Chipotle Dragged for Preventing Customer From Giving Generous Tip to Delivery Driver

Everyone knows that food delivery drivers are some of the most underpaid gig workers in the industry. Many drivers end up earning less than minimum wage. And on top of that, delivering food while navigating apps can be dangerous business. In 2021, The New York Times reported on a survey of delivery drivers facilitated by the Worker Institute at Cornell University. The survey revealed that "42% of workers had experienced being underpaid or not paid at all. Nearly half said they had crashed while delivering food and 75% of those said they used their own money to pay for their medical care. 54% reported being robbed and 30% said they were assaulted during the robbery."

People who use food delivery apps often show their gratitude to the worker by leaving fat tips. But some apps prevent customers from being too generous. In a tweet that recently went viral, @RonBeehive explains how they wanted to tip big after ordering Chipotle during a snowstorm, but the app prevented them from tipping over 50%.

Posted by Mel Dawn

@RonBeehive exposes Chipotle

Via @RonBeehive
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@RonBeehive's screenshot of Chipotle's error message

@RonBeehive included a screenshot of the alert they received after attempting to tip their delivery driver over 50% of the total for their order. "WHOA WHOA WHOA" the error message read, "That is mighty generous of you, but tips can't be more than 50% of your food's total."

Via @RonBeehive
Chipotle responds

Chipotle was quick to defend themselves, explaining that preventing users from tipping unusually large sums is intended to be a safeguard against fraud and human error. But people were quick to clap back at Chipotle.

@jcsturgeon replied, "That's not what this is. It says tipscan't be a certain limit. If the warning said 'Are you sure? We appreciate your generosity, but wanted to double check in case your finger slipped' your explanation would maybe make sense."

@ohgolly_geedamn made a similar argument, replying, "This is absolutely bullshit. Fraud would be handled by the bank, human error can be resolved by a simple "are you sure?" rather than a straight up denial of the ability to tip hard working individuals graciously. Never ever ever prevent people from being extra kind to one another."

Via @RonBeehive
Chipotle-defender claims their app got hacked one time

Via @RonBeehive
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Is it the tipper's fault?

Some urged @RonBeehive to tip in cash, as cash is untraceable and is a way to get around apps that prevent customers from tipping over 50%. But it's not that simple, according to experienced delivery drivers. While tipping in cash might make the most sense to customers, an order showing no added tip in the app might deter drivers from accepting the order.

@AntifaBoyfriend argued, "I deliver food as my main source of income. If you don't tip in the app, I won't deliver your food. Out of thousands of deliveries, l've only had extra cash twice, making it too risky to take an order hoping for cash."

Via @RonBeehive
Maybe ordering in a snowstorm is a "dick move"

@antiartificial replied with a screenshot of a past tweet criticizing people who order food during a snowstorm. But drivers argued that it depends on the situation.

In response to @antiartificial, @genderegoist explained, "Sometimes I need the money though, so long as you're tipping like it's a hazard to drive l'm fine."

Via @RonBeehive
Adding insult to injury

Lots of Twitter users made the point that companies like Chipotle may be underpaying their employees, so preventing big tips is just adding insult to injury.

"Fuuuuck this" said @Logan_ofthecorn, "It's bad enough companies don't give hazard pay for bad conditions, but to prevent people from tipping that themselves? That's atrocious."

Via @RonBeehive
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Via @RonBeehive
Chipotle isn't the only one

Via @RonBeehive
And then there were jokes

Via @RonBeehive
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"Fixed that for you"

Via @RonBeehive
Via @RonBeehive