Tipping question

[kipin]

OK, sorry for the lame tip thread, but one of my roomates thinks we need to tip, but I don't.

Here is the situation, the carpet cleaner is over here, he has to use the deep extractor thing and probably spend like 3 hours cleaning our carpets.

The total bill is going to be $500. My roomate thinks we should tip him like $20 when he is done, I consider such a small amount an insult, and I don't think its necessary at all to tip.

What say you?

Does it change if there is a good chance this guy is his own franchise owner?

[george w]

no tip

[NT!]

No, I don't think it's necessary to tip in this instance, especially if the guy is a franchise owner. If he does a good job and you throw him 20 bucks, I really doubt he'd be insulted. Services like this do not usually get a gratuity so it's not like he's looking at it percentage-wise as a waiter would. He'll probably just be like, sweet, 20 bucks!

I would just order pizza and offer him a beer when he's done.

NT

[TMTTR]

Tipping may not be necessary and $20 is not an insult.

[rapidacid]

What about the DirecTV guys who come to hook up 1 satellite and drill holes and run cable to different rooms of your house? ... free installation ... tip appropriate / mandatory?

[KRANTZ]

Whether or not it's necessary doesn't mean it isn't a nice gesture, especially if you make money from poker and they have "real" jobs where they earn significantly less.

[NT!]

No need to tip them either. Same deal, I usually offer them something to eat or drink if they're doing a good job, or if they do really fabulous or help out with something difficult, maybe throw 'em a tip.

NT

[RunyonAve]

[kipin]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I win!

[RunDownHouse]

Whether or not its appropriate to tip in this case, don't forget to just hand him money as long as you make more than he does!