Do you tip your supermarket delivery driver?

andrew-the-cat

I'm not sure what the policy is like at other companies but at Sainsbury's we driver are not allowed to accept monetary tips. We can carry a maximum of £10 cash on us which is only for food/drink or emergencies eg bridge toll should the tag fail or fuel etc.

We do not expect tips, and in any case it is very rare that we are offered one. I expect it's probably more common around Christmas time. In a year of doing the job I have only been offered a tip once and that was when I delivered a first order to a very nice couple and gave them fantastic service (in my eyes). They invited me in for a cup of tea! I politely declined.

There is one elderly lady who most of the drivers know who always gives a bar of chocolate to the driver but I have not delivered to her yet.

Sainsbury's do not make a profit on online delivery orders under £40.

Daisygirl

I feel really sorry for any delivery men coming to our house, as we live in the middle of nowhere and normally they ring up asking where we are!, then there is our horrid driveway - narrow and a tight squeeze and a nightmare in the wet as it is just mud and stones, ie not a proper surface, so all the big vans who try to reverse into our drive normally have a bit of trouble , I find I am forever apologising to them..... hmmm time to have our drive done then! I feel they do deserve a tip when they deliver to our house.

Manicmum66

Have to say that I get a weekly online shopping delivery and don't tip, but I would tip my regular driver at Xmas.

lonestarfan

I always tip. In general they won't accept it so I always have a treat for them as a standby. It's rarely the same driver but it's always someone really personable. I'm hugely thankful they bring it into the house as I can't manage shopping or carrying & they never grumble. Yes they are paid but they are doing me a great service. I also tip my hairdresser but not the UPS/parcel force.

polomints

Depends on how easy the drop is for the driver, it's never a harm to give a quid.

Maxine111

I use different supermarkets for delivery. One driver said that he was grateful for the tips and uses them to take his wife out for a meal.
And two other drivers refused saying they are not allowed to accept them.
I can't remember which shop said what now so I don't tip any of them.
However - three different Tesco drivers have made the joke that as my house is up for sale they hope my next house has no steps as the lads moan about who is delivering to my house.
It was funny the first time - but now I feel bad about ordering so use different supermarkets to stagger it.
I'm not sure if they were just trying to get tips or not.
I tip taxi drivers and pizza delivery guys but these ones take it up a few steps and only to the door and moan - Ocado carry one box at a time its not my fault if Tesco guys stack all the boxes then hurt their backs - so I've given up now.

I might offer a pound over Christmas but its £6 delivery at Sainsburys so they are having a laugh

Storck

Tesco drivers moan about anything and everything unless they have the easiest run of the day but then they will moan that previous driver didn't fill up with fuel or some such.

Nargleblast

We use Sainsburys mostly, Tesco and Asda occasionally, and have found the drivers to be very courteous. We give them a quid ("for the tea machine at work") just as a token gesture because we appreciate the service and know their wages aren't brilliant. If a driver is more helpful than expected then my OH will phone the store and speak to the boss about how good the driver was.