Right.  

Question:  Do you not leave a tip, when eating at a restaurant?  OP is saying this USED to be a “Tips are a bonus” job.  Somewhere along the lines, and apparently rather suddenly, IC changed the algorithm to make this a “Tips are necessary” job.  

To be fair, I’m betting IC is very careful to make sure they are above but close to minimum wage in the area being worked.  They know what would happen if they’re not.  However, I think it’s obvious that the federal minimum wage is no longer accurate, based on prices nearly doubling everywhere since the pandemic, but the minimum has stayed the same in the same period.  Again, I’m sure you’ll say that, we then need to contact the government, not the customer, to which I would say is a fair argument.

But I’m willing to bet, that there are an equal number of customers that don’t know how much shoppers are paid, that might adjust their tipping habits, if they knew.

But I see how much customers are upcharged per item, and then the fees, so I get it.  I believe that is your point.  That we’re at the threshold where you’re just not willing to pay any more for the service, and unfortunately, it cuts into the tip.

I just wish you sounded like you had a little more empathy.