Didn’t we just get through reporting shrink-flation was actually worse than ever? Now, there’s similar bad news from the Tipping Scene. A recent BuzzFeed survey reveals that retailers are becoming even more shameless about demanding tips!
BuzzFeed recently compiled a ‘slide-show’ of photos from the social media sphere showing current tipping screen scams by retailers in ALL walks of bus-iness – not just service-sector players. I hope you’re as aghast as I was to see what’s considered ‘standard’ tipping practice these days…
Bottom Line: The tipping situation has gotten completely out of control. Once you’ve absorbed this post and – we recommend – taken in the source story on BuzzFeed – we trust you’ll agree.
I have gathered a few key takeaways from Liscomb’s piece which shine harshest light on the situ-ation…
Tipping Floor elevated
The lowest ‘suggested’ tip percentage on most tipping screens is now 15 percent. Most machines start their recommended tip levels at 20 percent. Percentages in the 20s range are common.
But some screens start at 30 percent.
The high end
Some of Liscomb’s photos show tipping screens with suggested percentages in the 50s and 60s range. One (seriously!) wants you to consider tipping 100 percent! Another comes in more modestly at 99 percent.
Opt-outs less common
I was shocked to find that there is no longer an opt-out button on many tipping screens. That’s no-thing less than highway robbery!
‘Fees’ and ‘charges’
Those aggravating (infuriating?) ‘fees’ and ‘charges’ that we thought had been chased from electronic payment systems have only gotten more aggressive. One photo shows a bill on which a party of 2 were charged a ‘large party surcharge’ of 20 percent! Another shows a crud sign on a chalk board stating that a standard 20 percent gratuity is included on all takeout orders. That’s utterly ridiculous.
Tips for non-tippable services
Would you tip an online ordering system when buying socks? Or floor tiles? Would you tip on a ‘Free Tax Preparation’ website?
‘Tip shaming’ now a thing
As the photo above left attests, ‘tip shaming’ is now a thing. Whoever came up with that scam ought to be tarred and feathered!
My take
After looking carefully through Liscomb’s tipping-culture photo collection, I have come to the con-clusion that tipping either has to be made totally voluntary – both in terms of whether and how much one tips – or outlawed altogether.
And I firmly believe that the situation will only improve if customers either refuse to tip, refuse to leave excessive tips, or just stop patronizing business that cross a redline customers draw in the sands of commerce. I’ve already drawn my line…
~ Maggie J.