Duchess Jack Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 I know the guy - but not really well. He is a buddy of a buddy. The guy is an amazing woodsmith, but he came in like 3K under the next lowest estimate. I had considered a c-note for him and a c-note for his helper - but if he is giving me a big discount, than passing a couple hundred seems weird, because he 'might' have discounted things well beyond that - I don't really know. At first, he was going to do this with my neighbor... so I thought I'd get them both a hundred dollar bag. That way... I am still giving a hundred each, but it is more thoughtful and not just about the money (vs the money I am saving). Well, he decided to do it during normal business hours rather than on the side - so he has his helper - which kind of makes the above idea a bit weird. So, now I am back to thinking a c-note each. Is this a decent amount? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 I know the guy - but not really well. He is a buddy of a buddy. The guy is an amazing woodsmith, but he came in like 3K under the next lowest estimate. I had considered a c-note for him and a c-note for his helper - but if he is giving me a big discount, than passing a couple hundred seems weird, because he 'might' have discounted things well beyond that - I don't really know. At first, he was going to do this with my neighbor... so I thought I'd get them both a hundred dollar bag. That way... I am still giving a hundred each, but it is more thoughtful and not just about the money (vs the money I am saving). Well, he decided to do it during normal business hours rather than on the side - so he has his helper - which kind of makes the above idea a bit weird. So, now I am back to thinking a c-note each. Is this a decent amount? More than adequate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 How long did it take? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duchess Jack Posted October 22, 2010 Author Share Posted October 22, 2010 All of Wednesday, all of Thursday and part of today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbpfan1231 Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 It depends on how wealthy you are and how poor he is - It is all about being fair and closing the gap. If Nancy Pelosi is reading this she would also suggest that he becomes part owner of the windows. I think you are OK with 100 each - I would think it would be much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 More than adequate. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 More than generous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duchess Jack Posted October 22, 2010 Author Share Posted October 22, 2010 thanks guys. I think we've had this discussion before, but the whole tipping thing (beyond restaurants, pizza delivery, maid service and whatnot) weirds me out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 All of Wednesday, all of Thursday and part of today. Hundred each seems just about right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuke'em ttg Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 More than generous. Yep, it'll be appreciated bigtime, once i got a 500 tacos at the end of a job from a friend 5 years later he told me i was half the other 2 bids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelBunz Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 This is always so tricky really. If it were just two installers from a company that gave you a full bid...I'd say $100 a piece would be a fabulous tip. Given the time it took....that bumps their hourly about $5/hr. But if the guy is a buddy of a buddy.....and just saved you 3K and you are very pleased with the work, I don't think 10% of the savings is out of line. Maybe $250-300 to him....100 for his helper. And some referrals.....lol. Or ask for some business cards in case you run across a friend having something done that you can recommend him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 So I've got two guys in the basement laying new carpet. They are almost done and I realize I only have $4 in cash on me. They are Mexican. Do I give them the $4 or is that an insult? Better to just tip nothing and hope they don't come back for revenge? I do have several rolls of quarters but that may be an even bigger insult. I do have an old Sony receiver that I probably won't use again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 So I've got two guys in the basement laying new carpet. They are almost done and I realize I only have $4 in cash on me. They are Mexican. Do I give them the $4 or is that an insult? Better to just tip nothing and hope they don't come back for revenge? I do have several rolls of quarters but that may be an even bigger insult. I do have an old Sony receiver that I probably won't use again... If you have an old mattress or a poncho you can give them, they will be as happy as they can be. I also hear that they are quite partial to kitchen knives, beer, booze and little girl's underwear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 I have never been tipped for building a building, and I've saved an owner $3,000,000 on one project. I had new vinyl siding put on a portion of my house last fall, and I didn't tip the guy a thing. He gave me a bid, and I accepted his bid. He did the work, and I paid him the agreed upon amount. Tipping a contractor of any kind just seems strange to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 I have never been tipped for building a building, and I've saved an owner $3,000,000 on one project. I had new vinyl siding put on a portion of my house last fall, and I didn't tip the guy a thing. He gave me a bid, and I accepted his bid. He did the work, and I paid him the agreed upon amount. Tipping a contractor of any kind just seems strange to me. Agreed. Unless it is a buddy that is giving you a deal because they are doing it in their spare time and cutting the cost of the materials because they somehow have them just laying around.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt770 Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 You guys were a little late, but I ended up going with zero tip. Then realized they did take the Sony receiver after all, so it all worked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.