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Do you tip on a to go order?

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by theotherone, Oct 4, 2012.

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  1. theotherone

    theotherone Low-Roller

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    Forgive me if this has been covered in previous topics (I searched but never found anything on this topic specifically).

    When you call in a to go order, do you add a tip?

    I typically go around 10% of the order, especially if the person takes time out to go through and verify everything in front of me.

    Specifically our Olive Garden in town is awesome at doing this, and PF Changs was great as well.

    Hopefully some first hand experiences can be given on the topic!
     
  2. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    i'd say about half the time i tip, just depends. but i don't usually tip a percentage, instead a flat fee based on how much help they were. usually in the $5-10 range regardless of how much the bill was. i do the same thing for room service at hotels.
     
  3. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    Well, I don't call in to go orders very often, but generally, no, I would not tip for it. You are coming to them. To me it would be like tipping at McDonalds.
     
  4. theotherone

    theotherone Low-Roller

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    Thats kind of the way I look at it; however, I do acknowledge that somebody back there took time to cook and prepare it.

    Obviously cooks dont get tipped (in most cases, to my knowledge), so its not as much for them as it is for the person that prepares it. Sometimes its a bartender, sometimes a hostess and sometimes a waitress.

    But since they arent 'waiting' on me for a full meal time (pouring drinks, taking orders, tending,etc), I dont feel a full 20% or more is expected.

    I was really surprised this never came up in the 4-page thread about tips I read before.
     
  5. LuckyDuckyDan

    LuckyDuckyDan High-Roller

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    In addition to the 18% + $3 that's normally charged for service, setup, etc.?
     
  6. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    if you're talking about room service, they don't usually charge me that in Vegas. outside of Vegas, i don't tip on top of that. for butler service they do always have an 18% service charge in which case i tip a $20 if the butler was really taking great care of us. if he just brought in a small meal and set it up and that's it, i don't tip any extra.
     
  7. ck2124

    ck2124 Tourist

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    I generally tip something if I go to Bob Evans, PF Changs, Buffalo Wild Wings etc. to pick up an order (probably averages around 10%).
     
  8. Carol1113

    Carol1113 VIP Whale

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    Sorry but no tip if I call in a order and then pick it up--really don't see a reason for tipping as there was no service given except to put my order in a bag-LOL-I think that is what their job is--but again this is just my opinion :nworthy:
     
  9. S'AllGoodMan

    S'AllGoodMan High-Roller

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    Nope. One of the rare times I don't tip. For delivery, I absolutely tip.

    I actually throw my change in the tip jar at DD or similar and in the Ronald McDonald house container. That's when I'm using cash. Most of my restaurant take out gets charged and I'm not tipping for someone to take my pizza order.
     
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2012
  10. DonD

    DonD VIP Whale

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  11. Big Tip

    Big Tip VIP Whale

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    In my restaurant, the servers are the ones that are taking the time to take the phone call, assembly the order, take the extra step to package it properly, and stop what they are doing to process the order when the customer comes in.
    The servers work for tips. They don't have to do as much for a to go order as when they wait on a table, but they do take time and effort.
    You should tip servers at least 5% as they are providing a service.
    I would guess about 75% of pick up orders give them something. Even a couple of bucks is better than nothing.

    Now if it is at a place that has a special take out order place, those people are probably on an hourly wage and are not working for tips. But I would still give them a little something.
     
  12. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    I tend to tip at mom and pop establishments and family operations where they tend to pool their tips. Especially when they are attentive and caring in the service dept.

    I always tip at the Cal Club inside the California Hotel. The fry cooks and the counter people are always getting smashed with take out orders but they manage to not lose their cool. They make sure your order is right, they check for napkins, forks, spoons, etc. despite the utter madness around them. When you tip they thank you genuinely.

    On the other hand, I hardly tip at Aloha Specialties upstairs on the mezzanine connecting MSS to Cal. The counter lady is unfriendly and harsh. I like their food but sometimes it's hard to tip when it clearly shows that they couldn't give a rats ass if you do....

    Oh well, I can always turn around and give their tip to the Cal Club downstairs, lol!!
     
  13. JillyFromPhilly

    JillyFromPhilly Tourist

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    If I'm just picking up pizzas, cheesesteaks, hoagies, etc? No.

    If I'm picking up something like Outback Steakhouse or Pizzeria Uno, where there was still a waiter/waitress who had to take the time to bag the order & bring out to the car? Usually 10%, unless I really had to wait an inordinate amount of time.

    Room service in Vegas? [since it was mentioned] Always at least a $20 in cash, on top of whatever tip/fees are included.
     
  14. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    No, never tipped, doubt I ever will. Lets see, the cook prepares the food(hopefully well) gets and expects nothing, but someone tosses it into a bag, and some people think they should be tipped...I dont think so.
     
  15. Username

    Username VIP Whale

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    NO........NEVER........what next........tip the cashier at Walmart......after all that's to go..
     
  16. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

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    I get food to go a lot in Vegas (Carnegie Deli, Aria sportsbook, Bellagio sportsbook, etc.), and I guess I always tip, usually $3-$4 for meal.
     
  17. Username

    Username VIP Whale

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    BTW this remind's me when we got a gift certificate at a famous BBQ restaurant near us......since the whole rack of rib dinner is HUGE we split the order, but we had 5 beers between us while we dined there......then came the bill......a $3 plate charge was added to our bill because we split the dinner....not happy about that and we still had one more gift certificate to use there.........so the next time I called and asked them if the do take out....they said SURE all the time.......so I ordered the full rack of rib dinner and went to pick it up....the gift certificate covered the cost almost exactly......since it was take out there was NO beer purchased by us...and no tip for the waitress (it's a completely family run business).......so that stupid $3 plate charge cost them more then it did us...
     
  18. vegas_or_bust

    vegas_or_bust High-Roller

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    The difference is the cook makes a full hourly wage, while the person who "tosses it into a bag" makes $2.13 per hour PLUS TIPS!
     
  19. earth-3

    earth-3 VIP Whale

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    Is this a problem between the waitress and me or the owner and her?
     
  20. saintpauljeff

    saintpauljeff VIP Whale

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    usually give a couple bucks for the person hustling orders together at the to-go window
     
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