was I a jerk? Do you tip the locksmith?

Indy "Nub" Guy said:

Steve_Jones said:

In reply to Indy "Nub" Guy :

If you look up, I said I wouldn't tip him, but deciding someone is "well compensated" because they can do something in a short period, is being a dick. It's like me saying any college drop out can at least get a job as a design engineer....

No, you didn't call me a name.

 

Ha ha ha, so I say if you do X, you're a dick, and you say well I do X.... and get offended

In reply to Steve_Jones :

Why are you being a dick?  Yes I called you a name and not being a Bob Costas about it.

In reply to Steve_Jones :

I'm damn good at what I do.  I like to think I'm better than most of the other employees doing my job.  I don't go demanding tips from customers because my employer agrees with me and compensates me more for my better skill set.  

I would have been a bit put out too if someone put their tools on my car and then argued with me when I asked them not to.

Probably wouldn’t have tipped them for that, whether you should tip locksmiths or not.

$278 and the description of his attitude? No tip.

$278 and it's raining/snowing/late, or he did me a big favor at a good speed, he'd have gotten $300 even. 

I tip everybody that provides me quality service or helps me out in a bind, even the AAA guy. Meeting my requirements of "quality" can vary a lot though

In reply to Stampie (FS) :

This has nothing to do with the tip, as I agree, it's not warranted. I have an issue with the statement

$278 for 40 mins of work means he was already well compensated. 
 

I'm glad you're good at what you do, it wouldn't bug you if someone decided you were overpaid because you can do it quicker than those who are not as good?

Steve_Jones said:

In reply to Stampie (FS) :

This has nothing to do with the tip, as I agree, it's not warranted. I have an issue with the statement

$278 for 40 mins of work means he was already well compensated. 
 

I'm glad you're good at what you do, it wouldn't bug you if someone decided you were overpaid because you can do it quicker than those who are not as good?

Yes.  I stand by that statement.   It's truth.  I never said or implied that his services weren't worth that amount. The OP should feel no sense of regret or shame for not tipping.

Steve, do you think $278 for 40 minutes of work is under compensated?

In reply to Steve_Jones :

I'm sorry but I have better things to do with my life than sit here and engage you.  Pretty sure I need to cut my toe nails.

Indy "nub guy"

Steve, do you think $278 for 40 minutes of work is under compensated?

I'd say, it depends. Does that include any materials (key fobs, etc.) or special tools to program them to the car? If the entire $278 is profit, yeah, that's crazy, but what are the chances it is? It's also 40 mins of work on site, it doesn't count travel time, etc. It's a mobile service, so there's a van, insurance, gas, etc. that's kind of my point, it's easy to say he made $278 for 40 mins of work, but in reality, it's not true. 
 

I'd also say, the guy came out, in his vehicle, and did the work, so it was worth it to him, even if he just cleared, $50, which is probably closer to reality. 

I don't think this interaction merited a tip for reasons others have spoken about.

If it is his business, he has the right to run it the way he wants, and he assumes all of the risk and responsibility for his choices. 

 

einy (Forum Supporter) said:

93gsxturbo said:

I only tip haircutters, waitstaff, and bartenders.  

And movers, after the delivery is made, and you're confident that you have all your stuff that they left your last house with.

I tip my tattooer.

Just seems like a good idea.

My customers seldom tip me but I feel I'm compensated fairly.

It's not expected at all but I appreciate the thought when they do.

I wanna hear more about Stampie's toe nails.

I've never been tipped for my work.  Occasionally a patient will drop treats off for the office, which we really appreciate. 

I've never tipped a locksmith, I wouldn't have tipped this guy.  As others have said, if it's a crappy night, the guy really saved my bacon or I just liked the guy, I'd tip him but not $42 on a $278 bill...

I've never been tipped in my life.  Even when I did great work in an impossible time frame for a demanding client who was then hard to collect our fee.  

I can't say i'd tip a locksmith because I feel their fee is adequate.  Maybe if they went above and beyond in some way.  

I did tip my last tow truck driver after reading about it here.  He did an excellent job towing my TR3 home and even got there early.  

I'd be a little put off by someone asking for a tip.  

In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :

He put his gear, two pieces on t h e roof, def nothing to protect the paint. Then said what he put down was plastic coated and wouldn't scratch my paint.

the irony of locking a canoe in this thread.  

For 14 years i did service work, sometimes mobile, other times at my shop. I always refused a tip when offered one.  I felt like it was double dipping and it wasnt worth my job for 20$ here and there.  Just my thoughts as a tech. And im a guy that tips generously too. 

casder said:

Honestly speaking, you should have tipped the locksmith.

BullE36 M3

casder said:

Honestly speaking, you should have tipped the locksmith.

Are you the locksmith?! 
Sign up just to make this comment on a 2 year old thread? 

Saron81 said:

casder said:

Honestly speaking, you should have tipped the locksmith.

Are you the locksmith?! 
Sign up just to make this comment on a 2 year old thread? 

More likely just a spammer making a test post.

Isabellah said:

Will I look like a spammer too? this is my first post, but being a locksmith it's something that I care too, so next time, don't forget to give a small tip to the man. It's not like you must do it, but its a conduit of good manner

Yes, yes you are a canoe.  

Canoe