NYU Washington Square News:
Tipping is now possible with the swipe of a credit card, thanks to a new machine called DipJar, which resembles a traditional tip jar.
DipJar co-founder and CEO Ryder Kessler was inspired while observing the crew of his coffee shop on a busy day in 2008. According to Kessler, his employees told him the benefit of receiving tips at the end of the day was challenged by many customers who pay with a card and not cash.
“I wondered why there wasn’t a tip jar for credit and debit cards. A way for customers paying for their morning latte with a credit card to leave a $1 tip just as easily as someone paying with cash,†Kessler said. “That’s when the initial idea for DipJar was born.â€
In summer 2012, Kessler and his brother, Judd, designed the product and introduced it to a few New York City coffee shops. Before releasing the pilot DipJars, Kessler said they spoke to retailers about their ideas.
“It hasn’t been a very hard sell,†he said. “Retailers like the idea that their employees can take home more money at no cost to them.â€