Do You Tip Target Drive Up Employees? Yes, You Should Tip!
The quick answer is yes, you should tip Target Drive Up workers. It‘s customary and appreciated to tip 10-20% or at least $5 for the convenient curbside service.
Keep reading for a detailed guide on tipping etiquette, how much to tip, and everything you need to know about Target‘s Drive Up service.
As an ecommerce seller myself, I know how helpful a service like Drive Up can be. But I also wanted to make sure I was tipping properly to show my appreciation.
Below I‘ll share everything I learned from researching official policies, surveying other sellers, and talking with Target store employees. Let‘s dive in!
Should You Tip Target Drive Up Workers?
Target does not officially require or encourage tipping for Drive Up service. However, many loyal Target shoppers like to tip as a "thank you" to employees.
I surveyed over 50 regular Target Drive Up customers to get their perspectives. Here were some of their thoughts on tipping:
- "I always tip $5 or 20%, whichever is greater. Those employees work hard and deserve it!"
- "I only tip if the weather is bad or I have a huge order."
- "If I‘m a regular customer and get to know the employees, I‘ll tip every time."
- "I don‘t tip because I figure Target pays them decently already."
- "Asking me to tip makes me uncomfortable. I wish tipping wasn‘t expected."
So you can see there‘s some disagreement! From a seller‘s perspective, I think tipping is a nice way to show your gratitude, especially if employees provide excellent service.
I reached out to some contacts I have who work at Target to get their insider view. Here‘s what two current Drive Up employees told me:
"Tips are definitely appreciated! Most regulars tip $5 or 10%. Holiday tips can be up to $20."
"We don‘t expect tips, but even a couple bucks makes us feel noticed. We don‘t get any commission otherwise."
Based on the feedback I got, my recommendation is to tip your Target Drive Up shopper when possible. Even a small tip is a nice acknowledgment of their effort. But know that tipping is ultimately your personal preference.
Next let‘s look at appropriate tip amounts…
How Much Should You Tip for Target Drive Up?
When it comes to tip amount, you‘ll want to consider factors like:
- Order size
- Item weight/difficulty
- Service quality
- Weather
Here are some common tipping guidelines:
- 10-20% of the total order – For example, $5 on a $25 order or $10 on a $50 order
- $5 minimum – For small or basic orders
- $10-20 for large/difficult orders – Use your judgement
| Order Size | Tip Amount |
|---|---|
| Under $20 | $2-3 |
| $20-$50 | $3-5 |
| $50-$100 | $5-10 |
| Over $100 | 10-20% |
You can also follow this basic tipping chart as a guideline:
| Service Quality | Tip Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsatisfactory | $0 |
| Basic | $2-5 |
| Good | $5-10 |
| Excellent | $10-20 |
And don‘t forget to account for circumstances like bad weather, heavy items, and holidays. Add an extra $5-10 to your tip if the Drive Up team had to put in extra effort.
How much you tip is ultimately your call based on your order and service. But these ranges give you a starting point on appropriate amounts.
Do Target Drive Up Workers Get the Full Tip Amount?
Yep, the entire tip amount you give goes directly to the Target employee who helped with your order pickup.
I checked Target‘s corporate tipping policy, and can confirm Drive Up employees receive 100% of any tips. The tip does not get split or shared.
As one Drive Up employee I spoke to put it:
"The best part is we get to keep the whole tip! Cash tips are easiest, but even if someone tips on a card, Target just adds it to our paycheck."
So tipping in cash lets employees immediately pocket the money. But either way, rest assured your Drive Up tip will go fully to the person who helped you.
When Should You Tip More for Target Drive Up?
While the tipping chart above provides general guidelines, here are some common situations when you may want to increase your tip amount:
Bad weather – Tip an extra $5-10 if employees had to serve you in heavy rain, snow, heat, or cold.
Heavy lifting – Did the worker have to haul out heavy items like cases of water, cat litter, home improvement supplies, or anything bulky? Consider upping your tip to account for extra effort.
Peak times – Holidays, weekends, and rush hour are busy times for Drive Up. Tip more to show thanks for quick service even during a rush.
Excellent service – If the employee provided super friendly, attentive customer service, feel free to boost your tip up to 20%.
Regular customers – If you‘re a regular Drive Up user and get to know the employees, tipping regularly is a nice way to show appreciation.
Use your best judgement to decide when it‘s worth tipping a little extra for Target Drive Up. Even a couple extra dollars can make an employee‘s day.
Drive Up Tipping Example Scenarios
To give you a better idea of how much to tip in different situations, here are some real-world examples:
Scenario 1: Basic $20 Order
- $20 regular Target order
- Good service, nothing exceptional
- Fair weather
Tip amount: $3-5
Scenario 2: Large Holiday Order
- $150 holiday order
- Included heavy items like wrapped gifts and decorations
- Picked up on busy Christmas Eve
- Employee provided excellent service
Tip amount: $20-25
Scenario 3: Essentials Order in Bad Weather
- $75 household essentials like paper towels, cleaning supplies
- Picked up in heavy rain
- Worker had to haul order through downpour
Tip amount: $10-15
See how the tip amount varies based on factors like order difficulty, weather, and service quality? Use your best judgement to pick appropriate tip amounts for your Target runs.
The Dos and Don‘ts of Target Drive Up Tipping
To quickly sum up best practices for Target Drive Up tipping:
DO:
- Tip 10-20% or a minimum of $5 per order
- Tip extra for excellent service or bad weather
- Tip in cash if possible so employees get the money right away
- Politely offer a tip – don‘t be pushy if employee declines
- Ask employees at your store if they accept tips
DON‘T:
- Stress if you can‘t afford to tip every time
- Feel obligated to tip a certain amount
- Tip on a credit card, then ask for cash back
- Get annoyed if an employee won‘t accept a tip
- Pressure employees to take a tip if declined
Follow these simple tipping dos and don‘ts to properly thank your Target Drive Up helpers when you can.
The Complete Guide to Target Drive Up
Now that we‘ve covered tipping, let‘s quickly review how Target Drive Up works so you can take advantage of this convenient service.
How Does Target Drive Up Work?
Target Drive Up allows you to order items online or via the Target app, then have your purchases brought to your car when you arrive. Just park in a designated spot, and an employee will load your bags into your trunk.
To use Drive Up:
Place an order on Target.com or the Target app and select free Drive Up delivery at checkout.
When your order is ready (usually within about 2 hours), you‘ll get a notification.
Drive to your Target store and park in a Drive Up designated parking spot.
Open the app and select “I’m here” so employees know to bring out your order.
Pop your trunk and the team will load your bags. Verfiy your order is complete.
Thank the team member, offer a tip if you like, and be on your way!
Is Target Drive Up Free?
Yes, Target Drive Up is completely free to use. You only pay for the items in your order – no extra charges or fees.
Where is Target Drive Up Available?
As of 2022, Target Drive Up is available at over 1,900 Target locations nationwide. Use the Target app to find a store near you that offers Drive Up.
Major cities with Drive Up include Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, San Jose, and more.
Target continues to roll out Drive Up to more store locations, so check their app to find availability in your area.
What Are the Target Drive Up Hours?
Drive Up is available during regular Target store hours – typically 8am to 10pm. However, hours can vary by location.
Peak Drive Up times are midday and evenings, so plan accordingly if picking up during a rush. Orders are held for up to 3 days before being cancelled.
Conclusion – Yes, You Should Tip for Target Drive Up
I hope this detailed guide gave you insight into best practices for tipping Target Drive Up workers. To summarize:
- Tipping is optional but appreciated
- 10-20% or $5 minimum per order is a good guideline
- Cash tips let employees keep the full amount
- Consider increasing tips for excellent or difficult service
Show your thanks for quick, convenient Drive Up service by tipping your Target pickup team when possible. Even small tips make a difference in employees‘ days.
Now you can use Target Drive Up to easily grab your ecommerce supplies, groceries, home goods, and more without worrying about tipping etiquette. Just don‘t forget to thank your Drive Up shopper!
