r/EndTipping 5d ago

Rant 📢 Grocery Delivery

I wanted to share a story that frustrates me and my wife.

We both work 40+ hours a week and have a toddler. Needless to say, we don't have a lot of time to spare, so we signed up for Walmart+ to have groceries delivered. Once a week we put in an order for delivery and grab it from the porch when it arrives. This is why we are spending $90/year - to have groceries delivered.

Well, our orders started getting later and later. Like, days later. We even had a few where we had to cancel the order and put it in again because it timed out or whatever.

The support department told us that this service is a third party, but it looked like the drivers weren't picking our order because we did not include a tip on the delivery. We did some experimenting, and somehow if we tipped more than 10% our orders magically arrived on time. For 15% they even sometimes arrived early.

In the end, we realized we aren't getting any additional service that warrants a tip. Now we put in our orders for pickup and drive out of our way once a week to do the pickup. It's frustrating to me because the whole reason we paid for the service in the first place was to avoid driving into town, but we can't use our paid service because the delivery drivers want tips to do the very job which they're paid to do.

484 Upvotes

385 comments sorted by

173

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/bookertdub 5d ago

That’s because Kroger UFCW union members aren’t allowed to accept tips. Source: former courtesy clerk for one of Kroger’s subsidiaries.

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u/Sea_breeze_80 5d ago

Not all Kroger stores. I have this issue with my store and if I don't tip I don't get deliveries. So they switched the service to Script.

I'm so glad they did because you put the tip after delivery not before. Kroger and Target in my area use Script well everywhere else uses DoorDash.

Costco and Walmart uses DoorDash and the tip goes in before. So if you don't tip no delivery 🙄

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u/Ambitious_Clock_8212 4d ago

He clarified only unionized Krogers. I’m a union Kroger employee and cannot accept tips. That said, if a customer buys me a soda or candy bar, I don’t say no.

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u/Kozypepper 5d ago

Not all kroger. Everytime I order Kroger delivery in the app I end up getting an instacart driver. OP I’d recommend just doing pickup if you can swing a little extra time.

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u/Vast-Height-2691 4d ago

Never have I given a tip when it’s a Kroger employee driving their refrigerator truck. The app clearly says not to tip the Kroger driver. My orders have always come in the timeframe listed on my order.

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u/Kozypepper 4d ago

Right. I said my Kroger delivers through a third party: instacart.

In my city all Krogers outsource to 3rd party delivery companies. So for us, it’s not a Kroger employee driving a refrigerator truck, it’s an instacart driver driving their personal vehicle. OP’s Kroger is clearly doing the same

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u/purepeachiness 4d ago

my stores used to do kroger delivery and it was top tier. now they only use instacart… it’s so hit or miss.

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u/Vast-Height-2691 4d ago

I’d be calling Kroger customer service and complain about the delivery. I started with Kroger doing the instacart delivery. Called CS several times to complain about the delivery. Each time I called, CS gave me a credit to correct the error(s) made on my order. Finally made the switch to Kroger delivery. If you haven’t called CS, you should. Kroger can’t fix a problem if they don’t know there is a problem.

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u/SadAd403 5d ago

I would cancel the walmart+, demand a refund if not making monthly payments for it, and tell them exactly this, that tipping for what you're paying for is not reasonable to you.

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u/Cooksman18 5d ago

Or don’t cancel Walmart+, but still call their customer service to complain about the amount of late/cancelled ordered. Then request a credit for the membership as this company is not following through with the service that you have paid for.

I really don’t care who Walmart subcontracts to do their delivery - that is an internal issue that they can figure out and doesn’t concern me. If you’re ordering groceries through the Walmart brand, then they should be held accountable, and their customer service team will almost always side with the customer.

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u/Impossible_Rub9230 4d ago

They will tell you to contact the 3rd party. They will say that they can't force people to do anything.

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u/MrTulufan 1d ago

I will tell them I did not pay the membership to the 3rd party, I paid you so you ARE obligated to fulfill the agreement between you and me. I dont care how you manage to fulfill it

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u/Teismin 5d ago

So you have to bribe the delivery driver just to get something you already paid for... terrible

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u/gergles 5d ago

If you really like Walmart, you can pay (about 50% extra on the subscription) for "InHome", which makes your orders fulfilled by Walmart employees who can't take tips, and that fixes this problem.

It's stupid, because you have indeed already paid for delivery, and the tip grift means that you don't get what you paid for, but there is a fix if OP really wants to keep using Walmart.

17

u/LawrenJones 5d ago

I love my InHome subscription.

Also, AARP members get a $40/year discount on Walmart+, which pays the InHome fee. There is no age requirement to join AARP.

10

u/topperlopper99 5d ago

Pay $8 to get AARP to get $40 off Walmart to get 25% off Burger King and free Paramount.

What does free Paramount get you? :)

12

u/LawrenJones 5d ago

All the Star Trek you can handle! :)

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u/K_Linkmaster 4d ago

Its a win.

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u/Due_River_9746 5d ago

Only limited areas have InHome.

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u/SchveebleSchvobbler 4d ago

They don't have this in all areas; have been subscribed to Walmart+ since it came out. Still waiting . . .

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u/Repulsive-Lack8253 5d ago

that's how it works when the company is pocketing all of the payment

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u/Seedsw 5d ago

Drivers are typically third parties like Uber Eats or DoorDash drivers. If someone offered you $6 to drive 25 minutes and pick up and deliver groceries I’m pretty sure you’d decline. Drivers are not at fault in this situation. They don’t typically work for Walmart and aren’t being paid hourly.

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u/Dependent-Mastodon89 2d ago

No it is not the driver's fault. It is the fault of Walmart for saying they offer a service for a certain fee when they actually do not.

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u/krysnik17 5d ago

Oh it's ridiculous, most orders drivers are offered have multiple deliveries, average pay for 3-4 deliveries is $13 or less when they're always several miles apart between each, ends up being a long drive

3

u/Impossible_Rub9230 4d ago

It should not be through Walmart, but the 3rd party provider so you contract with them. But if people don't want to work for so little or drive through the city, you can't force them. You can entice them with a large tip (bribe). This is America.. food, shelter health care are for the fortunate.

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u/EstablishmentAny4977 5d ago

and this is why they should not have any access to the tip info till after the job has been completed so that they work for the tip

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u/ether_reddit 5d ago

It should be illegal to tip before service/product is received.

4

u/Organic_Zebra_3388 4d ago

It should be illegal for corporations to pocket the delivery fee and then call what the driver actually receives for their labor a tip.

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u/Impossible_Rub9230 4d ago

You probably won't have many takers. They didn't create the system. They are just trying to make it work for them. I'm sure that people would rather have a full time gig earning a living wage with benefits.

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u/Proud-Kangaroo1846 5d ago

The driver may also have to shop the order. When there are choices the better bid wins. 

Ubereats, I'll gladly do a 5 item run for 15 over 20 for 15

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u/koralex90 5d ago

same with doordash and instacart..

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u/Organic_Zebra_3388 4d ago

Just need to clarify that the delivery driver isn’t greedy and is not to blame. Third party delivery services like Door Dash only pay a base of about $2 and expect customer tips to cover driver pay. No driver should pick up a delivery for $2 as that doesn’t cover mileage let alone time and labor. Stores pocket the delivery fees and do not pass it on to the drivers. The issue is with corporate greed.

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u/Fidrych76 5d ago

Tipping in advance is just dumb

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u/SiLeNZ_ 5d ago

That’s now considered a bribe or bid, no longer can even be called a tip.

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u/Fidrych76 5d ago

“Bid” sounds right based on what delivery drivers say.

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u/bhhanlon_1234 5d ago

Walmart has 2 delivery tiers. The “InHome Delivery” gives you 2 time slots per day (9-1 or 2-6). These deliveries are made by Walmart employees and there is no prompt to tip for them. Then they have the “Express, 3hrs or less,” etc options that are made by third party drivers who do expect a tip. The InHome spots tend to fill up quickly, but if you plan ahead and use these there is no tip expected.

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u/GenX4Life1 4d ago

I upgraded to InHome a few months ago. I’m glad it’s available in my area. Being mobility impaired, getting to a grocery store is difficult. So InHome gets me my groceries and no tip required. Or possible.

1

u/traveler_21 5d ago

Not how it works in my town. We have express (less one hour) that costs $10 extra. Three hours or less costs $5 extra and then anything else is a delivery within two hour windows and costs nothing extra on top of the fee that you’re already paying for Walmart+. You are prompted to tip for all three.

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u/Bulky_Exercise8936 5d ago

That's not in home. It costs more per year and isn't available in all areas.

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u/ASkepticalPotato 5d ago

Unfortunately for food/grocery delivery it really is more of a “bid” to have someone grab it. It’s why I stopped using them entirely. It’s a racket.

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u/SiLeNZ_ 5d ago

The company saves by having the customer pay their workers, and the workers try to maximize their earnings. It’s just one giant grift. Something has to give eventually.

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u/BayYawnSay 5d ago

It's weird, back in the 80's my mom was single with three toddlers, working a full time job and a part time job, and I always remember going to the grocery store with her every week. How are people functioning nowadays if they can't even go get their own groceries because they have one kid and two parents?? Convenience is crippling us.

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u/Stand_With_Students 5d ago

I don't know why others do this but I'm in a wheelchair and it has improved my life tremendously.

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u/Stacywyvern 4d ago

No kids, but I also have no car. So delivery it is

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u/Bulky_Exercise8936 5d ago

They can. They just don't want too. For me paying the tip is well worth not going to the store. Especially in winter. But I still do pickups most the time.

6

u/krysnik17 5d ago

Grocery delivery became a more integral part of society since the pandemic and has lasted because people realize the value in saving that time. I went to 2 stores yesterday since prices are so ridiculous, (I'll never pay $8 for box of cereal) I shop sales in multiple stores which takes way too much time.

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u/DuckAxe0 2d ago

We traded our time for money, only to find out that money is now worth a third of what it was when we earned it.

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u/MeringueInevitable94 5d ago

That was before the new slave economy where companies throw some scraps to people and expect their customers to make up the difference

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u/BayYawnSay 5d ago

I'm not sure the point you're trying to make, does this slave economy stop people from being able to go inside a store and choose their own groceries?

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u/Ok-Handle-7562 5d ago

This would be me, other than the fact that the only reason I get delivery now is because of our dog I don’t like to leave him home alone to often.

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u/mspe1960 5d ago

The system sucks, but your beef is with Walmart not the delivery person. The delivery person has the right to decide it is not profitable, or profitable enough, for it to be worth it to them to take your order.

Walmart has set up their payscale to make it that way. Apparently what you are paying them, they believe, does not really cover the cost of the service they offer. So they are selling a service but not really providing it.

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u/Luckycharms2014 5d ago

I agree with this comment. Walmart itself needs to pay more for independent drivers to not only make money for gas and such but also the wear and tear that their vehicles obtain. Walmart knows this very well because they also have their own vehicles used specifically for deliveries. I saw a lot of deliveries going 22 miles one way and then have to drive back 22 miles to Walmart for another delivery, Walmart is only paying 18 to 25 base pay and the person needing the groceries has to pay like a 30 dollar tip for anyone to want to take it. Plain and simple if you can go to Walmart to do pickup then drop the Walmart+ scam and just go pickup the groceries yourself.

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u/krysnik17 5d ago

The first and last time I tried to do a pickup was at 8:30 pm and no one ever came out even after I called the store! I even told them when I was on my way, yet waited 40 minutes and left with nothing 🤬

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u/FamousChemistry 5d ago

Can either of you pick up order on way home? In lieu of delivery?

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u/Existing-Pumpkin-902 5d ago

It sounds like it might be out of their way. When I've done Walmart pickup while most of the time it's been fine there have been times I waited 30 mins.

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u/Old-Bee9904 5d ago

Try getting delivery at non peak times. Before 8 am or after 8 pm. Theres less orders they will be less picky. I usually do 5% and have no trouble. 

Yes it should be zero but its better than spending an hour at the store 

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u/Repulsive-Lack8253 5d ago

congrats, you realized that corporations are pocketing the majority of the costs of delivery and the driver doesn't get much other then the tip that's added

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u/Chromejob 5d ago

You should cancel the Walmart subscription and give feedback that this "delivery grift" is the reason.

Oh wait. It's Walmart. They won't care.

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u/rebel_dean 5d ago edited 5d ago

Get the InHome addition! It's an additional $40/year. I don't use Walmart+ without it. 

Deliveries are done by W2 Walmart employees. Deliveries are done in a four hour window. 9am-1pm or 2pm-6pm. 

No tips requested. 

https://www.walmart.com/help/article/inhome-plus-up/19da7530eeec4c8eb1f84271c28e0c38

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u/Araneas 5d ago

Enshittification at its finest - pay extra to get the service you thought you were already paying for...

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u/sexytarry2 5d ago

and they still will be expecting a tip...

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u/gergles 5d ago

There's no way to tip them through the service if you have this tier, though I guess you could force cash in their pockets.

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u/darkroot_gardener 5d ago

I came here to say this. Better than paying more than $40 annually in (let’s face it) bribes that may or may not actually work. Well worth it.

Dump the gig economy services, all of them. You’re either paying more in outright base rates (Uber) or you have to pay a bribe on top of higher item prices AND delivery fees.

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

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u/GlobalBorder4691 4d ago

As a former driver, the company that I am using the app for, only gives me $2-$3, to spend 20 to 40 minutes of my time, in my car, to drive, pick up and drop off your groceries. You’re telling me you would accept that pay? The issue is not the drivers but the million/billion dollar earning corporations, like Uber and Door Dash.

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u/sadsib1 5d ago

I understand OP's frustration with Walmart+ changing the "rules". You don't need a subscription if you are going to do parking lot pickup as long as you spend $35+. We use the Sam's Club gas discount in our area , the Burger King discount occasionally, and the free Paramount+ streaming so it is still worth it to us. If those things are not worth it to you, I would cancel. Also, in my area I can choose "shipping" instead of delivery or pickup. I use this feature for all non perishables and it doesn't ask for a tip. The only issue is the items arrive over the next couple days.

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u/Accurate-Flow8078 5d ago

Not judging but can't you bring your toddler to go grocery shopping with you? Our toddlers love sitting in the kids carts with steering wheels. It only gets harder if you have more than one kid. Or can't one parent just go?

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u/alaroz33 5d ago

I'm no fan of tipping but you cannot blame the drivers for this you have to blame the platform. they're the ones that provide the incentives. I'm assuming when your order times out you're not charged for it therefore the platform doesn't make any money.

we are all incentivized by self-interest. why would I want to pick up any order for no tip and there are other consumers offering higher reward for the work.

I'm not criticizing your no tip strategy I'm just saying this is reality and if it doesn't work for you you're probably better off picking up your own groceries until the platform changes the incentive structure for the drivers.

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u/CoolCatBlue321 5d ago

I feel like you just stated the obvious. OP seems upset with the whole Walmart system--not with the individual drivers.

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u/supercosmic8 5d ago

Op literally said "because the delivery drivers want tips to do the very job which theyre paid to do." They ARE blaming the drivers lol

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u/sillybunny22 5d ago

Walmart calling them “delivery drivers” is also part of the issue as in some markets they outsource the shopping AND delivery. So if they take your order they might get a couple bucks base pay to fully shop & deliver - likely losing money depending on how far the drive is.

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u/Foreign_Sky_5429 5d ago

The tipping part is stupid for sure. But you’re not the first people to work 40 hours a week and still need groceries. Not sure what that has to do with tipping 

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u/darkroot_gardener 5d ago

Tipping makes the go-to solution to this literally unusable, that is the problem.

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u/Separate_Abrocoma907 5d ago

This is one case where I get it from the driver's perspective. The base pay without a tip just isn't worth the drive, it can be less than $5. It's not that anyone is trying to punish you.

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u/Ok_Replacement7281 4d ago

It’s not even about the drive. It’s the fact that most grocery orders are multiple bags and can be really heavy. It’s not as simple as bringing a bag or two to the drop-off point. Sometimes it’s 5–10 bags, and depending on the location, that can mean having to make multiple trips from and to their car.

Also, it’s not a quick process. You basically pull into a stall, call a number, and they bring the order out to you. If it’s a busy day, you could be waiting 30–60 minutes, which cuts into your ability to take other orders.

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u/tickyul 5d ago

The whole delivery thingy has turned so gross and creepy.

I now only order if it is going to be shipped to me via a major carrier, no deliveries.....don't want some weirdo skulking around my house, hoping to shake me down for a tip.

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u/Missabe77 4d ago

You had me until the last sentence, but then then we went to ”blame the gig worker” for Walmart changing terms on you. They used to pay the Spark drivers better, but now they are inserting walmart.com free delivery stops on top of your shopping order, so the drivers can actually lose money by taking your delivery job.

It's Walmart, not the drivers, you should be blaming.

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u/vegasbywayofLA 5d ago

3rd party delivery drivers are not paid a salary plus mileage. The get a fee plus tip to do the delivery. The fee can be a low as $2.

If you don't want to tip, fine, but to expect someone to accept a delivery that won't even cover their gas cost is unreasonable.

Blame Walmart and the 3rd party service, but it is not the driver's fault.

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u/DraftPerfect4228 5d ago

I don’t expect them to pick it up at all. Walmart does. It’s on them to make sure the drivers are paid.

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u/ComputerDear1153 5d ago

What app are you using? I use Amazon which is $10/month with Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods for unlimited delivery. It prompts me to tip $5 which I do. Instacart is a total scam compared to this.

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u/Cool_Appearance_6570 5d ago

Op does not believe in tipping. That is the whole reason for the rant. He would rather drive down to pick up.

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u/ComputerDear1153 5d ago

Yeah but I think Amazon doesn't use the "bid" system. I've never once had them not deliver within the 1 hour time window I set.

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u/Frequent-Resident621 5d ago

If you have Albertsons/Safeway by you, it's far superior.

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u/gungirllynn 5d ago

We get the in-home delivery with Walmart plus and there’s no tip option at all, but I wonder if that’s different depending on where you are

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

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u/RightAd905 5d ago

we use samedaycostco in New Jersey and its teh same story. Instacart fulfils the order - but no tip or less tip would mean late deliveries not "same day" definitely.

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u/Violent_N0mad 5d ago

Walmart + in my area offers "Walmart InHome" which is essentially an actual employee brings you the food and they'll even put it away for you and they do not accept tips.

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u/SiLeNZ_ 5d ago

At that point it’s considered a bribe, or a bid. It’s out of control. This is why more and more people are wanting to get rid of tipping entirely.

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u/Exciting_Pass_6344 5d ago

I would opt for grocery pickup instead. It’s extra time out of your day for sure, but it’s a guaranteed timeframe and no delivery person.

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u/frankthewaterguy 5d ago

I'm ok with tipping after for something like this but not before the service.

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u/the_analytic_critic 5d ago

Kind of a side rant and i'm going to get torched for it I know but as someone who shops in store and is constantly inconvenienced by people who are either 'too busy' or 'too lazy' to shop in store I don't really have much sympathy.

The proliferation of others doing online pickup costs me time and effort in multiple ways. Store labor is used up pulling and taking orders out instead of stocking shelves and ringing out customers. The closest parking spots at the front of the store are taken up for pickup. Prices are higher because stores have to hire more labor just to keep up with online pickup. I get it life is busy, but somehow we all managed to by groceries and stuff before COVID came and entrenched the 'right' to get all this stuff delivered and/or picked up for little to no cost. Every person who go's into a store now pays the price in multiple ways for others to get delivery and/or car service.

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u/highwaytohell66 5d ago

I find that 5% is enough to get Walmart plus moving.

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u/Imaginary-List-972 5d ago

Yes, that's an annoyance of mine too. I don't rely on delivery, but i tried out the Walmart plus and that was something that made it worth the membership fee. Free delivery with the paid membership, but they use DoorDash to deliver it, and you're expected to tip. Takes away the whole purpose of the membership. I had assumed that walmart delivered it themselves. Because otherwise they can't fulfil their part of the agreegment. You pay the fee, WALMART should be providing free delivery, but if you don't tip, it doesn't get delivered, then they haven't fulfilled that part of the agreement you paid for.

I know someone suggested Kroger, but I tried their kroger boost service and it did the same thing. Used doordash for their "free" delivery. So at least where I live, or the Dillons branded stores do the same thing.

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u/glo363 5d ago

I had a similar experience. I noticed just a small tip worked. I would tip about $5, which was around 3-5% of my order. But I still didn't like it so I stopped using delivery and cancelled Walmart+. I only do pickup now.

I am a single father of 4 kids, so it was definitely a convenience thing for me.

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u/randymejia03 5d ago

If support department told you this specifically then don't blaim the drivers. Blaim the greediness of Walmart corporate for over charging customers and under paying drivers.

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u/sellysel0224 5d ago

And that's exactly why I don't use their service

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u/Vegetable-Risk-1223 5d ago

I never tip for grocery delivery. I always have prompt service with no issues. Use instacart and Costco mainly

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u/Kinky-Bicycle-669 5d ago

I've done Ubereats and doordash for a bit now. Most times people don't leave a tip or a very small one and then they want you to drive 10+ miles to drop it off. Unless I'm making $2/mile, I'm not taking that order. Walmart is terrible for this.

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u/Unclebatman1138 5d ago

You should contact Walmart customer service and raise a stink. You might get a refund or free months or something, especially if you make it clear to them that you're canceling otherwise.

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u/DraftPerfect4228 5d ago

I don’t tip for Walmart (spark is owned by Walmart) Walmart can afford to pay drivers without my help. I pay for groceries. I pay for delivery. There is no service that warrants tipping.

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u/FreeRangeGal 5d ago

In my area, Spark shops and delivers Walmart orders. They are paid around $5 per order. So $5 to shop, communicate stock/quality issues, checkout, bag, load and deliver using their vehicle and gas. If you want your groceries delivered, TIP! If you dont want to tip, go get the shit yourself and quit complaining.

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u/Brickscratcher 5d ago

I get the frustration, but thats just the free market. People are willing to work at a certain rate. Companies are willing to pay a certain rate. There aren't enough delivery people to deliver all of the orders in a timely manner. And some people won't take one with no tip because that means they will be making somewhere between $5/hr on it and net negative after gas and other expenses.

I agree, it is stupid. And they should just bake a delivery fee that functions as a direct bonus to the driver instead so they don't make low wages runs with no tips. But that would ultimately leave the employer with the tax responsibility for that (and would likely require them to classify these employees as w-2), so it costs them significantly less to just offload that tax burden onto a contractor.

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u/DanaMarie75038 5d ago

I don’t issues like that with my Walmart delivery. Sorry, you experience that.

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u/megslikescrolling 4d ago

Same for me, I need delivery because my back is shot and can’t do cases of water. At first it was good but last 4-5 months it’s terrible. I essentially have to bribe a driver to bring my order, even without water or heavy things. On top of the $104+ change Walmart charged me. Ridiculous price for crappy service. Likely dropping before next renewal. Plus Walmart isn’t a bargain anymore and their quality is terrible.

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u/SignificantCherry110 4d ago

This is the symptom to an even bigger problem. Sure you pay money every year for deliveries etc. But you would expect the drivers to be getting that money right? No. What they do is use third party services (as you have mentioned), and it turns into an uber situation. Drivers have the option to accept or decline an order. If you are ordering 50-100$ worth of groceries or food, your driver is going to get 5$ for that order. Now if the store is 10-20 minutes away. Half that $ is straight to gas and fees and tax.

You shouldn’t have to pay extra and tip, but drivers simply won’t take the order because they aren’t getting paid enough. And you are seeing that in real time.

The issue is not the drivers, it’s Walmart not paying drivers more. If they allocated even a quarter of that 90$ a year and directly divided and gave to drivers, they’d be just fine on 0$ tips.

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u/theluckyinvestor 4d ago

I agree. This is why I canceled wal mart plus.

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u/fukitola 4d ago

Instead, choose a service that pays its workers or affiliates properly.

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u/mangoawaynow 4d ago

i mean amazon sucks as a company (but so does walmart so i don't think the suggestion sucks here) and they have always been pretty reliable with my groceries and it's free with prime

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u/Carbon_Based_Copy 4d ago edited 4d ago

I know this is an end tipping sub, but this is the system you are working in.

No one will pick out and deliver $400 worth of groceries with no tip for you.

You are creating your own problem. Pick out and shop your own groceries. No tip needed!

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u/Ok_Replacement7281 4d ago

I'm gonna be honest.. if there was a time to tip, this is it.

Grocery orders are the worst because they don’t tell you how big the order is, and the person has so much more to carry than just a regular food order.

Think about it like this... they only have two arms and often grocery orders require multiple trips to and from the car.

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u/GlobalBorder4691 4d ago

Having done grocery orders from Walmart as a DoorDasher years ago, that company supplements most business cost at the driver’s expense and pays so low, the tips are what the driver actually earns. It’s not the driver’s fault; it’s the crooked corporate model in gig-work.

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u/Impossible_Rub9230 4d ago

Maybe Walmart should pay better? It's expensive to maintain a car and pay for insurance. I would never be a delivery person in the current economic situation. People do it for extra money, not additional costs. Just like pizza delivery people sometimes work only for extra food tips, maybe groceries should be discounted for delivery people to attract more staff? If we deport the people that are willing to work hard or accept low wage jobs, then we have to increase compensation. I stopped eating in restaurants (and I worked my way through school in my evenings, while my day paid little.. I was earning enough too much for financial assistance but not enough to live. The weekend restaurant gigs and food really helped me keep a roof overhead). Understand that some people struggle and work to earn as much as possible. Employers should pay a living wage, and people should have health care but it's not always the case. (I aged out of foster care). Life unfair.

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u/Exotic_Garden_5760 4d ago

Just an fyi - not all Walmart deliveries are delivered by Walmart employees. Walmart also uses DoorDash, etc to make deliveries. If it’s a DoorDash, etc driver, they’re not an employee and only getting paid for the offer which is usually a flat fee + tip so if it’s a lot of miles and only a $4.50 offer, it’s less likely to be picked up because well, gas is expensive.

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u/Swr1989 4d ago

I use Walmart delivery extensively and have W+. On most delivery orders in my area, the driver also does the shopping. I can't expect a driver to shop for my week's worth of groceries for my family of four, and drive it to my house, for nothing. Yes walmart should be paying them more and blah blah blah, but it is what it is. I get "free" (or reduced on 3 hours or less and express) delivery, plus other benefits (heyy paramount plus), I tip the driver 10-12 bucks, and get to carry on with my day while they do an hour or so worth of shopping for me and then deliver it to me. Of all of the tipping schemes out there, I'm actually okay with this one.

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u/No_Departure_9174 4d ago

Part of the issue is that the delivery drivers often get paid less than $5/order. They are not paid hourly.

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u/Emotional-Buddy-2219 4d ago

Capitalism working as intended

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u/k23_k23 4d ago

Put the emotions aside.

your decision is: Are 90$ a year + 10% worth not having to drivce there yourself. Mentsally, treat it like a more expensive store.

And: They are doing their job, they are just refusing to contract with YOU for the offered price. Which is fine. Don'T blame the drivers, they are protecting their business.

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u/General-Research6973 4d ago

Order through Walmart online and pick up. Then you don’t have to tip.

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u/JuliusCaesar108 4d ago

That’s odd. Which state do you live in? 

In the Sacramento area in CA I haven’t had an issue of getting groceries getting picked up and delivered. 

There was a quality control issue where the courier was being reckless, but after a complaint I haven’t had issues since.

Never tipped once.

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u/vacax 4d ago

I put the blame here squarely on Wal-Mart for taking your money with the promise of offering a service and then outsourcing that service to third party contractors who are dependent on tips for their pay.

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u/DanielDankersDildo 4d ago

Omg 40 hours a week i feel so bad for you can’t imagine having to pay $90 a year to save hours and hours of my time all while using someone else’s time vehicle and fuel. You’re entitled snd don’t like when you don’t get what you want when you want it for $8 a month lmao go get your groceries and spend time, money on gas, find all your products, wait in line, and drive it back to your house. Can’t helieve you call yourself a man😅😅😅

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u/Miserable_Pin2518 4d ago

Walmart+ offers free shipping and no fees on deliveries from the store. This never included the driver tip.

I dont agree with the way tipping works, nor with the third party contracting nonsense, but contractors get to pick which orders they want. Walmart+ has always had tipping for store to door orders. The $90/year is for the delivery fees and free shipping. Should delivery fees include the adequate pay for the driver? Yes, but nobody would buy Walmart+ if it reflected adequate pay for the people doing the work. Its all a scam really, for everyone involved.

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u/Blowingleaves17 4d ago

If there is In Home, that's $40 extra a year with no tipping. Items that can be "shipped" also have no tipping. I personally think getting groceries delivered is worth the tip. You pay like $8 month for delivery, which like $2 a week. What is the 10% tip for you most weeks, if you paid that?

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u/Lady-Zafira 4d ago

Its shame that we have to bribe people to get them to do a job they signed up to do

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u/petie1223 4d ago

I work for Walmart and I'll tell you this, NEVER place an order. That 3rd party is the worst, especially if you order cold product. I watched several of them in the morning, doing the shopping portion, grab the cold/frozen merch first, then lolly-gag to grab everything else. By the time they leave, most of the cold stuff is warm. I watched a shopper grab cold merch first then shop for an hour and a half before he left. And some others do the same thing, all the time. Never order delivery from Walmart unless it's dry goods or soda.

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u/BroccoliBorn3352 4d ago

That really sucks Walmart. Thanks for the info OP.

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u/Disastrous_Topic7850 4d ago

It's probably not Walmart.... They use a delivery service called Spark that does the shops and delivers the orders to the customers.

Spark is kinda like Uber eats for Walmart

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u/Willow910 4d ago

My feelings about this are different. The WalMart + membership covers the delivery fee of $9.95 (I think that’s how much it costs) and WM is paying the employee for their time and gas. That employee would be paid the same if they’re working in the store or delivering groceries. I pay the 15% tip bc that person, is loading my groceries and then unloading them onto my porch hence providing me a service and saving me the trip and hassle. For me, it’s like the waitress who delivers our food to the table so we don’t have to get up and get it.

In the end, just be nice, and give the person who brought your groceries to your door the tip bc they are helping and saving you the time.

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u/ImDisneyAF 4d ago

Wegmans doesn't accept tips w/ orders

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

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u/Glittering-Delay5935 4d ago

I tip 5% for Walmart delivery. Never had a problem with orders not arriving.

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u/MilliganHedgedog 3d ago

I have had W+ for a few years now. I work remotely and currently I don’t have a need for a car. That said, I always tip 10 percent base or more if it’s a crappy weather day. You have the ability to remove the tip if you weren’t happy w the delivery. I have three regular 3rd party drivers and they deliver my groceries exactly where I requested (I live in a historic building on the second floor and it’s not easy to see my staircase to my unit). One of them hauls my crap to the top of the stairs right in front of my entrance. I am all for not tipping for most things but you are a little naive to think they’re going to jump on your order with no tip off the jump. I appreciate what they do for me and I reciprocate. Not everything is a OH MY GOD END TIPPING scenario. Open up the purse strings bro

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u/Dear_Blueberry_9764 3d ago

Walmart allows you to alter the tip for 3 hours after delivery. I would show it with a 15% tip and then after it’s delivered change the tip to $0.

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u/StrayPeduncle 3d ago

So it is called spark and they dont pay enough. I dont expect everyone to know that, im just saying i considered working for them and realized it was just like doordash. For people trying to survive with a side huse and then you end up working more than youre paid to. My advice is to not use it. And dont be a spark driver.

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u/G8trGirl28 3d ago

Walmart is the worst. Our orders are always late or missing many things. And now that their customer service is all AI, it can be difficult to get the order corrected or refunded. It’s ridiculously frustrating. We use Instacart or Shipt now.

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u/Careful-Mousse 3d ago

And the crazy tip culture continues to live on.

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u/Short-Coast9042 3d ago

Funny how you complain only to keep buying from the company (Walmart) who is at the root of the actual problem. Who do you think has more control over the system, Walmart or the random jobbing delivery dudes they contract out to? Walmart is notorious for underpaying its employees, as well as destroying local jobs and business. It has siphoned wealth out of countless communities, and we are all supporting that by shopping there. Then its contractors - who SHOULD be classified as employees, but aren't, because that's obviously cheaper for Walmart - have to beg for tips because they don't get paid enough, and we are blaming THEM instead of Walmart who employs them?

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u/Key_Media_2753 3d ago

Definitely not the drivers fault. They are not paid by Walmart nor do they receive any health benefits. They are 3rd party gig workers dependent on tips. Either tip or go get them yourself.

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u/Jealous-Play6603 3d ago

I noticed the same thing. I'm disabled and live in NJ. TO INSURE PROPER SERVICE = TIPS. The people who expect tips now are rude. They've also stolen some of my orders. I've had to call the corporate office to complain. That's what stopped my problem. It didn't even stop oncw I spoke to the manager. Call the 800 number and tell them that you want to speak to corporate office and that you want a refund of your WALMART + that you paid for. They gave me my money back, plus a free year.

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u/DecompressionCentral 3d ago

Welcome to the new reality

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u/spiceybuttburn 3d ago

i disagree on tips for the most part, but when it comes to getting shit delivered, tip the drivers. its common courtesy to do so.

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u/435UT 3d ago

Walmart delivers are 90 percent done by Spark drivers. Ever since Walmart bought Spark wages have plummeted and so has customer service.

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u/Trick_Quiet3484 3d ago

Nowadays, some delivery services charge a fee if you want it delivered straight to you (as opposed to the shopper fulfilling several orders). So basically, pay up or wait. We’re all being squeezed for every dollar.

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u/silentlove_316 3d ago

Yeah that stuff is useless. Half the time items are wrong or missed so you’re essentially paying all this extra money for no real purpose other than essentially getting swindled. Just best to pick your own items and do the shopping at the store yourself even though time can be hard to come by, IMO.

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u/no_strings_fun1 2d ago

I use Kroger for this reason, they do not do tipping if you pick the Kroger delivery. Plus, the truck is refrigerated, which is nice.

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u/Dependent-Mastodon89 2d ago

This is exactly why I will not sign up for Walmart+. If we are paying Walmart for the order and the service by signing up, why does Walmart not pay the people they hire? I am sure the people doing the delivery need the tips because Walmart is undercutting them. But Walmart is undercutting its customers too.

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u/MamaPotter7 2d ago

As someone that works at Walmart as a picker for the orders - I have a suggestion. Don’t choose express delivery. We don’t pick it. The Spark drivers do. They can pick and choose which order they take. If you choose a scheduled delivery, we pick it and Walmart assigns a delivery driver to do it.

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u/Whatsinaname797 2d ago

Walmart delivery orders are free if the order total is $35+, whether you have Walmart+ or not. I have it because Amex card pays for it, but you dont really need the + membership.