Should I tip if I pick up food at a resterant?

Question

I often call in orders to pick up food from various resterants on my way home from work. Should I leave a tip? I used to work as a food runner in a resterant and I know that I didn't expect a tip from those customers. Someone in the kitchen packs the food up and then brings it to the cashier. I just don't think enough service is performed to expect a tip. What do you think?

Answer 1

i would only tip at the ones where they actually bring it out to your car like the Chilis curbside takeout. But still less than a normal tip, like 10%-ish, beacause not much of a service is performed and they can get more tips per hour than waiting tables so it adds up faster.

Answer 2

Nah, no tip needed or expected, yet when I feel that there is extra care given, like the extra condiments, or napkins, etc. I DO give them a little more. Also in a place where I pick up food a lot, I have chipped in some, either in a tip jar or to the packer directly, but it was completely UNexpected!

Answer 3

I always do. If I want cheap food and don't want to tip, I'll do fast food. If I want to go out and get good food, I'll leave at least 10%. If it's a restaurant that I frequent often, I'll leave 20%. I've worked in restaurants for many years. Some places that I've bartended in I've also had to be the food to-go person. It's a pain in the ***, and no one usually leaves a tip. The people who work in fast food get a regular salary. The people in restaurants do not. So, the bartender that you are not tipping for your to-go food, they usually have to tip out on their sales. So by you picking up your food, they're actually losing money by having to tip out on it. Just remember that the next time you order out. Don't want to tip? McDonald's is always open.

Answer 4

I agree about not giving a tip for that.

In fact, once when I picked up food the cashiere ran out after me to point out I had not listed a tip on the check (paid by credit card.)

I said "Oh, you want a tip for me picking up food?"

She said yes.

I replied, "Here's a tip, look closely at my face. When you see me come to pick up an order, don't expect a tip."

I never again went to that restaurant, and found one that was closer with similar food, for about 50% of the cost.

Answer 5

I agree that they don't provide much service, however tax law says that if they sell the food they have to report 8% as tips on their sales. Most restaurants give take out service a seperate drawer, but I give at least 8% just in case

Answer 6

I would not tip if I was picking up an order. I do not even tip at Dunkin Donuts. Never used to before why start now that they are setting out cups

Answer 7

I think I know what you mean, and I don't leave one either. It is just one of those things where paying the bill is enough. Like you said, there really is no special service. You made the call and they did their usual job of making the food. Maybe an extra "thank you" will suffice.

Answer 8

No need to tip They should tip you. You went out of your way to pick up your food..... at least give you a discount. No need to even tip the waiter/waitress, they do nothing but hand you your food. Its the Chef that did all the work. Tip him or her.

Answer 9

Absolutely not.

I used to be a waiter and know what it's like to depend on tips, but now there are just tip jars everywhere. I just can't afford to tip for every little thing at every little store, and I don't think people should have to.

Answer 10

depends on the circumstance; the tip isn't going to the actual person who did the work so no ; but if the person at the desk went and got the food, wrapped it up and checked me out then I leave something not the 15% but at least something; it depends