topic Re: Question on Tipping in Among Friends

Question on Tipping

SeaMaiden — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 16:47:57 GMT

I have a landscape crew out cleaning up my front yard right now. We agreed to $600 for the job. Weeding, putting bark down, general sprucing up...... I get so confused as to who you should tip, and who you do not have to tip...any suggestions or comments would be helpful.

Re: Question on Tipping

Mj12 — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 16:52:09 GMT

@SeaMaiden - for me it would depend on how many workers are there. If 2 or 3 people, I'd give $20 each (and plenty of bottled water!)

Re: Question on Tipping

SeaMaiden — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 16:54:38 GMT

@Mj12 wrote:
@SeaMaiden - for me it would depend on how many workers are there. If 2 or 3 people, I'd give $20 each (and plenty of bottled water!)

@Mj12 One of the three is the owner... I did not think to buy water....but I gave them access to a bathroom. Thankfully it is cool here....barely 70 and overcast.

Re: Question on Tipping

KentuckyWoman — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 17:09:58 GMT

Wow. I guess I must be a scrooge. We have never tipped any landscaper or his crews. Never occurred to me.

Re: Question on Tipping

Moonchilde — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 17:12:39 GMT

For me it would depend in how much "above and beyond" their finished work is. Did they just do the bare acceptable minimum agreed upon work or did they take extra time and care to make sure it looks really nice, i.e. do they take pride in their work and want you to be happy with the job vs. just okay with it and movin' on to next job see ya...

If they just do their thing bare minimum, I honestly wouldn't tip them. I tip generously for many services, but I don't believe every job requires or deserves a gratuity. If OTOH they went the extra mile, I would tip them something; $60 split between seems good to me for that.

Re: Question on Tipping

sidsmom — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 17:15:27 GMT

@KentuckyWoman wrote:
Wow. I guess I must be a scrooge. We have never tipped any landscaper or his crews. Never occurred to me.

You're not a Scrooge.

Most people wouldn't consider tipping for a service like this.

It's a service with a contract.

No tip, but the water/bathroom is a nicety.

Re: Question on Tipping

BinkyBinky — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 17:18:56 GMT

We just had a "huge" landscaping job completed where there was 3-8 workers on-site doing brick work, etc., over a period of 3-4 weeks. Considering the cost of the project, we did not feel it was necessary to tip anyone. I do, however, tip my UPS gentleman that brings my QVC pkgs. - maybe I should stop that!!! and those pkgs. will stop coming.

Re: Question on Tipping

SahmIam — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 17:30:44 GMT

I wouldn't tip. They were hired to do the job and that's what I pay.

Re: Question on Tipping

DiAnne — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 17:53:33 GMT

I have never even heard of tipping landscapers or the UPS man. I tip valets, waiters, taxi drivers, baggage handlers, maids in hotels - that is all I can think of.

Re: Question on Tipping

Zita — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 18:07:38 GMT

While on this subject, I will be moving from a 3 br TH to a 2br apt in September. I believe the movers will be three guys and a truck. I have downsized a remarkable amount of stuff and furniture, so I really question the need for three people, but ... do I have to tip these fellows? The price is hefty (around $1200 just to go around 5 miles within my suburb). No really heavy furniture, and i will do my own packing of dishes and kitchen stuff.

Thanks!

Re: Question on Tipping

chrystaltree — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 18:09:10 GMT

I have never in my life tipped a professional landscaping crew. They are not service workers, so tipping is not required. It's like plumbers, electricians, roofers. You don't tip those workers. You pay them enough as it is.

Re: Question on Tipping

Mj12 — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 18:17:22 GMT

I don't tip the landcape people for the weekly mowing. But I don't know, for a special, big job like in the OP, I would.

Re: Question on Tipping

panda1234 — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 18:44:34 GMT

@Zita wrote:
While on this subject, I will be moving from a 3 br TH to a 2br apt in September. I believe the movers will be three guys and a truck. I have downsized a remarkable amount of stuff and furniture, so I really question the need for three people, but ... do I have to tip these fellows? The price is hefty (around $1200 just to go around 5 miles within my suburb). No really heavy furniture, and i will do my own packing of dishes and kitchen stuff.

Thanks!

No tipping for the movers but lots of cold bottled water.

Re: Question on Tipping

panda1234 — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 18:46:38 GMT

Never tipped the landscapers, already paying a price.

Re: Question on Tipping

DiAnne — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 18:52:03 GMT

@Zita

I would only tip movers that go the extra mile (like hook up washer and dryer, etc). I made a small move in my town several years ago and the two movers were great and my furniture was all solid wood so it was heavy. It was a hot day. I bought them lunch, supplied cold water and gave them a tip.

Re: Question on Tipping

Imadickens — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 19:09:03 GMT

Hope I'm not too late...first, take them large pitcher of ice water! If the do anything above and beyond, like another task or are particularly good with the after clean up, like putting any bags by curb, trash in cans, etc, I'd give each guy, up to three guys $10 each. If there are just one or two men and you feel they did more than expected, I'd tip $20 each. If they did just the bare minimum, give them a big thank you!

Re: Question on Tipping

Imadickens — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 19:11:35 GMT

sorry, I hit button before I finished...the owner of company should not be tipped as he gets majority of fee, unless you feel he also did above and beyond. If there is a "Forman" on the you might ask if tipping is allowed!

Re: Question on Tipping

Moonchilde — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 20:01:54 GMT

I have always tipped movers, and everyone I know does - unless they lose or break something.

Re: Question on Tipping

SeaMaiden — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 20:04:07 GMT

Well, the job is done....I did decide to tip each person. It was the owner, his son( about 16 who I guess is helping him out during the summer ), and one worker. I Handed each person an envelope containing $20, and thanked them. I will have them back again and it is nice to let them know how much you appreciate their hard labor. Good reliable help is not easy to find.

Re: Question on Tipping

Peaches McPhee — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 20:05:52 GMT

I would not tip a landscaper. In fact, I just had work done earlier this year; it never never crossed my mind to tip.