When you order food online, most delivery apps also offer to buy food for your delivery rider or even just to give an online tip that will be charged to your card or e-wallet at the same time as your order payment. But according to the allegations of riders of a popular food delivery app, they aren’t getting the full amount of the online tip.

What the riders are saying

Riders of the food delivery app foodpanda called out the app’s management for their alleged misleading notice on online tips.

When a customer orders, the app says that 100% of online tips go to the rider. However, some riders have raised concerns that’s not the case.

According to one rider from Laguna, up to 50% of the online tips are deducted before they actually receive them. He and his fellow riders in a group chat were confused why some of the online tips they received had “butal” or excess centavos when normally tips are given in whole. One of his fellow riders shared that he received an online tip of PHP 50 but only received PHP 25.65. Other riders have since reshared and reposted the same sentiments on their own accounts.

What the fine print says

According to foodpanda terms and conditions, “the rider will receive the full amount of any tip you choose to make once the delivery is completed.” This is the same as what the app also says when a customer orders — that 100% of online tips go to riders.

A resurfacing concern?

This is not the first time that riders have complained about the splitting of online tips. Last July, several riders raised the same concern with only half being credited to them.

However, in another discussion last February, there are differing opinions among riders. Some said they received their online tips in full, while others said they had theirs deducted.

In December 2021, a similar discussion had divided sentiments, with some saying they got online tips in full while others allegedly had their split.

After the post circulated this month, foodpanda has yet to issue a statement about the riders’ complaints.

Riders’ advice

If you want to really give tips, riders say you should give it to them directly via cash. That way, you know you’re sure the full tip is going straight into their pocket.

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