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Do you get tips?

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  • #1

    Do you get tips?

    Hey guys I was just curious as to what you other guys have experienced with customers and tips.

    I personally don't expect a tip after finishing a detail, but if the customer wants to give me a tip, I sure won't object. I've had jobs where I don't receive a tip, but I have had others who have paid me $35 for a tip on a single car and another customer who gave me a $40 tip for doing 2 of his cars.

    Normally I find that the people who get paint correction work done are the ones who tip more because they are just amazed at how their car looks.

    I once put swirls in my paint just to see what it looked like.
    I don't always detail cars, but when I do, I prefer Meguiar's.
    Remove swirls my friends.
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  • #2
    Re: Do you get tips?

    I would say I do the vast majority of the time, with the exception usually being with people that really weren't expecting to spend more than what a normal basic wash and wax would cost, so my price may have seemed high to begin with (even though I feel they are very, very low considering my standard of work).

    Sure is nice though when you score a 30-50% tip on a big job... makes it easy to go home happy when you are EXHAUSTED.

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    • #3
      Re: Do you get tips?

      Originally posted by Mark Kleis View Post
      I would say I do the vast majority of the time, with the exception usually being with people that really weren't expecting to spend more than what a normal basic wash and wax would cost, so my price may have seemed high to begin with (even though I feel they are very, very low considering my standard of work).

      Sure is nice though when you score a 30-50% tip on a big job... makes it easy to go home happy when you are EXHAUSTED.

      Mark, I think you basically hit the nail on the head with that. I guess it really is up to what the customer is expecting to pay for a detail, even if their car looks absolutely amazing. That is a great feeling with a big tip after a hard days worth of work.

      I once put swirls in my paint just to see what it looked like.
      I don't always detail cars, but when I do, I prefer Meguiar's.
      Remove swirls my friends.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Do you get tips?

        Originally posted by Andrew C. View Post
        Mark, I think you basically hit the nail on the head with that. I guess it really is up to what the customer is expecting to pay for a detail, even if their car looks absolutely amazing. That is a great feeling with a big tip after a hard days worth of work.
        Exactly. Sometimes people just can't fathom spending more than $125 for a "detail" and they don't fully understand what it takes to fully polish out a vehicle.

        I'm starting to learn though that it is best to ask the customer directly what their end goal is, and after that, they ask for a price, and I say, "Ok, well I can do a basic wash for $30~ up to a wash, clay, and wax for $125-150, to $500 and beyond for full correction work. So it really depends how much effort you want me to put into this, which ranges from a few hours to a few days."

        Once they understand that the big jobs take 12-36 hours, *if* they are serious enough to get it done right they likely will understand the reason for the price hike.

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        • #5
          Re: Do you get tips?

          Originally posted by Mark Kleis View Post
          Exactly. Sometimes people just can't fathom spending more than $125 for a "detail" and they don't fully understand what it takes to fully polish out a vehicle.

          Exactly. I just did a job today on a RAV4. Originally the owner wanted a "Full Detail" and I told her it would run a bare minimum of $100. That was cheap but shes a friend so all good. That wasnt cheap enough. She skipped out on so many things and ended up with a wash, clay, wax, and interior clean for $50.

          AND TO TOP IT OFF her battery died as I was pulling the car into the garage to avoid the rain. Didnt help. Had to pull my pretty shiny benz out in the rain to jump hers, for 15 minutes until it charged and pulled it into the garage. Then it died AGAIN and OH LORD that alarm is loud in the garage. Its charging now.... fun day
          www.idetailautopros.com
          iDetail Professional Automotive Detailing

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          • #6
            Re: Do you get tips?

            I have a lot of co-workers who know that I plan to start detailing cars soon on the side, and many of them have approached me about polishing their cars. Some of them back off when I tell them that depending on the level of correction they want, the price could top $200 for a full sized sedan and more for SUV's and trucks. One girl I work with complained that her car wash only charges $60.

            Once I explain that I will be spending more than 2 hours washing and waxing their vehicle and removing the swirls as opposed to masking them with glaze and/or wax, they start to understand. I describe using a DA as akin to operating a jackhammer for 6-8 hours. Something about getting value for the time invested seems to flip a switch in most people's minds.

            I won't be expecting tips, but it would be nice to get them. I tipped my detailer an extra $50 when my Accord was detailed back in February (before I found this car crazy forum). I recognized how much time he put into my car and the final result was stunning.

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            • #7
              Re: Do you get tips?

              I frequently get tipped for my work. Probably because of my kindness, age, personality,etc.

              I have received tips anywhere from 10 dollars to 100 dollars.

              But I definitely don't expect them.
              Matt

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              • #8
                Re: Do you get tips?

                Tip:

                Never eat yellow snow.
                ----------------------------------

                3Fitty - Now recommending products I have never used.

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                • #9
                  Re: Do you get tips?

                  ^ too funny...
                  I too don't expect tip, but do take it. most of my customers tip me $5-$40 wish i could get a $100 like Megafast13 that would be nice.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Do you get tips?

                    Steve Martin's character in My Blue Heaven taught me to adopt the philosophy of over-tipping. I typically over-tip good waiters, barkeeps, hotel maids and porters, hair dressers, pleasant taxi drivers, etc.; but I do not usually tip private contractors and other professionals. I do not tip carpenters, plumbers, electricians, landscapers, or whomever. I assume that they are going to do a good job for the price agreed-upon. If they don't do a good job, they lose my business. If they do a good job, they keep my business. My repeat business is my tip. I do not know how to objectively describe the difference between the two groups of people, much less justify why I tip one group and not the other. All I know is that, rightly or wrongly, I put detailers into the latter group.

                    So, guys, unless I believe that you are undercharging me or unless I am simply overwhelmed by the great job you have done, don't expect to get tipped when you detail my car. Sorry. I hope this doesn't make me a bad human being.
                    Swirls hide in the black molecular depths, only waiting for the right time to emerge and destroy your sanity.
                    --Al Kimel

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                    • #11
                      Re: Do you get tips?

                      Originally posted by 3Fitty View Post
                      Tip:

                      Never eat yellow snow.

                      Learning new things everyday

                      Comment

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