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Customers left ‘confused’ after being asked to leave a tip at self check out
Home>News>US News
Published 11:56 23 Oct 2023 GMT+1

Customers left ‘confused’ after being asked to leave a tip at self check out

Many customers have voiced their concerns as tipping at self check out machines seems to be on the rise.

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

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Featured Image Credit: Grace Cary/Getty / SDI Productions/Getty

Topics: Shopping, US News, Money, Weird, Business

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

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There is no questioning that there is a huge tipping culture in the US, something that has divided opinion online over the past few months.

While there have been many examples of tipping working well, there has been - well let's say - questionable decisions in recent months.

Earlier this year, one DoorDash driver was sacked after saying 'f*ck you' to a woman who tipped him 25 percent.

Footage captured the guy delivering the pizza, albeit with a slight pause as the woman in the house got her dog under control, and telling her: "I just wanna say it's a nice house for a $5 tip."

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Clearly the implication was that he didn't think the tip was enough, so while the woman said 'you're welcome', she got the response 'f**k you' in return.

Tipping at self check out machine is becoming more common.
Getty Stock Photo

However, this particular tipping story has left many customers 'confused' though, as they were asked to leave a tip at a self check out machine.

Typically, you are giving a tip to an individual for a service, whether that be a pizza delivery driver or a waiter at a restaurant.

So, with this, you are essentially giving extra money to machines.

Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal reported on the rise of digital, self-checkout kiosks and how many customers were prompted to provide tips.

After speaking to many customers, the journal found that a large number of them were left frustrated after being asked to tip workers with whom they had zero interaction with.

The report spoke to a half dozen customers across the US, with just a small number willing to pay the extra fees.

Business owners have said that automated tipping cues can significantly increase gratuities, subsequently boosting staff's pay.

Tipping is typically more common when a face-to-face service is provided.
Getty Stock Photo

But a lot of customers are not buying it, with many asking the question as to what exactly the tips are for.

"They’re cutting labor costs by doing self-checkout. So what’s the point of asking for a tip? And where is it going?" Ishita Jamar, a senior at American University, told the Journal.

Another customer voiced his dismay after taking a beer from a self-service beer fridge at San Diego's Petco Park, only to be asked to include a tip with the order.

"I was confused, because it wasn't entirely clear who I was tipping," the customer told the Journal, though he did still tip 20 percent anyway.

A spokesperson for the stadium told the Journal all tips went to employees.

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