Driver Gratuity

[elfbo]

The websites for towncar rates now have a message on them saying that there is a min 20% gratuity, and that the gratuity must be paid each way. Does that mean the expect 40%? 20% each way, or is it 10% each way?

Also, what if you are not satisfied and do not give 20%, but only 15%, can they come back and charge you or will they just not pick you up?

Kinda concerned.

 

[ducklite]

I wouldn't use any company that required a "minimum gratuity". To me that is a charge, not a gratuity.

And any driver who thinks they are getting twenty percent of the full r/t fare on each leg is smoking something--unless they do something over and above to earn that TIP.

Anne

 

[Cora]

I usually take the one way fare and tip 20% of that to each driver.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by elfbo
The websites for towncar rates now have a message on them saying that there is a min 20% gratuity, and that the gratuity must be paid each way. Does that mean the expect 40%? 20% each way, or is it 10% each way?

Also, what if you are not satisfied and do not give 20%, but only 15%, can they come back and charge you or will they just not pick you up?

Kinda concerned.

It is 20% of each one way, or, to make it easier, take the total cost of the rt and multiply that by 1.20 and divide by 2.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by ducklite
I wouldn't use any company that required a "minimum gratuity". To me that is a charge, not a gratuity.

And any driver who thinks they are getting twenty percent of the full r/t fare on each leg is smoking something--unless they do something over and above to earn that TIP.

Anne

How do you handle a reservation where for a certain amount of people they automatically add 18% gratuity? Is that a charge or a gratuity.
If people would learn to tip properly, this would not be an issue.

 

[ducklite]

Gail,

The difference being if you are in a restaurant, and the service is substandard, you have a manager right there to speak to about it, and I've never heard of a manager not reducing a gratuity when requested due to poor service.

This isn't the case with a car service company. How many times have we read on these boards about people who have had problems and can't get a human on the phone to resolve them, let alone a manger.

In all honesty, I saw that on Tiffany's site after I posted, and think it's a poorly worded reminder to tip, as opposed to an automatic and forced gratuity which other company's tack on. Tiffany worded it very poorly.

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by ducklite
I wouldn't use any company that required a "minimum gratuity". To me that is a charge, not a gratuity.

And any driver who thinks they are getting twenty percent of the full r/t fare on each leg is smoking something--unless they do something over and above to earn that TIP.

Anne

Anne--Tiffany is listing a minimum 20% gratuity and Happy is listing $10 each way.

I guess with the price of gas they can't take the chance of being stiffed. I agree it's a charge but it might be better than an outright price increase.

 

[eljojo]

Where on Tiffany's website does it state "20% gratuity"? When I just checked, it says "rates do not include driver's gratuity", but no minimum is listed.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Anne--Tiffany is listing a minimum 20% gratuity and Happy is listing $10 each way.

I guess with the price of gas they can't take the chance of being stiffed. I agree it's a charge but it might be better than an outright price increase.

I'd rather have them charge a "temporary energy surcharge" and let me tip as I feel fit, rather than having them call a charge a gratuity. It just seems more "honest" that way, and frankly I'm sure people would understand an extra $2-3--which in all honesty would cover the additional cost of gas from WDW to the airport and back. Of course transfers booked before the price increase would have to be honored at the booked price. JMHO.

Anne

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
If people would learn to tip properly, this would not be an issue.

 

[Familyof14]

It is 20% of each one way, or, to make it easier, take the total cost of the rt and multiply that by 1.20 and divide by 2.

Gail, Please help me with this one:

We have 4 legs of the trip. Two are airport/resort and two are Port/resort and vice versa. We would like to pay gratuity separately each way in case we have different drivers. Can this be done instead of paying the lump some of gratuity up front?

Obviously, the Port/resort legs are longer than the airport/resort legs. I figured on our $390 cost (add $78 for gratuity- total $468) for the transportation that we would give drivers $15 for each airport/resort leg and $25 for each port/resort leg. Does this sound correct?

Also, I have no problem with paying the gratuity. I do realize that companies are having to add gratuity because of the ignorant cheapskates in this world. Yes, there may be bad service, but many people that are giving good service are getting stiffed out of a hard earned tip. I just hope that if I give a tip to someone doing a bad job, that they may try harder next time.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by eljojo
Where on Tiffany's website does it state "20% gratuity"? When I just checked, it says "rates do not include driver's gratuity", but no minimum is listed.

http://www.tiffanytowncars.com/tc_rates.html

Top of the page just under towncar rates title but above the actual rates.

 

[Familyof14]

I like the fact that Tiffany says to please pay gratuity each way as you may have a different driver. Also noticed the "minimum" part.

 

[ducklite]

I think the "minimum" part is what got me. But they also worded it so that if you didn't know better, you'd think that the 20% gratuity should be paid each way based on a full fare. That's what irks me.

Anne

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Familyof14


Gail, Please help me with this one:

We have 4 legs of the trip. Two are airport/resort and two are Port/resort and vice versa. We would like to pay gratuity separately each way in case we have different drivers. Can this be done instead of paying the lump some of gratuity up front?

Obviously, the Port/resort legs are longer than the airport/resort legs. I figured on our $390 cost (add $78 for gratuity- total $468) for the transportation that we would give drivers $15 for each airport/resort leg and $25 for each port/resort leg. Does this sound correct?

Also, I have no problem with paying the gratuity. I do realize that companies are having to add gratuity because of the ignorant cheapskates in this world. Yes, there may be bad service, but many people that are giving good service are getting stiffed out of a hard earned tip. I just hope that if I give a tip to someone doing a bad job, that they may try harder next time.

Yes, I believe it can be done that way and I would break it down from Airport to resort, from resort to port, from port to resort and from resort to airport. In reality, you can price it as two trips.
RT from the airport to the resort and back = x amount. Calculate the tip on that and divide by two.
Resort to port and back = x amount. Calculate the tip on that and divide by two.
I cannot say if this is correct as I don't know what the cost is for the trip to and from the airport and to and from port.

 

[undertheradar]

Honestly, if service is good...tip. If service is bad...DON'T! This isn't bad manners, just good old common sense!

 

[Familyof14]

ducklite _ The wording didn't bother me. I thought it was clear.

Gail - I don't know what each leg cost either because we got a great deal!

familyoffive - You do have to tip if it is required and part of your fare. BTW - I have you beat by 9.

 

[seashoreCM]

Originally posted by familyoffive
Honestly, if service is good...tip. If service is bad...DON'T! This isn't bad manners, just good old common sense!

In case of bad service ask to see the manager, explain the situation, and right away propose a discount of 1/3 off the base price. Most likely a compromise will be reached, splitting the difference, where the final grand total with tip is roughly the price before tip. How management and service employee divvy it up need not be known to you.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[undertheradar]

A gratuity is earned, not required. A service fee is required. NO gratuity is automatic- regardless what the invoice might state. Poor service should not be rewarded and good service should be well rewarded.

 

[elfbo]

What would happen if you only gave a 15% tip? Or you miscalculate and give 19%?