Dipjar: Flipping Tipping

{This post is best viewed on my blog, here.}

Have you heard of Dipjar? This product is about to change the world of tipping for the better. It solves the problem of consumers carrying only credit and debit cards with them, thus not having coins or cash to throw in the tip jar.

{source}

With the Dipjar, customers have the ability to “dip” their card into a tip jar, and leave a small tip, usually $1. The cool part? The restaurant can determine the amount each “dip” leaves…less for stores with low price points, and a bit higher for stores with higher prices. The potential downside? If the customer doesn’t agree with the fixed price, he or she may be deterred from leaving a tip at all.

{source}

My first thought after seeing this product: what about fraud? Dipjar has it covered. Any Dipjar transactions (fraudulent or otherwise) can be revoked within 30 days.

Another thought? Will people notice it? Will customers trust it? Time will tell. It’s a great concept, but I could see customers passing it over. Check out the placement below.

{source}

This register counter is too cluttered and dirty anyway (sorry, I’ll try to keep my type-A tendencies at bay)–throw this Dipjar in and it’ll definitely go unnoticed. But even on a clean, clear counter, customers may overlook this newfangled device because it’s unfamiliar or untrustworthy.

Currently, Dipjar is being tested in several locations, and will hopefully launch nationally (and perhaps internationally) shortly. The cost to retailers? Absolutely nothing. Much like Square, a free device that attaches to iPhones and takes credit and debit card payments, the unit will be free, with Dipjar taking a small portion of each tip as payment (with no cost to retailers). Learn more about how Dipjar works here.

The verdict? Great concept, but it’ll be up to the company to gain customers’ trust and confidence in “dipping” their credit or debit card into such an unfamiliar device. It will also be up to the retailer to display the Dipjar in a prominent location.

What do you think? Would you use the Dipjar? Good idea or future failure?

{If you will, take a moment and ask me a question and answer a question to help me better my blog…}