As a savvy Costco shopper, you know the value of buying in bulk to save money without sacrificing quality. But in today‘s fast-paced world, even die-hard Costco fans don‘t always have time to brave the crowds at the warehouse for every grocery run. That‘s where Costco delivery comes in clutch – bringing your favorite oversized necessities right to your doorstep.
However, with the convenience of delivery comes a common quandary: Do you tip the Costco delivery driver? And if so, how much is appropriate? As a retail and consumer expert, I‘m here to break down everything you need to know about Costco tipping etiquette to become the most considerate Costco customer around.
Why Tipping Matters for Delivery Drivers
Before we get into the specifics of Costco delivery, let‘s talk about why tipping is so crucial for delivery drivers in general. While it may seem like a small gesture, tips make up a significant portion of delivery drivers‘ take-home pay.
According to a 2019 US Foods study, delivery drivers make an average of $17 per hour before tips, but this can vary widely by market and company. Tips, on the other hand, average around $4 per delivery, which can add up to an extra $100 or more per shift.
For Instacart shoppers, who handle the majority of Costco same-day deliveries, the base pay can be even lower. Instacart guarantees a minimum of just $7-10 per order (based on number of items, type of items, driving distance, and effort involved), so tips are essential to making the job worthwhile.
One Instacart driver I spoke to, Rachel*, shared:
"Most of my pay comes from tips, not Instacart‘s base rate. I aim for at least a 15% tip on each order, but 20-25% tips are how I make a living wage some days. When I see a big Costco order come through with no tip attached, I usually pass it up unless I‘m really desperate."
Another driver, Carlos*, explained how the physical demands of the job factor in:
"Shopping a Costco order is no joke – cases of water, jumbo detergent bottles, huge boxes of diapers. It‘s a workout! I definitely notice and appreciate when members tip extra for the heavy lifting. Lugging all that up to a third-floor apartment deserves at least 20%."
Of course, there are perks to being a Costco Instacart shopper, like higher pay for larger orders compared to other stores. But without adequate tips, many drivers say it‘s not worth the extra effort and stress.
Understanding Costco‘s Delivery Options
To master Costco delivery tipping, it helps to first understand how the different delivery services work. Costco offers two main options:
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Same-day delivery via Instacart: Orders are shopped and delivered by Instacart contractors within hours. Available for Costco members and non-members (with a surcharge) at instacart.com/costco.
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2-day delivery via CostcoGrocery: Nonperishable pantry items only, fulfilled by Costco employees and delivered by carriers like FedEx. Free shipping on $75+ orders for Costco members at costco.com/costco-grocery.
Additionally, some local Costco warehouses offer their own delivery options, which may be fulfilled by Costco employees or Instacart. Check your location for details.
For the purposes of tipping, we‘ll focus mainly on same-day Instacart orders, as Costco‘s 2-day shipping doesn‘t require tipping (as with most parcel delivery services).
How to Tip on Costco Instacart Orders
Tipping your Costco Instacart driver is easy and cashless through the app or website. At checkout, you‘ll be prompted to choose a tip amount based on the order total:
- 5% is the suggested default tip
- 10%, 15%, and 20% are also quick options
- Custom amount if you want to tip a different percentage or flat rate
You can also adjust your tip for up to 24 hours after delivery to reflect your driver‘s service quality. Instacart drivers see the tip amount before accepting an order, so tipping generously up front can lead to faster fulfillment.
Several drivers told me they won‘t accept a Costco batch unless it has a tip of at least $10-20, since the base pay is so low. So if you want your order snatched up quickly, tipping 15-20% or more is a smart strategy.
Average Costco Delivery Tip Amounts
Here‘s a cheat sheet for suggested tip amounts based on your Costco Instacart subtotal:
| Order Subtotal | 10% Tip | 15% Tip | 20% Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $5 | $7.50 | $10 |
| $100 | $10 | $15 | $20 |
| $200 | $20 | $30 | $40 |
| $300 | $30 | $45 | $60 |
These are just starting points – feel free to tip more for excellent service, heavy loads, weather hazards, or any other circumstances that warrant extra appreciation. When in doubt, I recommend defaulting to 20% or a minimum of $10.
Keep in mind these totals are based on Instacart‘s slightly marked-up Costco prices, not your typical in-store total. So you may need to mentally adjust your typical 20% restaurant tip to account for the higher subtotal.
The Perils of Tip-Baiting
One unfortunate trend in grocery delivery is tip-baiting – when a customer attaches a high tip to get their order delivered quickly, only to reduce or remove the tip afterwards for no apparent reason. An Instacart report found this happens on less than 0.5% of orders, but it‘s still a scourge on hardworking shoppers.
Needless to say, engaging in tip-baiting is a huge no-no for any conscientious Costco shopper. Not only is it unethical, but it could get you blacklisted by Instacart or individual drivers. Only modify the tip post-delivery if you experienced a real issue with your order, not simply to save a few bucks.
Tipping During COVID-19 and Beyond
The coronavirus pandemic has made grocery delivery more popular than ever, with many shoppers relying on Instacart to safely get their Costco haul. This surge in demand has put immense pressure on delivery drivers, who take on extra health risks to ensure we stay fed and supplied.
During the height of lockdowns in March-April 2020, Instacart reported that Costco orders increased by more than 450%. Tips were up as well, with the average tip rising 30% and "extreme tipping" of $50 or more making up 6% of all tips (compared to just 1% pre-pandemic).
Even as restrictions have eased, delivery remains indispensable for many households. And with the financial strain of the pandemic, delivery drivers need our support more than ever. If you‘re in a position to do so, consider tipping on the higher end, especially during busy times or inclement weather.
Instacart has also introduced several COVID-related safety measures, such as contactless delivery and automatic cancellation of orders with out-of-stock items. Be patient with these new protocols and tip generously to show your appreciation for shoppers quite literally risking their lives to buy your bulk La Croix.
The Psychological Power of Tipping
Beyond the financial benefits for drivers, tipping is a psychologically powerful act for both giver and receiver. According to behavioral economist Dan Ariely, tipping is a social exchange that makes us feel good while also improving service quality.
When we tip generously, it boosts our own mood and sense of social connection. We feel like we‘re part of a community, rewarding someone for a job well done. This is especially important in the era of social distancing, when delivery drivers may be some of the only people we interact with regularly.
For drivers, getting a good tip is an instant self-esteem boost and motivator to keep up the great work. It makes the physical and mental challenges of the job feel more worthwhile. Tipping also fosters a more personal connection between customer and courier, humanizing the transaction beyond a purely economic exchange.
Of course, not everyone can afford to tip lavishly, and that‘s okay. Even a small gesture like a thank-you note or a few extra dollars can make a difference in someone‘s day. The key is to approach tipping with a spirit of empathy and appreciation for the person bringing you that coveted 3-pound bag of Kirkland almonds.
Creative Ways to Thank Your Costco Delivery Driver
Tipping in the app is always preferred for safety and ease. But if you want to go above and beyond in showing your gratitude, consider these creative ideas:
- Leave a cooler with bottled water, Gatorade, and individually wrapped snacks on your porch for easy grab-and-go refreshment
- Have your kids make a colorful thank-you sign to greet drivers
- Call your local Costco and tell a manager about your top-notch delivery experience
- If you get the same driver regularly, remember their name and include a personalized note in your tip
- Pay it forward by giving someone else a random act of kindness, like buying coffee for the person behind you in the drive-thru
Every positive interaction, no matter how small, contributes to a culture of gratitude that we could all use more of these days.
The Future of Costco Delivery Tipping
As online grocery shopping becomes the norm, tipping trends are sure to evolve along with it. Some experts predict that retailers like Costco and third-party services like Instacart will eventually move towards a more standardized tipping model, perhaps building a 15-20% tip into the total or requiring a minimum tip amount.
This would help stabilize driver pay, ensure a positive customer experience, and make the tipping process more clear-cut for everyone. But until then, the onus is on us as consumers to do right by our delivery heroes and tip as generously as we‘re able.
At the end of the day, shopping at Costco is about value – both in terms of cost savings and quality of life. By tipping appropriately for Costco delivery, you‘re investing in a better experience for yourself and supporting the hardworking drivers who make that experience possible.
So go ahead and add that extra case of kombucha to your cart – just don‘t forget to tip your Instacart shopper accordingly. Your karma points will be almost as satisfying as the free samples on a Saturday Costco run.
*Names have been changed to protect driver privacy.
