OT - how much to tip for car detail?

[pantherlj]

My 5 year old van (well, it is 8 years old but we have had it 5) is getting detailed today. Full interior detail - carpets and mats shampoo, leater seats waxed, etc. The service is $99. How much should I tip?

I have a hard time spending that kind of money for someone else to clean my van but .... DH has been driving the girls around in it for 5 years. He just got a new car and I get this one as a "new to me" car so I finally justified it to myself

 

[my3disneygirls]

I never thought of tipping for a service like that.

 

[pixiewings71]

We normally just drop a few bucks in the bucket...but I've never had a detail like that before! WOW! I'm sorry, not much help am I?

 

[me again]

Why tip? You're paying for the service, isn't that enough?

I only tip for wait staff, and taxi if they perform extra services, like help with luggage, etc. Otherwise I consider what I paid to be fair compensation (after all, that's the price they set!

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I have my car detailed about once a year and I usually tip them between $5-$10 depending on how good of a job they do. Hope this helps!

 

[me again]

I have my car detailed about once a year and I usually tip them between $5-$10 depending on how good of a job they do. Hope this helps!

Well, I have my van detailed maybe 2x's a year, there's usually several people crawling all over it, do you tip each person? How do you divide up the tip oney?

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I give the money to the one who hands me the keys. I leave it up to him as to who/how he would like to divide it. Usually there has only been one or two at the most working on my vehicle and it is large, I have an Expedition.

 

[pantherlj]

Thanks for the responses. I was prepared to tip $5. I paid inside the store and there was no tip jar. The cashier said a detail manager would meet me at my car and go over everything. I waited by my car for a few mintues (looking it over myself to make sure they got everything they said they would). Nobody showed up so I got in my car to leave. As I started it, someone finally walked over and asked if it was OK or if I had any questions.

So, I ended up not tipping.

I don't really feel bad about it, I don't think they make waitress wages and therefore don't depend on tips for part of their income.