I really need to understand this mousekeeping tipping business.

[ScarletIndigo]

Originally posted by safetymom
When I am in WDW I try to sprinkle a little magic back to the CM's. One time while getting my Dole Whip I said thank you very much when she handed it to me. Her face lit up like she had hit the lottery.

But that's exactly my point -- saying "thank you" should certainly be sufficient enough to warrant the "extra touches" that you all have mentioned. I had thought about using the Mousekeeping envelopes just to leave little personalized notes of thanks, but then I felt guilty that the Mousekeeper would open the envelope and be disappointed that there was only a note, and no tip.

I agree with you that showing your appreciate is paramount -- especially in a place like WDW where Cast Members and Mousekeeping staff will usually do all they can to ensure that you have a fantastic vacation. However, I've worked in several service jobs with minimal income -- food service, retail, etc -- but because I was paid minimum wage or better, my job was considered a non-tipped position. Would it have touched me if someone had slipped me $1 or $2 and said "thanks ringing up these 200 votive candles and maintaining a smile on your face"? ABSOLUTELY! But the fact of the matter is that it would have been frowned upon (or even absolutely forbidden, in some cases) for me to accept the money. And you have to respect the guidelines that are in place. DF used to try to tip the baggers at the grocery store all the time, but they consistently told him that they couldn't accept his money. Why? Because even though they provide an efficient service, they're not in a tipped position. And if the people who work in Mousekeeping -- as wonderful, kind, and thoughtful as they may be -- are not techinically in a "tipped position", it doesn't feel right for folks like myself to feel guilty or stingy for not tipping.

I suppose I was brought up to always say "please" and "thank you" and show kindness and respect to everyone -- not to mention that I always clean up in my hotel rooms so there's never a mess for the maid service to deal with. You're right, an extra $20 over the course of a week isn't going to make or break your budget. But my point is that WDW vacations can be very pricey -- even with the FTP deal, which many of us have taken advantage of -- and in my mind the money you spend on your vacation should include wonderful service, no matter what.

 

[I Intrigue You]

I never knew about tipping housekeeping until finding out on the many boards that I have read. I've never tipped and I've always had towel animals and my daughters stuffed toys arranged. I just thought it was something that the housekeepers did. I'm getting ready to leave this week and I was looking forward to the same treatment. I'm glad that I know it's not always done so if it doesn't happen I won't be disappointed. Now I wonder if I should tip??? I'll let you know when I get back


Jenn

 

[doombuggy]

At ANY hotel I stay at, if I am staying for more than one night, I will tip housekeeping. regardless of WHERE I stay, whether it be in New York City or WDW (and I have been to hotels at both), I tip. These people get paid little to do this job, and I feel that, if they deserve a tip, they're getting one from me, no matter what some brocures tell me. Keep in mind that these people probably only get paid a few dollars an hour to do this job. Frankly, this should be a tipped position.

As for this comment:

DF used to try to tip the baggers at the grocery store all the time, but they consistently told him that they couldn't accept his money. Why? Because even though they provide an efficient service, they're not in a tipped position.

i used to work at Bloomingdale's and one Christmas I helped a gentleman buy a coat for his wife. He kept trying to slip me a $5, but i told him i could not take it. The reasoning behind that was that we were not allowed to have money on our person while working with the cash registers. i know someone is going to try to turn this into a "you're not trusted by your employer" but this kind of policy is just common sense. I never thought about it from the "non-tipped position" angle, though.

PS: the man made me take the $5 - this happened in 1988, so I would say this had a positve effect on me!

 

[TDC Nala]

In some cities (Vegas) a tip/bride to the desk clerk will secure you a complimentary upgrade.

Now THAT's a bit much.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I worked as a housekeeper at a Sheraton for a few months after graduating High School. I made $5 hr. and every morning I was assigned 30 rooms to clean. I did the math and figured that after tax I was bringing home less than 2 bucks a room! I was making 2 beds, vacumming, cleaning a full bathroom and dusting.
I know this was my job, but I was 18! and not mature enough not to be apalled!

Rarely was I left a tip, nor did I expect one. I realized that the guests were paying alot of money to stay there and they deserved excellence, besides I wouldnt want to stay in a dirty room that I was paying for.
The times I did receive a tip I was thrilled! It could have been $2 and I was happy and it made my whole day better. I was happy when they left bottles and cans in the room that were refundable, because it would pay for my bus fare home.
I worked there for about 3 months, but I never forgot my experience and can still make a mean bed!

That's why I tip, out of appreciation and because I am blessed enough to have an extra few dollars to do so.

Don't tip out of obligation, or guilt or because someone else does. I am sure the CM's at WDW know their tip status, which makes them appreciate it all the more when others do tip. It is in no way a bad reflection of those that don't.

Either way you still deserve excellent service although towel animals and other "extras" are a reflection of a CM that really loves their job.

 

[jlambrig]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In some cities (Vegas) a tip/bride to the desk clerk will secure you a complimentary upgrade.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know it is called Sin City but getting a bride? Wow, that must be some of the fallout from all those quickie marriages

I was told at some point that they are not considered tipping positions because you normally do not interact with the person(s) doing the cleaning, as you would with a food server or valet. A large part of the tipping experience is passing on the money personally which is a display of the appreciation for the service.

The US has become a country where tipping is now prevelant in many places and for positions that would never be considered in other parts of the country. I see tipping jars at so many places now that it is becoming a tad ridiculous.

Regardless, I say tipping should be considered if the service demands it, not because of someone's salary or because others do it. If tips were given regardless of the level of service, it simply encourages substandard service.

 

[searlproudbottom]

Thought I would throw in my two cents.
First of all I don't consider myself a heavy tipper but an average one . The way I see it is the ladies that work for mousekeeping work hard for their money and put up with a lot. They probably work for minimum wage or less. When we get to our room I make it a point to locate our maid and introduce myself. At This time I ask her if she could attend to our room between 9 am and 12 pm and I will obtain her weekly schedule as well.
This way I now who is attending to our room. The first night I tip between $ 8.00 and $10.00 and between $ 6.00 and 8.00 they’re after.

The Bottom line

Who's needs and requests will be met first. Searl's whom takes care of his mousekeeper or the family down the hall who does not .

Searl Proudbottom

 

[peachgirl]

Who's needs and requests will be met first. Searl's whom takes care of his mousekeeper or the family down the hall who does not

They'll be treated equally, or at least they better. Tipping mousekeeping because you're afraid you won't get the service you should or as good a service as someone who does tip isn't a good reason to tip, imo.

I tip mousekeeping, but the second I think I "have" to, I'll quit.

 

[safetymom]

searlproudbottom, I think we all should be treated equally. I am not tipping so that my room gets done before your room. They are supposed to take turns with early/late cleaning. I paid to have my room done at a certain time. I don't agree that because you tip more you get your room done first.

I tip because of the good service I receive. If I don't receive it I don't tip.

 

[vickyBaby]

According to Frommers, tipping housekeeping (chamber staff)should be $3.00 a day; more if you are traveling with children or pets.

Here are some rules of thumb: --In hotels, tip bellhops at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage) and tip the chamber staff $3 per day (more if you've left a disaster area for him or her to clean up, or if you're traveling with kids and/or pets). Tip the doorman or concierge only if he or she has provided you with some specific service (for example, calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets). Tip the valet parking attendant $1 every time you get your car.

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/florida/0222020013.html

 

[searlproudbottom]

Dear Ms. Peachgirl and Ms. Safetymom
I think you missed my point. I wasn’t talking about right and wrong or what Mousekeeping is supposed to or not supposed to do. I am not talking about having to or not having to tip. What I was trying to get across is a simple fact. The One who pays the most will get the best service. As a business man I make it a point to pay my venders within five days of being invoiced. Now who do you think my venders will take care of first. My company whom pays in five days of being invoiced or the company that takes 45 days to pay their bills. I never have a complaint with my Venders or from Mousekeeping or the Skycaps or the Limo Driver or the Bell hops or the Waiters or the Waitresses or the Doorman .
Searl

 

[safetymom]

searlproudbottom, so you figure in the case of housekeeping if you bribe them you will get better service???? I have been very happy with their services and it was because of the wonderful housekeepers abiliities not the amount of my tip that made it that way.

 

[Julia M]

last night (the 21st) where I spent a night at the Grand Californian hotel.

In the information provided by the hotel, it gave guidelines on who it is appropriate to tip.

"At the Disneyland Resort, it is customary to tip the following Cast Members who provide you with exceptional service: bartenders, bell services, cocktail servers, food and beverage servers, housekeeping staff and valet aprking attendents".

I realize Disneyland is different from Disneyworld, but it wouldn't surprise me if their literature changes sometime soon, to reflect housekeeping being a tipped position.

Personally, I do tip, although probably not as generously as some (usually $5 with dh and kids). I believe it falls under "there for the grace of God go I". Housekeeping is hard work, and generally not paid well. I like knowing that maybe I gave someone's day a lift.

On the other hand, if I did in fact have very poor housekeeping, or requested something extra (like a pillow or blanket) and didn't receive it, I wouldn't tip. That hasn't happened, though.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by searlproudbottom
As a business man I make it a point to pay my venders within five days of being invoiced.

Do you get a discount for doing this?

We give 3% to customers that pay in 5 days ~ I appreciate their business ~ but I prefer the full amount in 45days

I tip the housekeepers very well - firstly because their job is no picnic and I appreciate their hard work, secondly because I can afford to.

I do not expect anything more than Joe Blow down the hall who does not leave a cent. All the rooms should be serviced in a efficient and timely manner ~ even yours.

>>^..^<<

 

[peachgirl]

Housekeeping is hard work, and generally not paid well.

I don't understand this reasoning.

Housekeepers at WDW are paid no better or worse than many CM positions. Frankly, I can't think of a harder job than standing out in the Florida heat dealing with sometimes difficult guests. Yet no one thinks the park CM's should be tipped, nor are they allowed to accept tips.

As I said, I tip, but I can't possibly tip every low paid employee of WDW or any other business for that matter.

 

[Julia M]

Peachgirl,

I don't disagree with you at all. CM's who work outside, manning the rides, or frying french fries, do work hard, and probbaly aren't paid well, either. However, Disney has made it pretty clear in their little world, CM's who work in the park won't get tipped, and other positions do. It's just the way it is.

Presumably, if the tips were that great, housekeeping jobs would be in hot demand. And maybe they are, I don't know.

I know the last time I was in Las Vegas, a guy working housekeeping let us peek into a suite at Mandalay Bay. He told us that working the suites was not a perk.....as a rule, the "bigwigs" (entertainers, fighters, etc) didn't tip. The "average" guest in a regular room tipped better.

 

[searlproudbottom]

Dear Ms Safetymom

This is what you said

searlproudbottom, so you figure in the case of housekeeping if you bribe them you will get better service ????

What you are saying that I am bribing the housekeeping staff, which is dishonest. They’re for you called me dishonest.

This is what you said

I didn't appreciate your attitude regarding how you tip big and then instruct the maids when your room should be done.

Ms. Safetymom Maybe you should go back and read my post.
This is exactly what I said.

When we get to our room I make it a point to locate our maid and introduce myself .At This time I ask her if she could attend to our room between 9 am and 12 pm and I will obtain her weekly schedule as well.

[/QUOTE]

First of all I don't consider myself a heavy tipper but an average one .

There is a huge difference between INSTRUCTING someone to clean your room at a certain time and asking her if she could attend to your room at a certain time. I would say asking is the same as a request. And INSTRUCTING is the same as an ORDER!

The reason I ask for her schedule is so I can make sure she receives her tips. And by the way you might think that six to ten dollars is a huge tip but I don’t.

Maybe the next time you decide to Blast a Poster and Spin His words you should take the time to read and understand the point he is trying to get across.

Searl

 

[Jakesmom1]

Ok, I will put my 2 cents in.

I tip no matter what Hotel I am in, regardless if Business or pleasure . I travel alot for business and I am on an expense account, and even my employer reimburses me for my maid tips.

Unfortunalty I do think it is expected by mousekeeping,as it is by any other houskeeping dept., but I will do it anyway. TIPS mean "To Insure Proper Service". And I used to be a waitress in my younger days and know how much tips are appreciated.

Megan & Joeysmommy: they do the towel animals at ASM, I stayed there when they first opened and they would even have my sons animals in the window waiting to greet him when we came back from the Parks.

 

[safetymom]

Searl, I would suggest the same to you about reading the posts.


To everyone else it is up to you if you decide to tip. As I stated at the beginning of this thread tip if you feel the service provided is worth tipping then tip. If you feel that you didn't get the service you paid for it is up to you what to do about it.

I just try to spread a little Disney magic when I stay at WDW. I am doing it because I want to not because I have to.

 

[searlproudbottom]

Dear >>^..^<<

I am not interested in another debate.
I will answer your question.
The only discounts we receive are though some of our material suppliers. That is usually between 5 and 10% if our bill is paid in full by the 10th of each month. We our in the Construction Business and here in California there is labor shortage. Some of the larger developers take from 30 to 60 days to pay. Our venders know that they will be paid within 5 days of our accounting dept. receiving their invoice. In return they take special attention in servicing their account.

Searl