Walmart+ delivery driver tipping? Really??

[aaronc879]

Instacart, Walmart, and I believe most Amazon drivers are independent contractors. That means no benefits. So I believe it is right to tip them. (Someone mentioned UPS, they are employees and paid well, so you do not need to tip them. I know a few people that worked for and retired from UPS).

Amazon drivers are not independent contractors. Amazon contracts out to Delivery Service Partners(DSP) who then own their own business and hire their own drivers. The drivers are not Amazon employees but rather W2 employees of the DSP. They make around half the pay per hour of a UPS driver with far less benefits but are still employees unlike Walmart drivers who are independent contractors working for a different company and paid per delivery rather than per hour.

 

[Sojourner]

Walmart drivers [...] are independent contractors working for a different company and paid per delivery rather than per hour.

I think this changes my perception of whether and how much to tip them. They are essentially like InstaCart shoppers/drivers, where they are responsible for getting all the items I've ordered from Walmart and then delivering them. Considering that, if they deliver all my items—successfully, and with care—I have no problem tipping them. Same goes for UberEats delivery drivers, whom I do tip.

 

[Beldar]

When MIL was on the downside in late life & couldn't drive anymore we used Instacart & it worked out well. The shopper would text her when they began shopping & were on the way. They brought the groceries indoors and set them on the table. We tipped well.

Later when she couldn't get down the stairs we left instructions for the shopper to go in the house (door unlocked) announce themselves, etc. Again, it worked out well & earned them a nice gratuity.

Of course we were on the opposite side of the country so had no alternative. YMMV.


_B

 

[Jerry1]

I’m in the camp of not liking the automated tipping at check out. In this case, it does seem like you would have contact with the person and be able to tip them personally given the outcome of the delivery. I don’t mind tipping people at all, but it’s an after the fact type of thing. In some cases I’ll order from a restaurant and do curbside pickup. I’ll usually suck it up and throw a few bucks on the table when I check out. But, walking an order out to my car isn’t something I think is worth a big tip.

Generally, I think the whole tipping thing is out of hand and agree with the people who say to just put it in their wage and let the price reflect the cost of the service.

 

[FindingForward]

The expectation for tip amount is also getting a bit ridiculous - and this is from someone who never tips under 20% unless the service is truly awful.

I go to this bar/grill type place - think fast casual like a Chilis, nothing fancy. They have ipad things that run your card at the table - I think it's to protect your credit card from fraud, vs walking away with it.

The screen gives you 4 tip choices: 22%, 25%, 30% or "more"!. Umm so 20% is considered cheapskate tipping now? It's soooo awkward because the server stands there waiting, often looking at the screen with you.

There's this tiny button for "different amount". The arrogance annoys me so much that I go for that button every time to specify 20%. C'mon: we get burgers & 2 beers for around $50 - that's a $10 tip for 2 older adults who have to be the easiest customers ever. We're polite, easygoing, leave the table neat, never send stuff back or run servers ragged with multiple requests.

I've tipped 25-30% for great service. (Or when at breakfast places where server is working hard, refilling coffee, etc and checks are smaller, will definitely tip a LOT more.)

But I won't be guilted into it.

 

[Midpack]

^^^ I've never seen one that didn't allow custom and/or no tip - so no one is forced to tip. But I agree many interfaces make it harder to find those options vs 15%-20%-25% or the like. Could be some customers haven't noticed the no tip path through the UI though they're always there IME.

 

[ownyourfuture]

Maybe I'm starting my old guy "get off my lawn" phase of life, I'm over todays tipping model.

You're not alone, & it's not an old guy thing.

The only food I've ever had delivered is pizza.
During the summer months, I prefer to order ahead & pick up the pizza myself.
If I want a pizza on a bitter cold night in January, I'll have it delivered.
In that case, I tip 25%

But I'll never tip when I order ahead & pick up.

 

[single2019]

I'm a "regular" at our Walmart that is one mile away. I do all the shopping (DW is handicapped and doesn't move well without a lot of help). I like going and picking out our groceries and chatting with the workers, who pretty much all know me by sight. It's kind of a "day out" for me when I am not playing golf.

I suppose if we were remote enough and I didn't have constant cabin fever, I would try the delivery service. The tipping requirement is bazaar, but I would tip the delivery person even if it was not required.

Walmart+ does NOT require tipping

 

[single2019]

Does walmart ring the door for your to answer, and wait there with your order (ala, instacart, food deliveries) or drop it off like amazon and ups. (even if ups might knock or ring but still drop and go).

Perhaps that's the distinction? With Ubereats and Instacart, I know the delivery person is a gig worker, making very little on each transaction, so I like to tip.

But if this is a paid employee (even contract/temps) via Amazon, Walmart, etc, then, nope that's not where I'd expect to tip.

Walmart+ gives you the option to sign for your delivery or drop off at the door

 

[purplesky]

I don’t wholesale disagree, it seems the spread of tipping has gotten out of hand, but again this is (not solely but) significantly driven by most customers spending their money where they find the lowest prices. People like to say they object, but where they actually spend is what matters, actions speak louder than words. People who casually object usually don’t appreciate what it takes to make a business successful (but insist they do).

Some restaurants have tried to eliminate tipping, increased employee wages and prices substantially, explained to customers, and they still lost business - and had to go back to lower prices and servers relying on tips. https://www.inc.com/huffington-post/what-happens-when-a-restaurant-eliminates-tipping.html https://www.eater.com/21398973/restaurant-no-tipping-movement-living-wage-future

If with no explanation you were offered Product/Service A for $20 at Company X with optional tipping and the exact same for $24 at Company Y - do you think most people would choose Company Y? The restaurant examples above show customers say one thing and do another. The success of Walmart over all the small businesses they crushed shows most customers say one thing and do another when it comes to prices and spending their money.

All I’m saying is it’s not as easy as you think, and customer behavior is part of the reasons, not just greedy companies…

Unless all businesses in a sector raise wages to absorb tipping, companies who do what you want are and have been punished for trying. Or unless customers change their actions en masse - which seems highly unlikely.

My main focus is on the Multi-billion dollar companies like Walmart and Amazon and Costco and Target and Kroger.
Restaurant dining and restaurant delivery and tipping is a different discussion.

I understand the independent contractor scam that companies like Fedex implemented about 30 years ago. Fedex ground was born and the large scale independent contractor scam was introduced . The start of low pay disposable Fedex ground drivers who have ruined the Fedex Express job.

So now the same independent contractor scam is still happening in 2022 with Walmart and Amazon using disposable underpaid independent contractors who really just are employees of Walmart and Amazon.

I am just the messenger. This is the business model that Walmart is using.

Customers who help Walmart pay a living wage to their delivery drivers using software designed to digital beg and digital tip are just making things worse by allowing Walmart to not pay their delivery workforce a set living wage.

 

[Aerides]

My main focus is on the Multi-billion dollar companies like Walmart and Amazon and Costco and Target and Kroger.
Restaurant dining and restaurant delivery and tipping is a different discussion.

The line is blurred, somewhat, however, when it comes to food delivery. This used to not really be a thing large scale, perhaps small local groceries but not say, Publix. So, I can see where a food company that delivers (instacart or direct from the store) might think tipping is ok to suggest much like pizza or prepared food delivery.

And when some of these companies do both - walmart - then it gets muddier. The service of the delivery is different too. One is a box left on your porch - done. The other is a ring of the doorbell and handing you your box of fresh veggies and stuff.

The consumer shouldn't have to do the gymnastics of understanding the company structure and staffing in order to know when tipping is a good idea or isn't.

 

[single2019]

My main focus is on the Multi-billion dollar companies like Walmart and Amazon and Costco and Target and Kroger.
Restaurant dining and restaurant delivery and tipping is a different discussion.

I understand the independent contractor scam that companies like Fedex implemented about 30 years ago. Fedex ground was born and the large scale independent contractor scam was introduced . The start of low pay disposable Fedex ground drivers who have ruined the Fedex Express job.

So now the same independent contractor scam is still happening in 2022 with Walmart and Amazon using disposable underpaid independent contractors who really just are employees of Walmart and Amazon.

I am just the messenger. This is the business model that Walmart is using.

Customers who help Walmart pay a living wage to their delivery drivers using software designed to digital beg and digital tip are just making things worse by allowing Walmart to not pay their delivery workforce a set living wage.

Walmart+ delivery prices (unlike Instacart) are the same as in store. Walmart+ pays for someone to shop for you. You get the best produce since it’s picked from inside. DoorDash employee delivers for peanuts. I tip them well (assuming good service) because I choose to.

On the other hand Instacart from Costco involves an Instacart employee shopping in store, paying in store prices and delivering them. You are charged MORE than the store price (per item) and pay a service fee on top of delivery charges. I have seen the actual Costco receipt with in store prices but getting charged more for “delivered prices”.

I think Walmart+ is a bargain for the customer. I like to tip the driver generously because they are providing a service I value. I am fortunate enough to help them out

 

[harllee]

I don't know about the Walmart delivery drivers but in my area Walmart is paying more than most other groceries and restaurants. A friend who works there says starting pay is now $20 per hour and they do have benefits--including health insurance and tuition assistance. Local restaurants say they cannot hire good workers because Walmart pays so much they get all the good workers.

 

[youbet]

The Walmart, Amazon Fresh, etc., grocery delivery model is very different from the model of delivering out of a distribution center in a company owned vehicle. UPS, Fed-X, USPS, Amazon, etc., all involve full time employees driving company vehicles and working fixed hours.

The Walmart grocery, etc., drivers are driving their own vehicles and work whatever hours they wish. Feeling energetic and there's nothing to watch on TV this evening (after work at your full time gig)? OK, let's make a couple of deliveries! Checks phone app, agrees to do an order and takes off. I think it's a substantially different labor pool.

If you don't like the tipping system (I don't), don't use the delivery service. I just got back from a curb-side pickup at Walmart a couple of hours ago. Placed the order late last night. It went great. Two good (to my advantage) substitutions that I had pre-approved. Everything else accurate. Produce looked fine. I'll drive over to Caputo's (a local chain with great deli products) tomorrow.

For the drivers....... if you're under-compensated in your opinion or there's something else you don't like about the job, make the decision to not do it as opposed to doing it. It's your choice. There are jobs available everywhere right now and if you're driving for Walmart grocery or similar, it's because you want to, not because you're being hijacked. Our country really needs full time drivers.

 

[youbet]

I don't know about the Walmart delivery drivers but in my area Walmart is paying more than most other groceries and restaurants. A friend who works there says starting pay is now $20 per hour and they do have benefits--including health insurance and tuition assistance. Local restaurants say they cannot hire good workers because Walmart pays so much they get all the good workers.

This does not apply to Walmart grocery delivery drivers. See post #18.

 

[purplesky]

The line is blurred, somewhat, however, when it comes to food delivery. This used to not really be a thing large scale, perhaps small local groceries but not say, Publix. So, I can see where a food company that delivers (instacart or direct from the store) might think tipping is ok to suggest much like pizza or prepared food delivery.

And when some of these companies do both - walmart - then it gets muddier. The service of the delivery is different too. One is a box left on your porch - done. The other is a ring of the doorbell and handing you your box of fresh veggies and stuff.

The consumer shouldn't have to do the gymnastics of understanding the company structure and staffing in order to know when tipping is a good idea or isn't.

The consumer should not be shamed with digital begging software asking for a digital tip to subsidize underpaid delivery drivers at companies like Amazon or Walmart.
It is very simple.

Walmart made a choice in the boardroom in Arkansas when they had to compete with Amazon.
Everything related to Walmart delivery is approved in Arkansas.

Walmart Hiding behind the independent contractor scam and digital begging software is pathetic in 2022.

 

[youbet]

Walmart made a choice in the boardroom in Arkansas when they had to compete with Amazon.
.

Do you mean "Amazon Fresh?" They use approximately the same system Walmart grocery is using. But shipping from Amazon distribution centers does not.

 

[Chuckanut]

The consumer should not be shamed with digital begging software asking for a digital tip to subsidize underpaid delivery drivers at companies like Amazon or Walmart.
It is very simple.

Walmart made a choice in the boardroom in Arkansas when they had to compete with Amazon.
Everything related to Walmart delivery is approved in Arkansas.

Walmart Hiding behind the independent contractor scam and digital begging software is pathetic in 2022.

There is not Walmart near me, but, I am happy to order things for delivery in the next few days. No tipping required for that.

I don't know what the low income people in my area would do without Walmart. Not eat one or two days a week?

 

[Morgan22]

Amazon drivers are not independent contractors. Amazon contracts out to Delivery Service Partners(DSP) who then own their own business and hire their own drivers. The drivers are not Amazon employees but rather W2 employees of the DSP. They make around half the pay per hour of a UPS driver with far less benefits but are still employees unlike Walmart drivers who are independent contractors working for a different company and paid per delivery rather than per hour.

I thought I heard a few years back Amazon broke off agreements with small delivery companies? Maybe it was regional/where I was living at the time? But Amazon does have a "flex" program where you are an independent contractor. You pick the times you want to work. (Or they did back a 4 or 5 years ago when my other kid was thinking of doing gig work during his free time. I called our insurance agent to ask about driving, they said absolutely not, unless you want your premiums to go way up.)

 

[youbet]

There seems to be some confusion between Amazon and Amazon Fresh and between Walmart and Walmart grocery. I posted a link in #18 which does a pretty good job explaining the Walmart grocery delivery driver job and its compensation. You can find similar information for Amazon Fresh here:

https://bestreferraldriver.com/amazon-fresh-driver.html

 

[aaronc879]

I thought I heard a few years back Amazon broke off agreements with small delivery companies? Maybe it was regional/where I was living at the time? But Amazon does have a "flex" program where you are an independent contractor. You pick the times you want to work. (Or they did back a 4 or 5 years ago when my other kid was thinking of doing gig work during his free time. I called our insurance agent to ask about driving, they said absolutely not, unless you want your premiums to go way up.)

Amazon definitely still has the DSPs. Some areas also have Flex where people use their own vehicle to deliver smaller loads of packages for a few hours a day. Flex is not available around my area. Anyone delivering in an Amazon branded sprinter type van is working for a DSP.

 

[harllee]

This does not apply to Walmart grocery delivery drivers. See post #18.

Reading that article--looks like Walmart delivery drivers can easily make $20 an hour.

 

[youbet]

Reading that article--looks like Walmart delivery drivers can easily make $20 an hour.

Yeah, but they're driving their own vehicle and paying the expenses on that and get no benefits. Both of those are big deals.

The article boasts of benefits such as working your own hours and listening to whatever music you want while working. They're definitely trying to dip into a different labor pool for grocery delivery drivers than for full time, in-the-store employees.

 

[purplesky]

Do you mean "Amazon Fresh?" They use approximately the same system Walmart grocery is using. But shipping from Amazon distribution centers does not.

It all falls under the Walmart and Amazon Corporate umbrella.

You are buying a product or service from Walmart or amazon.

Buying peanut butter or a computer makes no difference.

Just pay your professional drivers or independent contractors a living wage and stop the digital begging to subsidize your low wages.

 

[purplesky]

There is not Walmart near me, but, I am happy to order things for delivery in the next few days. No tipping required for that.

I don't know what the low income people in my area would do without Walmart. Not eat one or two days a week?

Hopefully those low income people qualify for food stamps or welfare.

If I understand correctly Walmart has thousands of employees who qualify for welfare and Medicaid.
So does McDonalds.