I CAN HAS VEGGIEBURGER

June 2, 2007 9:42 PM

Tips for a new bike delivery person?

I just picked up a second job to make a little extra money, making food deliveries for a new vegetarian diner in my neighborhood.

I've never done this before. What can I do to get the best tips EVAR and make hatfuls of money? Anyone have any advice? I'm speedy and safe on a bike, I know the neighborhood well, and I know not to mash the bag (unless I know in advance that I hate the customer).

So far all I have going for me is that I'm tall and handsome and my bike helmet is a renovated French WWI army helmet.

posted by hermitosis to work & money (11 comments total)

You saw this thread this week, right? (Not exactly the same job but close - probably lots of applicable stuff there)
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:50 PM on June 2, 2007

You could work the angle a bit more with a pair of rakish goggles around your neck, perhaps? I think we need pictures, really.
posted by Liosliath at 9:58 PM on June 2, 2007

Really, there is not too much you can do. I am going to tell you how I think when I order delivery and how I determine your tip amount. This isn't to say that this is how everybody thinks, because not everybody is an ass like me. But we are out there.

I hate to say it, but your tip does slightly rely on the way I am treated when I make my order, so you should hope that the people that operate the phones are nice.

Next, I know about how long it should take to make my food, and I understand what time slots are busiest for restaurants and traffic. From the time I hang up the phone to the time you get here, I am paying attention to the clock. When I call to order a pizza at 3 in the afternoon and I have been waiting for 50 minutes, I start taking a little of the tip every 5 minutes.

Another thing I base my tip off of is the amount I am being charged for delivery. Pizza slut charges me $2 just to get my food delivers and most of that money, at least half in most cases, goes to the driver for gas. It does not cost $2 or even a dollar to drive 2 miles up the road, so that may be accounted for in your tip.

Another thing about me and delivery orders... if my order was 17.22, guess how much your tip is going to be if everything goes right. At max, your tip is $2.88. You had no control over this. Not even a big cheesy smile will sway me.

I am not saying this is how all people think. I can be somewhat of an asshole and others may have a very different opinion on how to handle tips. I will tell you from experience though, sometimes you are going to get stiffed, but sometimes you are going to get that $5, $10, or maybe even bigger tip. Delivery really is a decent way to make a buck though. It can be really fun at times because you are tend to meet some pretty cool people. Just have fun with it and you will do well.
posted by dnthomps at 10:01 PM on June 2, 2007

The bag mashing was a joke. But then we all have bad days...

Our delivery service is free.

I don't think people here in NYC tip bike couriers, so I didn't really pay much attention to that thread.

I'll see if I can get a picture up here in the morning :)
posted by hermitosis at 10:21 PM on June 2, 2007

In my case, if the delivery person has been to my house before and the experience was a good one, the next time he shows up the tip goes up. But like dnthomps says if the bill is $17.22 your max tip is $2.78. I won't bore you with my views about tips being out of control in the USA, especially big cities. The goggles suggested by liosllath sound cool though!
posted by snowjoe at 10:32 PM on June 2, 2007

Very often people already have decided how much they are going to tip.

For repeat customers maybe make sure you include napkins (if available) and those such items. Maybe include a quote of the day or something cheesy - spoken or printed and put into the bag, that way people may request you specifically to deliver their food and possibily tip more.

Also Dnthomps, it may not cost 2 dollars in gas but your mistaken if you think half of that fee goes to the driver. Also its not just gas but wear and tear on the car and possible insurance costs as well. The Feds say that a mile is worth somewhere between 45-50 cents (i think it recently went up). And I know most places dont pay that.
posted by crewshell at 12:16 AM on June 3, 2007

When I lived in NYC, I usually tipped a minimum of $2 or 10-15% of the bill, whichever was more.

More if it was raining--and especially if the delivery guy managed to keep my bag dry.
posted by mullacc at 1:26 AM on June 3, 2007

People in NYC *should* tip food delivery guys. The twice I've had food delivered by bike, I've tipped. Anybody who doesn't is a little bit out of it.

If I were delivering and somebody handed me exact change, I'd say, "I don't mean to pressure you or anything, and obviously you don't have to but you might want to keep in mind for the next time, that it is customary to tip, and my ability to earn a livelihood kind of depends on it."

Re: the person who mentioned your tips depending on the person answering the phone for the restaurant - you can take quality control into your own hands by being cordial and checking in with the customer - "So, everything go smoothely with your order? Check to make sure you've got everything? Great, thanks." Open yourself up to being the friendly receptable of any issues they may have, and they'll appreciate it.

Be nice. Joke. Sing to people. Extravagantly express your love for them when they open the door. Be tired if you're tired. Express yourself, don't be an automaton, and life will be better.

On the political side - don't seperate yourself from other working cyclists. Don't buy into a lot of the crap about hispanic and asian food deliverers. There's so much divisive shit-talking in bike/courier/delviery circles. Conditions really can be changed for the better, but they'll only change for the better if people are united, not seperating classes of bikers based on the kind of restaurant you deliver for, race, (assumed) residency status, and percieved/misapplied/generalized biking skill.

Have fun. You're working on your damn bike after all!
posted by entropone at 6:30 AM on June 3, 2007

entropone, hermitosis wasn't saying people in New York don't tip food delivery guys on bike, he said we don't usually tip bike couriers, delivering non food items. I can't confirm this, but I'd believe it.

Also, hermitosis, this was probably already obvious to you, but flirt. Whenever I have a server that compliments me, s/he becomes my new best friend and gets a much better tip. Although, I'm shallow, so whatever.
posted by piratebowling at 6:41 AM on June 3, 2007

Liosliath, I can't find my pair of rakish goggles, but here's the helmet.

Thanks folks. If anyone has anymore delivery issues that vex them I'd be happy to hear (and hopefully avoid) them.
posted by hermitosis at 8:01 AM on June 3, 2007

I think the biggest portion of people have already decided what they are going to tip before you show up. Not being an asshole (like some people above), I don't watch the clock unless it has been forever, and I'll dig out the extra dollar or two on my $17 order. I will certainly give you a bonus for rain, snow, and extreme temps, since, you know, I clearly ordered because I wasn't willing to deal. But I have already decided that, so unless you are truly evil, it isn't going to change.

The only factor I can see you having control over is that if you are pleasant, I will probably order from you more often. And by that I don't mean you need to kiss my ass, but just not be a snothead. Considering some of the folks who work delivery around here, that is enough.
posted by dame at 8:52 AM on June 3, 2007