NSS Pizza shop - warning message after submitting shop

I just finished a pizza delivery shop for NSS. After submitting the report I got a page titled "Apparent Success!" noting that the report had been written to their database.

It also included a note which read:
" Please acknowledge (and fix below if possible) these "Warnings":
» The amount you spent is unusually high OR low. Please make sure this amount is correct."

My $19.28 order consisted of a single large, two topping pizza ($14.99), delivery charge ($2.59) and tax ($1.70). I also tipped $2 tip which took the grand total to $21.28. The authorized reimbursement amount is up to $20 plus up to $1 for a tip.

Am I being overly critical in thinking the logic on their web page needs to be adjusted to not display warning messages for costs which are within predictable ranges?

(Reminder: Since I've named the MSC please don't name the client)

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$21.28 is indeed $0.28 more than the maximum allowed total. Maybe you should have just reported $1 as the tip since you are going to have to absorb the extra $1 anyway.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

@myst4au

Thank you, you make a good point. I think it's reasonable to report the actual tip I gave, but you're right that my total did exceed the listed maximum reimbursement. I think it's fair to say I was being overly critical.

@DennisNE wrote:

My $19.28 order consisted of a single large, two topping pizza ($14.99), delivery charge ($2.59) and tax ($1.70). I also tipped $2 tip which took the grand total to $21.28. The authorized reimbursement amount is up to $20 plus up to $1 for a tip.

If they authorize up to $20 + $1 tip they are not talking about reimbursing a tip of more than $1. So your was $19.28 towards the $20 and $1 toward the tip. With the companies I work with who specify a break out such as you mention I would claim $20.28 total.

Obviously they were happy with your report, they just want you to revisit what you are claiming. They did not offer to reimburse a $2 tip so that extra $1 is out of your pocket.

@Flash

I realize the extra dollar of tip is out of my pocket. But isn't it always, whether I'm on a shop or not? I'd be embarrassed to only tip $1 for a pizza delivery. I tipped $2, it won't bankrupt me. The form asks how much I tipped, so I reported it, knowing I'd only get $1 of it back. That's ok.

This is NOT meant to criticize in any way those who limit their tip to the reimbursed $1. It's a business decision and dollars add up.

Whether NSS is happy with my report remains to be seen. The computer is happy, I can only hope the editor will be as well.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/2016 05:12AM by DennisNE.

You gave an appropriate tip of $2 which is higher than their $1 cheap allotment....

$1 is a minimum tip for a pizza, but a more accepted rule is at least 10%...

i also found the % tipping to be odd......you could by a couple VERY EXPENSIVE items-say $25 each-- or 10 cheap items--say $5 each-- and tip the same amount if you base the tip on the cost......but the 10 items is more effort to package/deliver, etc..especially for table service in a restaurant......why do you tip the same for 2 plates as for 10 just based on the cost?

I have always factored cost and number of items into tips.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/2016 05:13PM by jmitw.

I always tip $3 (I checked with my neighbors) and have never had an issue.

SoCalMama, are saying they reimburse you the $3? They've never done that for me.

I think she is saying she tips the higher amount of her own pocket and the MSC doesn't question the amount. I had the same issue with the former MSC since $1 doesn't cut it here for any type of delivery.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

They have been reimbursing me $2 for tips. I got the same message today for a takeout shop where my one topping pizza came to $7.56

@JASFLALMT wrote:

SoCalMama, are saying they reimburse you the $3? They've never done that for me.

I don't recall if they said that they would give me $2 or $3.
I can't give $1 or $2 in my neighborhood.
I don't think that I cared if they gave me $3 or $2, as I got $10 bonus anyway. It's been awhile (couple of months).

@DennisNE wrote:

Am I being overly critical in thinking the logic on their web page needs to be adjusted to not display warning messages for costs which are within predictable ranges?

(Reminder: Since I've named the MSC please don't name the client)

Now you know what I think when I submit on a shop done late in the evening.

"Yeah, I know it's after 8:00...what are you going to do besides accept my report!?!"

I've always tipped $2 and have always been reimbursed $2. It seems like the prices in my area have increased a little. A large two topping used to be $16 and change and last night it was an even $17 which pushed my total (before tip) over $21.

Hmmmm..interesting tip.talk folks. We usually tip 15% for delivery. Now I'm questioning our long term choice.

@Liz36 wrote:

I've always tipped $2 and have always been reimbursed $2. It seems like the prices in my area have increased a little. A large two topping used to be $16 and change and last night it was an even $17 which pushed my total (before tip) over $21.

I've had a wide range of prices. There is some form of coupon or special that about 95% of the time they automatically give me. I think just one time they hit me up for full "list price".

And see if they have a super low price additional pizza added for under a buck - one time the person answering the phone actually mentioned this offer, and I added a second one topping pizza for almost pennies! Another time I went to pick up a pizza, and I saw this special on the menuboard. If I had known about this ahead of time, I would have definitely added a second one.

I have been told many times that a tip of $2 will be reimbursed. Why they do not change the instructions to reflect that is beyond my comprehension. Also beyond my comprehension is why they will only reimburse up to $20 in my area where the pizza delivery can be $23 + the $1 or $2 tip. I do get those pop ups about being beyond the amt. But i just make sure to cushion the job with bonuses just in case there are no coupons that offer some other free thing like a second pizza. I am unwilling to do this "easy" job for one small pizza and no fee. Even the first round of $3 bonuses will not cover my out of pocket.

I do many of these shops and a few times I have had a two topping pizza cost over $21. Depending on what special is going on, the price can vary widely. I have gotten those warnings messages for high cost and also for times that seemed out of range. My carryout pizza tonight took eleven minutes and I got the warning message. I just commented in the narrative that the timing was eleven minutes.

for me this is just another reason to NOT do these shops....learned my lesson years ago...

A lot of the reason the cost of pizza at [client name deleted] has gone up is because they are shifting their emphasis to on-line ordering and the special pricing is going over there, too. The specials for phone shops aren't nearly as good. The MSC hasn't adjusted to the higher cost of delivery. My last pizza included at $2.75 delivery charge.

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NSS Pizza shop - warning message after submitting shop

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