What am I supposed to tip for this?

[pearlieq]

As long we're doing tipping threads today...

I bought a Groupon for 6 laser hair removal sessions at a local medi-spa for $229. As I left after the first one, the receptionist asked if I wanted to leave a gratuity. I felt terrible because it never occurred to me to tip--I had only had it done with my dermatologist before. I only had a couple of dollars on me and wound up stammering an apology and promising to make it up at my next appointment.

It seems totally obvious now that they'd be expecting a tip in that kind of venue, but I'm still a bit mystified at how much would be appropriate. She's doing my forearms and it took about 15 minutes for my treatment. If I tipped on the Groupon's value it would be about $10/session. Does that sound right?

 

[scbelleatheart]

You tip 15-20% of the original value. not the Groupon value. I got a facial, dermabrasion valued at $85 for 1 1/2 hours of service. I paid $25. I tipped $20. Still abargain and I will return to them again.

 

[pearlieq]

Hmm...that gets even more confusing. I pulled up my Groupon--the offer says "Up to a $1599 value" but that seems kind of vague and possibly inflated.

In general I definitely agree about tipping on the original value, but if I were to tip 20% on that it would make the gratuity over $50/session, which seems excessive to me for 15 minutes of work.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

The same rules apply as if you were using a coupon at a restaraunt. You need to tip based on the face value not the discounted price.

 

[dsneprincess]

I wouldn't tip anyone $50. I agree the value seems inflated. I find it rather rude that the receptionist would ask about a gratuity. I would decide what you are comfortable with; I am tired of the constant tipping.

 

[ZoeBell]

In this case I wouldn't tip off the regular and like you said inflated price.


Maybe look around at other salons to see what their regular price for this service would be? $1500 value isn't always what the price would be. Store and other places do that to make you feel you are getting a steal. It's a marketing technique.

 

[BBandDisney]

The other thread about tipping says that pizza delivery people make more than engineers. Im sure that people working in a spa make more than most doctors.

 

[funhouse8]

The other thread about tipping says that pizza delivery people make more than engineers. Im sure that people working in a spa make more than most doctors.

This is not true. As the mother whose son was a chinese food delivery boy sometimes he didn't make enough to cover his gas. Some people would just round up the dollar and give him the change.

 

[davedmaine]

The other thread about tipping says that pizza delivery people make more than engineers. Im sure that people working in a spa make more than most doctors.

I think I'd rather be an engineer or a doctor

 

[Sagginit]

i used a groupon last year for laser hair removal, i only got 3 sessions but then got a package deal for 3 more. the receptionist at the place was nice enough to tell me (and another first time customer there) how much the individual session was, and how much others normally tip. a single session was $130 and she said most people tip $15-$20 (got with $20 since i don't want to go with less than 15%). i know you may be embarrassed but i would just flat out ask what the rate is for a single session, maybe it will be easier when you call to confirm or book. just simply state you have a groupon and want to ensure you are tipping appropriately.

i can't say its the tips but over the year i have been having treatments i have developed a good relationship with my lady (in fact she was the one that went to the manager to get me the second bundle package and negotiated with them for me). the last few sessions have been just touch ups to get the last hairs and i noticed she went a bit past the official area to snag some other stray hairs for me.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

The other thread about tipping says that pizza delivery people make more than engineers. Im sure that people working in a spa make more than most doctors.

That was a thread I started and I think that comment is the most preposterous thing I have ever heard. There is no Pizza delivery job in this country where the delivery guy makes more than an engineer. That is just a really wild excuse someone has made up for why they don't tip.


As for the OP. On that first visit when you realized you are suppose to tip you could have told them to put the tip on your debit or credit card. There is no rule that says it needs to be cash.

I however would prefer to tip the actual person that did my treatment in cash so that I know they got the tip. If you tip at the front desk who knows if they actually give it to the person or keep it for the shop.

I would call up there before your next treatment and ask what a normal session costs and tip according to that with whatever percentage of a tip you think is a good tip.

You are right though. If you go according to what the Groupon states the normal prices of the session are then it would have you tipping about $50 per session. I am usually a very good tipper. I tip at least 20% no matter where I am or how much the bill is, but I don't think I would be okay with tipping $50 for a 15 minute hair removal session. But that's just me.

 

[mjkacmom]

That was a thread I started and I think that comment is the most preposterous thing I have ever heard. There is no Pizza delivery job in this country where the delivery guy makes more than an engineer. That is just a really wild excuse someone has made up for why they don't tip.


As for the OP. On that first visit when you realized you are suppose to tip you could have told them to put the tip on your debit or credit card. There is no rule that says it needs to be cash.

I however would prefer to tip the actual person that did my treatment in cash so that I know they got the tip. If you tip at the front desk who knows if they actually give it to the person or keep it for the shop.

I would call up there before your next treatment and ask what a normal session costs and tip according to that with whatever percentage of a tip you think is a good tip.

You are right though. If you go according to what the Groupon states the normal prices of the session are then it would have you tipping about $50 per session. I am usually a very good tipper. I tip at least 20% no matter where I am or how much the bill is, but I don't think I would be okay with tipping $50 for a 15 minute hair removal session. But that's just me.

You did stiff her (pretty big, actually, since you didn't even pay full price for the service). Call them up and find out what it REALLY costs without a groupon, and at your next appointment, just double-tip her. One is expected to tip on these services.

 

[beavismom]

I am sure I will get flamed as cheap for this, but I don't think this is a service I would tip for. The people providing it are making a decent wage and they aren't like a salon where they are paying for a booth space. Would you tip the person who does a mammogram or sonogram for you? Your mechanic? I know the examples may seem extreme but they provide just as much service as your hair removal person. Of course, I am not getting laser hair removal either.

Edited to add - why is it different from the hair removal the OP had at her dermatologist? I am pretty sure no one would say to tip him/her.

Here is a link that shows these people make on AVERAGE 32,000 a year in 2010. I wish they showed whether that was salary or salary+tips.
http://www.ehow.com/info_8518273_much-hairremoval-technician-make-year.html

 

[daughtersrus]

I am sure I will get flamed as cheap for this, but I don't think this is a service I would tip for. The people providing it are making a decent wage and they aren't like a salon where they are paying for a booth space. Would you tip the person who does a mammogram or sonogram for you? Your mechanic? I know the examples may seem extreme but they provide just as much service as your hair removal person. Of course, I am not getting laser hair removal either.

Edited to add - why is it different from the hair removal the OP had at her dermatologist? I am pretty sure no one would say to tip him/her.

Here is a link that shows these people make on AVERAGE 32,000 a year in 2010. I wish they showed whether that was salary or salary+tips.
http://www.ehow.com/info_8518273_much-hairremoval-technician-make-year.html

I agree with you. I never understand why services like this are tipped, but no one would even thin about tipping their mechanic, plumber, appliance repairmen... and they're probably providing a service that's probably more necessary.

 

[DaisyD]

That was a thread I started and I think that comment is the most preposterous thing I have ever heard. There is no Pizza delivery job in this country where the delivery guy makes more than an engineer. That is just a really wild excuse someone has made up for why they don't tip.


As for the OP. On that first visit when you realized you are suppose to tip you could have told them to put the tip on your debit or credit card. There is no rule that says it needs to be cash.

I however would prefer to tip the actual person that did my treatment in cash so that I know they got the tip. If you tip at the front desk who knows if they actually give it to the person or keep it for the shop.

I would call up there before your next treatment and ask what a normal session costs and tip according to that with whatever percentage of a tip you think is a good tip.

You are right though. If you go according to what the Groupon states the normal prices of the session are then it would have you tipping about $50 per session. I am usually a very good tipper. I tip at least 20% no matter where I am or how much the bill is, but I don't think I would be okay with tipping $50 for a 15 minute hair removal session. But that's just me.

I'm not sure about her salons but the ones near me no longer allow tips to be charged. They must be in cash only. Apparently a lot of salons are now doing this. I had never heard of it and it was new last time I went and I had no cash! LOL I stammered that I would be right back and I went to an ATM and got some cash for a tip and ran it back to her. Thinking it might be just this one salon I went to another one for a different reason a month later and they too only accepted cash tips. Luckily for me I had some on me that day. So yes there are rules on tips at some places as crazy as that seems.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I agree with you. I never understand why services like this are tipped, but no one would even thin about tipping their mechanic, plumber, appliance repairmen... and they're probably providing a service that's probably more necessary.

Uh - I tip my repairmen, plumbers and mechanics? Because they are providing a service. And I want to be first in line in the event of an emergency.

 

[nicolita3]

I get my legs done and have never been asked or even hinted for a tip, nor did I give one. Maybe since I bought a package and don't pay each time I go. Also I've never seen anyone tip for it either.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

It wouldn't occur to me to tip for a treatment like that either.

 

[pearlieq]

This thread, and some subsequent Googling, is making me feel so much better! It seems like there really is no consensus and lots of people are just as confused as I am.

There seems to be an even split between people who think that laser is a medical service and that you wouldn't tip the tech anymore than you would tip a dental hygienest or sonogram tech, and people who believe that laser is a cosmetic service like a facial and that the person should be tipped just like any aesthetician.

I can see both sides of that argument, especially since the prices of laser treatments can vary so much. I was paying over $360 for 30 minute sessions at my dermatologist and I never even thought about tipping on that. Now that I'm at a medi-spa instead of a doctor's office and I'm paying $38 for 15 minute sessions, tipping seems more appropriate.

That being said, I did think it was a bit cheeky for the receptionist to ask for a tip so boldly. I felt really put on the spot--there was no way to decline without looking bad (which wound up happening anyway) which sort of takes away the "optional" part of a gratuity. They could have just had a discreet sign or put out some envelopes and a drop box like they do at salons.

After reading the helpful responses here and doing more research, I think I'm going to tip $15/session, including the one I missed. There doesn't seem to be a straight answer on what the "real" price is for laser, so I'm figuring that between my 15 minutes of treatment time and another 15 minutes for setup and cleanup, I'm taking 30 minutes of the woman's time. Tipping $15 for that works out to $30/hour or roughly $60,000/year. That seems like a fair wage for running a wand over my arms. I don't think I'm going to be going back after I complete this session of treatments, though. Having the tip issue pushed in my face so directly and being embarrassed by that left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[pearlieq]

Uh - I tip my repairmen, plumbers and mechanics? Because they are providing a service. And I want to be first in line in the event of an emergency.

I've gotta say I've never tipped a repairman or my mechanic. They give me the bill, I pay it, and that's the end of the transaction.

More power to you if you want to (I bet they love you!), but I don't think that's the standard, nor should it be. If I found a mechanic or tradesperson was unresponsive, I would find a new one before I started tipping.