Warning: putting a tip jar out at my shop on 6th Street actually cut into my sales

I run a small coffee cart downtown and figured a tip jar would just add a little extra cash. After a month, I noticed my daily sales dropped by about 15 percent. I think some regulars felt pressured and started coming less. Has anyone else in Amarillo seen a weird reaction like this to something that should be simple?

3 comments

3 Comments

gonzalez.vera2mo ago

Honestly, my experience was the total opposite. I put a jar out at my place and sales stayed the same, but the extra tips really helped cover small costs. Maybe it's about how you set it up? A quiet jar in the corner feels different than one right by the card reader. Could it have been a slow month for other reasons?

clark.adam2mo ago

Actually sales dropped right after the jar went out.

schmidt.eva20h ago

Vera, you mentioned it might be about setup - can you be more specific on what exactly you changed? Like was the jar a clear mason jar or a painted coffee can, and did you put a sign on it or leave it naked? I’m curious if the lighting or placement in your shop made people actually see it versus just walking past. Trying to figure out if the jar itself matters or if it’s all just luck.