When not to tip There are a few isolated, unusual situations when the tip is not expected. You are very nice if you still tip, but you're not expected in these circumstances. Mistake correction, the same day The driver didn't call for directions and got lost The driver doesn't have change The driver has an attitude problem You ordered pick-up (carry-out) Mistake correction, the same day This is when you get the wrong pizza and now they're sending the right one immediately. You didn't originally ask for the second trip, so it's not fair that you should be expected to tip twice. No driver in the world expects a tip in this situation. Not even if they send a different driver. However, you should still tip once. Either the first or the second driver. This does not apply if the second delivery took place on some other day. This means you accepted the wrong pizza. Your second order will be free (credited) or discounted. In this case, you asked for the second delivery and should tip both times, even if it's free. The driver didn't call for directions and got lost This is a special case when the customer asked the driver to call for directions, such as when the customer's location was difficult to find. If the driver failed to call and got lost as a result, it was the driver's fault for not following instructions unless the phone person didn't put the message on the receipt. This does not apply if the instructions were too vague. Please give specific directions. Instructions that are too vague are like, "It's near the high school," when it's really half a mile from it. The driver doesn't have change Suppose your bill comes to $21.65. All you have is $30 and want to tip $3, but the driver doesn't have $5. Your remaining options are to write a check or switch to a credit card. It is extremely unusual for a driver to refuse to offer change. This qualifies as bad service, enough to withhold the tip. This does not apply if the driver willingly offers to go back to the store and return with change. It is very rare but earlier customers on a run can drain the driver of change. This does not apply if the customer wants to pay with a $50 or $100 bill. The driver only carries $20 to make change. We don't carry large amounts of cash for safety reasons. This does not apply if the driver has no coins. Drivers aren't expected to carry coins because they are too petty compared to the tip. The driver has an attitude problem It's unthinkable that a driver would have an attitude problem, but if it happens, it's time not to tip. You should complain to the store. Otherwise, they won't know about it. The driver should be reasonably courteous and just deliver the pizza. There should be no problem. After all, drivers work for tips. Before you decide if the driver has an attitude, here are some things to consider. The driver is not your butler. They don't serve pizza. Most are not allowed to enter your house unless the weather's bad. The driver is not obligated to bring extra items unless you asked the store in advance. Drivers operate on a time schedule and must depart rather quickly. We're not trying to be rude about it, though. The driver might not be having as good of a day as you. He or she might simply be in a bad mood. This is especially true in adverse weather. At the same time, the driver should be pleasant to talk with, say "Hi" and/or "Thank you" in some way, let you know the bill amount if you ask, promptly give the pizza after payment, and promptly return appropriate change. The driver should not have the car stereo playing loudly when near your house. That is very rude. You ordered pick-up (carry-out) The tip is never expected when you pick up the pizza. This is true at pizza stores. The tip is still expected at other restaurants when you order pick-up. (Waiters prepare it and are taxed on the carry-out sales. In this situation, the tip should be 10%.) But by picking it up, you did the work of the driver. Click here for more about the convenience of delivery. This does not apply if you pay at the store and have your order delivered later. In this case, your order is not a pick-up. If you're absolutely determined not to tip, please order pick-up. Some stores call it carry-out. This way, you don't waste the driver's valuable time. These five points were submitted by visitors. If you think we should add another, please us. Last updated: October 16, 2013 return to top