Quick Answer
It is customary and polite to tip the person who delivers your groceries to your car. A tip of $2-5 or 10-20% of your total order is considered appropriate. Tipping shows your appreciation for their service and effort.
When Should You Tip for Grocery Delivery?
You should tip when someone brings your grocery order out to your car and loads it for you. This is known as “curbside pickup” and is a common service offered by many grocery stores and supermarkets.
The employee who brings out your groceries is providing a personal service by transporting your items, loading them into your vehicle, and ensuring you have everything you ordered. Tipping them is a way to show your gratitude for this extra effort.
Types of Grocery Delivery Services
There are a few different types of grocery delivery services where tipping may apply:
- Curbside pickup: You order groceries online or by phone and an employee brings them out to your parked car.
- Home delivery: A delivery driver shops for and delivers groceries directly to your home.
- In-store shopping: A personal shopper selects groceries in-store per your list and brings them to your car.
For any service where an employee is personally serving you by transporting and loading groceries, tipping is customary.
How Much Should You Tip for Grocery Delivery?
For curbside grocery pickup, a tip of $2-5 is typical. You may also tip 10-20% of your total order cost if it was a large grocery run.
Some general tipping guidelines:
- Order under $50: $2-3 tip
- Order $50-$100: $5 tip
- Order over $100: 10-20% tip
When an employee has to load a significant number of bags and heavier items into your car, tipping on the higher end is appreciated.
For home grocery delivery, tipping 15-20% of the total order is more typical since the driver had to shop and transport it.
Tipping for Special Requests
If you made any special requests that required extra effort on the employee’s part, adding a bit more to the tip is a nice gesture. For example:
- You had a very large order that took significant time to bring out and load.
- You asked the employee to organize bags in a specific way in your car.
- Your order included especially heavy items like cases of water.
- You had the employee return and add a forgotten item.
In these cases, consider tipping on the higher end or adding an extra dollar or two.
Should You Tip In-Store Grocery Baggers?
Tipping the employees who bag your groceries at checkout is less common. These employees are usually paid regular wages and are not relying on tips.
However, if a bagger provides exceptional service – like helping you out to your car, loading all your bags neatly, or carefully organizing heavy items – you may want to offer a small tip of $1-2.
Do You Have to Tip for Grocery Pickup?
Tipping for curbside grocery pickup is completely optional and at your discretion. However, keeping the following in mind:
- The employee likely depends on tips as part of their income.
- Tipping for good service is customary in the United States.
- Even a small tip is a polite way to say thanks.
- Regular tippers often get better service.
If you’re unable to tip or choose not to, a simple “Thank you!” and kind acknowledgment of their effort is thoughtful.
Should You Tip Before or After Grocery Delivery?
It’s best to tip after your groceries have been delivered. This allows you to base the tip amount on the service you received.
For curbside pickup, you can tip when the employee returns with your card and receipt after loading your order. For home delivery, tip when they hand you your final receipt.
Tipping beforehand can feel somewhat presumptuous or like an obligation for the employee vs. a gratitude-based reward.
Can You Tip Grocery Delivery Workers in an App?
Many grocery delivery apps and online ordering systems allow you to add a tip when you place your order or after delivery.
For example, Instacart, Shipt, and other apps have a tipping feature where you can select a tip amount or percentage. This tips the shopper and/or driver directly through the app.
Tip in the app if convenient, or tip cash at delivery. Cash has the benefit of allowing the employee to receive the tip immediately.
Are Grocery Delivery Tips Taxed?
Tips paid to grocery delivery workers are considered taxable income. Employees must report tips as part of their gross income when filing taxes.
Cash tips are difficult to trace by the IRS and employees often underreport them. Tips paid through an app usually have better recordkeeping and reporting to the IRS.
Can You Write Off Grocery Delivery Tips?
If you pay grocery delivery tips through an app or with a credit card, you may be able to deduct them under certain circumstances:
- You use grocery delivery for a business purpose like restocking office kitchens or events.
- You have a medical need that precludes grocery shopping and require delivery.
- Grocery delivery is a necessary expense if you are self-employed or work from home.
Check with a tax professional to see if your delivery tips may qualify as tax-deductible business expenses. Maintain careful records of tips paid.
Grocery Delivery Tip Etiquette
Here are some final best practices for tipping grocery delivery employees:
- Tip based on order size and extra services like heavy lifting.
- Cash tips allow the employee to receive the thanks immediately.
- Include the tip amount along with your thank you message.
- Avoid undertipping – a small tip can feel worse than no tip.
- If you tip regularly, you may receive faster service.
- Write off tips if you use delivery for business or medical needs.
Tip when someone goes above and beyond to safely deliver your groceries!
Conclusion
Tipping for curbside grocery pickup and delivery is standard practice as a “thank you” for the employee’s effort. While not strictly mandatory, tipping is very much appreciated. For good service, tip $2-5 for small orders or 10-20% for larger grocery runs. Cash tips given directly to the employee are customary. Maintain records of tips if they may qualify as deductible expenses. Tip generously when employees provide exceptional service loading or delivering your groceries.