Do you tip business and trades people?

[Coldicote]

When I employ business or tradespeople, such as painters, plumbers,electricians, builders, etc. to do necessary work at home I feel uncomfortable if I don't gve them a tip. Even though I normally have written quotations, one can hardly give less than �10 each per worker which can add considerably to the cost. What do others think about this and do you usually give tips?

[bednobs]

it probably sounds mean as hell but i hardly ever tip - no-one ever tips me for doing my job, so why should i give extra mney to people who are already getting paid to do a job or provide a service?

[redcrx]

The most i have done is given a mechanic a case of beer when he fixed my car. I wouldnt tip a tradesman as a general rule.

[yogasun]

bednobs I'm glad you posted that because I was just thinking that maybe we are mean as we just pay the bill whatever it is. As you say I don't get any extra for my job.

The only time we tip is when a workman goes out of their way to do something extra involving what is obviously extra time, etc.

[landscaper2]

Probably wouldnt tip subbies, they earn a good crack and dont tip the boss! Probably half of our customers give my lads something as they are full time and on site for most of the job. Can honestly a tip of any sort is always appreciated - amount is imaterial - they seem just as happy with a fiver as twenty. Dont feel obliged or uncomfortable, there's plenty who give nothing!

[puddicat]

Only tip hairdressers why i dont know, as some are on a kings ransom!!!

[Coldicote]

Perhaps the better thing would be a bottle of wine or a box of sweets - the sort you might give at Chistmas. Thanks everyone.

[vivandorron]

I tip people out of fear that I shall further require their services. There should be a law making it a criminal offence to tip anyone who is being paid.........Ron

[carrust]

As a tradesman I don't expect to be tipped. But I'm always very grateful when it happens. The last job I did the customer gave me �100-00 tip, but I did l look after his garden, watered his toms & made it look as though the house was occupied whilst he was on holiday.

[Eve]

It would depend who it was and what they were doing.

I don't see the need to tip for normal expected service.

I have no problem in tipping someone for extra-special service though less business or tradespeople but more waitresses, taxi drivers etc... and if I did tip tradespeople if would be more likely to be a bottle of something or similar.

I do like to see tipping as a reward for great service and don't think it should be expected, my view would just be to put the prices up and pay staff more.

I recently went to New York where tipping is expected for so many things, dollar a drink in a bar, service on eating out, always in a taxi and if anyone in a hotel moves your bags etc...

It's a bit in your face, I'm not mean by any means but if you don't realise, forget, or don't given enough, it's pointed out to you, usually quite abruptly which I find quite rude.

You do get used to adding the extras on though almost like part of the price.

[carrust]

I put this in last year;http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Q uestion405477.html

[phylkat]

This morning a gas engineer came to service our heating system, he was here about an hour. He charged �35.00
I gave him �40.00. (I call it a drink)

pk

[terambulan]

I tip if they're employees on a fixed wage ie engineers from gas/BT/Electrics/Water boards as their income is about �40pday gross. If they are self-employed then no tip, just pay the bill.

[Hermia]

I have never tipped these sort of people. It has never occured to me too! After all, there are lots of people who work in service industries, don't get paid much and do a fabulous job and we don't tip them! I do make sure I get some nice biscuits if I have builders etc in. My mum's gardener did once take some of her old furniture to the dump for her and I did put some extra money in his envelope for doing that.