Spin Off from the Pizza Delivery Thread re: Tips

[Marita40]

The pizza delivery thread reminded of a tip question I had. I stayed in a very nice hotel in Tampa last week and, since I was on an expense account and the restaurant was closed at the time, ordered room service. As the tiny print stated at the bottom of the menu, 20% was added to the cost as well as a $4.00 "delivery fee." I wasn't sure whether the "delivery fee" was a tip for the deliverer or not and rather than stint the poor lad I tipped him. (Yes, the whole thing turned out to be enormously expensive, but what a luxury to eat in your jammies with an HBO movie on cable ). Question: should I have tipped on top of the "delivery charge"?

[Sesq]

Should you have? Beats me. I always tip a couple/few bucks when I do. Most often on my employer's dime.

[pb4uski]

I tipped the deliverer as well, usually in cash. I suspect that the 20% and the delivery fee go to the hotel - outrageous - yes, but it is what it is and sometimes the convenience of room service compared to going out is worth the extra cost.

[JustMeUC]

I probably order room service 50 or so times a year and I was probably assuming that they did get it but maybe like the pizza, they don't. But, at least all they are doing is riding the elevator up to me, not having to spend their own gas and wear and tear on their car to deliver it to me

[braumeister]

Uh-oh. I would automatically assumed the 20% was a gratuity. Just like when they automatically add it to a restaurant bill for parties over a certain size. I've never used room service in my life, so I'm not qualified to answer here, but that would have been my thought.

[Gus.]

I remember one time when I ordered room service that the person who delivered it actually told me that the tip was included and I didn't have to give him anything. Similarly, when we had our wedding reception at a hotel an 18% gratuity was included in the price of the bar service. I asked whether that meant that the bartenders were getting an 18% tip and was told that they were. I didn't tip them above that and I told our guests not to tip them, though I'm sure that some did anyway.

If a bill includes a gratuity I don't pay more than that. Waiters get ripped off by this all the time. I usually tip 25% (as I tell my wife, the few extra dollars it takes to turn a good tip into a great tip means a lot more to them than it means to me). If the bill includes an 18% gratuity the waiter loses out. I reward the ones that don't include the automatic gratuity for large groups.

[grasshopper]

Thread merge, we ordered PH from our cabin in Anchorage one night. I was torn because we paid a charge for delivery, the driver got lost couldn't find our cabin, and the pizza was room temperature. The driver got the tip, we called and got a partial credit for the pie.

[JOHNNIE36]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grasshopper Thread merge, we ordered PH from our cabin in Anchorage one night. I was torn because we paid a charge for delivery, the driver got lost couldn't find our cabin, and the pizza was room temperature. The driver got the tip, we called and got a partial credit for the pie.

What are you doing ordering pizza pies in Alaska? Thought you would be ordering Eskimo Pies.

Sorry, couldn't resist.