Gratuity on Marine Services - Carpet cleaning

[kgarguilo]

I am curious as I got hit with a request for a tip today that has not happened in 22 years of boating. I am interested in other people's opinion on this topic. I hired this company for the first time (a professional company boat washing waxing, carpet cleaning etc.) to clean my carpets on my boat, in my slip. I was told it was a minimum fee for a 42' Carver 406 Yacht of $352.00 and a $10 dollar credit card fee. I paid a 25% deposit as requested prior to service which I had no issue with and the balance of 75% after they alerted me that the job was completed. As a similar reference but, for household carpet cleaning, I have tipped the Stanley steamer guy.

I got a follow up text stating:
"Thank you for your business! We work hard to ensure that the (COMPANY NAME OMITTED) experience is top notch and we strive to be the best in service, products and customer service. This is why the customer experience is soo important to us.
Many customers find the most convenient way to show their support for our team is by sending our team a gratuity. If you would like to leave a tip for the technicians that worked hard for you, simply click the link below - they will surely appreciate it!"

In my many years of boating using professional companies at a marina such as, washing and waxing, head repair, Aqua Marine deck installation, mechanic type work, canvas enclosures, etc., I have never received a text like this.

As an aside, for Marina services such as Fuel and pump out, restaurant workers, Dock utility workers, etc. they are always on my tip list. It seems to me, if you are already paying a higher rate for a marine related professional service company, they (the company) should be paying their people well enough to not need to solicit tips. I want to be fair, but this is a first for me. Any thoughts on this topic would be greatly appreciated as I may use them again. If you have an idea that the answer is yes, what is appropriate?

#highclassproblems :-D

[Midnightsun]

Don't get me started on tips. I would politely decline and even mention in all my decades of having boat work done, I am quite surprised at your request for a tip as this has never happened before. If someone asks me for a tip then all doors close, I would maybe say, "tell you what, give me a 10% discount and I will give you a 10% tip"

Tips are for services received above and beyond ones expectations and rightfully so. One earns a tip, one does not ask for a tip!

Sit down restaurants are an exception in todays society where it seems 15% is the norm regardless if they spilled your dish on you or the service was poor and even then some squawk because they feel it's not enough.

[pepmyster]

Nope, not going to happen. You asked for that amount, you did the job and I gave you the money you asked for, thanks and have a nice day. This tipping crap is was out of hand. Not a fan, like kgarguilo said, Fuel dock and pump out station crew always get a tip, not someone I paid top dollar for to do a service. Just my 2 cents.

[Midnightsun]

Fuel dock and pump out station crew always get a tip

Oddly enough our marina which is run by the city will not allow the fuel/pump out crew to accept tips, they can be laid off if they do by the way. That being said, I usually speak to the crew and give them $100 to split between them at the beginning of the season away from unwanted eyes.

[pepmyster]

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Fuel dock and pump out station crew always get a tip

Oddly enough our marina which is run by the city will not allow the fuel/pump out crew to accept tips, they can be laid off if they do by the way. That being said, I usually speak to the crew and give them $100 to split between them at the beginning of the season away from unwanted eyes.

Your a good man Hans. Really good.

[Cooler]

Since COVID, this tipping issue is out of control. I am a very generous tipper. But I tip to individuals who provide good service, and I am aware that their wage is adjusted by having a potential for traditional tips. In your case of marine cleaning service, that is a hard no! I tip dockhands for any service they provide, and they do go above and beyond.

It really cranks me up when I pick up take out orders, and get presented with the tip request. NOBODY PROVIDED ANY SERVICE, and you already increased your menu prices by 25 to 50 percent. Good luck! er

[Viper]

Hey if shrinkflation works for them then so should tipflation.

[bud37]

We have always taken care of the haul out/lift in crew on the side, as they can severely affect your boat.

As for folk suggesting tips for contracted work.....forget it, unless they do more than contracted for and are exemplary.....

[Alanna Mo Cree]

A rule I follow is workers may be tipped for great service/above beyond expectations, but the owner or person who sets the prices does not get tipped. I completely agree that tipping in general is out of hand. It's to show appreciation for a job well done, not respond to a situation made awkward by someone begging for a handout. There is a place near here that we get takeout. They always say "the system is going to ask you a question" like they don't know what that question is. I called the cashier out on it one time. She was not amused, but I was.

One of the biggest impressions anyone made on me was the gentleman who tinted two of my vehicles and gave me an awesome deal to do both. I tried to give him a little extra because his price was much lower than expected and the work was fabulous. He gave me the extra back and told me that the best tip he could receive would be for me to spread the word about his business. A true class act! If anyone needs a tint person in Central Florida, I have your guy.

And a funny story when I tried to tip a dockhand at a municipal marina. He said he couldn't accept the tip because it would be bribing a government official.

[waybomb]

If I tip, it's not because I was asked to. In fact, if asked, the answer is no.