Tipping for a called-in take-out order that you pick up from a restaurant?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>H and I are having a disagreement. We picked up a to-go order that we had called in at On The Border, and one of us thought we should tip (about 10 percent) and one of thought that a tip was unnecessary since no one came to our table, took our order, brought us drinks, brought us food, refilled our drinks, etc. On the other hand, someone did answer the phone, take our order, and give us our order in exchange for payment.</p>

<p>This is not a fast-food place – it’s mostly a sit-down restaurant that also has a to-go counter. Normally we are pretty good tippers – our default tip is 20 percent, adjusted for very good or very bad service. But we are unsure of the tipping rules in this situation. </p>

<p>What do you all do? Tip or no tip?</p>

2

<p>I’m sure you’ll get answers for both sides. As for me, I’ve never tipped when I pick up take-out. The tip is meant to supplement the measly hourly wage that the servers get. The people who answer the phone/take your order and give you your order are usually getting paid a much higher hourly wage because they’re not getting tips for serving. So no need to tip them.</p>

<p>On the other had, we are also good default tippers - usually around 20%.</p>

3

<p>I never tip if I pick up a take out order.</p>

4

<p>It depends on the situation. I usually don’t tip in those situations. However, if someone brings the order to my car, as opposed to me going inside to get it, I tip 10%. If I go to a restaurant and place the order (not having called it in) and wait, I will also tip the person who gives me the menu, esp. if they offer water as well, and takes my order, again 10%.</p>

5

<p>I would say no tip. You didn’t get any service. The point of having the go-to counter is to bypass the service and eat at home. Do you tip at McDonalds? No.</p>

<p>Many retail businesses take phone orders. You don’t tip the phone clerk for taking your order or shipping the item.</p>

<p>I am a very generous tipper for restaurant service but I am getting fed up with the expectation of feeding the tip jar for every little thing. I don’t leave tips at Starbucks either. If I have to stand in line, no tip is appropriate.</p>

6

<p>I also don’t tip if I pick up a take out order.</p>

7

<p>If I pick up I don’t tip. If they deliver I tip 15% - 20% depending on the bill and distance.</p>

8

<p>I don’t tip on takeout either, unless they run around getting me extra things that I ask for. For dine-in or delivery, I tip approximately 20%</p>

9

<p>

</p>

<p>Not in Texas. The front desk / hostess person is getting minimum wage. Actual servers are getting far far less, but that’s another thread. After my kid worked at a restaurant I started tipping the person handling the carry-out about 10% and at least $5.</p>

10

<p>No tip on take for me. I will however drop the loose change in the bucket.</p>

11

<p>No tip on take out here.</p>

12

<p>I tip on takeout if it’s a restaurant I’d have tipped at if I’d been eating in.</p>

13

<p>I tip. Someone still needs to get that stuff together, check it, and bring it out to you. There actually IS service involved. I don’t tip 10%, usually about 5%. </p>

<p>However, I don’t tip on something like pizza pick-up (at a place where there is no dine-in).</p>

<p>They get paid minimum wage here.</p>

14

<p>

</p>

<p>Exactly; the hostess is getting minimum wage, which is still much more than the servers are getting per hour from the restaurant, so no need to tip. They are not doing the job of a server.</p>

15

<p>Lots of carry out places now have tip jars. Even Dunkin Donuts does. I usually put my extra change in there.</p>

16

<p>If I walk in and pick it up, I do not tip. At Appleby’s, where someone brings it to the car, I tip.</p>

17

<p>No I would not tip for carry-out. That’s one reason around here we go pick up pizza instead of having it delivered. So tired of everybody wanting a tip!</p>

18

<p>Nope… we don’t tip for take out.</p>

19

<p>No, I don’t tip for takeout. I also am not a fan of tip jars and generally ignore them. I tip people who provide me service. It’s not up to me what employees are paid and what is charged for takeout.</p>

20

<p>I think I’m in the minority. I always tip a buck or two, not because I’m generous, but because I thought that’s what people always did. I’m not used to not filling in that blank…but now I might not do it any more, unless they are really nice.</p>