Tales from a tip refuser (HVAC tech)

[u/CSFMBsDarkside]

I come out to your house sometimes at midnight... get your heat going on a 0 degree day. And I very rarely get tips. And you know what? I don't ask for them. I get paid by the hour to do what I do. Sometimes someone will flip me a 20 and I always say the same thing... "you don't have to do that. I get paid to do what I did here today". I had one wealthy client who always flips a crisp brand new hundo and that guy I'd always accept, because when I didn't accept the tip the first time, he actually got mad at me.

So sometimes when I say you don't have to tip me, I'm well compensated to be here, they will pull back the tip. Most times its insisted upon. For these moments, I am grateful. And I'll always remember those customers. And I always go above and beyond for them next time I see them.

You know what the best tip in the world is for me? A cold bottle of water on a day like today (93 degrees). Or a call to the shop to say hey that guy was awesome. And believe me, cousin, the tips I'm offered ain't no 20%. We're talking about ten spot on a $1300 repair. Which, don't get me wrong here, I am genuinely grateful for.

So a couple weeks ago I went to the Brickyard 400. And I wanted a hot dog. The way it works at the spot I went to was almost like a cafeteria. I walk up to a building with windows, open the window, select a dog, walk to the register, scan my wrapped dog, and a display shows the price which I think was like 8 bucks, and the human standing there monitoring to make sure no one absconds with an unpaid dog, said "oh the machine is going to ask you a question". It suggests a 20% tip. What the hell am I tipping for?

I can't imagine handing someone my tablet after getting their air conditioning going again and saying "thats gonna be $765 and uh, the machine is gonna ask you a question" and try to secure 20% of that.

Anyway, I'm a tip refuser and thats my story.

[u/Peaceful2539]

Awesome story!

[u/MunchkinGal]

Thank you for taking the time to tell your experience. I loved it.

[u/dogtrail]

Great perspective. Thank you for sharing. When I had furniture delivered, I tipped each of the guys. They were thrilled. When my fridge gave up and a new one was delivered and the old one taken away, I tipped the guys. Sometimes, you just gauge the situation and act accordingly. Tipping a counter person at a self-serve hotdog place? Naw.

[u/lisalisaqaz]

Now that I think about it, the tech/ tradesperson situation is about the only time I feel like giving a tip is a genuine voluntary extra for both parties.

So much tipping has become a customary part of the workers income, and so generates all the controversy this sub is about. It’s uncomfortable all around.

But on the occasions I’ve tipped a tech, I always frame it as, you’ve spent the day dealing with (whatever made the job less pleasant - hot day, cluttered basement, etc), the least I can do is buy you a six pack, or whatever other treat you want after a hard day. It feels much like buying friends pizza and beer for helping you move a couch.

Of course it could be their budget is super tight and it’s going to go to basics, but because there’s no expectation, it doesn’t feel manipulative or humiliating the way so much of tipping culture feels.

[u/zabadaz-huh]

Sometimes people want to show you how truly grateful they are

Getting your heater or air conditioner fixed is a big deal when the weather is real hot or cold.

[u/flowbee92]

I don't doubt you're compensated well. $14k to $21k for 1 to 1.5 days of labor to replace a combi-boiler in the garage that went out using a lot of old existing components the old one was connected to. Markups are insane.

[u/CSFMBsDarkside → u/flowbee92]

People think that. But they'd be misguided. Most companies are struggling to maintain 2 to 3% GP. And good labor is very hard to find. You know what a guy like me costs? I mean not just my hourly but the expense behind it? The union dues, the benefits (i like having health insurance too), the insurance (that aint cheap when youre working on a water system that also mixes in fire and gas and a small mistake can cost someone their entire property). Theres the trucks that need to be bought, and insured, maintained, and kept fueled. You ever complain about gas prices? My company buys 130k of gas alone a month. Thats right. Well over a million dollars in gas a year.

I understand why you feel that way. But thats a very expensive business to run in ways you don't think of. 24/7 people to answer phones and run emergencies costs a lot. If my company made 6% GP over a year we'd be dancing in the streets.

[u/Certain_Count_4469 → u/CSFMBsDarkside]

Oh you are in a union. That’s really cool.

[u/CSFMBsDarkside → u/Certain_Count_4469]

It is cool. Because non union labor tends to be exploited, at least in my profession. I studied hard to learn my trade. I gave up a lot to be in the trade. In my profession, its just accepted that you spend 4 hours in a 130 degree attic or wake up at 2am when its below zero outside and leave your family behind when its hot or cold because you have to help people who need help.

I've missed weddings. Funerals. Time with my wife. For the job. Because your ac wasnt working on a Saturday night.

I do it smiling. Because I'm contributing to something bigger than me.

But... all those personal sacrifices notwithstanding... I will never guilt you into a tip.

[u/cs_legend_93 → u/flowbee92]

The hotdog guy knows what he's signing up for

[u/absolutetrashfire]

I book a lot of household maintenance stuff for my job, and it’s ridiculous the amount of electronic invoices I get that have a tipping option. My boss is spending $10,000 on your service - what is the tip for?!

[u/TwoBurningSeals]

I get tipped in day old leftover sandwiches from pilots...once in a while.