. They're reduced to begging

due to the creep franchise owner paying as little as they can get away with.

If there's a tip jar prominent, i'll always tip.

Likewise with a reasonable plea like you experienced. I can appreciate that it weirded you out, but I think it's just a sign of the times.


BTW, I always tip cash. Not content with paying less-than-subsistence, thieving owners will also pocket "charged" tips, claiming that they're due the money because the CC companies charge them for accepting cards.

I tip a flat 25%. Serving is hard, rushed, unappreciated work. I tip more for exceptional service.

I also donate to buskers, w/o concerning myself with how they spend it. Life is extremely hard for some folks and who am I to judge?

"Every night and every morn
Some to misery are born,
Every morn and every night
Some are born to sweet delight.

Some are born to sweet delight,
Some are born to endless night."


Blake