Do I tip the roller skate girl at Sonic?

[loonytoony]

No tipping needed. They are paid by Sonic.

 

[surfergirl602]

No tipping needed. They are paid by Sonic.

Exactly. The whole premise of the restaurant is its a drive in. Tipping never even occurred to me until I read this thread. They get paid the same as any other fast food joint, but you don't tip the McDonalds guy, do you? Ours (and we have a lot of Sonics here) aren't on roller skates, you repeat your order five times, and it takes them a half an hour to bring it to you. And they never check on you. And most people pay by card anyway here. If I was allowed to go in and get it myself, I would. Why would i tip someone who's being paid to do what they do? They are the ones out there in the cold, rain, whatever. They took the job. Not trying to sound harsh, but isn't that "the" job? The food there isn't that good, only the onion rings and the slushies, so we really only ever stop for drinks occasionally anyway.

 

[MichaelColey]

Okay, it's the Budget Board, so I gotta throw in some money-saving Sonic tips:

If you go to Sonic much, make sure to buy a Sonic card and use that. You get a coupon for a free item when you register it online. Sign up for automatic reloads (I have mine load another $25 every time it drops to $10). You'll get a coupon for a free item every time you reload (automatically or manually) $15 (regular Sonic Blast, Onion Rings, or Tots) or $25 (burger, breakfast buritto, or large Sonic Blast).

I always try to go during Happy Hour (2-4pm) when drinks are half price.

Search on eBay and you'll find cheap "peeler" type "Community First" coupon cards. If they're coupons you would use, buy some. Most of our Sonics don't usually collect the coupons (unless it's a substantial discount, like the free item ones that come from reloading your card), so I've been able to reuse some of them many times.

 

[HsvTeacher]

I asked the manager (he's a friend) of our local Sonic and he said they are not supposed to accept tips.

We also talked to a manager who said the same thing. We were also told that Sonic pays more than a regular fast food place, so they wouldn't need the tips. (Of course, that could be just around here, though.)

We solve the dilemma by using the drive-thru.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Okay, it's the Budget Board, so I gotta throw in some money-saving Sonic tips:

If you go to Sonic much, make sure to buy a Sonic card and use that. You get a coupon for a free item when you register it online. Sign up for automatic reloads (I have mine load another $25 every time it drops to $10). You'll get a coupon for a free item every time you reload (automatically or manually) $15 (regular Sonic Blast, Onion Rings, or Tots) or $25 (burger, breakfast buritto, or large Sonic Blast).

I always try to go during Happy Hour (2-4pm) when drinks are half price.

Search on eBay and you'll find cheap "peeler" type "Community First" coupon cards. If they're coupons you would use, buy some. Most of our Sonics don't usually collect the coupons (unless it's a substantial discount, like the free item ones that come from reloading your card), so I've been able to reuse some of them many times.

Ohhh Happy hour... I was in Floriday last April and there is a sonic right by
my grandparents.. I drove over for happy hour everyday They never go to sonic and couldnt understand my obsession.

Have a frito chili wrap for me

 

[wishing4PA]

I tend to avoid confusing tip situations, so I avoid Sonic.

Same applies to some of those counter services with the tip jar. Ditto for restaurants that are half self-service but someone brings you something.

Maybe I'm the only potential customer these places lose, though. Thanks everyone for the info on Sonic. Maybe I'll try it again one day (last time was several years ago), but maybe not...

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

We tend to use the drive-thru (even if it isn't actually faster, it feels that way ). If we use the stalls, we tip the change to the next dollar (i.e., if our total was $2.50 and I paid with a $5 bill, I'd ask for $3 back).

 

[HunnyPots]

We tend to use the drive-thru (even if it isn't actually faster, it feels that way ). If we use the stalls, we tip the change to the next dollar (i.e., if our total was $2.50 and I paid with a $5 bill, I'd ask for $3 back).

If you asked for $3 back, you're asking the server to tip you!

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

If you asked for $3 back, you're asking the server to tip you!

I was thinking "I'm leaving $3." So, I only ask for $2 back, but servers tipping customers...hmmm. I could get on board with that.

 

[Jenvenza]

As a former Sonic Carhop(people who bring out the food) I always appreciated tips. When I would go (not thru the drive-thru) I would usually leave the change & or a dollar, Especially if they were on skates. It really sucked to have a 12 hour shift all on roller skates.

I wouldn't tip via drive-thru, nor did I expect it.

I wish I had a sonic closer, I miss their onion rings and shakes!

No offense, but rollar skates are not mandatory, so that would be a personal choice to skate or not to skate.

I normally do not tip at Sonic - nor do I tip when I have to pull to the side at another fast food place and they bring the food out to me. But that's just me.

 

[rockyroad]

I do tip at Sonic.

And they always have accepted a tip.

I give them some money and say that I don't need change.

 

[krise]

I do when I'm paying in cash. The change, or a buck. If I'm using a card I don't, only because I just don't have cash on me that day lol.

 

[momto2inKC]

I'm a former Sonic car hop, worked there for years! Yes, most people do tip. I would say 8 out of 10 cars tipped when I worked there. The reason some stores might now allow tipping is because each store owner makes the call on that. Yes, they pay well, very well.
Our store was also on a timer to check on the cars in the stahls. So every 10-15 minutes, a car hop went out with the courtesy tray to see if those that had recieved their orders needed anything more (napkins, ketchup, mints, etc..).
Now that they've added the credit/debit machines, I do find myself not tipping each visit simply because I pay with my debit card and have no cash on me.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Does anyone go to the Nazareth, PA Sonic?

 

[momsavealot]

Does anyone go to the Nazareth, PA Sonic?

Yes, that was the one I was actually referring to and I'm the OP!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Our sonic they don't skate, and I've asked before (people I know who work there in mgmt) and it's not "required" to tip although they know that some ppl get tipped and just accept it without telling mgmt ofcourse. Also have to say I used to always tip atleast a little (NOT the standard 15-20% though! Unless it was a small order then I guess it worked out that way- usually $1-2 for orders that weren't that huge, I usually rounded things off. If it was $4.05- I'd give a $5 and say keep the change. If it was $8 something I'd do the same with a $10 bill. I never like "figured" a % to give them though) but now with the credit/debit card thing sometimes I just don't have any cash on me. I've emptied my change pocket once and apologized I meant no offense but had no cash, paid with credit card so I hoped the $1 something in change would be okay. Ofcourse it was. LOL

Atleast here they get paid more than waittresses do. they get paid ATLEAST minimum wage (same as other fast food restaurants where not expected to be tipped) and some can make more than what they could at other fast food restaurants- and tips aren't expected although obviously appreciated. So if you pay with credit card and don't have the cash for a tip- don't feel bad about it.


We used to eat there a lot (or like stop by for a corny dog or hot dog or drink or something) but we hardly ever go there anymore. We just mostly avoid fast foods nowadays though. LOL

 

[LisaNJ25]

Yes, that was the one I was actually referring to and I'm the OP!

Ahh ok Anything to do in the area? I may have to make a sunday road trip. Its about 40 miles away.

 

[Olivia'sMom]

My stepson is a car hop at Sonic. He is 17 and makes $3.30 an hour. So the only way he really makes any money is through tips.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Our Sonic is really pretty good. The grilled chicken is now on a whole grain bun and I often get that/ no mayo/ and a banana as the side and have a low cost/healthy quick meal.

Before they had the debit card scaner, we tended to use more cash and tipped more. Now we ,most of the time, use the card and often do not have any cash. I tend to tip more if we sit on the patio rather than the car as they sometimes do check on you there.

 

[kimsuenew]

My stepson is a car hop at Sonic. He is 17 and makes $3.30 an hour. So the only way he really makes any money is through tips.

WOW... so much for it being a higher paying job! If he is making that, it is definately a tipped position! I have always tipped there, my in-laws will not, as they feel it should not be a tipped position. I will share your DSS wage info with them!