You never know what will happen when you ride public transportation. I ride the Rapid Transit here in Cleveland to and from my "other" job every day. A few weeks ago I had an interesting interaction with a beggar.
Well last night I got asked if I had change for a $20. Of course I did. I made change for the older gentleman and told him he was lucky he found the pizza guy on the train, the pizza guy will always have change!
Showing posts with label Coin Change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coin Change. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Paying With Change and the Backdoor Rule
Now that is the way to pay with change:
- roll the change, don't just pass it over loose or in a plastic bag
- tip the driver well
Now to the other rule, the "Backdoor Rule". Our pizza shop has a side door (main entrance) and a back door. Customers come through the side door. The back door has a keypad lock and is for employees only.
Someone has decided that the back of the store is unsafe and we need to not use the back door after dark. This is kind of a pain, because now I have to carry my hot-bags through the kitchen, past the oven, and past the front counter to get out the side door. But at least I can park my car by the side door. I don't like this rule but I do follow it.
The rule that doesn't make sense is that we also have to take the garbage out the side door. The dumpster is in the back! So we have to go outside, around the store, right past the "unsafe" back door, and to the dumpster.
So I usually go out the back door with the garbage. Of course the door is locked and I can't come back in, but at least the trip when I'm carrying the heavy trash bags or bulky empty boxes is shorter.
Well, tonight, manager Krystle saw me. Instead of saying anything, she told T-White, the high-school aged cook, to make a sign to put on the back door. "Do not use back door after dark." So I took the next load of trash out the side door. Ridiculous!
I worked 3.12 hours (I was a little late due to the RTA Train running late). I took 7 deliveries, drove just 15 miles (2 triples), and made $17 in tips. We were super-busy for about an hour and a half, then suddenly things slowed down drastically and we had time to catch up with the dishes and cleaning.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
"Keep The Coins" Is NOT a Tip!
I drove about 4 1/2 hours tonight, and took 9 deliveries. On 4 of those 9 deliveries, the customer let me keep the coin change. Two of the four were very explicit in letting me know that they were "allowing me" to keep the coins. For example, the woman whose total was $18.27 handed me a $20 saying "Just give me a dollar back, keep the rest."
News flash: 73 cents is not a tip!
I did get lucky and get a $10 tip and 2 other $4 tips. The $10 guy seemed to have trouble counting his money. I saw a $10, a $5, and at least $4 in ones to cover the $17.61 check so when he asked "Was that enough?" I said "Yeah, thanks." It was only after I drove away that I noticed he actually gave me $28! Yeah, it was enough all right!
Total tips for my 9 deliveries was $27. I had 2 doubles and a triple so I only had 5 actual trips which kept my mileage to a very low 26 miles. I always say when you have more tips than miles you know it had to be a good night!
I closed with manager Nick and as we finished up and walked out to our cars we had a somewhat serious discussion about his future. Nick is a great kid I have known for almost 5 years now and I really enjoy working with him. I told him tonight I think he can do better for himself but selfishly I like having him around.
News flash: 73 cents is not a tip!
I did get lucky and get a $10 tip and 2 other $4 tips. The $10 guy seemed to have trouble counting his money. I saw a $10, a $5, and at least $4 in ones to cover the $17.61 check so when he asked "Was that enough?" I said "Yeah, thanks." It was only after I drove away that I noticed he actually gave me $28! Yeah, it was enough all right!
Total tips for my 9 deliveries was $27. I had 2 doubles and a triple so I only had 5 actual trips which kept my mileage to a very low 26 miles. I always say when you have more tips than miles you know it had to be a good night!
I closed with manager Nick and as we finished up and walked out to our cars we had a somewhat serious discussion about his future. Nick is a great kid I have known for almost 5 years now and I really enjoy working with him. I told him tonight I think he can do better for himself but selfishly I like having him around.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Monday Night Money
I wasn't on the schedule tonight but I was able to work part of Todd's shift as he wanted to leave early. I drove from 7-11 PM and took 9 deliveries. I put 37 miles on my Chevy and brought home $22 in tips.
Of my 9 tips, 5 of them were between $2.71 and $3.00. Three were lower ($1.11 - $2.00) and one was higher ($3.63). Nick said that other drivers had been reporting bigger tips but mine were pretty close to my all-time average of just over $2 per delivery.
At one far-away house, the next-door neighbors were sitting on their screened-in porch and called out to me, asking if I was from a particular pizza chain (and I was). They then asked which location and I told them, and also gave them our phone number.
At another house the check was $17.29. They paid with a $20 and I handed the man back 2 $1's. He stood there waiting so I said "let me see if I have some coin change in the car."
"No keep it" he said, and then he gave me another $1.
Finally, I have to say that I stumped a girl with my joke today. She paid with a $20 for another $17.29 order and said "Keep the change" (after her boyfriend told her to). I replied, "You keep the pizza." She said "Huh?" and I repeated myself, and she still just stared back with a confused look on her face.
"It's a joke, have a great night," I said as I walked away.
Of my 9 tips, 5 of them were between $2.71 and $3.00. Three were lower ($1.11 - $2.00) and one was higher ($3.63). Nick said that other drivers had been reporting bigger tips but mine were pretty close to my all-time average of just over $2 per delivery.
At one far-away house, the next-door neighbors were sitting on their screened-in porch and called out to me, asking if I was from a particular pizza chain (and I was). They then asked which location and I told them, and also gave them our phone number.
At another house the check was $17.29. They paid with a $20 and I handed the man back 2 $1's. He stood there waiting so I said "let me see if I have some coin change in the car."
"No keep it" he said, and then he gave me another $1.
Finally, I have to say that I stumped a girl with my joke today. She paid with a $20 for another $17.29 order and said "Keep the change" (after her boyfriend told her to). I replied, "You keep the pizza." She said "Huh?" and I repeated myself, and she still just stared back with a confused look on her face.
"It's a joke, have a great night," I said as I walked away.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
$13.58
Five of my first seven deliveries were for $13.58, including 4 in a row. $13.58 means a pizza for $11.99 plus the $1.59 delivery charge. One of them tipped $2.42, 2 tipped $1.42, and 2 left me with just the $0.42 jingle change.
The number reminded me of the Sugar Ray album 14:59, so named because their 15 minutes of fame was almost up.
My best tip of the night was $4.92 from a guy who had been waiting well over an hour for his pizza. Unfortunately there was a mix-up as he had called a different store in our chain.
Surprise tip of the night was $1.80 on a $18.20 order to the low-income government housing apartment.
Interesting tip of the night was to a different young adult brother at the home of a regular customer. The check was $19.58 and the first guy came to me with $10, saying "Here's 10." The next guy said "You're gonna hate us" and handed me a huge handful of coins. I said "You guys are regulars so I'm not even gonna count it."
I went back to the store and turned it in and there was $13.30 in quarters, nickels, and dimes, leaving me with a tip of $3.72. Not bad at all.
I drove for 6 1/2 hours, took just 13 deliveries, drove 60 miles, and made $23 in tips. Not very good at all for a Friday, although we were busy.
The number reminded me of the Sugar Ray album 14:59, so named because their 15 minutes of fame was almost up.
My best tip of the night was $4.92 from a guy who had been waiting well over an hour for his pizza. Unfortunately there was a mix-up as he had called a different store in our chain.
Surprise tip of the night was $1.80 on a $18.20 order to the low-income government housing apartment.
Interesting tip of the night was to a different young adult brother at the home of a regular customer. The check was $19.58 and the first guy came to me with $10, saying "Here's 10." The next guy said "You're gonna hate us" and handed me a huge handful of coins. I said "You guys are regulars so I'm not even gonna count it."
I went back to the store and turned it in and there was $13.30 in quarters, nickels, and dimes, leaving me with a tip of $3.72. Not bad at all.
I drove for 6 1/2 hours, took just 13 deliveries, drove 60 miles, and made $23 in tips. Not very good at all for a Friday, although we were busy.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
What Is A Tip?
I can tell you it's not 3 dimes and a nickel.
One of my deliveries tonight was for $13.58. The guy met me with a $20, $3 ones, and some change. He dumped 2 quarters, 4 dimes, and a nickel into my hand. I gave him back 3 of the dimes and the nickel.
A dollar is a pretty crummy tip, but at least it's a tip. A few coins isn't a tip, it's an insult.
Later the same customer called back. They had expected a pizza with pepperoni and banana peppers, but they just got banana peppers. Why? According to Brianne, who took the order, the customer asked how much for 2 toppings and then said no to just have the 1 topping (banana peppers).
Being a corporate francise, the customer is always right, so we made them another pizza and delivered it. We did make them turn in the original pizza (minus about 1 1/2 slices that they had already devoured.)
Twice tonight I ran out of change. I started with a bank of a $5 and 5 $1's. My first customer was a credit card order and tipped me $2.50 in quarters.
My next customer added a $5, paying $25 for his $21.87 order. My third customer added another 2 $1's, paying $22 for her $19.22 order. At this point I had 2 $5's and 12 $1's, plus the $2.50 in quarters.
My 4th customer then shorted me, asking for $18 in change for her $19.07 order. She did give me 7 cents to make my tip an even $3. But my bank was now down to $4 plus the quarters. I should have replenished it at this point by cashing in a $20 but I forgot.
The next customer had a $13.58 order, paid with a $20, and asked for a $5 back. I had to give her 4 $1's and 4 quarters. She did live in an apartment so she didn't mind getting the quarters, I was mildly embarassed though.
I got back and turned in a $20 for 2 $5's and 10 $1's. The next customer paid me with a $20 and $3 and 60 cents, and asked for $10 back. I gave him my 2 $5's, leaving me with $13 in ones.
My last delivery of the night was for $20.57. I should have turned in another $20 to be safe but I forgot again and sure enough, the customer paid with 2 $20's. I gave him back $13 and a pocketfull of change which I believe was $2.17, leaving me with $4.16 for a tip. They are a regular customer and decent tipper so they were ok with that.
Also of note tonight, we got a new map on the wall. Our old map was almost 10 years old. My street is 9 years old that I live on and it wasn't on our wall map, but it is now. When I first noticed it tonight, I had to stop and stare for about 5 minutes. It even has some landmarks marked, like the hotels we deliver to, various gas stations, even McDonalds & Friendly's!
Total for the night was 4 1/2 hours, 8 deliveries, 35 miles, and $17 in tips.
One of my deliveries tonight was for $13.58. The guy met me with a $20, $3 ones, and some change. He dumped 2 quarters, 4 dimes, and a nickel into my hand. I gave him back 3 of the dimes and the nickel.
A dollar is a pretty crummy tip, but at least it's a tip. A few coins isn't a tip, it's an insult.
Later the same customer called back. They had expected a pizza with pepperoni and banana peppers, but they just got banana peppers. Why? According to Brianne, who took the order, the customer asked how much for 2 toppings and then said no to just have the 1 topping (banana peppers).
Being a corporate francise, the customer is always right, so we made them another pizza and delivered it. We did make them turn in the original pizza (minus about 1 1/2 slices that they had already devoured.)
Twice tonight I ran out of change. I started with a bank of a $5 and 5 $1's. My first customer was a credit card order and tipped me $2.50 in quarters.
My next customer added a $5, paying $25 for his $21.87 order. My third customer added another 2 $1's, paying $22 for her $19.22 order. At this point I had 2 $5's and 12 $1's, plus the $2.50 in quarters.
My 4th customer then shorted me, asking for $18 in change for her $19.07 order. She did give me 7 cents to make my tip an even $3. But my bank was now down to $4 plus the quarters. I should have replenished it at this point by cashing in a $20 but I forgot.
The next customer had a $13.58 order, paid with a $20, and asked for a $5 back. I had to give her 4 $1's and 4 quarters. She did live in an apartment so she didn't mind getting the quarters, I was mildly embarassed though.
I got back and turned in a $20 for 2 $5's and 10 $1's. The next customer paid me with a $20 and $3 and 60 cents, and asked for $10 back. I gave him my 2 $5's, leaving me with $13 in ones.
My last delivery of the night was for $20.57. I should have turned in another $20 to be safe but I forgot again and sure enough, the customer paid with 2 $20's. I gave him back $13 and a pocketfull of change which I believe was $2.17, leaving me with $4.16 for a tip. They are a regular customer and decent tipper so they were ok with that.
Also of note tonight, we got a new map on the wall. Our old map was almost 10 years old. My street is 9 years old that I live on and it wasn't on our wall map, but it is now. When I first noticed it tonight, I had to stop and stare for about 5 minutes. It even has some landmarks marked, like the hotels we deliver to, various gas stations, even McDonalds & Friendly's!
Total for the night was 4 1/2 hours, 8 deliveries, 35 miles, and $17 in tips.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year's Eve 2007
Happy New Year indeed! I had one of my best New Year's Eve nights driving tonight. I drove for 7 1/2 hours (4:30 - Midnight), took 23 deliveries, made $58 in tips, and drove 80 miles.
Special thanks to managers Nick & Brianne and cook Steve for staying late to keep the business going. We usually close at 11 PM on Mondays but we stayed open an extra hour tonight due to the holiday. I actually didn't get out until 1:30 as there was a huge stack of dishes to wash after the last delivery was taken.
Surprisingly, I didn't have a large order to a party or group all night long. In fact my largest order was under $30.
As is typical, we were overstaffed early and understaffed late. I was actually the only driver scheduled past 9 PM. New drivers Ted & Cliff both stayed a little over and then Nick even got on the road for a couple runs.
It took me 10 trips to take my first 10 deliveries. My next 11 were done in just 3 trips (2 triples and a quintuple)!
Poor Nick had a delivery to an apartment building and the woman wouldn't tell him what apartment they were in, she said she wasn't in the apartment building but the office across from the apartments. After much searching and multiple phone calls, she finally realized that the office was nothing more than an apartment with a desk!
Tips were mostly generous tonight, with 11 of my 23 deliveries tipping over $3 (but nothing over my first run of $4.92). And I was only stiffed 3 times.
One stiffer was bold enough to give me $13 for his $12.57 order and suggest that I "keep the change." I actually said "forty-three cents?" and laughed out loud. He responded with an awkward chuckle.
One recurring theme throughout the night was customers asking for specific (odd) change denominations. My 2nd delivery was hoping to pay with a $20 and 8 $1's for his $16.47 order and get a $10 back. But, as it was just my 2nd delivery, my bank was pretty sparse and all I had were a $5 and 10 $1's.
A few deliveries later a guy paid with a $20 for his $17.71 order and asked for $1 back. But he asked if I had 4 quarters, "so I can do some laundry." Lucky for him one of my previous customers had given me quarters!
Special thanks to managers Nick & Brianne and cook Steve for staying late to keep the business going. We usually close at 11 PM on Mondays but we stayed open an extra hour tonight due to the holiday. I actually didn't get out until 1:30 as there was a huge stack of dishes to wash after the last delivery was taken.
Surprisingly, I didn't have a large order to a party or group all night long. In fact my largest order was under $30.
As is typical, we were overstaffed early and understaffed late. I was actually the only driver scheduled past 9 PM. New drivers Ted & Cliff both stayed a little over and then Nick even got on the road for a couple runs.
It took me 10 trips to take my first 10 deliveries. My next 11 were done in just 3 trips (2 triples and a quintuple)!
Poor Nick had a delivery to an apartment building and the woman wouldn't tell him what apartment they were in, she said she wasn't in the apartment building but the office across from the apartments. After much searching and multiple phone calls, she finally realized that the office was nothing more than an apartment with a desk!
Tips were mostly generous tonight, with 11 of my 23 deliveries tipping over $3 (but nothing over my first run of $4.92). And I was only stiffed 3 times.
One stiffer was bold enough to give me $13 for his $12.57 order and suggest that I "keep the change." I actually said "forty-three cents?" and laughed out loud. He responded with an awkward chuckle.
One recurring theme throughout the night was customers asking for specific (odd) change denominations. My 2nd delivery was hoping to pay with a $20 and 8 $1's for his $16.47 order and get a $10 back. But, as it was just my 2nd delivery, my bank was pretty sparse and all I had were a $5 and 10 $1's.
A few deliveries later a guy paid with a $20 for his $17.71 order and asked for $1 back. But he asked if I had 4 quarters, "so I can do some laundry." Lucky for him one of my previous customers had given me quarters!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Making Change
We had a new driver tonight, Ted. He's in his late 30's and has a 2nd wife and 5 kids in all. We can understand each other's reason's for driving pizza! He seems like a good guy and a hard worker.
I drove for 7 1/2 hours, took 18 deliveries, drove 66 miles, and made $38 in tips. That's a pretty decent night, especially volume-wise.
When we check in we are given a "bank" of $15, a $5 and ten $1's. As the night goes on the driver may add another $5 or a few singles to his bank, but he "drops" cash to the manager throughout the night so as not to be a target for thieves.
I had a few interesting things happen tonight while "making change." First off, my first order was for $22.83. I realized that if the customer paid with 2 $20's, I couldn't make correct change, so I borrowed a $5 from the drawer, with manager approval.
Sure enough, the customer paid with 2 $20's and asked for $14 back, leaving me with a nice $3.17 tip. Then the customer asked, "That's not going to short you on one's, is it?" I told him I was fine, but it was odd as I've never had a customer ask that before.
Several deliveries later, I had a customer pay her $7.58 order with a $10 and a $1. Anytime the customer hands me a $1 along with the rest of their money, it's a pretty safe assumption that they don't expect change, as any change (other than coin change which I almost never carry) would include a $1 back to them.
Later I had a delivery for $28.32. The woman paid with 2 $20's and asked for a $5 and five $1's back, leaving me with $1.68 tip. She then handed me $2 more back. I'm not sure why she didn't just ask for $8 back in the first place?
Finally, for the 3rd night in a row I had the displeasure of delivering to 316 S. M., the serial stiffer that never tips. Their check was $9.71 so before I left, I changed in $1 and put 71 cents in one pocket and 29 cents in the other. After the guy handed me $10, I slowly dumped the 29 cents into his hand, before I gave him his food. He had a disgusted "I don't need your 29 cents" look on his face. Well now he knows how we drivers feel!
I drove for 7 1/2 hours, took 18 deliveries, drove 66 miles, and made $38 in tips. That's a pretty decent night, especially volume-wise.
When we check in we are given a "bank" of $15, a $5 and ten $1's. As the night goes on the driver may add another $5 or a few singles to his bank, but he "drops" cash to the manager throughout the night so as not to be a target for thieves.
I had a few interesting things happen tonight while "making change." First off, my first order was for $22.83. I realized that if the customer paid with 2 $20's, I couldn't make correct change, so I borrowed a $5 from the drawer, with manager approval.
Sure enough, the customer paid with 2 $20's and asked for $14 back, leaving me with a nice $3.17 tip. Then the customer asked, "That's not going to short you on one's, is it?" I told him I was fine, but it was odd as I've never had a customer ask that before.
Several deliveries later, I had a customer pay her $7.58 order with a $10 and a $1. Anytime the customer hands me a $1 along with the rest of their money, it's a pretty safe assumption that they don't expect change, as any change (other than coin change which I almost never carry) would include a $1 back to them.
Later I had a delivery for $28.32. The woman paid with 2 $20's and asked for a $5 and five $1's back, leaving me with $1.68 tip. She then handed me $2 more back. I'm not sure why she didn't just ask for $8 back in the first place?
Finally, for the 3rd night in a row I had the displeasure of delivering to 316 S. M., the serial stiffer that never tips. Their check was $9.71 so before I left, I changed in $1 and put 71 cents in one pocket and 29 cents in the other. After the guy handed me $10, I slowly dumped the 29 cents into his hand, before I gave him his food. He had a disgusted "I don't need your 29 cents" look on his face. Well now he knows how we drivers feel!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Shortchanged
The theme of tonight was me getting stiffed.
Now, most pizza drivers I know consider anything less than $1 to be a stiff, or not a tip. I got stiffed 7 times tonight out of 13 deliveries. I'm not sure I've ever had a night with a higher stiff percentage.
First order of the night was for $14.08. Guy hands me $20 and I hand him back $5 in singles. He stands there looking, obviously expecting his 92 cents. I don't have any change on me or in the car. I ask him if he has the 8 cents, and when he says no, I just give him the $1 and walk away. Stiff #1 = -$0.08.
Fourth order of the night, the customer doesn't even give me good instructions. I knock at the front door for what seemed like 5 minutes, seeing a light and tv on inside. Finally an older lady answers the door obviously confused to see me. She asks the name and directs me around back and up the stairs. A girl is waiting at the top of the stairs to hand me $20 for her $19.59 order, including a free pizza for her kid thanks to our reading program. Stiff #2 = $0.41.
Sixth order is $11.58 less than a mile from the store. Young man meets me outside, digs out $11 from his wallet, then adds 2 quarters and a dime. "Keep the 2 pennies," he says. Stiff #3 = $0.02
Ninth and tenth orders go together. Ninth order, customer has their kid stiff me. Kid hands me $10, $5, and a pile of quarters for the $19.57 order. I count the quarters and there's $3.00 I tell the girl that's not enough money. She goes back inside, comes back and drops more quarters into my hand. I count again, now we're up to $19.25. Still short by 32 cents. The woman inside the door says "he has $20" and I call back "no I don't." The girl looks on the floor and brings me 2 more quarters. Stiff #4 = $0.18.
Tenth order, teenager answers the door and hands me $10, $5, and a quarter for his $15.07 order. "Thanks for the 18 cents," I exclaim with glee as I hand him his food. Stiff #5 = $0.18.
Eleventh order is also less than a mile away. There's a note on the ticket "Be sure they have enough money." Apparently a driver got shorted there in the past. Woman gives me $20 for her $16.83 order and pockets the 3 $1's I hand her back. Stiff #6 = $0.17.
Thirteenth order, I pretty much knew it was coming, the customer had asked on the phone "What is the minimum amount for delivery?" Girl gives me $12 for her $11.70 order. Stiff #7 = $0.30.
Interesting discussion of the night consisted of trying to help Desiree understand how to handle a package. She has a broken phone from T-Mobile that she has tried 3 times to return, but it keeps coming back to her. Come to find out, except for letters to prison, she's never actually mailed anything.
Totals for the night were 13 deliveries, 41 miles, $15.20 in tips, and I drove 5 1/2 hours. I was afraid I was going to have to get clocked out manually as I was afraid I didn't make the minimum 5% in tips that the computer makes us declare, but my total sales delivered was $177.19 so my tip rate was 8.6%.
Now, most pizza drivers I know consider anything less than $1 to be a stiff, or not a tip. I got stiffed 7 times tonight out of 13 deliveries. I'm not sure I've ever had a night with a higher stiff percentage.
First order of the night was for $14.08. Guy hands me $20 and I hand him back $5 in singles. He stands there looking, obviously expecting his 92 cents. I don't have any change on me or in the car. I ask him if he has the 8 cents, and when he says no, I just give him the $1 and walk away. Stiff #1 = -$0.08.
Fourth order of the night, the customer doesn't even give me good instructions. I knock at the front door for what seemed like 5 minutes, seeing a light and tv on inside. Finally an older lady answers the door obviously confused to see me. She asks the name and directs me around back and up the stairs. A girl is waiting at the top of the stairs to hand me $20 for her $19.59 order, including a free pizza for her kid thanks to our reading program. Stiff #2 = $0.41.
Sixth order is $11.58 less than a mile from the store. Young man meets me outside, digs out $11 from his wallet, then adds 2 quarters and a dime. "Keep the 2 pennies," he says. Stiff #3 = $0.02
Ninth and tenth orders go together. Ninth order, customer has their kid stiff me. Kid hands me $10, $5, and a pile of quarters for the $19.57 order. I count the quarters and there's $3.00 I tell the girl that's not enough money. She goes back inside, comes back and drops more quarters into my hand. I count again, now we're up to $19.25. Still short by 32 cents. The woman inside the door says "he has $20" and I call back "no I don't." The girl looks on the floor and brings me 2 more quarters. Stiff #4 = $0.18.
Tenth order, teenager answers the door and hands me $10, $5, and a quarter for his $15.07 order. "Thanks for the 18 cents," I exclaim with glee as I hand him his food. Stiff #5 = $0.18.
Eleventh order is also less than a mile away. There's a note on the ticket "Be sure they have enough money." Apparently a driver got shorted there in the past. Woman gives me $20 for her $16.83 order and pockets the 3 $1's I hand her back. Stiff #6 = $0.17.
Thirteenth order, I pretty much knew it was coming, the customer had asked on the phone "What is the minimum amount for delivery?" Girl gives me $12 for her $11.70 order. Stiff #7 = $0.30.
Interesting discussion of the night consisted of trying to help Desiree understand how to handle a package. She has a broken phone from T-Mobile that she has tried 3 times to return, but it keeps coming back to her. Come to find out, except for letters to prison, she's never actually mailed anything.
Totals for the night were 13 deliveries, 41 miles, $15.20 in tips, and I drove 5 1/2 hours. I was afraid I was going to have to get clocked out manually as I was afraid I didn't make the minimum 5% in tips that the computer makes us declare, but my total sales delivered was $177.19 so my tip rate was 8.6%.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The Smell Of Money
As I posted yesterday, I was unable to make it in to my day job on Valentine's Day. So I went to my pizza job a little early, around 5:00 instead of my usual 6. Manager Ady seemed surprised to see me so early. Manager Ward tried to explain my presence to her in this way: "Kevin smelled money so he came in early."
Now for as long as I have worked here, we have always been extra-busy on Valentine's Day. Some couples will order pizza and stay in, as an alternative to going out to eat. Others will go out, but will get a pizza for the kids to eat with the babysitter.
I ended up with 20 deliveries in a 6 hour shift, driving 54 miles and earning $57 in tips. I had so many eventful deliveries, I will just explain my whole night, trip by trip.
Trip 1 - a triple to a not so good neighborhood. First street is not plowed and has a pile of snow at the intersection. I consider shoveling myself a path, but first call the customer. Customer suggests I park in a doctors office on the next street over and approach the house from the back. This works fine and I see the house. No path shoveled to the front or back but I do see some footsteps out the back, so I go through 2 feet of snow to go that way. Customer hands me $11.85 for a $11.83 order.
Second delivery is to an even numbered house on a section of a street that only has odd numbers. I call the phone number on the ticket and it is not in service. Next!
Third delivery gets me $4 and change on a $13.58 order. Now that's more like it. (3 runs, $4.44 tips)
Trip 2 - a single credit card delivery, pasta and a 2-liter. (1 run, $2.00 tip)
Trip 3 - a four-bagger, ending up pretty far away. Deliveries are getting backed up, I start calling each customer when I am on my way to let them know when to expect their food. I think this is appreciated. The money finally started rolling in, including $7 on a $24.57 credit card order to the 4th house on the run. (4 runs, $17.83 tips)
Trip 4 - a double to the same far-off neighborhood, and another $7+ tip. (2 runs, $11.34 tips)
Trip 5 - another four-bagger, not nearly as nice as the first one. First house has the driveway not shoveled but a path out half-way to the road. I climb through the deep snow to give them their food and am rewarded with $2.12 on a $17.88 order.
Next house the mom tries to pay by check, which we have never accepted in the 3 years I've worked here. I suggest a credit card / debit card over the phone. She agrees and then goes into the basement to get a card. I call the store to get ready and her kids tell me it looks like I have their mom's phone, which I assure them I do not. Meanwhile I hear a voice bellow up the stairs, "No way am I giving out our credit card over the phone. He can eat it himself." Then after a pause, "You tell him, if I have to come up there I'm going to be upset." What a jerk, I feel sorry for that guy's family. But, no payment, no pizza. I move on.
Next house the guy comments on how awful it is out, and hands me a $20 and $4 in coins for a $22.58 order, saying "You deserve a tip on a night like this." Well thanks, buddy, and I'm glad most of the other customers realize what a tip really is.
Fourth delivery is to the local Super 8 Motel, room 106. Credit card delivery to a young couple with a 10-month old. They sign the credit card and move the total down, leaving the tip line sadly blank.
(With Manager Ady's permission of course) I give the food from the 2nd order (that wanted to pay by check) to the desk clerk, wishing him a Happy Valentine's day and asking him to keep recommending us. Making someone happy like that is cool. The rest of this trip was not. (4 runs, $3.54 tips)
Trip 6 - Yet another 4-bagger, winding through town. First delivery was to a large older man on oxygen. Storm door was closed but the front door was open and he hollered for me to come in. I said my shoes were snowy but he said that was ok, it was just him and the dog. He was plopped on his couch and didn't look to be getting up soon. He had me set the food & drink on some tray-tables, and had laid out $33 for his $28.64 order.
Next house is pre-paid cash at the store with a $5 tip. As expected, several kids follow the babysitter (talking on the phone, what a surprise) to the door. This trip is starting well. Oops, spoke too soon.
Next house the guy hands me $22 for his $21.70 order. I have a pocket full of change so I dig in and said "Hang on, let me get you the 30 cents."
"I don't need it" he replied.
"I don't either." Man that felt good to say!
Fourth house pays a $20 for their $14.59 order. I hand her back $5 in singles, and she keeps them all so I dig in and find her another 41 cents. She actually turned a lamp on so that I could find a penny among my nickels and quarters. The nerve of some people! (4 runs, $9.64 tips)
Finally I get a break and Driver Desiree and I bust out most of the pre-close, oiling pans and prepping dough for Thursday. Meanwhile cooks Steve and Mona have been keeping up with the dishes. Thanks guys!
Trip 7 - Probably my last run, a single order pretty close to the restaurant. I've turned in all my coins for cash so I'm a little disappointed when the guy pulls out a wad of cash that looks like it came from Fort Knox and hands me $22 for his $21.32 order. I wish him a good night and turn to leave. He says something that I don't hear, then follows me out the door and calls out again, I turn around and he hands me a wadded up $5. "Thank you sir, I appreciate it" (1 run, $5.68 tip)
Driver Mike leaves with a double, and the clock turns to 11 PM. I get all cashed out up front and am still standing there when the phone rings. It is Mike and he is stuck in between his 2 deliveries. Cook Nick (yes him AGAIN!) rides along and helps push Mike out of the snow while I grab his 2nd delivery. I call the customer to explain that the original driver got stuck but their food is now on it's way. It's been over an hour. (1 run, $2.95 tip).
Finishing the dishes, sweeping, and mopping, we are there until well after midnight, but it ended up an extremely profitable night, almost $10 per hour above and beyond my hourly rate.
I didn't get to have dinner with my wife but now I can take her out another night and pay for it with the tips from tonight!
Happy Valentine's Day, Victoria!
Now for as long as I have worked here, we have always been extra-busy on Valentine's Day. Some couples will order pizza and stay in, as an alternative to going out to eat. Others will go out, but will get a pizza for the kids to eat with the babysitter.
I ended up with 20 deliveries in a 6 hour shift, driving 54 miles and earning $57 in tips. I had so many eventful deliveries, I will just explain my whole night, trip by trip.
Trip 1 - a triple to a not so good neighborhood. First street is not plowed and has a pile of snow at the intersection. I consider shoveling myself a path, but first call the customer. Customer suggests I park in a doctors office on the next street over and approach the house from the back. This works fine and I see the house. No path shoveled to the front or back but I do see some footsteps out the back, so I go through 2 feet of snow to go that way. Customer hands me $11.85 for a $11.83 order.
Second delivery is to an even numbered house on a section of a street that only has odd numbers. I call the phone number on the ticket and it is not in service. Next!
Third delivery gets me $4 and change on a $13.58 order. Now that's more like it. (3 runs, $4.44 tips)
Trip 2 - a single credit card delivery, pasta and a 2-liter. (1 run, $2.00 tip)
Trip 3 - a four-bagger, ending up pretty far away. Deliveries are getting backed up, I start calling each customer when I am on my way to let them know when to expect their food. I think this is appreciated. The money finally started rolling in, including $7 on a $24.57 credit card order to the 4th house on the run. (4 runs, $17.83 tips)
Trip 4 - a double to the same far-off neighborhood, and another $7+ tip. (2 runs, $11.34 tips)
Trip 5 - another four-bagger, not nearly as nice as the first one. First house has the driveway not shoveled but a path out half-way to the road. I climb through the deep snow to give them their food and am rewarded with $2.12 on a $17.88 order.
Next house the mom tries to pay by check, which we have never accepted in the 3 years I've worked here. I suggest a credit card / debit card over the phone. She agrees and then goes into the basement to get a card. I call the store to get ready and her kids tell me it looks like I have their mom's phone, which I assure them I do not. Meanwhile I hear a voice bellow up the stairs, "No way am I giving out our credit card over the phone. He can eat it himself." Then after a pause, "You tell him, if I have to come up there I'm going to be upset." What a jerk, I feel sorry for that guy's family. But, no payment, no pizza. I move on.
Next house the guy comments on how awful it is out, and hands me a $20 and $4 in coins for a $22.58 order, saying "You deserve a tip on a night like this." Well thanks, buddy, and I'm glad most of the other customers realize what a tip really is.
Fourth delivery is to the local Super 8 Motel, room 106. Credit card delivery to a young couple with a 10-month old. They sign the credit card and move the total down, leaving the tip line sadly blank.
(With Manager Ady's permission of course) I give the food from the 2nd order (that wanted to pay by check) to the desk clerk, wishing him a Happy Valentine's day and asking him to keep recommending us. Making someone happy like that is cool. The rest of this trip was not. (4 runs, $3.54 tips)
Trip 6 - Yet another 4-bagger, winding through town. First delivery was to a large older man on oxygen. Storm door was closed but the front door was open and he hollered for me to come in. I said my shoes were snowy but he said that was ok, it was just him and the dog. He was plopped on his couch and didn't look to be getting up soon. He had me set the food & drink on some tray-tables, and had laid out $33 for his $28.64 order.
Next house is pre-paid cash at the store with a $5 tip. As expected, several kids follow the babysitter (talking on the phone, what a surprise) to the door. This trip is starting well. Oops, spoke too soon.
Next house the guy hands me $22 for his $21.70 order. I have a pocket full of change so I dig in and said "Hang on, let me get you the 30 cents."
"I don't need it" he replied.
"I don't either." Man that felt good to say!
Fourth house pays a $20 for their $14.59 order. I hand her back $5 in singles, and she keeps them all so I dig in and find her another 41 cents. She actually turned a lamp on so that I could find a penny among my nickels and quarters. The nerve of some people! (4 runs, $9.64 tips)
Finally I get a break and Driver Desiree and I bust out most of the pre-close, oiling pans and prepping dough for Thursday. Meanwhile cooks Steve and Mona have been keeping up with the dishes. Thanks guys!
Trip 7 - Probably my last run, a single order pretty close to the restaurant. I've turned in all my coins for cash so I'm a little disappointed when the guy pulls out a wad of cash that looks like it came from Fort Knox and hands me $22 for his $21.32 order. I wish him a good night and turn to leave. He says something that I don't hear, then follows me out the door and calls out again, I turn around and he hands me a wadded up $5. "Thank you sir, I appreciate it" (1 run, $5.68 tip)
Driver Mike leaves with a double, and the clock turns to 11 PM. I get all cashed out up front and am still standing there when the phone rings. It is Mike and he is stuck in between his 2 deliveries. Cook Nick (yes him AGAIN!) rides along and helps push Mike out of the snow while I grab his 2nd delivery. I call the customer to explain that the original driver got stuck but their food is now on it's way. It's been over an hour. (1 run, $2.95 tip).
Finishing the dishes, sweeping, and mopping, we are there until well after midnight, but it ended up an extremely profitable night, almost $10 per hour above and beyond my hourly rate.
I didn't get to have dinner with my wife but now I can take her out another night and pay for it with the tips from tonight!
Happy Valentine's Day, Victoria!
Thursday, February 8, 2007
The Journey Of A Quarter
This is actually 2 stories, that both happenned on the same night and both involved the same US Quarter. I'm pretty sure this happenned in the fall of 2005 but I'm not positive. I know it was a chilly and rainy night.
I had a delivery to a public housing facility. I had no expectations of getting a tip. The order was for 2 medium pizzas (with coupon) for $14.98. Add in the $1.25 delivery charge and the total was $16.23.
I arrive at the building, get buzzed in, ride up the slower-than-molasses elevator, and knock on the door with their food. The custmer answers the door with $16. I quote the price and the customer yells back into their apartment, "Hey do you have a quarter?"
What I hear in response makes me cringe. "I think there's one on the bathroom floor."
The customer disappears around the corner, and reappears with a 25-cent piece, saying "Yeah there was." I pocket the money, trying not to touch the coin, give them their food, and proceed with my night.
Sometime around midnight I get a delivery to the far end of our delivery zone. This time the total is something like $20.74. Could have been 2 large pizzas and an extra cup of garlic sauce, I'm not exactly sure.
What I do know is that as I was standing at the door in the cold rain, a man in his early 20's handed me a $20 bill and then, like the customer before, called back into the house, "Mom, do you have a dollar?"
There was no immediate answer, but the guy didn't move to go find his mother, instead he just stood there and yelled out a few more times.
Meanwhile I am getting wetter and wetter. I realize I am not getting a tip from this guy, and I owe him back a quarter. Hmmmm . . . . .
I reach into my pocket and there it is, the quarter from the bathroom floor. I pull it out and get it ready to give this guy. Finally he goes into another room and returns with his dollar. I hand him the food and hold out the quarter.
"Keep it," he says.
"No, I really couldn't," I reply.
He still doesn't hold out his hand, so I flip the coin into the air, like the referee at the start of a football game. It lands with a jingle near his feat as I turn and head for my car.
"Hey you don't have to throw it at me," he calls out after me.
As soon as I got moving I got out my cell phone and call back to the store to warn our manager. "Ward, if a customer calls and says that I threw a quarter at him, here's what really happenned . . ." and I describe the events that just transpired.
Sure enough, before Ward hung up with me, I heard someone in the background say, "Ward, manager call, line 2"
Ward handled it well, and was very supportive. He asked the guy if it was his money, and when the guy said he should come up and beat the driver (me) up, Ward asked if he was making a threat, as Ward would be happy to call the police if he was. That pretty much ended the discussion.
And that ends the story of the journey of the quarter. From bathroom floor, to my pocket, back to non-tipping customer.
Sweet justice.
I had a delivery to a public housing facility. I had no expectations of getting a tip. The order was for 2 medium pizzas (with coupon) for $14.98. Add in the $1.25 delivery charge and the total was $16.23.
I arrive at the building, get buzzed in, ride up the slower-than-molasses elevator, and knock on the door with their food. The custmer answers the door with $16. I quote the price and the customer yells back into their apartment, "Hey do you have a quarter?"
What I hear in response makes me cringe. "I think there's one on the bathroom floor."
The customer disappears around the corner, and reappears with a 25-cent piece, saying "Yeah there was." I pocket the money, trying not to touch the coin, give them their food, and proceed with my night.
Sometime around midnight I get a delivery to the far end of our delivery zone. This time the total is something like $20.74. Could have been 2 large pizzas and an extra cup of garlic sauce, I'm not exactly sure.
What I do know is that as I was standing at the door in the cold rain, a man in his early 20's handed me a $20 bill and then, like the customer before, called back into the house, "Mom, do you have a dollar?"
There was no immediate answer, but the guy didn't move to go find his mother, instead he just stood there and yelled out a few more times.
Meanwhile I am getting wetter and wetter. I realize I am not getting a tip from this guy, and I owe him back a quarter. Hmmmm . . . . .
I reach into my pocket and there it is, the quarter from the bathroom floor. I pull it out and get it ready to give this guy. Finally he goes into another room and returns with his dollar. I hand him the food and hold out the quarter.
"Keep it," he says.
"No, I really couldn't," I reply.
He still doesn't hold out his hand, so I flip the coin into the air, like the referee at the start of a football game. It lands with a jingle near his feat as I turn and head for my car.
"Hey you don't have to throw it at me," he calls out after me.
As soon as I got moving I got out my cell phone and call back to the store to warn our manager. "Ward, if a customer calls and says that I threw a quarter at him, here's what really happenned . . ." and I describe the events that just transpired.
Sure enough, before Ward hung up with me, I heard someone in the background say, "Ward, manager call, line 2"
Ward handled it well, and was very supportive. He asked the guy if it was his money, and when the guy said he should come up and beat the driver (me) up, Ward asked if he was making a threat, as Ward would be happy to call the police if he was. That pretty much ended the discussion.
And that ends the story of the journey of the quarter. From bathroom floor, to my pocket, back to non-tipping customer.
Sweet justice.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Coin Change Issues
Where I work we are given a bank of $15 to start our shift. This is usually one $5 bill and ten $1 bills. We are not given any coin change to start the night unless we specifically request it. I don't ask for it, and I don't know of any other drivers that do.
For the first 2 1/2 years that I delivered, our delivery charge was $1.25. Most of our items were priced at $x.99. A medium was $8.99 and a large was $11.99 (with 1 topping each). This made most orders $x.24 or $x.23. For example, a large was $13.24 (with delivery).
If the customer handed me a $20 bill for their $13.24 order, I would hand them back six $1 bills as change. Usually they would either hand me back a tip, or walk away, either way I kept the $0.76. If they gave me back $2, my tip would actually be $2.76. If they didn't tip, at least I had the $0.76.
Sometimes breadsticks, sodas, extra toppings, extra sauce cups, or other side items would change the price, but usually not.
Of course, if the customer just stood there, obviously waiting for their coin change, and I had some coins in my pocket that a customer had paid with on a previous delivery, I would dig in my pocket and give them their change. This happenned very rarely.
Also, if they specifically asked for the rest of their change, I would give it to them. I only remember this happening twice in 2 1/2 years. If I didn't have the coins, I would give them an extra $1, and let them know that I would cover it out of my tips.
Now sometimes, when I knew the customer would not tip, and I had coins, I would be ready with the exact coin change. For example, we have a customer that would consistently pay their $20.23 order with a $20 and a quarter. I would try to have 2 pennies in my hand as I walked to the door. In my mind, anything less than $1 is not a tip, it's an insult, and handing them back those insignificant 2 cents gave me a small bit of satisfaction.
Coming tomorrow, 2 related stories about how giving a customer back their change resulted in a complaint call to my manager.
For the first 2 1/2 years that I delivered, our delivery charge was $1.25. Most of our items were priced at $x.99. A medium was $8.99 and a large was $11.99 (with 1 topping each). This made most orders $x.24 or $x.23. For example, a large was $13.24 (with delivery).
If the customer handed me a $20 bill for their $13.24 order, I would hand them back six $1 bills as change. Usually they would either hand me back a tip, or walk away, either way I kept the $0.76. If they gave me back $2, my tip would actually be $2.76. If they didn't tip, at least I had the $0.76.
Sometimes breadsticks, sodas, extra toppings, extra sauce cups, or other side items would change the price, but usually not.
Of course, if the customer just stood there, obviously waiting for their coin change, and I had some coins in my pocket that a customer had paid with on a previous delivery, I would dig in my pocket and give them their change. This happenned very rarely.
Also, if they specifically asked for the rest of their change, I would give it to them. I only remember this happening twice in 2 1/2 years. If I didn't have the coins, I would give them an extra $1, and let them know that I would cover it out of my tips.
Now sometimes, when I knew the customer would not tip, and I had coins, I would be ready with the exact coin change. For example, we have a customer that would consistently pay their $20.23 order with a $20 and a quarter. I would try to have 2 pennies in my hand as I walked to the door. In my mind, anything less than $1 is not a tip, it's an insult, and handing them back those insignificant 2 cents gave me a small bit of satisfaction.
Coming tomorrow, 2 related stories about how giving a customer back their change resulted in a complaint call to my manager.
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