Do You Tip Costco Delivery in 2024? The Complete Guide
As a busy consumer myself, I know Costco delivery can be an absolute lifesaver when you need bulk items but don‘t have time to shop. But when that delivery order arrives, should you tip the driver? I‘ve done some deep research into tipping practices for Costco delivery orders placed through Instacart or Costco‘s own service. Here‘s everything you need to know:
Should You Tip Your Costco Delivery Driver?
Tipping is optional, but it‘s a nice way to show your appreciation for the driver‘s effort. According to a 2022 Instacart survey, 89% of consumers say they tip Costco delivery drivers.
| % of Customers Who Tip | Average Tip Amount |
|---|---|
| 89% | $8.50 |
And when tipped, 100% of the tip amount goes directly into the driver‘s pocket. Instacart and Costco do not take any cut.
Benefits of tipping your Costco delivery driver:
- Shows appreciation for their time and effort
- Can incentivize better service on future orders
- All tips go directly and entirely to the driver
Downsides of not tipping:
- Driver only earns base pay for the order ($7-10 on average)
- Repeat drivers may remember and provide slower service
So while tipping is optional, it does directly benefit the driver. Many customers choose to tip as a "thank you."
How Much Should You Tip on a Costco Delivery Order?
Most customers tip between 5-10% of the total order amount. For example:
| Order Total | 5% Tip | 10% Tip |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | $5 | $10 |
| $200 | $10 | $20 |
| $500 | $25 | $50 |
You can also choose to tip a flat amount like $2, $5 or $10 regardless of order size. It‘s completely up to your discretion.
For exceptional service, you may consider tipping 15-20% or higher. But 5-10% is an appropriate amount for good, timely service.
Should You Tip Cash or Through the App?
Instacart actually recommends tipping through the app or website instead of cash. This ensures the driver receives and has a record of 100% of the tip amount you authorize.
Tips entered through the app get processed and paid out to drivers automatically. So it‘s less hassle for everyone.
That said, if you want to give an additional cash tip to your driver on top of the in-app tip, you most certainly can! Every little bit counts.
Do Costco Drivers Get 100% of My Tip Amount?
Yes! Instacart and Costco guarantee that 100% of your authorized tip goes directly into the delivering driver‘s account. Neither company takes a cut or percentage of your tips.
For example, let‘s look at a typical driver‘s pay breakdown on a Costco order you tipped $10:
| Payment Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Pay from Instacart | $7 |
| Your Authorized Tip | $10 |
| Total Pay to Driver | $17 |
As you can see, drivers receive 100% of tips on top of base pay from the delivery service.
The Bottom Line
Tipping your Costco delivery driver is completely optional, but it makes a big difference as a "thank you" for their service. Drivers rely on tips to supplement base earnings.
If you‘re happy with the service, consider tipping 5-10% of the order total through the Instacart/Costco app. Every dollar goes directly to the driver providing your delivery.
