Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 27
  1. #1

    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    New Milford, CT
    Posts
    855
    Post Thanks / Like
    I saw a sign somewhere that said that and was pondering if it would be something acceptable to put in a detailing shop? I`m thinking more about my employee on this, he busts his butt and it would be nice if more people tipped him. I think it`s a huge morale booster for an employee to get a tip and if it makes my guy happier to work for me, I want to help him get more tips. I`d like to ask for some opinions about this, from a business owner point of view and a customer`s point of view. As the owner, I never expect to get a tip, but I think the employee deserves it.



    Do you think people should tip their detailer?



    What would you think if you walked into a shop (any shop) and saw a sign that said that? Would it offend you, or would you be more likely to tip if you normally wouldn`t have?



    As a detailer, do you expect to get tipped?



    Or anything else you would like to say.



    Thanks
    Rich Grasa

    Pro Mobile Detailing based in New Milford, CT

    www.explicitdetails.com

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Brick, NJ
    Posts
    83
    Post Thanks / Like
    From an employee standpoint...



    I do landscaping in the summer and we obviously don`t have a tipping sign hanging anywhere, but it is nice to get a tip, even if its just 5 bucks to buy a drink/pay for some of lunch. Just because the sign is there doesn`t mean anyone has to give anything, its their choice.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Overland Park, KS
    Posts
    127
    Post Thanks / Like
    Personally, I`m not really a fan of those kinds of signs. I think most people would understand that if they wanted to tip, they could, but shouldn`t feel as though it`s expected. If you put up the sign, even though you`re bringing attention to it not being needed, the fact that it`s there gives me a guilty feeling if I didn`t want to tip as I know others probably are.



    I don`t expect to be tipped because I`m the one doing the job and taking the money. I quote the price as that`s what the work was worth. If someone rounds up, or gives 10 extra because that`s what the ATM allowed them to pull increments of, I am greatly appreciative, but would never expect a tip.

  4. #4
    mikenap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    2,257
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Scooby24
    Personally, I`m not really a fan of those kinds of signs. I think most people would understand that if they wanted to tip, they could, but shouldn`t feel as though it`s expected. If you put up the sign, even though you`re bringing attention to it not being needed, the fact that it`s there gives me a guilty feeling if I didn`t want to tip as I know others probably are.



    I don`t expect to be tipped because I`m the one doing the job and taking the money. I quote the price as that`s what the work was worth. If someone rounds up, or gives 10 extra because that`s what the ATM allowed them to pull increments of, I am greatly appreciative, but would never expect a tip.


    I agree it can leave a bad taste with some people. Those that WANT to tip will tip with or without a sign, those who don`t will pretend they don`t see the sign anyway.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Overland Park, KS
    Posts
    127
    Post Thanks / Like
    PS: I find that I`ve been tipped on most jobs as the final price is usually a hair less than what I quoted. I try to overshoot, then surprise the customer with a lower final price than they expected. I`d say 75% of the time they still pay me what they were expecting to anyways, but that way they feel good about what they paid and the tip they provided.

  6. #6
    Hooked For Life Bill D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    The First Coast
    Posts
    13,252
    Post Thanks / Like
    For several years when I was in college I was the exclusive detailer for a client who happily tipped me 100%. I was never looking for a tip and I was truly flabergasted ,honored, and humbled. I would be delighted to see him again one day and I would detail his car again and I`d refuse to take any money for it. I remembet and appreciate the gesture that much. I know he drives a Bentley GTC now so that would really make the detail fun.
    Treat it like it`s the only one in the world.

  7. #7
    Nth Degree's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    RDU, NC
    Posts
    1,741
    Post Thanks / Like
    I have spent many years working in restaurants and can tell you that people tip what they are going to tip. Period. Some are generous and some aren`t and it rarely is based upon the quality of service. I don`t think a sign will increase tips, but could offend some.



    Does your employee have direct contact with the customer? People are more inclined to tip someone directly than to give it randomly to a tip jar/box. Sometimes pointing out a little issue that was taken care of at no additional cost can also increase the odds. People appreciate when someone goes above and beyond.

  8. #8
    Driven WAS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Whitehorse, YT
    Posts
    1,257
    Post Thanks / Like
    My POS machine has a "Tip ?" option on it when the customer pays with plastic (which is about 99% of customers). This makes them select "yes" or "no", so they`re reminded then and there. I`d say about 30% to 40% of customers tip, and yes, those tips get divided up between the detail staff that worked on that particular vehicle.



    Now, as for the sign. If the customer is happy with their detail, and they feel the price they paid was fair, NO ONE is NOT going to return to your shop JUST because you have a sign posted somewhere "Gratuity greatly appreciated but not neccessary". Chances of that happening are 0.0005%, and if someone says that`s the reason they aren`t coming back, then they`re just lying and coming up with whatever reason they can come up with.
    ... Because your vehicle deserves it too

  9. #9
    Rasky's Auto Detailing RaskyR1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eden Prairie, MN
    Posts
    5,011
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Nth Degree
    I have spent many years working in restaurants and can tell you that people tip what they are going to tip. Period. Some are generous and some aren`t and it rarely is based upon the quality of service. I don`t think a sign will increase tips, but could offend some.



    Does your employee have direct contact with the customer? People are more inclined to tip someone directly than to give it randomly to a tip jar/box. Sometimes pointing out a little issue that was taken care of at no additional cost can also increase the odds. People appreciate when someone goes above and beyond.


    Agreed! Especially with the highlighted part.



    I never expect to receive a tip and I almost always spend a little extra time on a car, more because I`m OCD then anything, but it`s nice when those little things are noticed and appreciated.

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    New Milford, CT
    Posts
    855
    Post Thanks / Like
    Thanks for the input. One thing that got me thinking about this is the Livingsocial deal I did. It says right on the voucher "Tax and gratuity are not included; don`t forget to tip on the pre-discounted amount". I have noticed that about 80% of the people that come in to redeem their voucher tip about $20. People that come in for regular non-deal detailing almost never tip, maybe about 10% of the time. That`s a huge difference, they see that on the voucher and think about tipping and most of them do. That got me thinking about the sign thing. I don`t think I`m going to put up a sign but I think if people were somehow reminded about tipping, they seem to be much more inclined to do so.



    And I want to stress I`m not being greedy here, trying to get more tips, but want my workers to be as happy working for me as possible. I`d love to be able to somehow mention something about tipping that isn`t obvious and won`t offend customers.
    Rich Grasa

    Pro Mobile Detailing based in New Milford, CT

    www.explicitdetails.com

  11. #11
    CCH Auto Appearance, LLC C. Charles Hahn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Lansing, MI USA
    Posts
    8,783
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by ExplicitDetails
    And I want to stress I`m not being greedy here, trying to get more tips, but want my workers to be as happy working for me as possible. I`d love to be able to somehow mention something about tipping that isn`t obvious and won`t offend customers.


    There are probably other things you can do to keep your workers happy aside from trying to get customers to tip....
    Charlie
    Automotive Appearance Specialist - Serving Greater Lansing, Michigan
    http://www.cchautoappearance.com/

  12. #12

    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    WNY
    Posts
    611
    Post Thanks / Like
    Instead of saying, "yes, we want a tip, but no you don`t have to"...





    ...just list your prices as "Pricing does not include tax or gratuity".



    EDIT: I Just re-read and saw that you saw it elsewhere
    ...they call me Mike



    Dig what we are doing? - Please join us on Facebook and Twitter



    Auto Aesthetica - Detail supply without the fluff

    and WNY`s Premier Automotive Detailing & Finish Restoration Specialists

  13. #13

    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    WNY
    Posts
    611
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by RaskyR1
    Agreed! Especially with the highlighted part.



    I never expect to receive a tip and I almost always spend a little extra time on a car, more because I`m OCD then anything, but it`s nice when those little things are noticed and appreciated.




    I have a lot of business owners as customers who are very generous, it always works out to a percentage of price - a very nice one. I had one guy tip me, then turn around in his vehicle come back and say "what the hell was I thinking", and gave me an additional 80 bucks because his quick mental math was a hair off
    ...they call me Mike



    Dig what we are doing? - Please join us on Facebook and Twitter



    Auto Aesthetica - Detail supply without the fluff

    and WNY`s Premier Automotive Detailing & Finish Restoration Specialists

  14. #14

    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    761
    Post Thanks / Like
    No problem mentioning tipping in my opinion.

  15. #15
    Brad B's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    4,970
    Post Thanks / Like
    I guess from a customer point of view I never understood why certain professions `expect` a tip. I don`t tip my lawyer, my car tech, my handy man, my plumber, etc. To me they all are paid to provide a distinct professional service and skill set and are paid appropriately to do so. I would think a detailer would be in this category. (?)



    When tipping is outright mentioned, or I read some signage asking for it, it makes me feel uncomfortable. You feel compelled to do so, even if the service is bad. I`m not cheap, I swear. I just figure if you are charging enough for the service you don`t need to do this. Maybe a better pricing strategy needs to be implemented if you are not getting enough for your work?



    Of course I am also of the mindset that you should pay employees what they are worth so they don`t have to rely on tips.
    The Stable
    2017 Audi TTS
    2014 Porsche Carrera S
    2017 Porsche Macan GTS
    1996 Porsche Carrera 4S

 

 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Opinions greatly appreciated
    By IAFF78 in forum Machine Polishing & Sanding
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 04-22-2013, 11:54 AM
  2. Opinions greatly appreciated
    By IAFF78 in forum Auto Detailing 101
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-21-2013, 06:15 PM
  3. Business Name, Opinions Greatly Appreciated
    By Marquez in forum Detailing Business Management & Marketing
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 10-17-2012, 01:04 AM
  4. Replies: 2
    Last Post: 10-04-2011, 03:35 PM
  5. Some Specific Questions, Your Input Greatly Appreciated!
    By Saitou Hajime in forum Car Detailing
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-07-2005, 08:52 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •