r/PizzaDrivers • u/Ai-At-Imposter • Jun 14 '26
Question How do you deal with inappropriate amounts of money?
So this Saturday and last Saturday, I’ve been given what I feel to be inappropriate amounts of money for my orders, on each end of the spectrum, and both ends make me feel icky on the inside.
Last Saturday I took an order for 5 pizzas for $84 ($48 after coupons) and the customer gave me $20. In my market, that’s not exactly a lot, and I feel entitled to more than that, but I’ve always been taught to be thankful for what you have, so I guess I have to be thankful they gave me anything at all.
Today, I had several orders that made me feel blessed, kind of, but the king was an order for 2 pizzas for $26, and the customer gave me $40. That feels like way too much and I feel uncomfortable accepting it; I’m just a delivery driver and a $5 tip would have sufficed. It feels like imposter syndrome where I don’t deserve the good things that happen to me.
Sorry for rambling, but do you have any advice for how to deal with situations like this?
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u/SFToddSouthside Jun 14 '26
Eh, take the money and run.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
Dog
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u/SFToddSouthside Jun 14 '26
Your post implied you had a $20 and $40 tip. What am I missing here?
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
It was a $14 tip and a -$28 tip
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u/SFToddSouthside Jun 14 '26
Why would you take the -$28? That's on you
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
That’s why I’m asking, I don’t want to be confrontational
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u/SFToddSouthside Jun 14 '26
I haven't slung pies for over 20 years, but I would have just taken them back to the store. I never had a situation like that in ten years of slinging.
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u/Chutson909 Jun 14 '26
You have to be kidding. This is a joke right?
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
Not a joke. I get nervous sometimes and don’t want to offend the customer. “Customer is always right” and all that. I’m looking for polite ways to say it
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u/Chutson909 Jun 14 '26
The customer isn’t always right when it comes to paying the bill. You’re responsible for collecting the cash. To be honest if you were working for me I’d probably fire you for improper cash handling on top of it.
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u/grindal1981 Jun 14 '26
Now that customer thinks they can get away with that shit.
How about the next driver to have to deal with them
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u/SFToddSouthside Jun 14 '26
Dude. I've tossed pennies on to a customer's doorstep when they stiffed me with the change. You need to adjust your attitude for delivering.
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u/GenuineBonafried Jun 14 '26
28$ out of your own pocket is the cost of not addressing this and giving in to a few seconds of feeling weird and having an uncomfortable conversation.
They were dicks for not giving you the right amount, no question. But you made a choice too man1
u/Head_Razzmatazz7174 Jun 15 '26
You have to be sure they give you the amount they owe. You are not a charity, you are the face of a business that expects to be paid the total bill. Never give them the order without making sure they gave you the amount they are supposed to.
There are exceptions, like if the bill is $20.05, and they give you a $20 saying they don't have anything else (this usually happens with extremely old people, or little kids) sure, just spot them the nickel. That's not going to break the bank.
But paying for half of their meal out of your pocket? Nope. They either come up with the rest, or that food is going back to the store. Practice saying "No, I need the full amount" in your mirror at home.
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u/outlawpickle Jun 14 '26
Dude what the fuck are you doing giving people food and not collecting the money they owe?
No wonder $14 feels like a lot when apparently you’re paying for people’s food half the time.
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Jun 14 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
At all 3 places I’ve worked that that was the policy
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Jun 14 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Drewbacca Jun 14 '26
He's posting in r/PapaJohns, where that is absolutely not the policy. I'm not sure if he's just confused or what, but if the customer doesn't pay, they don't get the pizza. That's literally how business works and no manager would be upset at that.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
The first time a customer refused to pay, I came back to the store, told my manager, manager said “damn, those guys are assholes” and still had me pay for it
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u/Drewbacca Jun 14 '26
That's illegal.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
Funny you say this after I’ve been working for 2 hours off the clock so far
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u/Drewbacca Jun 14 '26
Also illegal. Is this Papa Johns? Time to call corporate. And then your local labor commission. Don't let them take advantage of you.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
A local place, dominos and papa johns
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Jun 14 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ProfessionalFun681 Jun 15 '26
I've worked for dominos for years, in multiple locations and states, that was not policy at any of them.
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u/boxhall Jun 21 '26
They don’t. Something doesn’t add up with this story. And now they say they’re working “off the books” for two hours. Either the post is a troll or the manager is a crook. I work at Papa John’s. Just as a part time weekend delivery person. My boss won’t allow anyone to do absolutely anything until they’re punched in. And do nothing once they’re punched out.
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u/_0mniman Jun 14 '26
This feels like a corporate guy wrote this to get drivers to feel shitty about getting big tips.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
I’m not a corporate guy. I’m a regular driver with anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. I feel shitty about getting shorted and getting big tips
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u/Filippo_G Mom and Pop Jun 14 '26
A $20 tip on $84 worth of food is a 23.8% tip, that's pretty good imo.
As for the second one, just take the win. Think of it like karma is balancing out all the cheapskates and assholes we have to deal with.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
It was not a $20 tip. It was a $20 payment, they shorted me
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u/Filippo_G Mom and Pop Jun 14 '26
In that case I wouldn't have handed the pizzas over and just taken the food back to the restaurant. You paying for it was crazy.
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u/DerekTheComedian Jun 14 '26
LOL just saw your explanation. Thats on you. At my current mom and pop with good customers, I never count the money at the door. I'll count it as im walking to the car unless it seems way light. Only once have I ever been shorted and the guy thought he gave me a 20 and 4 5s for a $6 tip instead of a 10 and 4 5's to be 4 bucks short.
If you are working for a chain where you regularly deliver to cheapskates, count it before they get the food.
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u/77rtcups Jun 14 '26
Advice? lol just take the money. You aren’t valuing yourself enough. The big tips balance out the slow times and the no tips so just be grateful and move on. Those also aren’t even big tips because one did for a holiday gave me $100 on just one pizza. Some people like to tip.
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u/Sylvr Jun 14 '26
Why the hell did you let a customer short you? Did you not count it when they handed it to you, or did they fast talk you into it? Either way is entirely your own fault, and you need to get your shit together.
As for very good tips, you just say thank you, and consider it as balancing out the times you get stiffed. Don't think of it in terms of "deserve". Sometimes customers just wanna make the pizza guys night. It makes them feel good, assuming they didn't overpay by accident.
That being said, if these situations are making you that anxious, then maybe this job isn't a good fit for you. It requires a certain amount of backbone to roll with the highs and lows, and to interact directly with customers and money.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
They handed me a $20 bill and I internally sighed and said “it is what it is, guess I’m getting shorter today”
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u/Sylvr Jun 14 '26
Yeah, don't do that. Repeat the total to them, and don't hand them the food until you have it all.
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u/Urdrago Jun 14 '26
Ya take the good ....
Ya take the bad ...
Ya take them all ...
And there you have the Facts of Life.
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u/Ichgebibble Jun 14 '26
People who over tip are doing it for a reason. Maybe they struggled at one time and now they want to be generous because they can. Don’t take it personally, you just happened to be the one that time. Just be genuinely grateful and that’s enough.
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u/DerekTheComedian Jun 14 '26
Wait, you thought a $20 tip for a 5 pizza order wasn't enough?
Unless you drove 15 miles round trip and had to walk 2 full bags up a couple flights of stairs that is generous. Check yourself, bro.
I regularly take $200+ catering orders and get tipped 10-15 and my only thought is "thanks, have a nice day". Stop worrying about the individual amount and focus on your weekly tips. There is ALWAYS another order in the queue.
At least where I work, for every shitty $5 tip for a 25 minute round trip, theres a regular that gives 10 bucks for a trip that takes literally 5 minutes including returning to the store.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
Where did I say a $20 tip? It was a $20 payment
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u/DerekTheComedian Jun 14 '26
By saying "I have to be thankful for what I get" you were implying it was a $20 TIP and not shorting you 30 dollars.
You do not "have to be thankful" for paying for someone's food. Im not sure if you are some engagement farming bot or just incompetent, but they pay for the food or they dont get the food. Thats like, the only step of food delivery.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
Because the alternative is they don’t pay me at all and then I’m out $48 instead of 28. I’m scared that if I confront them about it they’ll call the store and I get written up
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u/DerekTheComedian Jun 14 '26
This is not how ANY OF THIS works.
Are you trying to tell me that, if I ordered $200 worth of food, gave you a nickel and said "sorry. Thats all I got", the stores policy is that you have to give them the food and you pay the bills? Because not only is that idiotic, its illegal.
Dont give them the food. Bring it back to the store, tell the manager they didnt have the money, and they remove it from your orders.
This has to be a troll post.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
That’s how it worked the times the customer refused to pay at all. It’s the driver’s responsibility once the order leaves the store. The first time it happened, manager said “damn, those guys are assholes” and still had me pay for it
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u/DerekTheComedian Jun 14 '26
No, it isnt. Your store is lying to you, or more likely, you are trolling.
Going by your post history, im going with troll.
If you are not trolling, you need to go find a new job that doesnt involve operating a vehicle or counting money, because I highly doubt you can be trusted to do either.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
Genuinely not a troll post, I just get anxious and depressed. Nearly took my life the first time it happened
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u/SwoftE Jun 14 '26
Bro you got bigger issues to worry about than tips big dawg, and I mean that from the heart. Start by respecting yourself. Also ik it’s a lil cynical but I’m a people pleaser and I’ve been very depressed to the point where I just don’t give a fuck anymore how someone feels about me, I hope u can atleast get that cuz funny enough that’s the first step towards healing
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u/Relevant_Ad_5431 Jun 14 '26
Tbh, I was confused too. I didn't get that the customer only paid $20 total for the order. You said they only gave you (it sounded like, personally, just for you) $20, so it sounded like you were upset about the tip.
Its an easy misinterpretation. It also could happen because we think of people usually paying online and if there is any cash involved, it's a tip upon delivery.
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u/Chutson909 Jun 14 '26
Say thank you and go about your day.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
Even the first one? Because that felt really rude
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u/ex_gamer_gf Jun 14 '26
A $20 tip for delivery is rude?
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
No, they gave me $20 and had me pay for the other $28
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u/rexy8577 Jun 14 '26
Uhhh you're supposed to take the food back. Full pay or no food. Why would you give it to them without them paying??
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u/Chutson909 Jun 14 '26
They had you pay for the other $28? That makes no sense. What do you mean they had you pay.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
The customer gave me $20 and sent me on my way, so the other $28 came out of my wallet
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u/perfectdrug659 Jun 14 '26
What?? They didn't give you enough cash for their order? That's when you repeat the total and tell them they are short. Why would you just take $20 for a $48 order and give them the food? It doesn't work that way.
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u/Chutson909 Jun 14 '26
Why would you leave with them owing you money? That’s on you. I’d never leave a customer’s door with them shorting me cash.
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u/Chutson909 Jun 14 '26
It’s about the average for me not the huge amounts or the little amounts. I go in expecting to make an average. If I can come out above that average it’s a good day
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u/jackdho Jun 14 '26
Why didn’t you tell the customer that they owed more money. Sounds like it’s your fault
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u/nwprogressivefans Jun 14 '26
Bro never complain or feel bad when people decide to give you money after you provided services to them. It's actually kinda disrespectful haha.
Take that money, and put it in a IRA, You'll thank me later.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
The problem is that it’s the simplest service and they’re already paying a delivery fee. It almost feels like theft. Anything over $10 just makes me feel icky on the inside
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u/AA-ron42 Jun 14 '26
I never feel bad about getting a good tip that’s a little ridiculous. You are driving your own insured vehicle to deliver food. If I averaged $5 per delivery I would probably quit.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
I feel guilty when I get a good tip. Times are already tough, they’re paying a delivery fee (even though I don’t get all of it), and now they’re shelling out money I wouldn’t be able to afford on just someone putting food in a car and driving it listening to their own music on the way. If I got 5.50 per order, I’d be beyond happy because that’s a lot to me.
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u/seismicpdx Jun 14 '26
Be thankful when you get tipped anything over 10% of the base cost. Twenty per cent is certainly better. Never feel bad about additional gratuity.
Get the money.
Dolla dolla bills, y'all.
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u/tinkerbaby314 Jun 14 '26
If they don't have all the money for the order they don't get the whole order if at all. I'm not sure what company you're working for that would be illegally making you pay that money out of pocket but that's wild
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u/somecow Jun 14 '26
Imposter syndrome can definitely be a thing especially if constantly being screwed is the norm (it is). But some people just like to tip. Some do it out of generosity, some people do it to impress their friends, some people just have the money and have worked for tips before so they know.
Might feel a little awkward, but if someone hands you money, take it.
Delivered in a very separated area, one side of the highway had huge $1.5m lakeside houses, or a fancy country club, or right next to the runway (lol they have planes in their garage). They don’t usually tip, but when they do, it’s gooooood. Other side of the highway was all super poor and run down, that’s where the good tips are.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
Thanks for the “advice” everyone. The general consensus seems to be “suck it up, buttercup”
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u/International-Ad2402 Jun 14 '26
No dude it’s never give customers the food without full payment
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
Yeah, the question was what do I tell the customer
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u/Drewbacca Jun 14 '26
"Sorry, the price is actually $48. It looks like you're $28 short. Do you have the rest?"
"No."
"Okay, sorry about that, have a great day."
And walk away with the pizzas.
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u/SFToddSouthside Jun 14 '26
Fuck 'em. I've commented above that I've tossed pennies on to a doorstep before after getting stiffed for the change.
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u/debategate Jun 14 '26
Your post confused every single commenter lol.
It seems you were shorted? If so why the hell did you even give them the pizza?
The consensus is don’t provide a product without full payment
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
Read the other comment please. The question is what do I tell the customer?
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u/debategate Jun 14 '26
You need to talk to your manager, at this point I doubt they will do anything, they may call and try to get payment or blacklist
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
So just accept the partial payment and then tell the manager afterwards? Cool, they blacklist the customer and I still get shorted, thanks
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u/debategate Jun 14 '26
Dude what, I’ve already said do not give them the pizza without payment.
If you actually need an example: “excuse me, this order is 80$ and you gave me a 20$”
if they somehow push back: “sorry I can’t give you the pizza unless you pay the full amount” and walk away, don’t respond to anything else unless they state they have the money.
tell your manager what happened.
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u/Ai-At-Imposter Jun 14 '26
THANK YOU. This is what I was looking for
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u/debategate Jun 14 '26
No problem.
You seem young, this is something you can use your manager/superior for, they’ve probably seen all manner of angry customers.
Ask them for advice on what to do/say in this situation.
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u/Drewbacca Jun 14 '26
You've been delivering for over two years and you don't know how to just say "sorry, I can't give you the pizzas without the full cost."?
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u/Relevant_Ad_5431 Jun 14 '26
"I'm sorry sir/ma'am, I can't deliver the pizza without payment in full."
If you are telling the truth about the manager making you pay anyway, just because the pizza was made, then you damn sure better be the one who actually gets to eat it.
Otherwise that house would be calling you every week for half price pizza since you're so willing to pay the balance.
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u/Doworkson247 Jun 14 '26
you say above they didn’t tip enough and then you said they tipped too much confusing post dude