Should there always be a ‘no thanks’ option for tips on debit/credit machines?

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – When it comes to tipping, 15 or 20 per cent has become the norm. But what about when you don’t want to tip and you are not given the option on a mobile payment machine?

Mark says he and his wife ordered a pizza from Panago and when it was delivered to their home in Langley, they went to pay on the machine. But there was no option to choose whether or not to tip; they could only choose whether they wanted to punch in a percentage or dollar amount.

He says the delivery person had no way of overriding the machine. “[So, it felt like] we were actually forced into providing a two-dollar tip. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but certainly not the option that I want to be forced into making in front of a delivery person.”

He adds, “you’re almost guilted into providing a tip because it’s right there and they can actually see what you’re doing with the transaction and the POS.”

Mark points out there was already a $3.50 delivery charge.

Ian Tostenson with the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association says there really should be a clear option. While someone could punch in zero percent or zero dollars for their tip, Tostenson says that isn’t a great situation.

“Putting in zero per cent is kind of embarrassing. It’s kind of awkward when you give it back to the person because they know right off the top if they get a tip. So, I think that particular business… they’d be well-advised to sort of go back to the more conventional way.”

Tostenson says most screens will give options for the amount to tip, and have a “no thanks” option. He adds restaurants recognize tips are an indication of good service.

“I think when you get into a situation that just sort of starts to suggest that tips are something that are just part of the decor and we don’t work hard for it… [that is] wrong. So, in this particular case, this is an anomaly.”

We’ve been in touch with Panago, but have yet to hear back.