My Nail Person has her on place now-Do I tip? Yes or no?

[uromac]

Hi!

Long story short - my longtime nail person has gone out on her own and started a new business. We are not friends, but my daughter and I have become close to her. In the past I had always been a generous 'tipper', especially after her baby and after I knew about her future plans - and now she is out on her own in a new storefront. So today I'm stopping by her place even though she has not 'officially' opened up yet and won't for a few weeks (I had a standing appt & have an event). I know in the past I have heard you do not tip an owner, but she is starting out earlier than she wanted to because her former employer found out about her plans.
My Question is: When I pay her for her service - do I tip her or not? I want to start this on the right foot and not feel awkward today - btw, I'm also planning to pick up a 'good luck' money tree plant as a gift. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mistysue]

Honestly, probably 80% of the "non-owner" nail techs and stylists who get tips are technically booth rental, meaning they run their own business.

She is performing the exact same job, especially if it's the same price why would you tip one person and not the other? I suspect this custom came from the rule that you don't tip a manager because it encourages managers to pick the better tipping customers rather than giving them to the employees.

It is completely a personal decision but the concept of "if your name is on the door=no tip" makes no sense to me given the current structure of that industry in particular.

ETA: I actually used to run a salon, and more than anything this bothers me because depending on the region owner does not equal better off. Booth rental in the area was low. To be competitive we had to charge a low rate meaning that the cost of having renters was higher than they paid (rent, utilities, water, etc.) but you need more people there to draw in business. So people would not tip me, being the owner. The girl next to me then got the same rate for a service, but also a good 20-50% tip. Then a higher portion of my "pre-tip" money had to go to the location. In what world does that make sense? She was also running her own business but I had all of the liability and people thought it was ethical that I was paid less because I carried all the expense. So as an owner I brought in about half what the renters did. There is no amount of tax deduction that covers that, as renters also get all of those tax deductions.
So if you aren't going to tip somebody because they run a business, you shouldn't be tipping people who are booth rental.

 

[powellrj]

I would tip her and if she feels like you shouldn't, I would let her tell me.

 

[Arkum]

I would most certainly tip! Her services are still appreciated and unless she has raised her prices to include tip, it only seems fair to continue paying her what you used to.

 

[bdcp]

I would. The guy who does my hair owns the salon. He and his wife and daughter all cut hair and they have a couple of other employees too, but I tip the same as if it was one of the employees and not the owner.

 

[uromac]

Thanks so much for all your opinions and responding so quickly! I really did want to tip her, but did not want to feel awkward and not 'do' the right thing - - especially in today's economy! Now out to buy that plant !!!

 

[wiigirl]

I would tip her and if she feels like you shouldn't, I would let her tell me.

x2 Always tip for services.

 

[seven dwarfs]

I would tip her the same. I know she will probably have some that won't and she will remember those that do.

I made more money when I worked for someone then being on my own. I had the same idea though that being on my own would make me rich!!! The overhead is so high that it is hard to make ends meet. I like being on my own better but boy do I miss the money.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

The girl who cuts my hair is owner of the place. She essentially rents a chair from herself. Hair cutting and salon ownership are two separate ventures.

 

[mjkacmom]

Honestly, probably 80% of the "non-owner" nail techs and stylists who get tips are technically booth rental, meaning they run their own business.

She is performing the exact same job, especially if it's the same price why would you tip one person and not the other? I suspect this custom came from the rule that you don't tip a manager because it encourages managers to pick the better tipping customers rather than giving them to the employees.

It is completely a personal decision but the concept of "if your name is on the door=no tip" makes no sense to me given the current structure of that industry in particular.

ETA: I actually used to run a salon, and more than anything this bothers me because depending on the region owner does not equal better off. Booth rental in the area was low. To be competitive we had to charge a low rate meaning that the cost of having renters was higher than they paid (rent, utilities, water, etc.) but you need more people there to draw in business. So people would not tip me, being the owner. The girl next to me then got the same rate for a service, but also a good 20-50% tip. Then a higher portion of my "pre-tip" money had to go to the location. In what world does that make sense? She was also running her own business but I had all of the liability and people thought it was ethical that I was paid less because I carried all the expense. So as an owner I brought in about half what the renters did. There is no amount of tax deduction that covers that, as renters also get all of those tax deductions.
So if you aren't going to tip somebody because they run a business, you shouldn't be tipping people who are booth rental.

Booth rentals are illegal in the OP's state.

I always tipped my eyebrow waxer, and she owned the salon. However, now I don't know what to do. The salon went out of business (the person she rented from didn't pay his taxes for a few years...), and now she is working out of her home. Do I still tip her?

 

[mistysue]

Booth rentals are illegal in the OP's state.

I always tipped my eyebrow waxer, and she owned the salon. However, now I don't know what to do. The salon went out of business (the person she rented from didn't pay his taxes for a few years...), and now she is working out of her home. Do I still tip her?

If she still does the same service with the same quality result... I would.

That's interesting that they made booth rental illegal, though it solves most of the issues I had in the industry.

 

[Arielle22]

My manicurist also owns the salon. I tip her. She does a good job and I appreciate it. I have had acrylic nails for over 10 years and I have visited many salons. Current manicurist is the best I have had and I show that appreciation.

She also does my eyebrow wax and color and I tip for that service as well.

 

[aclov]

Yes I would feel odd not tipping. My DH gets his hair cut by the owner of a salon and he tips her. I had to get a last minute hair cut and the thought crossed my mind of not tipping her but I still did.

 

[uromac]

Hi Everyone:

Did get my nails done yesterday and my manicurist was thrilled to get the plant and my generous tip! She even texted me her thanks and said her dh (who was putting together the chairs there) was so happy she had such nice clients ! - I definitely did the right thing which made me feel good and her too!!

Thanks for everyone's response!!!

 

[djmeredith]

I'm curious as to where the "don't tip the owner of a salon" concept comes from. My 68 y/o mother expressed this thought to me several years ago when our stylist opened his own salon and I was mortified. I just assumed this was an old fashioned practice from the past that had died out over time and told her she should still tip him. Then I saw this thread and wondered again where this idea comes from. It seems extremely odd to me that people think just because someone opens their own business (and presumably is going to make more money) that they no longer deserve a tip for performing a service. If someone performs a service, they deserve a tip.

 

[ferrarimomof3]

I would tip her. She is still providing a service.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I'm curious as to where the "don't tip the owner of a salon" concept comes from. My 68 y/o mother expressed this thought to me several years ago when our stylist opened his own salon and I was mortified. I just assumed this was an old fashioned practice from the past that had died out over time and told her she should still tip him. Then I saw this thread and wondered again where this idea comes from. It seems extremely odd to me that people think just because someone opens their own business (and presumably is going to make more money) that they no longer deserve a tip for performing a service. If someone performs a service, they deserve a tip.

My mom is 75 and she tipped the owner when she got her hair cut anytime I was along (think 30+ years ago).

 

[a742246]

I would definately tip. It seems like the only "service" people I don't tip is my Doctor and Dentist.