Some people tip too much. I know, it's antithetical for someone like me to say, but it's true nonetheless, that some people are overly generous with the gratuities.
The gentleman I have in mind is an interesting study. Not the most charismatic guy, he's obviously set on looking after all of the drivers slaving for The Boss. Upon his insistence, we automatically add thirty percent to all of his invoices as a standard gratuity, but he also oftentimes palms us a note as well...and not a twenty, either.
Oddly, all this money makes me uncomfortable. There are two reasons for this. One is that while Mr Tipper is always polite and never demanding, I have no connection with him. We talk only perfunctorily, and never with humor. His wife, more friendly and outgoing, is kinda the same. Secondly, I really never feel like I've earned the tip. A lot of his jobs are very simple local limousine runs, collecting a couple or a couple of couples around five in the afternoon, and driving them to his house. They have dinner and a few drinks, and then I drive them back. It's so easy.
The only downside is that we have to sit in his underground garage for the three hours in which they're eating and socializing, but that's no imposition if one is prepared with books, newspapers and a nosebag. All in all, he's the ideal customer, but still there's something that makes me feel guilty about accepting such amounts for so little input.
The Boss's angle on all this reveals much about him. He is mostly pissed off with Mr Tipper for this reason: with that thirty percent tip, we drivers often net more money from the run than he does.
This makes him angry, which tells you all you need to know.
10 comments:
wow wombat, you get 30% per trip?? is that standard for 'every' trip? or just AD/wait and returns?
If you don't mind me asking, how much do you get for each different trips??
Oh, Sammy, no such luck. Just this one man gives us 30%. Gosh, life would be different if every customer did so.
But it's not the case.
I was chatting with another driver a few days ago, and we agreed than fewer than 50% of customers tip on airport runs, and those who do virtually never exceed 20%. (Not that I'm complaining.)
Limo runs are all a mixed bag, as I'm sure you're aware...when The Boss tells them the tip is included (to secure the job) we receive nothing. On the weekend I received 10% for a longish limo run. That's probably the average.
How about you?
We get total of 35% per transfer. 20% gratuity and 15% commission.
While on an AD we get 20% plus $7/hr.
My dispatchers/reservationists do tell the clients that the gratuity of 20% IS included...but in reality this is our pay, not a tip.
I had one limo run with a new client. While dropping them off, one guy asks me about the bill. If the tip is included and if I will receive the whole 20% gratuity. I said yes. I also mentioned that it is technically not my 'tip', and that it's actually my pay. He says, 'Really? That's all you get?!" He was shocked! Shortly after letting everyone out, this same guy along with a few others all handed me a bunch of money and said "Merry Christmas!"
I haven't seem a tip since then. I am assuming it's because of the post Christmas bills and money woes. *sigh*
Interesting, Sammy, and I'm thinking you do a lot of bus work? We have no buses, only town cars and limos.
In any case, the pay structure is more or less the same. For us, airports are a fixed dollar amount that equates to around 30% of the total bill, divided up, like yours, into a base rate and a 'gratuity' component. In effect, the 'gratuity' element is an accounting trick, because without it, there'd be no point in getting out of bed.
For hourly runs, we get a reasonable dollar figure per hour, which, again, comprises a base and 'gratuity' rate.
All the machinations are, as you suggest, simply a way for your dispatcher and The Boss to tell customers that a gratuity is included. In general though, he doesn't go out of his way to discourage tipping...as long as his cut of the invoiced amount never exceeds his ;-)
Having said that, on limo runs it is rare not to receive ANY gratuity, so people are more savvy (and decent) than The Boss.
On airports, if there is a question about tipping, I always tell them how much I earn, after tax, for the three hours I spent getting to and from. When they realize what a pittance that is, a tip generally follows.
The answer to all this is for Bosses to pay better, and be up front with clients...about which I should write a post, yeah?
Wombat,
Yes, we have 2 buses and are the most expensive vehicle in our fleet. I believe the 29 passenger bus get $95 per hour and $315 for a transfer. And the 32 passenger bus get $110 per hour and $350 for a transfer.
As far as regular transfers to and from the airport are a fixed base rate but they also vary depending on the distance to/from the airport.
I think you should write a post....and I think whomever hires a chauffeur don't forget to tip for a job well done :)
Interesting post I am subscribing your blog and looking forward to some interesting post in future. Thanks.
Limo Hire Sydney
Hi guys,
Here in Boston we get 20 % gratuity. But this days more and more customers question tips (why do we have to pay 20 %) This is why in some cases better to give a customer price with tip included.
Boston Limo Online.com
vestnik,
which company do you work for? i work in boston too! :)
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