When not to tip There are a few isolated, unusual situations when the tip is not expected. You're very nice if you still tip, but you're not expected in these circumstances. Mistake correction, the same day The driver didn't call for directions and got lost The driver doesn't have change The driver has an attitude problem You ordered pick-up (carry-out) Mistake correction, the same day This is when you get the wrong pizza and now they're sending the right one immediately. You didn't originally ask for the second trip, so it's not fair that you should tip twice. No driver in the world expects a tip in this situation. Not even if they send a different driver. However, you should still tip once, to the first or the second driver. This does not apply if the second delivery takes place on some other day. This means you accepted the wrong pizza. Your second order will be free (credited) or discounted. In this case, you asked for the second delivery and should tip both times, even if it's free. return to top The driver didn't call for directions and got lost This is a special case when the customer asked the driver to call for directions. Such as when the customer's house is difficult to find. If the driver failed to call and got lost, it was the driver's fault for not following instructions, unless the phone person didn't relay the message. This does not apply if the instructions were too vague. Please give specific directions. Instructions that are too vague are like, "It's near the high school," when it's really half a mile from it. return to top The driver doesn't have change Suppose your bill comes to $11.65. All you have is a $20 bill, you want to tip $3, but the driver doesn't have $5. Your remaining options are to write a check or send the driver to the store for change. It's very, very unusual for a driver not to carry enough change. It qualifies as bad service, enough that you can withhold the tip. Drivers always carry enough change. This does not apply if the customer wants to pay with a $50 or $100 bill. The driver only carries $20 to make change. We don't carry large amounts of cash for safety reasons. This does not apply if the driver has no coins. Drivers aren't expected to carry coins because customers are supposed to tip. return to top The driver has an attitude problem It's unthinkable that a driver would have an attitude problem, but if it happens, it's time not to tip. You should complain to the store. Otherwise, they won't know about it. The driver should be reasonably courteous and just deliver the pizza. There should be no problem. After all, drivers work for tips. Before you decide if the driver has an attitude, here are some things to consider. The driver is not your butler. They don't serve pizza. Most are not allowed to enter your house unless the weather's bad. The driver is not obligated to bring extra items unless you asked the store in advance. Drivers operate on a time schedule and must depart rather quickly. We're not trying to be rude about it, though. The driver might not be having as good of a day as you. He or she might simply be in a bad mood. This is especially true in adverse weather. At the same time, the driver should be pleasant to talk with say "Hi" and/or "Thank you" in some way let you know the bill amount if you ask promptly give the pizza after payment promptly return appropriate change The driver should not have the car stereo playing loudly when near your house. That is very rude. return to top You ordered pick-up (carry-out) The tip is never expected when you pick up the pizza. This is true at pizza stores. The tip is still expected at other restaurants when you order pick-up. (Servers prepare it and are taxed on carry-out sales. In this situation, the tip should be 10%.) But by picking it up, you did the work of the driver. Click here for more about the convenience of delivery. This does not apply if you pay at the store and have it delivered later. In this case, your order is not a pick-up. If you're absolutely determined not to tip, please order a pick-up. Some stores call it carry-out. This way, you don't waste the driver's time. return to top These five points were submitted by visitors. If you think we should add another, please us. Last updated: January 13, 2006 return to top