An Oregon man is trashing “tip baiting” — whereby merciless clients promise a big gratuity to supply drivers on on-line apps, solely to cut back the quantity after their meals has been dropped off.
Owen Lindstrom, who delivers meals for Uber Eats, took to TikTok earlier this month to blast the stingy schemers in a video that has garnered 4.8 million views.
“In meals supply apps, the shopper has the power to extend or cut back the ideas after drop off,” Lindstrom defined within the clip. “Tip baiting is when a buyer supply a big tip to get their meals quicker after which take it away on the finish. Whereas it’s good to guard the shopper from having dangerous service by holding the tip over your head, it go away a giant alternative to screw over the driving force.”
Lindstrom admitted that there was no actual technique to stop tip baiting, and will solely advise supply drivers to function in areas recognized for having real and beneficiant tippers — and take the extra beneficiant tidings with a grain of salt.
Viewers of the viral video flooded the feedback part beneath the clip, with many defending tip baiters, saying they’re entitled to alter a tip quantity if the service has been subpar.
“Tipping will not be automated or assured. A tip is a reward for nice service, not mediocre or fundamental!” one raged.
“Thanks for information, gonna use this trick to get my meals quicker,” one other mocked.
“You introduced this on yourselves,” a critic remarked. “Once you ignore deliveries with regular ideas it compelled clients to do that simply to get their meals on time.”
One other stated clients had been already compelled to pay a “ridiculous $8 supply price” on some apps, which inspired them to subtract a beneficiant tip as soon as their meals had been delivered.
Nevertheless, there have been some sympathetic TikTokers who got here to Lindstrom’s protection.
“I hate that individuals would do this. I’ve solely ever elevated my tip,” one stated.
The follow of tip baiting first hit headlines in April 2020, when it was revealed that New Yorkers had been luring supply drivers to their properties to ship groceries and takeout with the promise of massive ideas amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because of the lockdown, New Yorkers had been competing with 1000’s of different clients to safe deliveries, and pledged the gratuities to be able to safe service. The nasty New Yorkers would then cut back the tip quantity after their meals had arrived.
