Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: dentlfly on June 15, 2005, 07:30:17 am
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what is appropriate tip for each of 3 guys to deliver hot tub; they can drive truck into backyard and straight shot onto deck. they also need to install cover lifter. i will fill tub and dealer will come out next day to treat water.
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I've always found getting 5 or 10 dollars each is enough. Most people we deliver to do not tip, so the 5 or 10 goes a long way with me. One of my pet peeves is when there are 3 guys on the delivery and the owner gives 10 or 20 dollars. If there are 3 guys, give an amount that is divisible by 3. Makes life easier for everyone.
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The delivery guys usually but their backsides, accomplish unbelievable things sometime and most often go without a thank you.
Occasionally they are tipped by those who feel the job or service rendered is appropriate of a thank you or a gratuity. This puts a big smile on their face and they in turn put a big smiley face on the deliver sheet which is transfered to the customer record. This may eventually earn a "reward" or consideration of cutting someone a break in the future. ;)
What goes around, comes around. ;D
A little bit of kindness goes a long way. It could be simply a glass of ice water on a hot day, or a soda on departure, it does not have to be a cash tip, but that always seems to leave an impression. ;D ;D
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OMG!!! I never thought about tipping! darn you guys are good at making sure I know thses things!
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TIPPING?
OK, how about this:
Let's see, the car dealership where I just spent $32 K on a new vehicle, how much should I tip the guy that installed my accessories?
Hmm, the guy that works for Waste Mangement who picks up my trash every Thursday from that $8K a year dumpster I rent, how much should I tip him?
Hey, the guys that just painted the interior of my house for $3,200, how much should I tip them?
And, oh yeah, the delivery guy from Sears that just delivered my $3,000 refrigerator, how much should I tip him?
Meanwhile, the police officer who was recently shot and killed in our area while trying to prevent the abduction of a woman in a parking lot -- while OFF duty -- SORRY, no tip for him, huh?
In the event ya'll didn't guess, I have a REAL attitude about "tipping" everyone, especially when some individuals think it's expected. I tip GOOD (usually 20%) when I receive GOOD service and am TREATED well, NOT because someone just did their job. It also seems that the people who deserve the most, sure seem to get the least.
Want a good tip? PAY your delivery people better so they don't need tips to get by and so they have a better attitude about customer service and ultimately INCREASE the value of the product you sell.
THEN, maybe, I'll consider tipping them.
Otherwise, SORRY.
OK, I'm done.... It's my turn to roast this week so let me have it... ;)
Drewski (the Scrooge)
:P
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Ok, but what if the persons that are delivering my hot tub are the owners??? do I still tip them even though they just got a check from me for 5700 bucks?
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I'm with Drewski on this.
If the guys are exceptional then tipping them 10 or 20 bucks is fine but it's totally a subjective call.
Steve
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The lead tech came out for my delivery, because it was the first crane delivery they had ever done, and he wanted to take pictures. I offered them all a glass of water or soda, but the lead tech told me no. He then went down to the local 7-11 and bought each of the 3 a gatorade and when I offered him money to pay for them, he refused! He told me that I was the customer, they were doing a job they were paid for, and they got off a little easy (the crane did the heavy lifting)! They took the packing off, set it in the final spot, hooked up my cover lift, and helped me get it filling!
I tried!!!
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I just gave them water and creamsicles (it was very hot). I never thought about tipping them though. It was a direct route from driveway to rear concrete pad, the entire pathway was concrete with no obstructions roughly 70 ft, dropped it down and filled it up.
Ray
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They arrived at 10:30pm, couldn't put the steps together, drilled a hole in my cover, put the lifter together wrong, and tried to sell me a $200 chemical kit.
I think I tipped them the right amount. ;D
I did get them fired though. 8)
Oh, yea, they left before I could hook up the electric (10 minutes) so I was unable to put the access cover back on (torx driver)
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This issue is purely subjective.
95% of customers feel like Drewski, and that is fine. I suppose we could raise the wages for delivery people or even send an extra one or two people out on delivery, and we do when needed, but the customer comes to this board and wants to know the cheapest price he should pay before he commits to buy regardless of delivery conditions. However, if we increase wages or the cost of doing business, we need to increase revenue in the price of goods. And, of course, that means, IF it is not the cheapest price and we lose your business. Obviously, we must remain competitive to get your business.
I know, I can here you saying it, if the other dealer can include delivery why can't you. Keep in mind some of these units weigh 500 pounds, while other weigh upwards to 1,000 pounds and even more, and not two of our deliveries are ever alike. Until you deliver spas for a living, you will never appreciate what is expected of the delivery people. :P
Remember, 95% of deliveries do not tip, but why is it the other 5% tip? First, they have the financial ability to say thank you in a special way, secondly, you tip for “service” and "extra effort", that is what these people do. When you are told to expect 3 steps up to the deck and there are 7, it can make a world of difference. When you have to go up or down slopes or hills without power equipment, just labor why don’t you help? Many people think delivering Hot Tubs to where they want them is like Santa getting down the chimney. It is just going to happen. ::)
I am sorry drew, when I got stopped for a traffic violation, I did not tip the officer, but he d**n well may have saved my life by slowing me down or pointing out that I was not doing something right. However, when I get those solicitation calls for their benefits, I do contribute. Is that a tip? ???
Tipping is just a way of saying thank you for the extra effort, or going out of your way, or putting forth an the extra effort, for what I was too lazy to do for myself. I can carry my own bags thank you, but there are certain times when tips are expected as a source of income. This is not one of them. I deeply resent having to tip because it is suggested, recommended, or even expected. Did you ever take a cruise that was rather expensive to begin with? Did you tip anyone? ???
I think a tip can come in the form of a cold glass of ice water, or a soda. I do not think the attitude represented here is kind or caring of the things people do for others. On the other hand, is the extra effort expected without as much as a thank you? :-/
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The owner of the company delivered my spa, along with one helper. I was the third person and without my help, they could have easily damaged my spa. I did offer drinks, but no tip. I assume the delivery charge is included in the cost of the spa (that's what I was told). Isn't that enough?
They did forget the cover lifter, and then later said it was 3 weeks backordered... causing me to permanently set my spa in the room, forgoing the lifter. Not a "bad" experience, but Tip worthy?
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...when I got stopped for a traffic violation, I did not tip the officer,
If he gave you a hefty fine/ticket for the violation, well yea, you kinda "Tipped". You local police department thanks you.
Traffic tickets=City revenue.
;)
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Tipping: When I see a college student bustintg their a$$ to bring my fat a$$ drinks,I tip!
When I go to a car wash and it is 110 degrees outside,and these guys are sweatin like pigs just to get the water spots off.I tip!
When I drop my 6 year old daughter off at the baby sitter,knowing that my daughter is going to eat food and snacks there.I tip!
When the moving guys took the time to put every box in its appropriate room I tip!
When I was in Cabo 2 years ago with L.A spas for a week ,I sat on the beach every time I raised my hand (with the wristband on it) I was served a margarita.I tipped!
When they carried me upstairs......oh sorry!
What is different about our spa delivery guys???
I tip them evry time I ask them to move a tub around the showroom.I moved them myself 'til my first hernia.From now on.I tip! ;)
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did not mean to ruffle so many feathers. i will tip these guys unless they really mess up; that it just my way. i was just curious about an amount. i worked in high school and college delivering furniture. any form of tip was appreciated whether it was cash or a cold drink. it was always the difficult deliveries(like third floor) that customer just thought it was part of your job. well they were right. it was my job but it is nice to know that your efforts are appreciated. if for no other reason, tipping people for their efforts makes me feel good. and it really is not the amount that matters.
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I tip when I go to church as well. Why tempt fate!
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I tip when I go to church as well. Why tempt fate!
And it will be returned tenfold!! :D
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My new tub comes in 2 weeks and I was not planning on tipping the delivery people. It's a pretty straight forword install on an outside patio. No steps, no obstuctions. Big, wide open flat yard and driveway.
The dealer values the delivery at $400. The team ALWAYS uses a crane. I told them it could be driven around to the back, but they said "no."
If it turns out to be a difficult install and the guys are going above and beyond, then I will reconsider tipping them.
These guys have already stated they wont take any of the packing material away with them and when I asked them about removal of my old small POS spa, the said $600. :o
Um...no thanks.
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Who did you buy that spa from again? ???
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From a different perspective, someone that has actually delivered spas. A tip is not expected. That was our job. If we did a good job, and were rewarded with a tip it made our day. We would even talk about it when we got off.
Those guys have the hardest job in the industry..I've been there. I would buy them lunch every chance I had.
I think 5-10 a person if they do a great job is a good jester...they will have smiles on their face!
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I bought the spa from New Englang Spa and Sunroom.
On the invoice they list delivery as $400.00 dollars, but the salesperson removed it and "gave" me free delivery.
What I don't get is the "Don't take away the packing material" and "sure we'll remove the old spa for 600.
WTF? The transfer/dump station is 20 minutes away and charges $98 a ton..... so I guess I'll do it myself.
Unless anyone in Central MA wants an old Nordic tub cheap? ;D
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If he gave you a hefty fine/ticket for the violation, well yea, you kinda "Tipped". You local police department thanks you.
Traffic tickets=City revenue.
;)
I consider this arbitrary and bordering a legal form of extortion. I did not "kinda tip", it was not my choice and any fine was determined by his decision as to what the arbitrary "violation" would be for. But, I do consider things like this to be a wake up call to be more cautious and aware of "hidden" and "lurking" traps intending to catch people at what we all do, cross the line of what is right and what is wrong. I consider it akin to saving my life, so I can smile and focus on a good thing, instead of the "a$$h**e" that chose to be blunt, direct, ask for my license and not to give any breaks because he had the authority to do so just because he was having a "bad day". >:(
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I think 5-10 a person if they do a great job is a good jester...they will have smiles on their face!
I expect all good Jesters to have smiles on thier faces! What else are Jesters for?
Tipping someone for exceptional work, Now thats a nice *GESTURE* ;)
I know, I know my spelling is a nightmare too. :)
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I never really thought about tipping since I know I'll be charged a delivery charge so thanks for bringing it up - now I know.
I have no problem tipping unless the delivery is screwed up like when I moved. These guys stood around expecting a tip but since they were 2 weeks late delivering the furniture, scratched several pieces and destroyed a dining room table, I didn't feel obligated at all.
I can definitely tell you which moving company NOT to use.
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I bought the spa from New Englang Spa and Sunroom.
On the invoice they list delivery as $400.00 dollars, but the salesperson removed it and "gave" me free delivery.
What I don't get is the "Don't take away the packing material" and "sure we'll remove the old spa for 600.
WTF? The transfer/dump station is 20 minutes away and charges $98 a ton..... so I guess I'll do it myself.
Unless anyone in Central MA wants an old Nordic tub cheap? ;D
I realize I'm just a salesperson not an owner, $600 I find that ludicrous!
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I expect all good Jesters to have smiles on thier faces! What else are Jesters for?
Tipping someone for exceptional work, Now thats a nice *GESTURE* ;)
I know, I know my spelling is a nightmare too. :)
OOPs...That was Funny!!
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I realize I'm just a salesperson not an owner, $600 I find that ludicrous!
I agree. After all the truck is already there at my house, complete with crane, crew and anything needed to move the old tub. I'd figure they'd charge me $150-$200 (which I thought was still higway robbery, but was willing to pay for the convience). But $600? Christ, do I get a kiss first?
Actually, I'll probabbly have some cash with me that day and ask the driver directly "How much to make the old tub and this packing material to disapear?"
Don't mean to threadjack. maybe we need an old tub removal thread?
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I realize I'm just a salesperson not an owner, $600 I find that ludicrous!
Maybe they don't want to remove the old spas so they price themselves out of the market, unless someone really wants to pay that amount.
Brewman
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I realize I'm just a salesperson not an owner, $600 I find that ludicrous!
That price is given rather than truthfully saying "no, we don't haul away the old one". A typical charge of something like $100 is usually accepted by a homeowner who obviously doesn't want the hassle of removal. A dealer charging $600 gets VERY few takers and has simply decided not to offer this service which to me is a reflection on their willingness to help the customer after the sale. Those that charge $100 or $150 for removal don't do it for the $ as its a hassle.
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It's crazy on the east coast...you all have your own rules out there! Myself, I would ask nicely to include this and I'll pay the hundred for the dump charge. I know what they are charging for hot tubs out there and I can promise that wont break them!
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did not mean to ruffle so many feathers. i will tip these guys unless they really mess up; that it just my way.
Trust me brother, you didn't ruffle my feathers. I was just in "one of those moods" this morning and "customer service" is one of my buttons. I'd encourage you to do what makes you happy and I'd certainly NOT bust on you for it!
A little bit of kindness goes a long way. It could be simply a glass of ice water on a hot day, or a soda on departure, it does not have to be a cash tip, but that always seems to leave an impression.
To me, this is common courtesy to anyone working on stuff for me (including contractors), even if they aren't doing the best job of it. I generally find that staying out of the way and offering food and beverages is the best way to make contractors happy. J._McD is right on the mark with this!
Ok, but what if the persons that are delivering my hot tub are the owners??? do I still tip them even though they just got a check from me for 5700 bucks?
Backpains, hon, when you bought the tub did you ask them if they'd mind if you gave them $50 more for it then what they wanted? I'd be much more inclined to tip some young kids delivering the tub and doing an excellent job of it (including setting it up) then the guy I just shucked out $$$ to.... BTW, thanks for the compliment in the other thread!
They arrived at 10:30pm, couldn't put the steps together, drilled a hole in my cover, put the lifter together wrong, and tried to sell me a $200 chemical kit.
I think I tipped them the right amount.
Now THAT"s what I'm talk'n 'bout!
[Tipping is just a way of saying thank you for the extra effort, or going out of your way, or putting forth an the extra effort, for what I was too lazy to do for myself. I can carry my own bags thank you, but there are certain times when tips are expected as a source of income. This is not one of them. I deeply resent having to tip because it is suggested, recommended, or even expected. Did you ever take a cruise that was rather expensive to begin with? Did you tip anyone?
"But there are certain times when tips are expected as a source of income" goes to the heart of my issue. I will NOT tip, regardless of circumstance, unless the service is GOOD -- not EXCELLENT mind you, just GOOD. I actually had a waitress follow me out of a resturaunt one night and yell at me on the sidewalk when I left $0 on a $110 bill. Why? Because I had to find her 3 times in the span of 30 minutes to get served. In each case she was talking to someone at the entrance instead of waiting her tables. Same place the next night, I left $10 on a $40 bar tab for 45 minutes because the bartender made certain my glass was NEVER empty and KNEW how to carry on a conversation. Believe me, I'm not a hard case or cheap. When I go to Vegas I tip the room maid at the Grand on the first day I'm there because I KNOW they take GOOD care of me.
I think a tip can come in the form of a cold glass of ice water, or a soda. I do not think the attitude represented here is kind or caring of the things people do for others. On the other hand, is the extra effort expected without as much as a thank you?
A "cold glass of ice water, or a soda" is not what the original poster was asking, was it? Taking care of people doing work for you is always something I do. As far as being "kind and caring for others," anyone who knows my posts here (and since you've only been here for 2 months, you might not) can tell you I usually am.
BUT, if a tip of CASH is to be had, I'd better DARN well see some GOOD work to justify it.
OK, once again, I'm off my soapbox..
Peace and Hot Water...
Drewski
:P
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The two (strapping young men as my wife calls them) were so ggod at the installation they only had time for two refills. I have beer on tap 8' from my hot tub strategically located next to the door to our deck ;D
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I tipped the two guys who delivered my spa 20.00 each on a hot August day. I tipped the service tech 20.00 when I had my only ever service call.
BTW, I purchased from NE Spas.
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Three guys delivered my Piper Glen in pouring rain, cold rain. They rolled tub on trailer around my house to back and tub had to be lifted about 8 inches onto deck. One of the guys got under tub and lifted with his back!??? I gave them twenty each beacuse I only had 60.00 on me. They installed all parts/equipment in the rain and then asked if there was anything else I needed. Two months earlier these same guys delivered a sauna to my second floor. I think they deserved to be tipped!
Hey J McD, Do we share the same Name???
john McDonough!
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Drewstar
Even though you have a wide open delivery route, your spa is most likely going to be lifted over your house and into place. NE Spas outsources their deliveries, so you may have some luck with the driver/crane operator, especially if you are at the end of their deliveries. Otherwise, they may have a load of new spas already on the truck.
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Drewski, I won't touch your customer button again unless I need you, as long as you don't touch my "red wire". You may have noticed there have been a lot of toes being stepped on around here, and I do not beleive any of us really intend to offend each other, but to express our thoughts. ;D
Hey J McD, Do we share the same Name
john McDonough!
John McD, now that would be a fine irish name but not the same, however it sounds the same as in Donald after a few brews. ;D
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I had mine delivered a couple of weeks back - I tipped the guys - they did a fine job of putting a crane over my house, putting the spa where I told them and not breaking anything... I also bought from NE Spas. They may not want to take the old spa because they contract out to Titan (at least in Boston they do) and the delivery truck has a flatbed with x number of deliveries on it. They may not want the hassle of moving the old tub around while trying to make a delivery schedule.
I can tell you that the cost of the delivery is pretty darn close to worth $400. Since my wife changed her mind about the location of the spa - I had to call Titan on my own to have them move it (off the deck) about 10 feet to the patio. Again they needed the crane - but not a difficult move. The cost... $350. Not negotiable (I tried) and they did it when they were in the area making other deliveries! This time no tip.
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Spa was delivered on Monday. Delivery guys did a great job of rolling the spa on the dolly through the gate and setting it down on the platform hubby built. I actually never thought to tip them, but did offer soft drinks and kept the glasses refilled. I thought the electrician had a tougher job that day, climbing up into the attic with all the wiring on a hot day.
Sure am enjoying our new spa!
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OK, consider this tipping incident:
My tub was purchased from a dealer 200+ miles away. The 2 installers left the shop at 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning last July and arrived on site at 8:30 a.m. with tub and forklift. They were able to lift the spa up onto my 8' high deck and "squeeze" it through the 8' space left for them in the railing without nary a scratch. BTW, it was about 90 degrees and in full sun that morning. We plied them with ice water during the installation. by 10:30 a.m., they had loaded up all the packing material and they were pulling out for their 5 hour ride back with a C-note I gave them for a tip. 8)
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When we built our current house, about 6 years ago, there was a huge building boom going on in this area, and a drywall shortage that ultimately delayed our closing by about 2 weeks.
Anyway, during the drywall phase of our build, we went over to see how it was going, and the drywall crew was just finishing up for the day. It was very hot, and they'd been working non-stop for months on end. Making a lot of money, I'm sure, but still working long hours.
We thanked them for doing such a nice job on our house, and I pulled a cooler full of beer out of the back of my truck, and said help yourself. They were very greatful, said the most homeowners just came by to nit-pick and pester them, and how nice it was just to be offered a cold drink after a hot day. I don't consider that a tip, just being social. And they did do a nice job on our house.
Brewman
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We plied them with ice water during the installation. by 10:30 a.m., they had loaded up all the packing material and they were pulling out for their 5 hour ride back with a C-note I gave them for a tip. 8)
See, now THAT's a tip! How ya been P?
Drewski
8)
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When our tub was delivered, I didn't even think to tip the delivery guys.
We had some issues getting the tub up and running. Had to call the techs out the next day (turned out to be the motherboard). They were out here for a while and went above and beyond. While they were here the converstion turned to music. We found out that one likes the Blues and the other listens to Classic Rock. By the time they left, my husband (whose passion is music of all kinds) gave them each 3 CD's of his homemade compilations of their favorite genres. We are now on first name basis with "our" techs and I frequently see them when I go in to buy chems. They have mentioned that they listen to those CD's all the time and love them.
Hopefully we have a smiley face on our paperwork!
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See, now THAT's a tip! How ya been P?
Drewski
8)
Duuude,
Been great--especially with the winds we've been having. Hope your summer is going great, too! WOOF
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Drewstar
Even though you have a wide open delivery route, your spa is most likely going to be lifted over your house and into place. NE Spas outsources their deliveries, so you may have some luck with the driver/crane operator, especially if you are at the end of their deliveries. Otherwise, they may have a load of new spas already on the truck.
Yup. I'm not complaing about it. In my case, it's significantly overkill...but oh well. So I won't be tipping.
I'll have the digital camera ready to capture this. It's not everday a crane comes to my house to deliver my tub. It's should be pretty cool and get the nieghbors talking
:D
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Backpains, hon, when you bought the tub did you ask them if they'd mind if you gave them $50 more for it then what they wanted? I'd be much more inclined to tip some young kids delivering the tub and doing an excellent job of it (including setting it up) then the guy I just shucked out $$$ to.... BTW, thanks for the compliment in the other thread!
Drew darlin, you are completely welcome. and the tub was 5600, an extra 100 he is charging me for the delivery, I did yesterday ask about tipping him on the phone, he said just have the coffee on and we will be good to go!
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Yup. I'm not complaing about it. In my case, it's significantly overkill...but oh well. So I won't be tipping.
I'll have the digital camera ready to capture this. It's not everday a crane comes to my house to deliver my tub. It's should be pretty cool and get the nieghbors talking
:D
Drewstar,
I was the talk of the neighborhood for awhile after my crane delivery! It is an awesome (and scary) sight to see your tub dangling over your house! My hubby couldn't watch! He kept himself busy talking to our neighbors and telling them what a nice guy he was for letting me get a tub!!!
Pictures are a great idea! I took lots of them, myself!!
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Lori, I know the feeling. I stood next to the homeowner as we were craning a rather large spa over the house. She turned to me with a very worried look on her face and was asking exactly what was going through my mind at the time; what if it slips out of the straps or if they should break. Trying to remain calm myself when asked about the possibilities, I simply told her, we charge more for inside deliveries. ;D ;D ;D
I certainly lightened the anxiety levels at the time, but it goes through everybody's mind at the time.
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Thanks guys. I hadn't even thought of the tub slipping from the crane and crashing through my roof! st one more thing to drive me crazy during this whole adventure ;)
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and I can see that we've gone from "tipping the delivery crew" to "Tipping the spa off the crane"
Thread title is appropriate for either subject :D
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and I can see that we've gone from "tipping the delivery crew" to "Tipping the spa off the crane"
Thread title is appropriate for either subject :D
Speaking of which, I love the scene in Tommy Boy where they go cow tipping.
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Someone asked me to go spa tipping one night, but I didn't fall for it becase I saw Tommy Boy.
Excellent flick, btw.
Brewman
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This tipping thing really makes me boil !! Its an american habit and every time I go over there (often) I am amazed that tipping is expected and indeed I have been verbally abused for not tipping because I didn't think the service i received was good enough ! "We need tips to make up our wages" the waitress moaned. Get a life, argue for a decent wage and leave the punter alone. I order, eat, pay, tip if the service was exceptional, (not because it is expected) and leave. When you ask what is the norm for tipping I,m told 10% on alcohol and 15% on food. You want me to spend a quarter of my hard earned holiday money on tips ? I don.t think so !! At home its not expected but if you feel someone has put themselves out to be helpful or has been exceptional in the manner they attended you then you consider a tip. I cruised recently out of Miami and was mugged for tips at the end of the cruise when envelopes were left dictating the amount to be paid. Some of your resturants add the tip to the credit card before asking for signature-----This is unacceptable behaviour when someone assumes the service was good and dictates the rate of tip. Not to me they dont !! Tips are a bonus, not an expectation, sort out a decent wage and then give 25% of it away if thats the way you feel...........But I do love your country and the friends I have there.
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When you ask what is the norm for tipping I,m told 10% on alcohol and 15% on food. You want me to spend a quarter of my hard earned holiday money on tips ? I don.t think so !!
You wouldn't actually add the 10% for alcohol to the 15% for food in this situation so we wouldn't expect you to spend 1/4 of your hard earned money overall, more like 12.5% (if the cost of the alcohol and the food were equal).
Tipping may be more of an American thing but then again, you were here in America when you had to deal with it!! If I traveled to XXXXland I would expect that I would have to adjust to their customs, even if they felt out of place in my mind.
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all the little birdies sing CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP
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all the little birdies sing CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP
Awsome 1st post. Looking forward to more
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Ditto Anglia67...great post! LOL!!
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There is no doubt that money gets people excited. Earning it, spending it, sometimes saving it sets pulses racing. Frustrations with banks and credit card issuers get us worked up too. But our greatest everyday finance bugbear is reserved for relatively small amounts of money, also known as tips.
The British are not very good at tipping. It can make us feel awkward and unsure. Many of us don't have the confidence of our American cousins when it comes to complaining and witholding cash following poor service. We are also conscious of 'not making a scene' when dining with business contacts and loved ones. We are better than we used to be. But it doesn't help that there is no standard gratuity system in the UK.
Sometimes a bill has no extra charges beyond your food and drink and any gratuity is genuinely left to your discretion. Usually there is a service charge - typically 12.5% - included in the total. If you're really lucky, you can enjoy everyone's favourite add-on: the cover charge. Surely if I had wanted a couple of packets of stale breadsticks, I would have ordered them? Charging a customer for something they did not order - whether they eat it or not - is a rip-off.
In many countries, service is included in the price of your meal and the staff share receipts. Any cash tip on top of that is either a cultural expectation, as in the US (check out bitterwaitress.com unless you're faint-hearted), or an unusual bonus, as in France. The dogs dinner that is our gratuity system prompted the Earl of Bradford, owner of Porters English Restaurant in London, to attempt to get a Bill through the Lords to abolish the hidden service charge in 1996. It failed due to lack of government support but his idea for reform would be along lines of the French system - to enforce a mandatory, uniform service charge across the board, with the knowledge that you shouldn't tip any more on top, unless you're particularly delighted. Or drunk.
Of course the intriguing thing about service charges as a percentage of the bill is that it takes a waiter no more effort to open a £20 bottle of wine than £60 bottle. But you will pay him three times as much in service cost for the privilege.
That said, your waiter is not to blame for the fact that restaurants get away with being the most stingy employers around. Waiting staff are paid what amounts to a nominal salary because it is 'accepted' that they will make up their income through service charges and tips. Some years ago when I was a student, I had a part time job as a waitress. It was non-stop hard work but provided me with valuable insights now I am on the other side of the menu. The restaurant paid us £15 for a six to eight-hour shift. This measly amount was dwarfed by the £60-£100 I made from shared tips per night. The same is true today of almost all restaurants across the country. Until this employment anomaly is rectified, there is little hope of us having a clearer or fairer gratuity system.
Double cream
The red mist really does start to descend when the 'open' credit card slip is presented. This happens in as many as one in five restaurants where the service charge is included in the bill but you are given the chance to add more money when you sign the payment slip. It seems that nothing annoys us more. The idea that you are invited to pay more gets peoples' backs up but cynics believe that when you are perhaps trying to pay discreetly, are a little tipsy or are thinking about collecting your coat and getting a cab (or all of the above) the 'open' credit card slip suggests that service was not included after all and so encourages diners to, erroneously, tip twice.
Richard Shepherd, the owner of Shepherd's and Langan's in London, defends the practice. 'I've done both systems in my time: left the credit-card slip closed and left it open. When I used to leave it closed, so many people were up in arms, saying, 'I wanted to add on a few quid.' If the bill's £48, they want to round it up to £50, even though they know service is included. They really hate paying with a card and then having to pay cash separately.'
There is also the mystery surrounding whether or not the waiter gets the tip if it is added to the bill. Apparently, this is down to the way that the Inland Revenue taxed restaurants. Any tip added to a credit card slip was subject to national insurance. The rules have now changed and restaurants can deduct the gratuity before processing the rest of the payment.
As the law stands, you are within your rights to remove a service charge that has been automatically included in your bill. I don't know whether it's my waitress experience but I am very happy to tip on top of a service charge if my table has been very well looked after. And no, I cannot claim it on expenses. Equally, as a feisty hackette, I have no qualms about quietly and politely raising issues and once refused to pay service charge after an appalling experience.
If in doubt, take a tip from Groucho Marx in A Night At The Opera: 'Do they allow tipping on the boat?' 'Yes, sir.' 'Have you got two fives?' 'Oh, yes, sir.' 'Then you won't need the ten cents I was going to give you.'
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Tipping is expected in the US. If you travel to the States you should make allowences for that exspense in your budget.
The fact is, Wait staff in the US get paid below the legal minimum wage. You may not like it, or agree with it, but its a fact, and a law.
The price of your meal reflects this.
On the upside of things, the amount you leave for a tip is at your discretion.
An annoying trend I've noticed is the wait staff calculating what the "Suggested" tip should be and writting it in on the bill. (This is usually only done on dinner parties larger the 6 people but lately, at some of the more trendy spots they do it for all the tabs, regardless of party size). When the wait staff calculates the tip for me, I make it a deliberate point to leave less than what was calculated, and leave a note that I don't appreciate it. The thing is, I usually leave 20%. They write in 18%, and I'll leave 10%.
Sorry.
The point is....well I have no point.
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I had two delivery guys make a special trip out on the weekend, they did a great job, with my help, were helpful with the setup, installed the coverlifter, and were not part of the company that sold me the tub, so I tipped them $50. Small change compared to the overall cost IMHO.
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"Tip on Tipping?" .... When an appliance or furniture is delivered to my house I greet the guys as they are getting out of the truck & tip them ("usually $10 apiece")THEN .... BEFORE they begin & just say "I want to buy you guys lunch". Well worth the $20 or so to promote a healthy attitude & they always seem to go the "extra mile"