Do you tip your detailer?

[Bunky]

I only tip my barber but then I pay around $20 for about 15 minutes and then think of detailers busting their behinds trying to get $30 (in less than an hour) for just a decent less swirl wash.

[C. Charles Hahn]

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.

Rasky, I can totally relate to this.... because I do the same. I think that's probably true of a lot of us on this site who detail professionally. It comes from the same place that compels us to post on a site like this.

[akimel]

I hope no one misunderstands. I hope that all of you pros will receive lots and lots of tips for your hard work.

I am reminded of Steve Martin's line in "My Blue Heaven": "It's not tipping I believe in. It's overtipping."

At one point in the movie Vinnie Antonelli (Steve Martin) tries to tip his FBI handler, Barney Coopersmith (Rick Moranis). "You don't tip FBI men," Barney tells him. "Sure you do!" Vinnie replies.

[waqas5742]

I do tip when I get my car a professional detailing services here in Detroit, I tip based on how the work is done, I try to gauge work done from previous services to this and pay anywhere between 7-15% tip.

[Flash Gordon]

I asked a customer once why she tips so generously. She replied with the following:

To
Insure
Prompt
Service

Guess who I will drop everything for to help out

[sulla]

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.

I hope this thread doesnt turn into a justification for 'if you want my best effort tip me...else you'll get what you pay for'

Im just an admin guy who earns 20 bucks an hour and of course nobody tips the admin guy.. I feel heavy about tipping someone who charges 50 dollars or maybe more per hour

But yeah i guess some of the top dollars detailers have refused my business since they sensed that i dont tip...it's all good..better than they take my business and give me "since you didnt tip me result"

[JSMet]

This is a good topic. My personal feeling is that tipping a person who does "above and beyond" what is expected at any type of service related occupation is rarely compensated nowadays in a way to show that the service was appreciated. Maybe it's one of the ways our culture has been changing; I don't know, but if you appreciate the way you were treated, or the service provided, it will go a long way in ensuring future good service to tip the provider. To me it's money well spent.

[SeaJay's]

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

Couldn't have said it better myself Rasky. I've come to the point where I realize that most customers will not tip me. Which is fine and I do not expect it. But like you I always go above and beyond and will do things that are not in the original agreement. For example checking tire pressures, washer fluid (I usually have some around), removing a stain in the carpet, etc. I find that it's these little extras that allow me to stand out some what from others and shows my customer I really do enjoy and care about what I do.

I was a waiter for a while and I realize that a lot of people are naturally cheap. No offense to them and I completely understand. Who doesn't like saving a buck or two? I always tip at least 20% for good service. If it's great service and someone goes above and beyond I'll tip more. Just because someone doesn't rely on tips for their income doesn't mean it's not appreciated or remembered. Especially when say a job runs over time. Great example would be a work truck I did a few weeks ago. I ended up spending 4 hours only on the interior and I estimated (before seeing the truck) that it would be around 4 and half hours for interior and exterior. Well, I ended up working for 6 and half hours. The customer greatly appreciated me staying until the job was done and was impressed and tossed me an extra $40.

Whenever I get a tip from a customer I record that for my own reference. Next time around I'll be sure to go that extra step or whatever it may be to ensure the customer is impressed all over again.

This is just my opinion being a detailer and someone that always tips well (as long as the service is good).

[SATMAN40]

A tip in a way is a joke, you have a restaurant getting away with not paying minimum wage and sticking it on the customers quilt complex

How that group pulled it off must have taken some real political donations.

I always did extra when I worked, it's a cheap form of advertisement, and your best client is a happy one. The slouch who does less than he is paid for will always finish second. in anything he does,

Sometime you are not suppose to tip the owner, and yet many times he works the hardest.

Gripes me about the restaurant, many do not know the tip is split, buss boy and bartenders also take their share., and don't forget Uncle Sam, and the restaurant owner beats the matching SS tab, doesn't seem fair, but then nothing is. We leave cash and hope the server slips it in their pocket.

In short you can get anything you desire, as long as you help enough people get what they desire...it does help to prime the pump to get the water flowing....

[Kristopher1129]

It always blows my mind when I run a customers card, and they sign the receipt and actually put 0, or a line through the tip section. Especially when I make double sure every customer is happy, and am doing my very best to serve them.

I do get a LOT of tips, but I still am thrown back when someone ignores the tip. I don't care if it's a dollar. It's not even about the money, I even consider an excited reaction to the finished job a tip in my mind. I just like to know they feel I did a really good job...is that too much to ask!? haha

Nice write up!