Walmart.com using DoorDash to deliver, instead of FedEx? Should I give them a tip? (Unexpected)

[VirtualLarry]

This is the second time that this has happened. I ordered off of walmart.com, the usual way through their web site, and just chose "delivery". Generally, this means FedEx.

Recently (the last two weeks), I've received partial order fulfillment via DoorDash (contractors), even when I specifically didn't order "grocery delivery", just "delivery". Normally, my understanding is, ordering "grocery delivery", is an added expense, which requires additional payment, and also, generally, a tip to the driver / shopper. I generally don't do that. (Meaning, I normally don't ORDER "grocery delivery". I DO tip local delivery drivers, for things like pizza.)

So it kind of surprises me, when I ordered some paper towels and drinks, and someone texted me this AM, claiming that they were from DoorDash, and that they had my groceries.

I got my partial order, but I didn't give them a tip. Walmart does offer "Free Delivery" for orders on their web site over $35. But at the same time, I was expecting the order to be shipped from their warehouse, and by a normal parcel carrier, which you don't ordinarily tip (they normally can't accept tips).

Using a DoorDash contractor kind of complicates things. Sure, it gets me (part of) my order slightly faster, but on the whole, seems like an unnecessary waste to me. (*Unless these DoorDash people are CIA plants. But that's a whole nother story.)

Should these people (DoorDash contractors) be receiving a tip? Should I be giving them one? I am highly sympathetic to the gig economy, and I tip my pizza delivery drivers $5 (flat), in-town. (I am reconsidering re-calculating that upwards, but the delivery fee tacked on is an additional $3.99 as well.) Even if getting delivery via DoorDash is "unexpected"? (I had no advance warning, or any indication on Walmart.com that they were sending this part of the order via DoorDash.)

I mean, if I intentionally ordered grocery delivery, then I would definitely be giving these people tips, too. That's just how it works. But I'm left with a quandry, do I give them a tip, and mentally assume that whatever I'm ordering on Walmart.com, is going to cost me an extra $5 (accounting for tip)? What if I don't get free shipping, and have to pay $5.99 shipping? And a $5 tip on top? That's really BS.

But if I ever have to use DoorDash myself, personally, to get something to me, I don't want to have a "bad rep" with the DoorDash contractor pool, if they tag my address internally with a note "doesn't tip", or something.

Edit: Maybe a better ancilliary question is, do you tip your Amazon delivery driver, every time you get a package from Amazon delivered? (Excluding those deliveries via USPS for Amazon, for which I believe it's illegal to "tip" a federal worker.)

Edit: Second ancilliary question: Does Walmart.com OWN DoorDash? Could they be trying to scale them up to be "Walmart Delivery Service" to compete with "Amazon Delivery Service"?

Edit: I mean, I'm young enough, I'm not a FYGM Boomer, I don't mind giving tips where appropriate. But when someone texts you out of the blue, "Hey, DoorDash here, I have your delivery, which apt. is yours?", and I don't have any $1 bills to hand them, it puts me in a hard spot. I wouldn't normally order (personal) delivery, if I didn't have the means to tip them.

I mean, this delivery (in that manner) was entirely un-expected. I was totally un-prepared to give them any sort of tip. But I don't want to get a bad rap among DoorDash people as a "non-tipper".

 

[sdifox]

Why is it your problem?

 

[DainBramaged]

I'm someone who would rather over-tip than under-tip. I feel like it's not your issue that Walmart, unrequested by you, sent someone who might normally expect a tip. I wouldn't tip the walmart driver. It's not my issue walmart sent someone that I'd normally tip. <shrug>

 

[ponyo]

1) No, do not tip.

2) No, Walmart do not own DoorDash. DoorDash is separate public company. I'm a big DoorDash bear and hate the whole middlemen food delivery industry. I hope they all die. They're like cancer that needs to be killed.

 

[Leymenaide]

From Wiki

Tipping policy[edit]
In July 2019, DoorDash attracted criticism from several publications, including The New York Times, and later The Verge and Vox, for its tipping policy, which, according to Gothamist "really looks, feels, and smells like a swindle."[30][31][32][33] Drivers receive a guaranteed minimum per order, which is paid by DoorDash by default. When a customer adds a tip, instead of going to the driver, it first goes to the company up to the point that the company no longer has to pay the driver the guaranteed minimum. Drivers then only receive the part of the tip that exceeds the minimum. DoorDash announced plans to change its pay model shortly after the New York Times story.[34] A week after the Times article, a DoorDash customer filed a class action lawsuit against the company for its "materially false and misleading" tipping policy.[33][35] On August 20, 2019, Vox released an article titled "DoorDash is still pocketing workers' tips, almost a month after it promised to stop".[36] On August 22, 2019, DoorDash announced an update to the tipping policy and promised to "roll it out to all Dashers next month" (that is, sometime in September 2019).[37]

 

[VirtualLarry]

Why is it your problem?

It shouldn't be, because *I* didn't order DoorDash. But their drivers don't know that, it just comes down from on-high in their "app". *They* think *I* ordered DoorDash. They don't understand, nor should I really have to explain, that Walmart re-routed my web site order, they're just "gerbils in the wheel".

 

[ponyo]

It shouldn't be, because *I* didn't order DoorDash. But their drivers don't know that, it just comes down from on-high in their "app". *They* think *I* ordered DoorDash. They don't understand, nor should I really have to explain, that Walmart re-routed my web site order, they're just "gerbils in the wheel".

The drivers know your order is from Walmart. So there's no need to tip and please don't feel pressured to. Unless you really want to but do you tip your UPS, FedEx, or postal worker for every delivery? I bet you wouldn't in million years. So why do you want/consider tipping DoorDash driver for Walmart order?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Drivers receive a guaranteed minimum per order, which is paid by DoorDash by default.

On August 20, 2019, Vox released an article titled "DoorDash is still pocketing workers' tips, almost a month after it promised to stop".[36]

It's a relief that the DoorDash people are apparently getting paid. I assume that the tips in question, that DoorDash (the company) is pocketing from their drivers, is from tips left in their app? If I slip the driver $2-3 in cash, is DoorDash going to make the drivers strip down or "pat them down" at the end of their shift?

 

[VirtualLarry]

So why do you want/consider tipping DoorDash driver for Walmart order?

Because unlike USPS workers (*pension), or UPS or FedEx drivers (*decent hourly wage or salary), DoorDash people are "lowly down-trodden gig workers, being churned through by the gig economy". I doubt that they're getting rich doing this, probably just getting by.

And I thought that they basically "worked for tips". Hence my desire to see them get paid.

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

I'm more confused that walmart's system apparently can't tell the difference between a local grocery delivery item and a corporate warehouse shipped item.

Walmart has really been going downhill. I remember years ago when walmart's website inventory was a thing of awe, always completely accurate and on the money. Now it seems like every time I check online to make sure an item is in stock at the local store, the shelf is barren when I get there and their inventory system is off.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I'm more confused that walmart's system apparently can't tell the difference between a local grocery delivery item and a corporate warehouse shipped item.

Me too! BTW, the item in question that was delivered this morning was some paper towels. Definitely NOT something that could spoil in-transit, or would otherwise NEED to be delivered personally from a local store.

 

[ponyo]

Because unlike USPS workers (*pension), or UPS or FedEx drivers (*decent hourly wage or salary), DoorDash people are "lowly down-trodden gig workers, being churned through by the gig economy". I doubt that they're getting rich doing this, probably just getting by.

And I thought that they basically "worked for tips". Hence my desire to see them get paid.

That's not your problem. I have no idea how DoorDash people get paid by DoorDash. Nor do I care. But I would treat them same as if I got delivery by UPS/FedEx/Amazon/etc. Accept the package and tell them "thanks, have a nice day!" No tip.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I'm more confused that walmart's system apparently can't tell the difference between a local grocery delivery item and a corporate warehouse shipped item.

Walmart has really been going downhill. I remember years ago when walmart's website inventory was a thing of awe, always completely accurate and on the money. Now it seems like every time I check online to make sure an item is in stock at the local store, the shelf is barren when I get there and their inventory system is off.

Walmart was ever uphill?

Seriously, I haven't gone shopping at a Walmart in 10+ years. I think the most I've done in the last 10 years is pickup a slickdeal - and afterwards I just regretted it because it wasn't worth the price difference of just having to go inside a Walmart

 

[Muadib]

I just got a PS5 from Walmart. FN guy didn't even ring the bell. I saw it when I got my mail that night.

 

[pete6032]

I just got a PS5 from Walmart. FN guy didn't even ring the bell. I saw it when I got my mail that night.

WE have FWP thread for just those types of things.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I had something similar - a friend that lives on the other side of the US from us bought our kids some gifts from Walmart. Had them shipped to us, etc...

Basically random bum guy dropped them off in a Walmart bag at the front-door. Everything smelled heavily of smoke, so that was lovely.

 

[Muadib]

WE have FWP thread for just those types of things.

Can't say I ever saw it. Link??

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

Walmart was ever uphill?

Seriously, I haven't gone shopping at a Walmart in 10+ years. I think the most I've done in the last 10 years is pickup a slickdeal - and afterwards I just regretted it because it wasn't worth the price difference of just having to go inside a Walmart

Only and explicitly Walmart's inventory system.

 

[pete6032]

Can't say I ever saw it. Link??

Come join us. https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/what-first-world-problem-did-you-have-today.2374963/

 

[Muadib]

Come join us. https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/what-first-world-problem-did-you-have-today.2374963/

Ok I lied. I saw that thread before, but never entered. I'm in now though, so thanks!

 

[mindless1]

I've never gotten this type of delivery from Walmart, but I don't tip Amazon contracted delivery people so wouldn't tip them either, except as you already mentioned, if it's an expected expense for a food delivery.

The central issue to me is that I DESPISE hidden extra costs, whether it be this or on a cable bill, vehicle purchase, whatever. The cost should be the cost and the delivery people should be paid fairly without depending on tips to get there.

IMO it's a bit different with other tipped employee professions where there is a wider range in quality of service while a delivery is more of a pass/fail scenario.

 

[KAM4488]

Dasher here 🤚 We are ALL getting screwed. Customers and drivers alike. Dasher's avoid Walmart like the plague. DoorDash is the nastiest company without an ounce of integrity. We all keep recieving Walmart orders and declining which then lowers our "acceptance rate" even if we request to opt out of all Walmart deliveries. I left my house last night and before I could get to the stop sign at the end of my street, SIX Walmart orders rang in. I individually opted out of Walmart and declined. Obviously they kept coming. Stressing about my acceptance rate, I chose the last one. THREE orders to THREE houses in another town. $19. I drove to Walmart, waiting 35 minutes. The entire trip was a 28 mile drive and over 90 minutes of my time. So I was paid $7.89/hr. Not including gas/wear/tear. We ate working for NOTHING. That same night, I worked for Grubhub delivering restaurant orders. In two hours, I made $50. No waiting, 15 mile total. Tips were 70% of my total. I didn't get ONE tip from the Walmart orders. And I don't blame them! They have no idea who's delivering and expect free delivery as Walmart claims. I wouldn't tip for MY mail! We are being blackmailed and are at the mercy of tips that we defintely EARNED but can't realistically expect from customers. Please refuse same day delivery so that we aren't forced to work for free. Unless you're ordering from Amazon, whom actually pay their employees and don't expect the customer to float their business while they drink and smoke cigars. 🤦‍♀️Also, as I was hoofing it up to the second home, 4th floor, I biffed it on black ice. It sucked.

 

[mindless1]

^ Amazon recently got caught for their tip shenanigans.

Amazon kept $62 million in tips intended for drivers, FTC says

Rather than pass on customer gratuities to delivery drivers, retailer "used the money itself," according to regulators.

www.cbsnews.com

Be careful out there, I'd consider studded footwear and even a helmet for the most treacherous of winter conditions. I slipped on ice as a child and had a significant head impact. That explains everything.

 

[aigomorla]

its not just walmart.
Its also Petco and some other stores.

It seems DoorDash found a way to exploit errr increase profit of there drivers.
And yes i do not feel you should have to TIP for mail, so i feel doordash should cover the additional cost for there drivers, or if your entitled and need that same day delivery, a extra fee should be included to compensate the drivers.

Personally if i need that same day item, i do curbside.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Please refuse same day delivery so that we aren't forced to work for free.

IF there was some way to do this on the Walmart site, I would!

I feel for you, man. I tipped the last guy $2 (the Walmart store is just down the street, through maybe three-four sets of lights), but I heard that Doordash keeps the tips, up to the amount that they pay their drivers. (Which is WAGE THEFT, and should be ILLEGAL, IMHO.)

The thing is, on Walmart's site (NOT Walmart Grocery Delivery - just the main web site), browsing things like dry / canned foods / chocolates, there's NO indication that they might trigger a grocery-style Doordash order, that I can see. Maybe there is but I'm not seeing it? (W+, delivery, next-day delivery, 2-day delivery? Is there a meaningful difference?)

I'm fine with waiting a week to two weeks for the FedEx guy to deliver boxes with my stuff. And before Walmart hooked up with Doordash, that's the way it was.

Now, I find out I'm getting roughly same-day delivery, I have to STAY HOME, to make sure that the doordash guys get my right apt. (Don't even get me started on Walmart using LaserShip, to deliver cases of soft drinks, they often deliver them to the apt. on the other side of the circle. I guess the GPS is ambiguous in here.)

So it's inconvenient for the customer, too! I wish that there was a fair and equitable way to work this all out, like maybe customers could opt-in to Doordash (offer it as a SEPARATE delivery option, rather than JUST "Delivery" or "Pick-Up" at check-out), and then we could specify a tip at the same time for the doordash guy out of our Paypal or whatever, and then additionally, that Doordash wouldn't (allegedly) TAKE those tips from the drivers.

I mean, if I REQUEST "immediate delivery by an individual", I understand the level of service is a little higher, and that I SHOULD tip. It should be more-or-less expected. But Walmart makes this all way too difficult. Way more difficult than it should be, and customers shouldn't be "surprised" by deliveries like that, nor should Doordash'ers be so loath to do Walmart deliveries, that they opt-out.

Maybe Crypto-currencies could somehow make this all equitable to all parties in the future. I can hope.