Tip or not to Tip

 

what's a bit fitting?

Edited by 3558 2007-10-02 6:56 PM

Sorry smart guy.

In all seriousness, I've never heard of tipping for a bike fitting.  But I might also just be ignorant.


Edited by 3558 2007-10-02 7:04 PM

Hence the question, I just hate being that guy that doesn't tip for something that is supposed to be tipped for.

I come from the "world capital" of tipping. I didn't tip and didn't get any bad looks or feedback.

Bike shops are not a tip based industry as far as I'm concerned.



Had to fix a typo - didn't want to get busted!

Edited by Aikidoman 2007-10-02 7:11 PM

No tip.  You are either paying for the fitting already, or you bought the bike at that shop and a fitting should come standard with any new bike purchase.  Either way, they got your $ already.

I'd tip. I see it as a "service" so I'd tip if they did a good job, and not or little, if they did a bad job. I have no idea what standard the bike industry has though.

I have had hours of interesting conversations about "tipping". Ask the (future) wife. In essance, isn't just about every job a "service"? I provide engineering "services". The ticket booth person provides a "service" to take your money and give you a movie ticket. Cops and Fire people are public "servants". Dr's provide health "services". We don't tip them...

Doesn't matter to me, I'm sure they would appreciate the tip and realize that you were happy/satisfied with the service. It's always good to acknowledge quality service and tip if you want to - but I just don't think it is expected at a LBS.

I would classify bike fit under professional service and the rate u pay for that should be more than adequate compensation.

On the other hand, I used to have a wrench in New Orleans that cleaned the bike so spotlessly that I would throw him a $20. My bike is so dirty here in LA.

Why in the world would you tip for a bike fitting?

THREAD HIJACK***

This whole tipping thing has gotten way outta control. I work in the restaurant business, but still find it insulting that when I go to Starbucks or Chipolte there is a tip jar sitting there. I mean, I came up to the counter to buy a product, what service did they provide? The only difference between these places and Sears is that the product is on the other side of counter...

END HIJACK***

Thanks for the help, it has reinforced what I was planning.

I tip. I have worked in the ski shop, next to several bike shops over the years.

A tip is not "expected", but the technician, who possesses a skill that is applied in a custom manner to your specific person, certainly will remember who did and didn't tip. When it comes time to go the extra mile, or put out a little extra effort at the end of a long day, the person who showed even a little gratitude ($5) will be the one that gets the extra effort.

The same thing goes for the ski tech, boot fitter etc. in the ski shops. (Figured I would add that as we are heading into winter.)

Edited by NateC 2007-10-02 8:57 PM

You're saying your future wife right because I'm already married.

If you do not tip your going to heck.

tip for everything even the cop who gives you a speeding ticket.

ok ok. yeah tipping for everything is crazy. I think people should do there best work and not just go for the money. Take pride in what you do. If your that good you can charge more but I will never tip.

I think waitress shoudl be paid a decent wage and no tipping should be required.

Bring their favorite beer!!

I feel that tips are designed to compensate those who provide a service but receive no real income from the service itself. A waiter gets paid $2.13 an hour and doesnt make any more money for the food you order, thus should get a tip. Baggers in some grocery stores make very little, or nothing at all, yet provide a service, thus deserve a tip. Some Pizza delivery guys I know do not get reimbursed for their fuel and vehicle expenses, thus deserve a tip.

Bottomline If someone provides a service and they are not compensated for it by their employer then they deserve a tip. if someone goes the extra mile, whether expected or not, they deserve a tip. At a bike shop the person doing the fitting is probably an employee paid to do that job. You pay a fee to the store thus his pay should come from that fee. If said employee where to fit my bike at his house, then he deserves compensation in the form of a fee, or a tip.

people please do not forget to tip your RDs. alot of them do it for free and if you have a good race you should type them.

I'll give them 10% of my winnings..... JK - good point though.

Just a spinnoff or semi-hijack - I have won several No limit poker tournaments here in Vegas, and it is expected to tip the dealers. I don't argue too much, they live on tips. But I laugh because if you get good cards and win, you have to tip them. but if they deal you $hit, why don't they give you some money back?

Same goes with the cash games. The house has the rake and should pay the dealers, but you have to tip when you win as well.

Edited by Aikidoman 2007-10-03 11:36 AM

This is going to be a professional fit at a LBS. I didn't think I needed to tip, but now I am sure.

Thanks

Hijack time, I play only craps in the casinos and the same crap. You color up and they look at you if you don't tip but if you lose your azz, they just wish you on your way!!

Well they tend to put all tips into a community pool because if you lose you make money for the casino and less for you so if you split then everyone wins.

They make good tips though. my friend was a dealer and he made more money than I make as a software engineer.

What I really can not stand is the bartender who expects $1 because he untwists the top of a $3 bottle of beer. That means I am paying him about $120 a hour for his services.

I work at a gas station, and we have two sides, the full serve and self serve. I work the full serve, and from an 8 hour shift its not uncommon to go home with $20 in tips. I dont understand the people who tip, I am only doing the work that most of them are too lazy to do themselves. I dont tip if I have to go to the full serve, because likes been said, I am being paid to provide that service to you

Tips are appreciated, but they shouldnt be expected, specially not when you pay out the butt for a bike fitting