Social Question

jca2's avatar

When someone comes to your house to do work, for example the cable guy, do you tip them?

Asked by jca2 (16736points) March 25th, 2022

I just had the windshield replaced, covered by my car insurance, and the service comes to your house or place of work or wherever is convenient for you. I gave the guy a ten dollar tip when he was done.

When I have cable guy here (very infrequently, maybe every few years), I tip. If I had a twenty dollar bill available, I’d give it to them at the start of their visit and I seem to get good service for it. I would have given the windshield guy a twenty but I only had a ten and some singles in my wallet.

A friend told me that a tip is to make up the salary difference for a low salaried worker, for example a wait staffer in a restaurant. He said the cable guy or the windshield replacement guy are not low paid. They’re not affluent, obviously, but they’re not making the low salary of a waiter or waitress.

Do you tip these types of employees when they do work at your house?

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17 Answers

chyna's avatar

No, not as you described the work they did. However, when I bought a new couch and the guys delivered it, I asked if they would move the old couch to the basement. They did and I tipped them $10.00 each. Same thing with a refrigerator. I had the guys delivering the new fridge take my old one to my garage. I tipped them. So I guess my way of thinking on this is to tip when they go above and beyond what is expected of them.

Brian1946's avatar

I don’t.

My only income is social security, my cable bill is $137/month, and I’m sure they make more than I do.

LadyMarissa's avatar

I don’t often tip the cable guy but I seldom have the chance as my cable company is fairly reliable!!! The last time I had a windshield replaced, it was the owner who came out to do it. The insurance company was paying him well plus he had a financial account with my boss & I knew what his portfolio looked like. I silently felt like he should have tipped me for having him do the work!!! I often tip the guy who did the actual work on my car because the owners keep most of my bill for themselves!!!

IF I have a heavy FedEx/UPS type delivery to my house, I will usually meet them at the gate & request that they deliver inside. They’re NOT supposed to do this but some will. IF they willingly say yes, they just made an extra $20. I only do that on items too heavy for me to do by myself!!!

Now, the waitresses here only get paid $2/hr & I make sure the good ones get an excellent tip. $16/day won’t even cover the gas to get to work & home. There’s a couple of restaurants experimenting with paying $5/hr. I tip them a little less mainly because I’ve found they don’t provide as good of service.

As far as workers coming to my house, I tip when I feel like they’ve gone above & beyond!!!

smudges's avatar

I don’t. I’m like @Brian1946.

rebbel's avatar

Nope.
I do offer a drink though (coffee, water, tea).

SnipSnip's avatar

No. I can’t imagine them accepting a tip. My company does not allow it.

Chestnut's avatar

I tipped electricians some Girl Scout cookies, but other than that, no. I avoid situations where tips are expected.

LadyMarissa's avatar

I don’t tip because they expect it. I tip because I feel they did something that deserved it!!!

Forever_Free's avatar

Nope. Never have, never will.

janbb's avatar

I won’t tip a technician for a company that comes out to do work but I will tip laborers like mattress delivery guys whom I feel are lower paid.

RocketGuy's avatar

Not if they are already charging a delivery fee. I always offer something to drink, though.

Brian1946's avatar

Such a shame that if an Amazon delivery is on time and undamaged, that I can’t personally tip Jeff Bozos. ~

Samantha4One's avatar

If it’s hot outside, I would atleast offer them some water or cold drink, this is just basic human etiquette and I don’t see anything wrong with it.

filmfann's avatar

No. I used to go on loan to my company’s repair service.
I was offered a tip a couple times, and I never accepted it.

DrShelby's avatar

I always want to tip them, especially when the service provider does a great job. My cable guy is amazing, he goes above and beyond every time and I always want to tip him, but he says that he is not allowed to accept tips. I think that this might the case for a lot of people in these professions. I love to tip, and my favorite thing to do is over tip service workers so I just wish there was something I could do.

Twice a year I put out a snack/water stand for delivery drivers. December and July, or whenever it happens to be the hottest time of year. I put out snacks (like chips, power bars, cookies, etc), water, Gatorade, and other drinks. I make it look cute and accessible, and attach a sign that says “Delivery drivers, etc. Take what you want! We appreciate you!” I haven’t seen a driver take anything, but my doorbell cam picks it up and they are always so happy to see the snack bin so it makes me feel good.

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