Tipping question

SEIOWA CLONE

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Dec 19, 2018
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After the deracho last August, was able to get on one of our local roofers lists right away , unfortunately they didn't get it done until Nov..

Problem was they contracted a couple groups out of Des Moines to help and the group we got did not speak very much English. If I hadn't been there watching them they would have forget a bunch of things. Have had the local roofer back like 3 times so far. Still can't figure out why they put the shingles on before they tore off the gutters and replaced the facia. Have had issues with the gutters since they put them up. My tip is to always look and see that the job is getting done to meet your expectations.

They will probably will be back in the week to take care of another issue that has come up.
Roofers rip people off easily because in most cases they can cover up their work or lack of it under the shingles.

We had our roof redone about 15 years ago, paid a local company to take it down to wood, inspect it, replace any that needed it and reroof the entire thing with new roofing felt.
Looked great by the time they finished, I was working, so could not watch it being done. 3 years later we had the hail storm from hell pass through, the roofer that did our work was checking the neighbors house, told him to come over and look at ours, he climbed up and within 10 minutes comes back and stated "you are getting a new roof." Since you are previous customer, you will be one of the first done,.

Sounds good, they show up, humming along, I go out to talk to the guy that started the company, about removing an old flue pipe on the back of the house from the hot water heater, no longer use it, and wanted it removed. As the crew is taking off the shingles on the back of the house, he says, "SE, we have a problem, there is still old plywood on the back of the house and it needs to be replaced." I just looked at the guy and told him., "Arlo, you roofed this house 3 years ago, and I paid for new plywood then, if you want, I will go get the old contract and show you." He stumbled around a little and replied, "they must have forgot, but we will do it this time." I told him, "not sure how you could forget something like, but I will be watching this time to make sure everything is done, including removing the old flue."

Easy to cover up mistakes and stuff left out on a roof.
 

michaelrr1

Well-Known Member
Mar 30, 2006
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WDM
After the deracho last August, was able to get on one of our local roofers lists right away , unfortunately they didn't get it done until Nov..

Problem was they contracted a couple groups out of Des Moines to help and the group we got did not speak very much English. If I hadn't been there watching them they would have forget a bunch of things. Have had the local roofer back like 3 times so far. Still can't figure out why they put the shingles on before they tore off the gutters and replaced the facia. Have had issues with the gutters since they put them up. My tip is to always look and see that the job is getting done to meet your expectations.

They will probably will be back in the week to take care of another issue that has come up.

Weren't you there watching them?
 

isucy86

Well-Known Member
Apr 13, 2006
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Dubuque
How about, and I'm just spitballing here, we have the employers pay a living wage and we just stop this tipping nonsense altogether.

Saw article in DBQ paper today a hospitality business in upper WI with 6 locations is going to up all employee pay to minimum of something like $16/hour and discourage tipping. Also was going to start offering benefits above certain # of hours.

Owner said it was in response to trends in Madison and Minneapolis area. So they needed to stay competitive. So you may get your wish.

The owner did say they would need to raise prices accordingly.
 

JP4CY

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I usually tip 20% of the total post tax, sometimes 25%.
If tipping is gone away with, I would probably spend less dining out while getting the same thing.
 

stormchaser2014

Well-Known Member
Mar 12, 2012
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Wisconsin
Roofers rip people off easily because in most cases they can cover up their work or lack of it under the shingles.

We had our roof redone about 15 years ago, paid a local company to take it down to wood, inspect it, replace any that needed it and reroof the entire thing with new roofing felt.
Looked great by the time they finished, I was working, so could not watch it being done. 3 years later we had the hail storm from hell pass through, the roofer that did our work was checking the neighbors house, told him to come over and look at ours, he climbed up and within 10 minutes comes back and stated "you are getting a new roof." Since you are previous customer, you will be one of the first done,.

Sounds good, they show up, humming along, I go out to talk to the guy that started the company, about removing an old flue pipe on the back of the house from the hot water heater, no longer use it, and wanted it removed. As the crew is taking off the shingles on the back of the house, he says, "SE, we have a problem, there is still old plywood on the back of the house and it needs to be replaced." I just looked at the guy and told him., "Arlo, you roofed this house 3 years ago, and I paid for new plywood then, if you want, I will go get the old contract and show you." He stumbled around a little and replied, "they must have forgot, but we will do it this time." I told him, "not sure how you could forget something like, but I will be watching this time to make sure everything is done, including removing the old flue."

Easy to cover up mistakes and stuff left out on a roof.
Or they order 50 percent more than what they need and leave you with a pile of materials in your yard that you paid for and have no way to get rid of.
 
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cycloner29

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Dec 17, 2008
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Weren't you there watching them?

I couldn’t watch them all the time. The biggest issue was the broken trusses that the main roofing company was aware of but the contracted group wasn’t. Caught them just before the put the felt down. The main company did a poor job of supervising the contracted group. I did get the top of the line gutter guards out of the deal to replace the original ones they put on that were installed wrong by their gutter crew.
 

besserheimerphat

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Apr 11, 2006
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Mount Vernon, WA
When we plan something out in advance get quotes, etc - like for a recent bathroom remodel or having trees removed - no tip. But a couple times over the last few years we've called movers at the last minute to bail us out and they all got good tips. One was when we moved houses two years ago and we all got violently sick 2 days before taking possession. We were all weak and dehydrated before starting and realized we needed the help halfway through. They got like $50 each. The other was trying to move a 300lb vanity into an upstairs bathroom. We rented a stair climbing jack but in the old house there wasn't enough overhead clearance to make it work. Those guys got an extra $10 each for about 20 minutes of work.
 

dosry5

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Nov 28, 2006
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Johnston
When we plan something out in advance get quotes, etc - like for a recent bathroom remodel or having trees removed - no tip. But a couple times over the last few years we've called movers at the last minute to bail us out and they all got good tips. One was when we moved houses two years ago and we all got violently sick 2 days before taking possession. We were all weak and dehydrated before starting and realized we needed the help halfway through. They got like $50 each. The other was trying to move a 300lb vanity into an upstairs bathroom. We rented a stair climbing jack but in the old house there wasn't enough overhead clearance to make it work. Those guys got an extra $10 each for about 20 minutes of work.
So they got a good tip and the stomach flu…..nice
 

Stormin

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Apr 11, 2006
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Not saying you’re wrong…but what do you think that would do to restaurant prices? They’d definitely increase significantly. And that could crush businesses. No easy answer. And I HATE the tipping culture.

Prices would be listed higher. The overall effect for people who actually tip would be the same. Those who do not tip or under tip would definitely pay more. Which is great. Because those cheapskates are letting others pay the true costs. And you would know the true costs of your meal with service up front.

If you are relying on Non-tippers in a sit down restaurant to keep your business going while they shortchange your wait staff then you have problems already. Those are the people constantly looking to give you less while they demand more. I have found those are the type of people who constantly complain in order to get a free meal or reduced cost. Better off those customers go to my competition. They suck. And usually treat wait staff with disrespect.
 
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Tri4Cy

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Apr 4, 2012
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Not saying you’re wrong…but what do you think that would do to restaurant prices? They’d definitely increase significantly. And that could crush businesses. No easy answer. And I HATE the tipping culture.

I'd estimate something around...let's say 20% in costs? Consumers are already paying it, we just call it a tip. I'm all for increasing my costs to what is fare for you to run your business. Then, if someone when WAY above what is expected, I have the option to throw a little something on top as an additional tip.
 
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candg4ever

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Oct 29, 2006
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Nevada, IA
How about, and I'm just spitballing here, we have the employers pay a living wage and we just stop this tipping nonsense altogether.

Yeah, because why reward someone who is at a job, maybe by choice, maybe by necessity, that offers little chance for advancement, and a lot of times, crappy hours.

If you can afford it, and they did a good or very good job, I would certainly consider giving them something extra... In the line of work you're talking about, most of the workers are gaining valuable experience with every job they do, and don't have the time or desire to look for anything else. That little extra might take the family out to dinner, or maybe it will get put away money to help them eventually become their own boss.

The thing is, depending on who is working for you, you only know how much the entire job is going to cost, but how much of that do the workers actually get? In some cases, it's a very fair wage, in others, maybe not so much.

I treat tips like charities, when I can afford it, I'll help as much as I can.

No good deed goes unrewarded in the long run, IMO.
 

Cyburbbalz

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Dec 14, 2019
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Aalways tip your chauffeur. They are potentially saving you alot of money and hassle. They are also helping you get laid in some cases.
 

besserheimerphat

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Apr 11, 2006
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So they got a good tip and the stomach flu…..nice
Pretty sure it was food poisoning, not anything contagious, as it was over within about 24 hours. But we basically felt super hungover for two days afterwards. Lost about 10 lbs. Actually broke my nose because I started puking while on the toilet, passed out and landed on my face. My wife said from downstairs she thought a bookcase had fallen over. Came up to find me face down in a puddle of blood. Good times!
 
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CoachHines3

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would you tip the man that's sleeping with your wife?

...asking for a friend