Online shopping site Louve Collection asks for tips from staff, sparking customer outrage
A customer of an Australian online fashion accessories store has expressed outrage when he was asked for a tip when making a purchase.
In a Reddit post headlined ‘Tipping gone mad. AU online store asking for tips,” the disgruntled customer posted a screenshot asking him to add a tip.
The website Louve Collection, which sells fashion accessories for mobile phones such as bands and cases, asks users to show their ‘support for the Louve collection team’ by adding a tip.
They are then given the choice of adding 5, 10 or 15 percent to their total bill.
Someone who buys their black leather Zoe wallet, which costs $139, will be charged an additional $6.95, $13.90 or $20.85 depending on the level of tip they leave.
A customer of an Australian online store has expressed outrage when he was asked for a tip when making a purchase. The photo shows a woman looking at her cell phone
While the tip isn’t mandatory, the disgruntled customer was disgusted that it was even asked, and they weren’t alone.
“Yes no,” wrote one. (The company should) support the team by paying a living wage. There is no way the grateful staff will see any of that.”
Another said there was a ‘simple’ solution to avoid being asked for a tip. ‘Don’t buy from a site that asks for tips.
‘Abandoned baskets leave a very clear message and this practice must die out.
‘If you ask for a tip it means the store has no understanding or respect for the customers, so that’s a big red flag. Stay out.’
Others pointed to the US, where the culture of tipping is much more entrenched than in Australia.
“Even in America, as far as I know, it’s not the norm to tip at online stores,” one person wrote.
“Face-to-face interactions only (with somewhat confusing rules about when to tip and when not to).”
Another wrote: ‘A waiter at a steakhouse recently had the tipping thing on the screen and I said he was great but I don’t support the tipping culture here in Australia.
“He was completely understanding and I think most of the staff agrees or doesn’t mind at all.”
In a post on Reddit (pictured) with the headline “Tipping gone crazy. AU online store asking for tips,” the disgruntled customer posted a screenshot asking him to add a tip
Some pointed out that a company is risking its reputation by charging tips on top of the cost of the products they sell.
Some even called for a ban on tipping, with one employee writing: ‘Tipping in Australia should be outright illegal.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Louve Collection for comment.