Ever since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve all gotten used to curbside pickup services like Target Drive Up. But we still have some questions. For example, are customers expected to tip Target Drive Up employees? If you’ve found yourself wondering this, too, then keep reading!
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Currently, there is no official rule or policy regarding whether or not to tip the employees who bring you your items through Target Drive Up. However, Target does have a clear tipping policy for their personal shoppers, which is the closest thing we could find. You can read about the Target Shoppers tip policy here, but it basically boils down to this…
Target personal shoppers can and do accept tips and they keep 100% of what they make.
But because employees who deliver items to customers waiting in the Drive Up area are not quite the same as personal shoppers, the answer gets a little murky. Basically, you can offer to tip the employee who brings you your items, but it’s not required or expected to do so.
In the end, it’s up to you. If you do decide to tip, a good range to shoot for is between 5% and 20% of the price of your item.
What is Target Drive Up?
Target Drive Up is a curbside delivery system that allows Target customers a contactless shopping experience at any Target store. While many retailers have established curbside pickup programs since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Target Drive Up has actually been around since 2017.
How Does It Work?
Using Target Drive Up is simple. Just follow these steps:
- Download the Target App and select your pickup method as “Drive Up Order.”
- After you’ve placed your order, you’ll receive a notification within 1-2 hours letting you know that your order is ready.
- At that point, you can let Target know that you’re on your way, and they’ll ask you some details about your vehicle so they know how to find you.
- When you arrive, simply park in one of the parking spots indicated by a Drive Up sign and then tap the app to let the store know you’ve arrived.
- When they come out to deliver your purchase, they’ll need to scan the barcode displayed on your phone, and then you’ll be good to go. Easy!
For a full breakdown of Target Drive Up from the experts themselves, you can check out this article on Target.com.
How Much Do You Tip During Target Drive Up?
Although tipping is not required for Target Drive Up, a good tipping range is generally 5%-20% depending on how satisfied you are with your service. Just know that you will not be able to tip the employee via the Target app, so if you plan on offering a tip, make sure to bring cash. If the employee accepts your tip, they are allowed to keep 100% of what you give them.
Tipping Etiquette During COVID-19
A good thing to remember when deciding whether or not to tip service workers is how much of a toll the pandemic has taken on this type of work. According to several recent studies, tips overall have gone down significantly since the start of the pandemic, which makes sense considering most people curbed their in-person dining and shopping activities for most of 2020 and 2021.
But many service workers still rely heavily on tips to bolster their income every month, and the loss of this represents a heavy blow for many people. Plus, the pandemic has placed an excessive burden on service workers, especially now that the labor shortage is spreading workers thin and forcing them to work long hours while performing the jobs of multiple people.
Considering all this, some economic sources suggest making it a personal policy to always tip delivery drivers, curbside employees, and anyone else performing a service to get us access to the things we need. And we think that’s a great idea!
How Much Does Target Drive Up Cost?
Target Drive Up is a completely free curbside pickup service for anyone using the Target app. There are no minimum order requirements, no delivery fees, and no additional costs associated with using the service. The only cost you’ll be expected to pay is the price of your item plus any applicable taxes.
The price of your item purchased inside the Target app should match the prices inside the Target store and on Target.com. If you find a price discrepancy, you can request a price adjustment to make up for the difference.
FAQs
Is Target Drive Up the same as order pickup?
No. Target Drive Up and order pickup are separate services. Order pickup is an option offered to anyone shopping on Target.com and requires customers to enter the store to pick up their items from guest services. Pickup orders are typically ready within 24 hours, and customers have 3 days to pick up their items.
Target Drive Up is a curbside pickup system offered to Target app shoppers to allow contactless shopping at Target.
Are Target employees allowed to accept tips?
Yes! Target employees are allowed to accept tips, and they keep all of the tips they receive. Depending on the situation, an employee might refuse a tip offered to them, but this is a personal decision and is not limited by official Target policy.
Is it rude not to tip on Target delivery?
There is no official policy regarding tips for Target delivery people or curbside pickup employees, but it can certainly be a kind gesture, especially during the pandemic when tip rates are low. As a general rule, it’s considered customary to tip delivery workers 15%-20% on the price of your order.
Conclusion
There’s a lot of information out there when it comes to tipping Target Drive Up employees, but we hope this article helped clear up some of the mystery. Basically, while you aren’t required to tip Drive Up workers, it’s a good idea to offer something as a gesture of good will and to acknowledge the extra effort the employees put into delivering your goods. Especially during the pandemic, offering a tip can be a great way to express appreciation for essential workers.
