Does Tipping Get You Better Service?

Absolutely. I had an order tonight, that tipped $5. When I got back to the store, the phone was ringing, I answered, and it was my customer, they had gotten the wrong kind of wings. I got the manager on the phone, and told her that the person was a good tipper.

We do get occasional scammers trying to get free food, but they don't tip. This customer got their remake of wings in about 15 minutes, and I didn't collect the wrong order either.

Totals for the 5 hour shift were 8 deliveries (7 plus the rerun), 42 miles, and $23 in tips.

Closing Time

Something happened tonight that reminded me of the popular song by Semisonic, Closing Time. The phone rang about 11 PM and as driver Chris went to answer it, he asked manager Mike, "Are we still open?"

Mike said, "Until 1" at about the same time as I said, "It's Friday."

Chris admitted that having Thursday off, he had gotten his days mixed up. We are open until 11 on Sunday-Thursday but stay open 2 more hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

Earlier in the night, I had an interesting delivery. The customer advised me to "be safe" remarking that she had read the papers, and her daugher is a driver for a local mom & pop pizzeria. I then told her that I was the guy from the newspaper. "With the 5 kids?" she asked, and I had to correct her and tell her we have 7.

Oh and the Marco's guy ordered wings again. He works at the Marco's in Amherst.

I had a delivery to South Park apartments, where we have never gone before, for safety reasons. The customer met me up front at the security gate and tipped $2, so I guess it's ok.

One delivery late in the night, the guy not only stiffed me but had me change a $20. His order was for $18.28 so I thought he wanted more $1's to be able to tip, but all he left me with was the coin change (which is not a tip).

Totals for the night were 7 hours, 16 runs, $33 in tips, and 58 miles.

Saturday Short Shift

I was out of town for a week. We did order pizza delivered to our hotel one night and paid $30 for our $22.99 order. I thought it was a pretty nice tip. He did bring plates and napkins.

We got home last night and actually went up and ate at our pizzeria as dine-in customers. Everybody is busy getting ready to rebrand the restaurant as a place for chicken wings.

Anyhow Nick asked if I could drive tonight and I agreed. So I worked from 5-9 and took 7 deliveries. I drove 27 miles and made $17 in tips.

Saturday Night Drive

I drove 7 hours tonight, from 6 PM to 1 AM. During this time I took 13 deliveries, drove 45 miles, and made $35 in tips. Even though we weren't very busy (less than 2 deliveries per hour), tips were above average and my mileage total was low, due in part to 3 doubles.

I delivered to a duplex tonight that had 2 police cars parked in front with the lights flashing. I parked in the driveway next door and called the customer on the phone. He wasn't even aware of the comotion out front, so the problem must have been with the other side of the house.

I got a unique response to one of my favorite lines tonight. The customer handed me $25 for a $20.97 order and said "Keep the change." After I handed him the food and said, "Thanks, you keep the pizza," he replied "And the wings!"

Desiree is continuing to work as a manager. She had been a driver until she got too many points on her license to be able to keep driving. What other job can you get in trouble with the law and have it lead to a promotion!