Do you tip your detailer?

[markm]

My guess is that professional detailers, especially one-man outfits, rarely get tipped. I do not expect that this will change, precisely for the reasons markm has given. I do not tip my detailer (actually I've only paid for a detail once and probably will not do it again), for the same reasons I do not tip a plumber, house painter, or auto mechanic. As a rule, those who engage in contractual work do not get tipped. When I contract with a detailer for a particular job, I assume that doing a good job is part of the deal. If he doesn't do a good job, I look for another detailer.

So who do I tip? Those whose livelihoods to a large extent consist of tips: waiters, bartenders, hair stylists, valet parking lot attendants, hotel porters, taxi cab drivers, etc.

This does not mean that I might never tip a detailer for an outstanding job, but it does mean that I do not believe that he should expect such a tip. If the detailer thinks his work deserves more, then he needs to charge more.

It really is just a matter of cultural expectations. Don't take it personally.

You said it much better than I did!

Mark

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

My guess is that professional detailers, especially one-man outfits, rarely get tipped. I do not expect that this will change, precisely for the reasons markm has given. I do not tip my detailer (actually I've only paid for a detail once and probably will not do it again), for the same reasons I do not tip a plumber, house painter, or auto mechanic. As a rule, those who engage in contractual work do not get tipped. When I contract with a detailer for a particular job, I assume that doing a good job is part of the deal. If he doesn't do a good job, I look for another detailer.

So who do I tip? Those whose livelihoods to a large extent consist of tips: waiters, bartenders, hair stylists, valet parking lot attendants, hotel porters, taxi cab drivers, etc.

This does not mean that I might never tip a detailer for an outstanding job, but it does mean that I do not believe that he should expect such a tip. If the detailer thinks his work deserves more, then he needs to charge more.

It really is just a matter of cultural expectations. Don't take it personally.

^^ Good post - I agree...

Don't me wrong, I am not adverse to tips... But I charge a decent hourly wage and I feel that is sufficient.

I would never besmirch or disparage someone for not tipping. As the business owner/operator I set my prices accordingly. I do also agree that if I was not the owner but only the operator (detailer) a tip may be a little more status quo for a quality job.

[LITUNDRA]

As a business owner myself that provides a service I fell that it is not necessary for someone to tip me being that I am an owner operator and I do charge them a fair hourly rate for my services, but with that being said I also feel that a tip is more of an expression of a job well done it symbolizes that they are happy with your hard work and appreciate it. It doesn't necessarily have to be a lot of money even $10 is enough to show someone that you appreciate their work and are thankful of it. I tip everyone and anyone who provides a service for me from the mechanic who changes my oil to the ups driver and I feel it goes a long way.

[SSTG]

always tip for good service in anything related to car care, I stand by it. Even tire rotations, oil changes, and such ... you will be rewarded time and again by someone that cares.

I agree.

[mtnbiker]

My guess is that professional detailers, especially one-man outfits, rarely get tipped. I do not expect that this will change, precisely for the reasons markm has given. I do not tip my detailer (actually I've only paid for a detail once and probably will not do it again), for the same reasons I do not tip a plumber, house painter, or auto mechanic. As a rule, those who engage in contractual work do not get tipped. When I contract with a detailer for a particular job, I assume that doing a good job is part of the deal. If he doesn't do a good job, I look for another detailer.

So who do I tip? Those whose livelihoods to a large extent consist of tips: waiters, bartenders, hair stylists, valet parking lot attendants, hotel porters, taxi cab drivers, etc.

This does not mean that I might never tip a detailer for an outstanding job, but it does mean that I do not believe that he should expect such a tip. If the detailer thinks his work deserves more, then he needs to charge more.

It really is just a matter of cultural expectations. Don't take it personally.

I totaly agree. I'm a self employed remodeler. I've never expected a tip, but when I have received one, I'm grinning ear to ear. These people receive extra special treatment in the future. It's not as much the money but the fact that someone appreciated my service & wanted to show me. I will also add that the tips I HAVE received, have come from the average person, my guess being in the range of retired to about 60K a year. I have NEVER received a tip from a wealthy person even though they are repeat customers. Some as much as 10 yrs. If I had my choice, all my customers would be the average person. The ones with money can be tough to work for. Sorry for venting. That's what happens after 30 yrs in the business.

[SATMAN40]

As a business owner, the tip is when they come back, or send a friend.

It is OK to tip the help they work by the hour, the owner is the last to be paid, and sometimes not at all.

I have had many a free beers, free legal and even medical service, even barber shop owners do not expect tips.

As for Beauty operators being good tippers, don't bet on it, seen a many stiff a bartender.

Never work for a tip, work for a repeat customer, this is a bicycle business quit peddling and you quit moving.

Retired...because of repeat clients, not tips.

[Mike Phillips]

Interesting to read all the different points of view in this thread...

[ZionsWrath]

I tip people who are paid less than minimum wage because they are expected to make money from tips. Although I don't agree that any job should be that way, I understand it is common place and don't want to stiff these people.

Someone detailing my car and is charging X dollars per hour doesn't need a tip IMO. The rate is determined based on them not getting a tip. Sure they do a good job, but that is the whole point of hiring them.

If anyone deserves a tip it is nurses in the hospital. They have to clean your BLANK and deal with your BLANK all day. Or what about public school teachers?

[Edit: I"ve removed language that breaks our Forum Rules
-Mike Phillips]

Life would be much easier without all this politically correct stuff. I would much rather each job is paid a fair salary and tips are not an expected thing.

[sullysdetailing]

always tip for good service in anything related to car care, I stand by it. Even tire rotations, oil changes, and such ... you will be rewarded time and again by someone that cares.

I do they same think but my mechanic is a really good friend and doesn't want it but i still offer

I get a tip every once in a while I would say every 1 in 5 details. It not always a huge tip. But I would much rather theme post up on there forum about how they liked the service so I can get more clients from it.

[RaskyR1]

My guess is that professional detailers, especially one-man outfits, rarely get tipped. I do not expect that this will change, precisely for the reasons markm has given. I do not tip my detailer (actually I've only paid for a detail once and probably will not do it again), for the same reasons I do not tip a plumber, house painter, or auto mechanic. As a rule, those who engage in contractual work do not get tipped. When I contract with a detailer for a particular job, I assume that doing a good job is part of the deal. If he doesn't do a good job, I look for another detailer.

So who do I tip? Those whose livelihoods to a large extent consist of tips: waiters, bartenders, hair stylists, valet parking lot attendants, hotel porters, taxi cab drivers, etc.

This does not mean that I might never tip a detailer for an outstanding job, but it does mean that I do not believe that he should expect such a tip. If the detailer thinks his work deserves more, then he needs to charge more.

It really is just a matter of cultural expectations. Don't take it personally.

Hey stranger.

While I definitely never expect to receive a tip for my detailing services, I always find myself doing more work than what was in the original contract. I don't do it because I'm trying to get a tip...I do it because I love what I do and if I see something that I feel needs some attention I simply do it.

If a contracted worker goes out of their way to give me something extra out side of the required work, you can bet I'll be tipping them.

Rasky