another tipping qurstion.

[jewelerman]

There has been alot of questions regarding tipping.Im curious about who on the forum tips the jewelry professionals who clean and check your jewelry?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Nope. I don't tip them.

 

[Elmorton]

Oh goodness, no...that would be awkward. As a general rule, I think you only tip when there''s been an exchange of money in the first place, and ring cleaning is a free service, typically. Also, I don''t think it''s proper to tip someone who is earning commission.

 

[jewelerman]

Date: 10/4/2009 10:48:44 PM
Author: Elmorton
Oh goodness, no...that would be awkward. As a general rule, I think you only tip when there''s been an exchange of money in the first place, and ring cleaning is a free service, typically. Also, I don''t think it''s proper to tip someone who is earning commission.

But many services are free,like mail delivery and we tip out garbage and mail people at the end of the year.We tip delivery people even when they are paid hourly to do that exact job.Jewelers,appraisers and sales people do get an hourly wage plus 1-3 % so when they are cleaning and polishing clients jewelry it does take them off the sales floor for periods of time limiting their ability to sell.Many times they are working on jewelry that wasnt even purchased at the store they work at.I think its interesting that we tip servers of all kinds,delivery people,mail and gargage people,hair and salon personel ect ,but rarely jewelers who actually make less per year they some people we freely tip.

 

[that_someone_special]

Date: 10/5/2009 3:00:38 AM
Author: jewelerman

Date: 10/4/2009 10:48:44 PM

Author: Elmorton

Oh goodness, no...that would be awkward. As a general rule, I think you only tip when there''s been an exchange of money in the first place, and ring cleaning is a free service, typically. Also, I don''t think it''s proper to tip someone who is earning commission.

But many services are free,like mail delivery and we tip out garbage and mail people at the end of the year.We tip delivery people even when they are paid hourly to do that exact job.Jewelers,appraisers and sales people do get an hourly wage plus 1-3 % so when they are cleaning and polishing clients jewelry it does take them off the sales floor for periods of time limiting their ability to sell.Many times they are working on jewelry that wasnt even purchased at the store they work at.I think its interesting that we tip servers of all kinds,delivery people,mail and gargage people,hair and salon personel ect ,but rarely jewelers who actually make less per year they some people we freely tip.

I must be in weirdo land, because I don''t know a single person that tips their garbage man or mail man. Other than food, hair, nails.. I can''t think of any place to tip at (er, hotels, cleaning services..) But jewelers? Ah, they already get enough of my money.

 

[litebrite]

I tip my mailman or rather, I give them a gift during the holidays. I guess it's been ingrained since childhood, never really thought about why I do it.

 

[elle_chris]

I will not tip jewelers, I will not tip the guy who''s making my coffee or breakfast at the local deli, I will not tip a starbucks employee (who by the way, make more than minimum wage and get pretty good benefits.)
Frankly, I''m tired of these "tip jars" that are popping up everywhere.
How about I get tipped everytime I bag my own groceries, give directions, or hold a door for someone.

The whole tipping "craze" here is driving me bonkers. Is there anyone left that thinks they don''t need to tipped?

 

[swingirl]

I don't think it's appropriate to tip a government employee. Mail delivery isn't an optional "service" like getting your hair done. I would never tip the UPS or FedEx delivery person. No, I would not tip my jeweler. If I liked them and their service I would continue to patronize them and refer my friends to them.

And regarding those "tip jars", I know of folks who work at those places and say they've never gotten a penny from the tip jar. When you tip a waitress you know she gets the tip but when you throw money into the tip jar don't assume the guy behind the cash register will ever see a dime.

 

[somethingshiny]

I''ve never tipped a jewelry person.

" when they are cleaning and polishing clients jewelry it does take them off the sales floor for periods of time limiting their ability to sell.Many times they are working on jewelry that wasnt even purchased at the store they work at."

I''ve worked in the optometric profession for many years. I was never tipped for repairing glasses that were not bought at my place of business and it certainly took me off the sales floor to limit my own commission. But, the only thing we were hoping to gain was a new patient.

Every service industry has this same occurrence.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 10/5/2009 7:30:01 AM
Author: swedish bean


I must be in weirdo land, because I don''t know a single person that tips their garbage man or mail man. Other than food, hair, nails.. I can''t think of any place to tip at (er, hotels, cleaning services..) But jewelers? Ah, they already get enough of my money.

Exactly. I take my jewelry to the gal who sold my my diamond ring (and it''s well cut and purchased before I found PS), so I''m sure she earned her pretty penny at the time, so I''m not tipping her.

I tip service: Resturant food, nails, hair, etc. I do not tip random people like garbage because I''ve never even seen or met my garbage person.

A few years back, when we got a newspaper near the holidays, the delivery guy had included a self-addressed holiday card TO HIM which implied we should send our tips directly to them. I cannot stand when someone EXPECTS a tip. It''s an action you chose to do when you receive great service. Not a in the face, here is my info. . .you owe me.

Like the mall court. Give me a break. I''m not tipping someone who fills a bowl of rice for me and/or hands me a bottle of water.

 

[geckodani]

Date: 10/5/2009 11:26:47 AM
Author: elle_chris
I will not tip jewelers, I will not tip the guy who's making my coffee or breakfast at the local deli, I will not tip a starbucks employee (who by the way, make more than minimum wage and get pretty good benefits.)
Frankly, I'm tired of these 'tip jars' that are popping up everywhere.
How about I get tipped everytime I bag my own groceries, give directions, or hold a door for someone.

The whole tipping 'craze' here is driving me bonkers. Is there anyone left that thinks they don't need to tipped?

Yeah.... but it's not THAT much more than minimun wage, most of them have a hard time getting hours (full time is 36 hours, and full time is RARE, mostly just managers) and that tip jar is often a lifesaver (6 years at Starbucks).

I tip at coffee shops, hair/nail salons etc. Don't tip for jewelry cleaning. Have never tipped the mail or garbage man either. Hmm.

ETA: I still base tips on service though! If I get crappy service - well, why on earth should I tip you?