Yes, You Should Definitely Tip Your Walmart Grocery Delivery Driver in 2023 – Here‘s How and Why
As an ecommerce seller and data analyst who relies on delivery services, I always tip my Walmart grocery delivery drivers.
And you should tip too, both as a courtesy and to help ensure drivers provide great service.
Below I‘ve put together a detailed guide for Walmart delivery tipping best practices based on my expertise in retail, logistics and working with delivery drivers.
Whether you‘re new to Walmart grocery delivery or a regular user, this guide will cover everything you need to know about tipping Walmart drivers. Let‘s dive in!
Should You Tip Your Walmart Grocery Delivery Driver?
Yes, you should tip your Walmart grocery delivery driver, though it‘s not required. Here are 3 key reasons why tipping is strongly recommended:
1. Supplements Low Base Pay
Walmart delivery drivers and third-party contractors rely on tips as a major portion of their total compensation.
Average base pay for Walmart delivery drivers is $20 per hour according to Glassdoor data. Drivers for third-party services like Point Pickup often make less per hour.
With today‘s high gas prices and cost of living, tips help supplement low base pay to make the job rewarding.
2. Shows Appreciation for Good Service
Tipping allows you to reward your specific driver when you receive excellent, fast service. This positive feedback helps motivate them to keep up the good work.
Drivers know which customers tip well. You‘ll likely get extra-friendly service on future deliveries.
3. Standard Practice for Delivery Services
Tipping is standard practice in the food delivery and courier services industry. Walmart grocery delivery is essentially a personalized food delivery service.
You‘d tip the pizza delivery driver or a GrubHub driver, so Walmart drivers appreciate tips too.
Now that you know why tipping Walmart drivers is recommended, how much should you tip?
Recommended Tip Amounts for Walmart Grocery Delivery
Walmart drivers appreciate any tip you can provide. Here are the general tipping standards:
- Excellent Service: 15-20% tip
- Good Service: 10-15% tip
- Minimum Tip: 10%
For example, here are some sample tip amounts based on your order total:
| Order Total | Tip for Excellent Service | Tip for Good Service | Minimum Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $3 – $4 | $2 – $3 | $2 |
| $50 | $7.50 – $10 | $5 – $7.50 | $5 |
| $100 | $15 – $20 | $10 – $15 | $10 |
Of course, tip what you can afford based on service. Any extra dollar or two makes a difference and is appreciated.
During the 2022 holiday season, the average Walmart grocery order value was $60 according to MarketWatch data. For good service on a $60 order, a $6-9 tip is appropriate.
Now let‘s go over the best ways to provide tips.
Should You Tip Walmart Delivery Drivers in Cash or On Card?
You have two options to tip your Walmart grocery delivery driver:
Cash Tips
Handing cash directly to your driver during delivery ensures they receive the full tip amount. This is the best option since some third-party courier services take a cut of electronic tips.
If you don‘t have cash when they arrive, tell your driver you‘ve left a tip envelope by the door. Cash shows your appreciation without any deductions.
Pro Tip: Ask for smaller bills when getting cash back at the store to have singles on hand for tipping.
Credit/Debit Card Tips
When placing your order, enter a tip amount on the checkout screen.
After ordering, you can adjust or remove the tip in your Purchase History within 24 hours of delivery.
If you want to add more during delivery, pay any extra cash tip to the driver directly.
Electronic tipping is convenient when you don‘t have cash. But depending on the driver‘s employer, they may only receive a portion of the tip you leave.
My recommendation is to tip in cash when possible to maximize your driver‘s payout. But any tip is better than no tip!
How Walmart Delivery Drivers Receive Their Tips
Delivery driver tipping practices depend on who they work for. Walmart uses:
Walmart employees – Receive 100% of tips entered online or handed to them in cash.
Third-party contractors – May only get a percentage of electronic tips, as the third-party company retains a portion.
According to Walmart policy, the company does not take any cut of tips paid to their employed drivers. However, third parties like Point Pickup and DoorDash often deduct a percentage from electronic tips.
Here is how it works:
| Company | Cash Tips | Electronic Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart Drivers | Driver keeps 100% | Driver keeps 100% |
| Third-Party Drivers | Driver keeps 100% | Company may take cut, driver gets portion |
Because of this, cash tips are the ideal way to ensure your specific delivery driver receives your full gratuity. But any tip is appreciated, so don‘t worry if you can only tip on card.
Who Makes Deliveries for Walmart?
Walmart uses their own fleet plus third-party courier services to meet demand. Grocery delivery drivers may work for:
- Walmart (in-house drivers as employees)
- Point Pickup
- AxleHire
- Roadie
- Skip Cart
- DoorDash (select locations)
Walmart directly employs drivers in many markets to control quality. Third-party drivers allow Walmart to scale up quickly. All appreciate tips as an essential portion of their earnings.
How Walmart Grocery Delivery Works
Understanding the grocery delivery process helps explain why tips matter:
You place an online order via the Walmart website or mobile app. Add a tip if you like.
A personal shopper at the store gathers and packages your order.
A delivery driver picks up your groceries and brings them to your door.
You meet your driver, take your groceries, and provide any additional cash tip you think they deserve!
Delivery fees vary based on membership, speed and order minimums. Tips are always separate and go to drivers.
Walmart guarantees drivers receive 100% of tips – but third parties may take their cut. Cash tips prevent any deductions.
Why Tips Matter to Walmart Drivers
As an ecommerce seller who relies heavily on shipping, I know how much delivery drivers appreciate tips. Here are some reasons tips make a real difference:
- Supplements low base wages
- Provides cash in hand immediately
- Rewards great service with feedback
- Helps offset high gas costs
- Allows building relationships with good customers
My philosophy is to tip service workers generously when possible, including Walmart drivers, to show support and appreciation for their efforts.
Even a few dollars make a difference as a gesture of thanks – and drivers notice which customers tip well. I want to incentivize the best service on future deliveries.
Final Thoughts on Tipping Walmart Delivery
I highly recommend tipping your Walmart delivery driver, especially for good service. While optional, tips are an essential supplement to drivers‘ income.
Follow these best practices when tipping:
Tip 10-20% based on your order total and service quality. Excellent service deserves 15-20%.
Prioritize cash tips when possible to ensure drivers receive the full amount.
Add a tip when ordering through the app or website if needed.
Adjust the tip afterwards if you‘d like to change the amount within 24 hours.
Tipping is appreciated by Walmart drivers, whether they work directly for Walmart or third-party companies. Remember that even an extra dollar or two makes a difference as a gesture of thanks.
Follow these Walmart grocery delivery tipping guidelines, and your drivers will provide great service on all your future orders!
