Another Tipping Question...

[AKL_Megs]

I'm sorry, I have another question about giving a tip.

Our drywall contractor quoted us a certain amount to drywall our basement, and finished the other day. He came in $250 under budget, and billed us accordingly. I wasn't home, or I would have given him a tip. My husband paid him and said they got to talking and it didn't cross his mind. He's a co-worker of my husband, and a really nice guy. He went above and beyond and did beautiful work.

Anyways, I was thinking $50? Enough to get himself something, or take his wife to dinner? But then I was thinking, is that enough?

What do you all think is acceptable?

 

[DrCavin]

I wouldn't tip. IMO tipping has gotten out of hand.

 

[kirbsam]

no tip in this situation. he gave the bid and billed you enough to make his time worth it to him. to me, this case of not tipping is a no brainer.

 

[Hoodie]

No tip. He was already paid for his services.

 

[AKL_Megs]

no tip in this situation. he gave the bid and billed you enough to make his time worth it to him. to me, this case of not tipping is a no brainer.

Really? Hmm... I figured we should since he didn't HAVE to tell us he spent less. He just as easily could have said nothing. I'd like to commend his honesty.

 

[Hoodie]

I wouldn't tip. IMO tipping has gotten out of hand.

Yes it has!

Thread hijack - We have a self-serve frozen yogurt place. Literally self-serve - you get the cup, you operate the machine, you put on toppings at the toppings bar, you put the cup on the scale.

The cashier presses a button and sticks a spoon in the cup. There's a tip cup next to her. I'm not sure why as I literally did everything but stick a spoon in the cup. What are we tipping for?

 

[tiggersbombed2]

No tip from me either. Next up, tipping your salesclerk for correctly ringing up your order?

 

[castmemberb4]

Really? Hmm... I figured we should since he didn't HAVE to tell us he spent less. He just as easily could have said nothing. I'd like to commend his honesty.

If he was someone I hired out of the phone book I would not tip him.
Since he is a co-worker of your DH if you want to do something for him
how about a GC to a restaurant group or a VISA gift card, along
with a thank you note.

 

[mrspaha]

I agree with others that tipping has gotten out of hand -- and have said so in other threads probably to the point where people think I'm a real cheapskate.

But, in this case, since he's a co-worker of your husband and you sound very happy with his work, and he asked to be paid $250 less than what you both agreed upon, I think a thank you token of some sort would be really nice.

I usually shy away from gift cards, unless you know for sure what his favorite restaurant or store is. Otherwise the recipient is forced to use it somewhere that he doesn't appreciate, and generally ends up paying out of his own pocket for anything over the value of the gift card.

So, I would give him cash --$50 sounds good to me, and tell him you appreciate the job he did, and you're hoping he'll treat himself and his favorite person to dinner.

 

[golfgal]

I would "tip" him by referring him to your friends. I agree, tipping has gotten out of hand. You paid him for his services, if he overestimated, that is on him. Perhaps he intentionally pads his estimates so people aren't shocked if he has to go over for unforeseen work.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

I wouldn't consider this a tip. It is a performance bonus for an on-time, under budget project. In some industries this is a common practice, maybe not home improvement, but large contruction projects often have these incentives built in.

If you feel he did a fantastic job and was honest, I see no problem giving him a $50 bonus.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I wouldn't tip.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

If he was someone I hired out of the phone book I would not tip him.
Since he is a co-worker of your DH if you want to do something for him
how about a GC to a restaurant group or a VISA gift card, along
with a thank you note.

I agree. I wouldn't necessarily tip someone for doing the right thing - being honest. Since he is a friend, though, a thank you gift would be nice.

 

[Luv'sTink]

I wouldn't tip. IMO tipping has gotten out of hand.

I would "tip" him by referring him to your friends. I agree, tipping has gotten out of hand. You paid him for his services, if he overestimated, that is on him. Perhaps he intentionally pads his estimates so people aren't shocked if he has to go over for unforeseen work.

Word of mouth is the best advertisement people can have.

 

[snykymom]

I wouldn't consider this a tip. It is a performance bonus for an on-time, under budget project. In some industries this is a common practice, maybe not home improvement, but large contruction projects often have these incentives built in.

If you feel he did a fantastic job and was honest, I see no problem giving him a $50 bonus.

That's exactly what I would do. Not a tip - a bonus. Sometimes those are even written into the contract!

 

[AKL_Megs]

Thanks, all! Looks like no "tip" is necessary! I will write a note, however, and maybe have a pizza delivered to him and his co-workers at work (he's a firefighter, they love to eat!)

 

[BunsenH]

Thanks, all! Looks like no "tip" is necessary! I will write a note, however, and maybe have a pizza delivered to him and his co-workers at work (he's a firefighter, they love to eat!)

I probably would have rounded the payment up $40-50 as a 'bonus' for a job well done.

Do you know if any of the firefighters are dairy-intolerant? vegans? nitrate-averse? gluten-free? Without knowing everyone's food preferences and issues, you are sending a time bomb and asking for trouble there (and here).
JUST KIDDING

If the guy is a real good friend, send him flowers at the fire house as a joke.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I probably would have rounded the payment up $40-50 as a 'bonus' for a job well done.

Do you know if any of the firefighters are dairy-intolerant? vegans? nitrate-averse? gluten-free? Without knowing everyone's food preferences and issues, you are sending a time bomb and asking for trouble there (and here).
JUST KIDDING

If the guy is a real good friend, send him flowers at the fire house as a joke.

The flower idea is funny, but they aren't "that" close.

And you are right, maybe I should just send a case of water and Dixie cups!

 

[tiggersbombed2]

Thanks, all! Looks like no "tip" is necessary! I will write a note, however, and maybe have a pizza delivered to him and his co-workers at work (he's a firefighter, they love to eat!)

I think that is a sweet thing to do.

 

[ICF]

i wouldn't tip. Imo tipping has gotten out of hand.

agreed!!