Tipping maintenance

[vacationclub]

what do you mean by "their error"?

It's an error of the company that he collects a salary from. He (or she) is part of that company. He should not be rewarded for simply doing this job which was a direct result of a failing of their overall service and an inconvenience to you. There should be absolutely no obligation whatsoever to even think about the hint of a tip. Of course you're free to tip if you feel like it.

Punish (or don't show appreciation for) the man that does the work for a modest wage

You can certainly show appreciation for every worker you deal with every day of your life by saying "thank you". I don't tip the guy handing me an ice cream cone in the parks just because he might not make a large salary, and I don't stop to analyze what salary the repair guy may or may not receive from Disney as a way to determine if I am obligated to subsidize his life. He has a job, it just happens that he directly interfaces with you when he has to do that job while you actually occupy the room....doesn't mean you give him cash any more than you would give the mailman cash if you happen to be standing at the mailbox when the mail shows up.

I'm not a member of the entitlement club that looks down on those that could use the recognition and extra cash while I'm spending thousands on a vacation that they possibly cannot afford.

I don't think anyone who doesn't tip every castmember is either.

The reason all of those folks have a job to begin with is because of people spending thousands on vacation. The fact that you are spending that vacation money is supporting them already.

Where does it end? Tipping is a cultural phenomenon. It's not based in any logic, only in strange, undefined and abused traditions.

 

[dzorn]

Would you tip the maintenance staff for making a repair in your room ?

Nope.

Denise in MI

 

[aubriee]

Oct 2010 we checked into CBR. While checking the room out, we noticed that the metal plug thingy was missing from the tub. We called maintenance and the guy arrived very quickly to replace it. We thanked him and tried to hand him a few bucks. He refused, saying they were not allowed to accept tips. We just assumed that was something you would tip for and were surprised he wouldn't take it.

Off topic, but last Dec I checked into CSR. The room was ready so I went to go check it out, then wandered around the resort for awhile taking pictures. Just as I started back toward my room, I saw a CM on one of those carts. I noticed my bright green LLBean duffel on the back. The CM was apparently delivering luggage from the airport. I stopped him and told him the green duffel was mine and I'd save him a trip to my room since I was going back there anyway. He told me he wasn't allowed to hand the bag over (even though the bag is personalized with my last name and I had ID). He told me to hop in and he'd run me back to my room and deliver the bag. As we were walking toward my door, I started to put my key in the slot to open the door and he stopped me and told me he had to be the one to open the door. After we entered the room and he put my bag down, I tried to tip him and he told me he couldn't take it. I knew Disney covers gratutities for luggage delivery to the resort, but felt really odd not offering him something.

 

[RDP]

Thanks for the posts, we are currently in AKV and needed a repair on something that was not working when we arrived, we didn't tip , but then felt a bit bad that we hadn't , I've taken the view now that the $1200 of annual dues I pay is part of providing a fully maintained accommodation therefore no tip!

 

[Geezer12]

We tip the maint staff if they arrive promptly and take care of the probelm. We also tip housekeeping $7 per day and there are 3 of us.

 

[AJA]

In a lot of cases letting the manager or the supervisor known what an excellent job they did maybe better than getting a tip.

Yes, this! Write it in an email and maybe take the extra step of finding the email address of a "higher up". That would mean way more than a $10ish tip.

No OP I don't tip maintenance. I don't tip my own home repair men (unless it's a very odd hour/emergency type thing). I don't tip for a position I should not have had to call for in the first place.

 

[vinotinto]

No. I would not. Maintenance is not a "tipping" position like bell services, wait staff and housekeeping.

If I start tipping maintenance, what will be next? Tipping the CM that opens the gate for the stroller? Tipping the CM that hands us the KTTW cards at check-in?

 

[cluvsdisney]

No, I don't tip maintenance.

 

[NMAmy]

I realize that I won't (can't) win this arguement with those that don't think it appropriate to reward what I would call extra service but what do you mean by "their error"? Punish (or don't show appreciation for) the man that does the work for a modest wage because of a failing by the company that employs him? I'm not a member of the entitlement club that looks down on those that could use the recognition and extra cash while I'm spending thousands on a vacation that they possibly cannot afford.

The maintenance person is not being "punished" by not receiving a tip. I don't go around tipping everyone that makes less than me on a daily basis nor do I get a tip from those who make more than I do. Usually, if maintenance is needed for a hotel room, it's an inconvience to the guest. I see no reason to tip someone who is being paid to fix a problem, that in many cases, should have been repaired before my arrival. That's not an entitlement issue from me (apparently the rich, fat cat in this scenario.) I think it's kind of pretentious to assume that a maintenance worker can't afford a vacation. You seem to be the one looking down on maintenance workers (and they're not necessarily men, either, btw.)

 

[vacationclub]

The maintenance person is not being "punished" by not receiving a tip. I don't go around tipping everyone that makes less than me on a daily basis nor do I get a tip from those who make more than I do. Usually, if maintenance is needed for a hotel room, it's an inconvience to the guest. I see no reason to tip someone who is being paid to fix a problem, that in many cases, should have been repaired before my arrival. That's not an entitlement issue from me (apparently the rich, fat cat in this scenario.) I think it's kind of pretentious to assume that a maintenance worker can't afford a vacation. You seem to be the one looking down on maintenance workers (and they're not necessarily men, either, btw.)

Perfectly stated.

 

[Ed J]

I tip maintaniance people because I have walked a mile in their shoes, I come from that background on my way to where I'm at now. I never expected it, but always appreciated it.

The difference IMO is you don't tip a business owner, but "can" (not should) tip an employee.

I carry 2 dollar bills as well as dollar coins when ever I travel just for tipping purposes, I like the "cheapskate" reaction when they think I'm giving them a quarter or $.50 as a tip as I hand them 2 coins.

I tip because I enjoy it and for no other reason.

 

[waynesgirl]

I tip because I enjoy it and for no other reason.[/

And let me be the first to say Thank you-on behalf of myself and the many, many people who have worked so hard to do a great job because we wanted to, not for a tip, but when we get one, it is so appreciated. I was a server part-time, in a high family traffic restaurant, paying my way through school after my full-time job during the day, with children of my own and the families, who were the loudest, rudest, and most demanding were always the worst tippers and complainers, which I have seen a lot of at WDW-and I will say that I gave the same consistent and kick-buttowski service to everyone, regardless of bill cost.

With that said, I do not tip the engineering staff (or Maint) but I do recommend a sincere thank you and a commendation to their superior. That is how many get raises and promotions, which in the long run means so much more. Disney is not know for their super high salaries and we all save up for vacations but they are making our vacations the stellar experience we expect.I am pretty sure they didn't pray for you to have a leaky faucet, or a broken air conditioner.

Where does it end? Tipping is a cultural phenomenon. It's not based in any logic, only in strange, undefined and abused traditions.

It might or might not be that particular person's fault, be it a server, a dining manager, a cleaner, etc...tipping should not be an entitlement but to not tip a person because you think it is an abused tradition and not logical, then you should forgo going out to eat and being served by a person whose wages are less than minimum wage simply because the restaurant expect the patrons to tip. Only dine at restaurants who pay their employees $7.25 or more an hour. Stay in a hotel that doesn't offer daily housekeeping unless you pay for the privilege of it.

Sorry, not meaning to be snarky, but goodness. Remember there are people who can't really do more- be thankful they are working and paying taxes in this economy and aren't squatting in a park thinking that you are a terrible person for going on vacation.

 

[vacationclub]

And let me be the first to say Thank you-on behalf of myself and the many, many people who have worked so hard to do a great job because we wanted to, not for a tip, but when we get one, it is so appreciated. I was a server part-time, in a high family traffic restaurant, paying my way through school after my full-time job during the day, with children of my own and the families, who were the loudest, rudest, and most demanding were always the worst tippers and complainers, which I have seen a lot of at WDW-and I will say that I gave the same consistent and kick-buttowski service to everyone, regardless of bill cost.

With that said, I do not tip the engineering staff (or Maint) but I do recommend a sincere thank you and a commendation to their superior. That is how many get raises and promotions, which in the long run means so much more. Disney is not know for their super high salaries and we all save up for vacations but they are making our vacations the stellar experience we expect.I am pretty sure they didn't pray for you to have a leaky faucet, or a broken air conditioner.

It might or might not be that particular person's fault, be it a server, a dining manager, a cleaner, etc...tipping should not be an entitlement but to not tip a person because you think it is an abused tradition and not logical, then you should forgo going out to eat and being served by a person whose wages are less than minimum wage simply because the restaurant expect the patrons to tip. Only dine at restaurants who pay their employees $7.25 or more an hour. Stay in a hotel that doesn't offer daily housekeeping unless you pay for the privilege of it.

Sorry, not meaning to be snarky, but goodness. Remember there are people who can't really do more- be thankful they are working and paying taxes in this economy and aren't squatting in a park thinking that you are a terrible person for going on vacation.

We weren't talking about tipping people in a restaurant, and I didn't say you shouldn't do that. The conversation is about tipping others beyond those low paid roles, that society's employers have decided to not pay because of the strange tradition of tipping that they feel will pressure customers into filling the gap for them. Because of this abused and undefined tradition there is confusion on who else you should tip...thus this very thread and conversation. Even resturant tipping is odd. The same person giving the same exact service gets more money because you order a more expensive meal (that he gets a percentage of) even though he simply brought out the plate to you, it could be lobster or it could be mac and cheese, but his/her tip is different depending on what you eat. Strange tradition.

The difference IMO is you don't tip a business owner, but "can" (not should) tip an employee.

So, if the repairman owns his small business you don't tip him, but if a well paid salaried employee of a large company shows up that gives the exact level of service you tip him?

 

[I Love Pluto]

Oh, great -- now I have to be confused as to whether or not I need to tip the maintainence person.

Oh, noooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sweettears]

Yes, this! Write it in an email and maybe take the extra step of finding the email address of a "higher up". That would mean way more than a $10ish tip.

No OP I don't tip maintenance. I don't tip my own home repair men (unless it's a very odd hour/emergency type thing). I don't tip for a position I should not have had to call for in the first place.

Why shouldn't you have to call for someone to repair something in your home? Its the repairmans fault right?

 

[Sweettears]

The maintenance person is not being "punished" by not receiving a tip. I don't go around tipping everyone that makes less than me on a daily basis nor do I get a tip from those who make more than I do. Usually, if maintenance is needed for a hotel room, it's an inconvience to the guest. I see no reason to tip someone who is being paid to fix a problem, that in many cases, should have been repaired before my arrival. That's not an entitlement issue from me (apparently the rich, fat cat in this scenario.) I think it's kind of pretentious to assume that a maintenance worker can't afford a vacation. You seem to be the one looking down on maintenance workers (and they're not necessarily men, either, btw.)

Never said that and quite the contrary. I respect the heck out of any one who works hard and aims to please by delivering top notch service. Thus the concept of the tip. I'm willing to guess that I make more than the WDW maintenance guy. If I can afford to provide him with a small inconsequential tip to help him (them for the PC inclined) get to their next vacation sooner I'm gonna help.

 

[saskdw]

Not sure why people are arguing about this. If you want to tip go ahead. I personally don't feel that if the toilet is broken in my $300 a night room I should have to pay to get that fixed. Not sure about WDW, but where I'm from most maintenance/trade people are paid quite well and don't get tipped.

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

Yes, this! Write it in an email and maybe take the extra step of finding the email address of a "higher up". That would mean way more than a $10ish tip.
No OP I don't tip maintenance. I don't tip my own home repair men (unless it's a very odd hour/emergency type thing). I don't tip for a position I should not have had to call for in the first place.

I work maintenance in a casino. I DO NOT expect a tip. Some customers do want to give a tip. I say no thank you but most still want to give. I use to take it, now I ask them to add it to the housekeepers tip. Those poor people work so hard for such a low wage. The above quote would be most aw some and I personally would appreciate it way more than an offer of money. Where I work we have personnel files and the more good things in them the better!

 

[softballmom3]

Not sure why people are arguing about this. If you want to tip go ahead. I personally don't feel that if the toilet is broken in my $300 a night room I should have to pay to get that fixed. Not sure about WDW, but where I'm from most maintenance/trade people are paid quite well and don't get tipped.

Same here....most maitenance/trade get paid VERY well in our area. I do appreciate good service but I don't believe I will tip if something is in need of repair in my room. We have paid good $$$ for our room. I will however send in that wonderful email, etc. for good service .

 

[centurythree]

I think it's kind of pretentious to assume that a maintenance worker can't afford a vacation. You seem to be the one looking down on maintenance workers (and they're not necessarily men, either, btw.)

Never said that and quite the contrary. I respect the heck out of any one who works hard and aims to please by delivering top notch service.

Sorry, that was my impression of your comments as well. I'm glad to hear you didn't really intend it that way.

I'll just add, as someone who worked in the hotel industry for years, that many employees are there simply for the love of working in the industry (or a special hotel.) A significant portion of our staff came from . . . well, let's just say that they had no money concerns and leave it at that. And yes, that included members of the maintenance staff.

Regardless of their personal backgrounds, most front desk and maintenance personnel vastly preferred a nice comment to corporate over a tip.