I just had my floors refinished and the guy has done a great job. We had a kitchen floor that had been tiled and therefore was covered with old glue-looks new now. My wife mentioned that we should give the fella a little extra maybe $50 or $75 (the total job was $1200).
I don’t disagree with her but I was wondering what the experience/reactions have been when the client “tips”. Is it a welcome surprise. A validation of your skills?
cje
Replies
I've gotten tips occasionally, and the gesture was more appreciated than the actual sum. It's a nice thing to do, in my book, if you're truly happy with the project.
Edited 10/23/2002 9:51:25 AM ET by Notchman
I think the best tip you could give him would be some word of mouth advertising - Tell your friends what a great job he did.
What was in those Scooby snacks, and why did Shaggy want them too? He WAS the only hippie-looking one in the bunch...
As a finisher, I sometimes get gift certificates from satisfied customers. I appreciate them more than a tip.
Ditch
Previous to starting up on my own, on the rare occasion I was offered a tip, I would gladly accept. A working stiff is always more than happy to boost his weekly paycheck whenever the oportunity arrises. Since being on my own I can only recall one instance where a client offered extra money. I respectfully declined on my own behalf but suggested to the client tipping "the guys". Good referalls are infinetly more apreciated. Allowing me the opportunity to perhaps show a perspective future client the job I`ve done on your house is a major asset.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
I was raised old school....a refusal of a tip was like a slap in the face!
So I've always accepted them all........but like one of the first posters said.......the offer means as much, if not more....then the dollar amount.
$50 or $75 on a $1200 job would be great......as would gift certificates for dinner or anything else.
Word of mouth advertising is even better...but....if ya tell 20 people and none of them ever call....or forget to say how they heard...the guy's not gonna know that you thought he went above and beyond.
Typed letters of referal are always nice to get in the mail too.
You sound like good customers...we all need more of them.
Jeff
..............Al-ways look on......the bright......side of life.............
The bit of appreciation I got on a job that sticks in my mind more than any other didn't involve money. I traveled a ways to inspect, consult, and report. She was out of the country and couldn't oversee her job and was getting bad vibes from a contractor. He was doing good work all right but he had crappy communications skills so her instincts were giving her a red light.
I put her nerves to rest and suggested some ways for both of them to improve the situation.
a couple of weeks later, I recieved a fruit basket sent from her with a nice, hanbdwritten note in lovely script extolling how professional and thorough I was and how I had given her peace of mind beyond what dollars could recompense. The measure of trust she elaborated warmed my heart.
It's too bad not all contractors will have an opportunity to know that feeling..
Excellence is its own reward!
This first job I did on my own yielded a tip. I forget what it was, but I never forgot the thought.
Last week a woman insisted on doing something extra, and I was fighting her about it. Halfway thru my last objection I turned around and said thank you, I appreciate it. I will put her among the folks I never forget.
If you want to know what our reactions are, some of us are touched. It IS a welcome surprise, go for it.
We don't need your money though, most often a thank you is enough. Gift certificate a dinner somewhere if you want to, tickets to something, something you or your kid made. It really is the thought that counts.
I don't know what the lastest gift is yet, but that isn't what matters.
Isnt' it the Japanese philosophy that a gift (or tip) can be offered 3 times, and refused twice, without offense? The old "take it", "no i cant", "sure, take it", "no i can't", "please take it", "oh all right" routine....
Not me buddy......... I need their money!
Hell...at this point.....I'll take diapers and formula!
Jeff..............Al-ways look on......the bright......side of life.............
Extra money for extra special service. Some of my best subs on my house I've been able to "pay" extra by getting them selected on other jobs without competitive bidding and such--the owner (my client) is willing to follow my recommendation. But the one true "tipping" I did was an excavator who came up with a suggestion for a retaining wall that turned out real cool, and they pushed back another job a day and a half to make it happen. I gave each of the 3 guys $50. Along with the thanks, each had the same request..."Please don't mention it to my wife...it's the only money I'll get to keep this week!" <G>