Tipping?

[NickIndy]

So my installer will be here shortly. I've read a lot about tipping them on these boards. Last time I had D* installed I didn't tip the guy because he charged me $100+ for some wall fishes. Is tipping expected? Do I need to run down the street to the bank?

[HDTVsportsfan]

You're going to get alot of different responses w/ this question. I myself will tip if I feel the service was acceptable. Some feel there is no need to. Charging for wall fishes should be expected and his normal policy accross all installers for the most part. That it not an easy task sometimes.

Slipping the guy a few bucks if he did a good job goes a long way.

Good Luck.

[Steve]

I always tip the guys that care enough to do a professional job hiding cables, finding the most unobtrusive dish location that worked, etc. A couple even did some things I asked for that were not on the original work order, like correcting sloppy cable runs or connections done by previous installers.

Unfortunately some of the installers I've had showed no willingness to even do what was on the work order, and were just interested in getting to their next job as fast as possible.

/steve

[FireMedic8039]

When I had the slimline set up with my DVR. Everything was already in place from the ole 3LNB days. He did a great install. I tipped him 20 bucks. He left me his card. And said any problems. Call him and he would come by anytime to fix a problem. Nice guy.....Money talks,,,,BS walks

[Michael D'Angelo]

It is really up to you but I always tip installers. It is not required but I know from personal experience how nice it is to receive tips. I did TV deliveries for about 5 years and it was nice to receive a tip.

[IcEWoLF]

When I had the slimline set up with my DVR. Everything was already in place from the ole 3LNB days. He did a great install. I tipped him 20 bucks. He left me his card. And said any problems. Call him and he would come by anytime to fix a problem. Nice guy.....Money talks,,,,BS walks

Same here, tipped 20$...

[bt-rtp]

then I always tip $20 and say "thank you -- lunch is on me today" with a smile and a hand shake.

[NickIndy]

of course my 8-12 window which I was told this am was 10-11, then 12-1, now 2-4....probably not in the tipping mood anymore. had other things to do than sit around the house today.

[bones boy]

The last installer I had instructed me to make the check (for dish installation) out to his first and last name. I did not tip him.

[bidger]

I give $10, which for the places I go allows for a decent lunch. $20 is more of a good dinner. ;)

[BattleZone]

The last installer I had instructed me to make the check (for dish installation) out to his first and last name. I did not tip him.

A large percentage of DTV installers are independent subcontractors, and this is the only way for them to get paid for their custom work (having the check made out to the installer). The alternative is for the installer to turn in the check and have to wait 2-3 weeks to have his money returned (money desperately needed for him to keep working, or to buy a tool to make his job easier), or as often happens, get told "Wat check? We have no record of you turning in a check" by the company he works for.

Yes, that really happens. Often.

[NickIndy]

I got 2 HR20s....kinda surprised. Not bad for me since the local CBS station won't allow D* to pass the HD version so OTA is my only way.

[HDTVsportsfan]

Well...did you tip him?

[NickIndy]

No! My window was 8-12 and he got here at 3:30 and just left at 6:30. not worth tipping

[HDTVsportsfan]

Just wonderin'.

[joe diamond]

UH!
A little perspective:...the HSP guys get there when they can..they are intentionally overbooked.....they may have seen a training movie........I have seen tech kicked out the door with less.

My rate to FIX the FREE....tipped or not install is $60.00 for the first hour AND
$40.00 for each additional hour. I only cover three counties in Maryland.

So the tech works six hours and will get $80.00, maybe, why would you not underwrite his efforts if everything works? Multiply each receiver installed by $80.00 per hour and you get where the tech needs to be to continue. IF he is an employee of the HSP this could change but the HSPs have proved to be ,,,,,,,,,,,,,(less than honorable),,,,,,,,,,see how I didn't use the other words that apply!

So, surprise , surprise.....everyone gets a new guy!
I charge by the hour...keep the lunch!

Joe

[cweave02]

I gave my installer $20 just because he was young, cam over from SC to do the job, had his young wife with him, and they obviously needed the money. He did a decent job, even though he left a spotlight housing hanging from the side of the house when he had to change to another location for the dish.

[somekevinguy]

The first installer sent over to do my HD upgrade had an attitude from the start and said he didn't want to start the job because he said he knew it was going to rain even though the forecast was a 20% chance of scattered showers and hadn't at all and never did by the way and he got some complaints from me to D* and his company. The second guy was really nice and did what I thought was a really nice install and he got a thank you and $20. I would have actually given $40 but I didn't have it on me. I don't think it is expected though if you are not so inclined.

[smokes20]

So my installer will be here shortly. I've read a lot about tipping them on these boards. Last time I had D* installed I didn't tip the guy because he charged me $100+ for some wall fishes. Is tipping expected? Do I need to run down the street to the bank?

I did because he was not only on time but early and did an excellent job. He was efficient, cleaned up behind himself and went out of his way to hook up my system the way I wanted it.

I returned to Directv after 18 long long months with Cox. I had Directv for 6 years prior to Cox so I knew what to expect. Prior install was 3 LNB, this install was 5 LNB. Cox had re-wired my home for their system and Directv installer put it back to how it was when I had Directv. He had to install a new 2nd cable for my HR20 which he had to fish and didn't charge me for it.

He was here for 4.5 hours and everything worked when he left. He earned an $80.00 tip.

[glennb]

No! My window was 8-12 and he got here at 3:30 and just left at 6:30. not worth tipping

It's not the installers fault that he was probably over booked for the day and all the other installs earlier in the day included extra stuff that was not included on the work order.

I would have ignored the arrival time slippage when deciding to tip or not. It's not like the installer was on the way to your house at 11:45 but decided to go to the bar from 12:00-3:15 then decided to head over to your place.

[D-Bamatech]

Largest CASH tip i ever rec-ed was a few months ago AND was going behind the HSp debauchery of the free sub par install and the SAME BS i read here constantly.

It was a the Nominal all toooooo common FAKE NLOS to start with which was in wide open blue sky..

Respectfully i never opened the envelope till way away from the cx's hm.

= (2) 100$ bills in a white envelope

Defined....
Appreciation .

Ive got cx's that span over a decade that NEVER will Call 1800 D* for a thing period and all the way down to the remote controls being reprogrammed for new tv's ect..

WHY? They went through that Unwarranted mess... one time and one time only And then found the REAL definition of "service and continued customer care" .

BTW
I thought everybodys Granddad told this statement.

"Son you get what you pay for"

So was this country's elders and Granddads all wrong? :rolleyes:

[jaguar325]

My practice has been:

Go on my shake roof without complaining and do the job right = $20-40 tip
Go on my shake roof when it's snowing without complaining and do a good job = $60-80 tip and a beverage when you're done


My general philosophy: tips are not a God-given right and don't expect one if you treat me (or my wife) with disrespect, do a sub-par job, or have a lousy attitude. On the other hand, if you do the job right and can manage to be pleasant and professional about it - expect to be rewarded.

[joe diamond]

Largest CASH tip i ever rec-ed was a few months ago AND was going behind the HSp debauchery of the free sub par install and the SAME BS i read here constantly.

It was a the Nominal all toooooo common FAKE NLOS to start with which was in wide open blue sky..

Respectfully i never opened the envelope till way away from the cx's hm.

= (2) 100$ bills in a white envelope

Defined....
Appreciation .

Ive got cx's that span over a decade that NEVER will Call 1800 D* for a thing period and all the way down to the remote controls being reprogrammed for new tv's ect..

WHY? They went through that Unwarranted mess... one time and one time only And then found the REAL definition of "service and continued customer care" .

BTW
I thought everybodys Granddad told this statement.

"Son you get what you pay for"

So was this country's elders and Granddads all wrong? :rolleyes:

B Bama Tech,
I respect what you say and have had similar experiences.

I always accept tips..........which kid would you not feed?.........but try to be diplomatic about showing a line between what I am paid and what will be needed,,and paid for.

Service calls are what you make them; as you correctly reported.

But I NEVER look at what is palmed into my extended hand........$1.00 or $1,000.00 (I'll let you know).......there is a thought there and I smile as looking in the eyes ann saying thank you.

Joe

+

B Bama.......you gotta get over the case of shyness. Just speak your mind.

[SledDog]

I thought everybodys Granddad told this statement.

"Son you get what you pay for"

So was this country's elders and Granddads all wrong? :rolleyes:

I ran all of my cables from the ground block. I prep'ed the pole for the dish. I did the grounding except for the ground block.

The installer put the dish on the pole. Ran 16' feet of cable. Attached a ground block to the ground wire I provided. Made the connectors. Attached the cabling to 2 receviers. Plugged in 2 phone lines. And called DirecTV to activated my programming.

He was on site for less than an hour. I did 3 hours worth of work. Who should get the tip... Me or the installer??

When it comes to "free" installs, I know what they provide and I know what I provide. The installer did a great job. And he aligned the dish correctly.

His tip from me was a quick and easy install on a Saturday. I was his last install of the day and he was finished by 11 am.

So, I guess my questions to you, D-Bamatech..... Did I get what I paid for??

[BattleZone]

I ran all of my cables from the ground block. I prep'ed the pole for the dish. I did the grounding except for the ground block.

The installer put the dish on the pole. Ran 16' feet of cable. Attached a ground block to the ground wire I provided. Made the connectors. Attached the cabling to 2 receviers. Plugged in 2 phone lines. And called DirecTV to activated my programming.

He was on site for less than an hour. I did 3 hours worth of work. Who should get the tip... Me or the installer??

When it comes to "free" installs, I know what they provide and I know what I provide. The installer did a great job. And he aligned the dish correctly.

His tip from me was a quick and easy install on a Saturday. I was his last install of the day and he was finished by 11 am.

So, I guess my questions to you, D-Bamatech..... Did I get what I paid for??

In your case, no tip was necessary, and as an installer, I'd be thanking YOU. Installers LOVE customers like you who do what they can to make it as easy as possible.

But the average customer doesn't lift a finger, even to pull their TVs out from the wall or clear off all of the nic-nacks, DVDs, doilies, etc. off the top. Many want the dish far in the back of the house when a location right over the ground source/service entrance would be ideal (forcing the tech to run lots of extra cable that he has to pay for, not to mention the extra labor), and so on. These are the folks who really do need to consider a tip, provided the job is done well.

[wildbill129]

I have issues, obsessive compulsive, anal retentive, whatever........I need perfection. My first DirecTV install, I had everything pre-wired for them. All he had to do was mount the dish and attach the cables. I hooked up the box myself while he was on the roof. He got a tip, because he didn't leave a mess and was polite.

When I got the HR20 upgrade from my HR10, two guys showed up, swapped out my dish, left the old mount on the roof, left garbage all over my roof, and left a disgusting mess of wires. I told them I would run my own second line to the bedroom to move my HR10 and sent them on their way. The next day, I tore out everything they did and started over. I don't expect my level of perfection, but leave trash on my roof, and a rat's nest of cables/multiswitches, NO TIP.......

[BattleZone]

I have issues, obsessive compulsive, anal retentive, whatever........I need perfection. My first DirecTV install, I had everything pre-wired for them. All he had to do was mount the dish and attach the cables. I hooked up the box myself while he was on the roof. He got a tip, because he didn't leave a mess and was polite.

When I got the HR20 upgrade from my HR10, two guys showed up, swapped out my dish, left the old mount on the roof, left garbage all over my roof, and left a disgusting mess of wires. I told them I would run my own second line to the bedroom to move my HR10 and sent them on their way. The next day, I tore out everything they did and started over. I don't expect my level of perfection, but leave trash on my roof, and a rat's nest of cables/multiswitches, NO TIP.......

I totally agree. That is unacceptable.

[ironwood]

Can somebody tech me how to get those tips? I would really appreciate.

[rugerx]

I have had 8 installs/svc calls in my 5 year history using some sort of satellite service.

1 guy was on on time, called before he got there and got the job done right.
Tipped $30.

1 guy was 4 hours late told me thats just how it is deal with it, did the job right.
No Tip. He can chew on that attitude of his.

1 guy I chased off as he appeared to be remarkably stoned out of his Gourd.
Tipped, I told him to go park it and sober up, that was his tip. I dont think he even knew I was talking to him.

5 other installers simply never showed up or called. I loved it when D* or the HSP would call later and ask how my install went.
Each time they would say they are short handed blah blah blah. I got to the point where I would just hang up while they were in midsentence.
Erm no tip obviously.

Its kinda funny how the whole garbage HSP thing is starting to get around via word of mouth. I have tried to talk a couple of friends into trying Dish, and they say no way after some of the horror stories they have heard.

Surely at some point its got to impact the business.

[BattleZone]

Can somebody tech me how to get those tips? I would really appreciate.

I seldom go out in the field anymore, but I *still* get tips pretty frequently when I do.

Mostly, it is communicating the following:

- I can figure out a solution to nearly any problem. If someone else told you it can't be done, chances are still good that I can do it (some LOS problems excepted).

- I will answer any questions you might have, and let you make the decisions based on my suggested options.

- I will let you know about any custom charges up-front, and give you your alternatives, and explain the reasoning for each.

- I don't leave until the system is working and you understand how to use it.

Sure, that may mean an extra 10-15 minutes at a job sometimes, but it also meant very, very few complaints and lots of happy people that STILL call me personally (as much as 5 years later) when they need help. And they understand and are happy to pay me to do their work if they need something done.

I'm sure it *does* help that I'm an independent contractor, and not an in-house tech, though. People see in-house techs as "the company" where I make sure they know that I am my own company.

[ironwood]

It really depends on a person. I worked with a mexican guy who did the crappiest possible job ever and he would always get 20-40 dollar tips from people. He also did yard work. Most white techs I know never get tips. Maybe customers think that 20 dollar tip would offend a technician or maybe they assume we are all very rich and work for a union like Verizon guys making 30-40 dollars an hour. By the way my Verizon guy who came to fix my phone refused to take a tip.

[Ashtonian]

So my installer will be here shortly. I've read a lot about tipping them on these boards. Last time I had D* installed I didn't tip the guy because he charged me $100+ for some wall fishes. Is tipping expected? Do I need to run down the street to the bank?


My guy arrived on time, got soaked in the rain, did a great professional job!
I tipped him $20 and I'm from England!!!! lol!!!

[kcopen]

I've had Directv for 10 years and have had quite a few installs from both moving and upgrading. My generally philosophy is if they are here to do alot of work, like rewiring and a full install, and they do a decent job and don't screw up my house cosmetically, then they're definitely getting a tip, 20-40 bucks.

The guy that is coming today to fix a screwed up install (they put up a 3lnb dish instead of a 5lnb dish when i upgraded to HD) will probably get 10 bucks if he doesn't have an attitude to go up on my 1 story flat roof and switch the dish out and run my H20 through it's setup.

So basically it's three things: Was he on time? How much work did he have to do? Did he have a good attitude? It's a pretty rare case where I give no tip at all.

[tpdkrau]

I recently upgraded to HD swapping out my 18" dish for a 5lnb slimline. I had a 12-4 window, but the installer didn't show up until after 7. Not his fault, I'd say, his earlier installs took longer. I'm impressed that he showed up at all at that time of night. He was really pleasant, installed my dish in a snow storm, didn't leave until after 10. I'd say his $20 tip was pretty well deserved.

[DAS37]

Just did the MPEG4 upgrade. Guy arrived within the time window, was pleasant and professional, took all materials away when done and everything worked fine. Install did not take that long because the wiring had already been done by a previous tenant to a DISH sat. I had already went on the roof and removed that sat so all he had to do was put up the new dish on the existing roof mount and connect the wires to the receiver. Gave him a ten-spot which made him happy.

[CopyCat]

Installation today of a swap of a HR10-250 to a HR20-700 (recon, but who cares) went well. Installer called at 8:15AM to tell me the 8-noon window was noon-2PM because he had to finish a job from yesterday. No problem, see you then. At 2Pm 2 installers show up and they had the HR20 I wanted (no digital local channels here in Charleston on DTV yet).

I handed the installer my 2 inch pipe adapter (mentioned in another forum) and he took down the 3LNB and installed the 5LNB in about 30 minutes using the same mount and pole I had.

I installed the HR20-700 while they were outside and they did the setup and activation. They did have to tweak the dish for 103, but once done it all worked well and when we repowered the firmware update came down and reloaded.

It was a 2 hour installation and all went as expected, worth the $20 tip they got for doing it right.

BTW - I decided to keep the HR10-250 active as my wife had shows she wanted to watch that she had recorded. He had to change the work order and that took 20 minutes on the phone.

[EricJRW]

Just did the MPEG4 upgrade. Guy arrived within the time window, was pleasant and professional, took all materials away when done and everything worked fine. Install did not take that long because the wiring had already been done by a previous tenant to a DISH sat. I had already went on the roof and removed that sat so all he had to do was put up the new dish on the existing roof mount and connect the wires to the receiver. Gave him a ten-spot which made him happy.My story exactly... Well except that a new mount, near the electric meter was required. But I was wondering about this topic... Now that I've sorted out most of my technical questions, I wondered about this... It was a last minute decision on our part, as I did not even think about it at first... Like you said, it was an easy install... But the guy was nice, professional, and helpful. The install was quick, and I basically said, "Let us buy you lunch." It did seem appreciated, but I was curious... Thanks for the thread.

[ironwood]

I tip 5 dollars a waitress in a buffet. She brings me a drink. I think people should tip 20 dollars an installer who spent 4 hours at their home.

[Mertzen]

I tip 5 dollars a waitress in a buffet. She brings me a drink. I think people should tip 20 dollars an installer who spent 4 hours at their home.

If the job is done right that is what I as a tech think is indeed reasonable.

I've been at people's houses for 8 hours twice in the last month. Doing my install, talking their old E* dishes down, telling them what to do with those, cleaning up old wiring, and much much more. And walked away will little more then peanuts. :nono2:

[cartrivision]

I tip 5 dollars a waitress in a buffet. She brings me a drink. I think people should tip 20 dollars an installer who spent 4 hours at their home.

I don't see what the time spent doing a job has to do with it. Lot's of people spend 8 hours a day on a job and don't get a tip for doing their job. I have a hard time with a "professional" expecting a tip for doing their job.... maybe if they do something far above and beyond to save me time and/or money, but just for doing what they were contracted to do? Nah.

[tcusta00]

I have a hard time with a "professional" expecting a tip for doing their job.... maybe if they do something far above and beyond to save me time and/or money, but just for doing what they were contracted to do? Nah.

When a tip becomes expected it loses all meaning and the job done becomes mediocre across the board. I'm with you - tip for service beyond the norm.

[CJTE]

The guy who came out and did my original dish got $10. He didnt put the dish where I wanted, and there were a few other minor issues I had, but overall he did a 'decent' job.

The techs that came out and did my upgrade got $30 (it was all I had in my wallet too), 1 guy wearing an HSP uniform was in training, the other guy was wearing a blue DirecTV shirt, he looked important, anyway, they did a great job with the upgrade, I taught the kid in training how to do a code search... All went pretty well. They threw some extra cabling in and told me they ran my switches in parallel, only for me to find later that in fact they were daisy chained.

The kid that was in training came back a few weeks later to do my HD upgrade. He got $15. I was in a hurry, he was a bit later than I expected, he got the dish mounted for me with some help, and got out.
Upon further inspection, the mount was really bad. So bad that DirecTV offered to email the pictures to Ironwood, and alot of the guys here laughed.
SO, I went up, and moved my dish 10ft to the left where I wanted it, and now its awesome.

Final (different, really cool) tech came out a few weeks ago because I was having issues with the 119. He said I was missing a bolt/2 and that he got it taken care of. I didn't have money, and couldn't tip him. Continued to have issues, called him back, he came and took a look, we determined that I should get new WB68's and splitters (I'd gone up and paralleled the switches myself, so the tech saw my original setup and decided to clone it, but he had to run back to the office to get the parts. When he got back, he replaced everything, and now its all working wonderfully. Gave him $20 too.

So I start at around $20, and then add/subtract based on how the job goes.

[Nick]

I always tip well for a job done well, and the practice has paid dividends many times over.

Over the past several years, I've tipped as much as $40, $50 and once, $150 for a job well done + some custom work.

I've even had two DNS installers stop back by for a visit, and one, a corpsman in the Navy, even dressed an injury I had on my hand - twice! I've had several installers (both sat and cable) give me their personal cell phone numbers.

I've always tried to treat people better than they expect. I believe God honors that (Karma) and it's absolutely been my experience that what goes around definitely comes around.

Don't be a cheapskate! :nono:

[EricJRW]

I've even had two DNS installers stop back by for a visit, and one, a corpsman in the Navy, even dressed an injury I had on my hand - twice!Now that's what I call service!

[oscar madison]

A couple installs ago: the installer was drilling from the outside in and he kept hitting lower than he should have. I had an unnecessary hole in my drywall so HE tipped me $20 to keep my mouth shut.

[ironwood]

I don't see what the time spent doing a job has to do with it. Lot's of people spend 8 hours a day on a job and don't get a tip for doing their job. I have a hard time with a "professional" expecting a tip for doing their job.... maybe if they do something far above and beyond to save me time and/or money, but just for doing what they were contracted to do? Nah.


I would agree. Probably. But why do you tip a waitress? She works 8 hours and she gets hourly pay.

[Mertzen]

I don't see what the time spent doing a job has to do with it. Lot's of people spend 8 hours a day on a job and don't get a tip for doing their job.

They don't but then they either have a salary or get payed hourly. They are set no matter what. If we spend twice the time we make half the money on that job.

[vurbano]

He is not a waitress, bellhop or carrying my groceries to the car. I do not tip. Last time I checked D* charges for installs. If they are not paying him enough then he needs to change jobs.

[TigersFanJJ]

He is not a waitress, bellhop or carrying my groceries to the car. I do not tip. Last time I checked D* charges for installs. If they are not paying him enough then he needs to change jobs.

Justify it how you want to. However, Directv has offered free installs for years now.

[gen2rx7]

I don not expect to be tipped but I do appreciate tips when I get them. I tend to do more work than is needed on my jobs just because I take a lot of pride in my work. It has been slim on tips lately, I think because the way the economy is right now, but I still do the same work as always.

I even tipped the cable guy when he hooked up the phone portion for me,all he did was put a RJ-45 end on a network cable for me. All it was was $15 but thats all I had with me. The tech that hooked up my cable internet the day before said " I don't have any connectors on my truck." So that was ok, saved me some money LOL.

I have found it is all how you treat the customer. The customers want to be pampered, also I am at their house not mine. So I am their guest. That goes a long way.

[tcusta00]

I always tip well for a job done well.

Unfortunately those three little words are becoming harder and harder to come by, in any industry. It's all about how fast one can get the job done and get outta there.

I had a company come grind out some stumps on my property. I contracted his company to do 40, but realized when he got there that there were actually closer to 50 - I figured I'd rent a grinder and do them myself later. I had to leave for work - I gave him a $50 tip since he was doing a very good job, pushing the grindings back into the holes as he went along. When I got home later that day I found all of them done. It was a nice surprise.

[thespaceghost]

He is not a waitress, bellhop or carrying my groceries to the car. I do not tip. Last time I checked D* charges for installs. If they are not paying him enough then he needs to change jobs.

I'll remind you of this attitude when the next underpaid hack comes and screws up your system....and you're w/out TV for a week. Its this exact attitude on why I am leaving this industry. You're right, its time for me to find a better job, but I'll reassure you the quality of techs is going further down the gutter as every day passes as the good techs leave to find better jobs.

[ironwood]

Last time I checked waitress was still doing the same job she was doing 20 years ago when she was young and pretty. Installers' job is getting harder by the day: systems are getting more complicated, equipment bigger and heavier, homes are getting bigger, more rooms, taller roofs and ceilings, also customers demand more from a tech since they just spent 3,000 on a new tv. Pay for installs is still the same or increased by 10% while job takes twice as long. Thats why tips are so appreciated.

[TigersFanJJ]

Pay for installs is still the same or increased by 10% while job takes twice as long. Thats why tips are so appreciated.

In the time I have been doing this, pay has decreased by about 25% around here and expected freebies from both the customer and the HSP have increased by 400% or more.

[EricJRW]

I'm having a hard time with all the waitress comparisons...

Your typical server is making sub-minimum wage...

http://www.paywizard.org/main/Minimumwageandovertime/MinimumWageTIPRecevers

So, sadly, tips are part of calculated income...

That being said, the idea of tipping a "professional" (admittedly I'm not sure what that is anymore) seems odd. In a perfect world everyone would receive fair pay for what they do, which is not the case.

In some cases, i.e. this subject, I don't think a tip should ever be expected... But I must constrain that to when only the expected work is done. If a customer makes requests, that technically do not need to be obliged, then I would certainly hope that customer recognizes that it was "above and beyond" and if the installer did not do it, it would have been paid for anyways. Kinda like if you get an item comp'd during meals... I still tip based on the value of the meal, not the bottom line as the server did the same amount of work (if not more).

So for a straight, no complications, install I personally think it should come down to individual choice whether you care to recognize the work done or not. I think it would be highly professional if tips were just refused (anyone shop at Publix?), but I also see no need to have rules that can't be enforced... So I think leaving it a personal choice, for both parties, is the way to go...

That being said, I like the idea of guidelines... I've liked what I've read here, with the range being $10 to $40 based on arrival time, the amount of work done, how the work was done, and any special requests...

Just as an FYI, "satellite TV installers" is not in this list:

http://www.tipping.org/tips/us.html

Which is the most complete list I could find...

[TigersFanJJ]

Just as an FYI, "satellite TV installers" is not in this list:

http://www.tipping.org/tips/us.html

Which is the most complete list I could find...

IMHO, satellite installers would fall under this (http://www.tipping.org/tips/contractors.html) category on that page.

[Mertzen]

He is not a waitress, bellhop or carrying my groceries to the car. I do not tip. Last time I checked D* charges for installs. If they are not paying him enough then he needs to change jobs.

With that attitude don't ask me to:

Check your gutters. " I haven't had the guy over in a while "
Move your furniture. " It's to heavy for me and my wife"
Give you extra cable. " I might move my TVs later on"
Take down old dishes" But the Dish people are asking for it "
Look at your phone/cable/.. " They take weeks to get an appointment"

I will do only what I need and not a smitten more. :nono:

[RobertE]

With that attitude don't ask me to:

Check your gutters. " I haven't had the guy over in a while "
Move your furniture. " It's to heavy for me and my wife"
Give you extra cable. " I might move my TVs later on"
Take down old dishes" But the Dish people are asking for it "
Look at your phone/cable/.. " They take weeks to get an appointment"

I will do only what I need and not a smitten more. :nono:

Depending on that attitude of the customer:

1) There they are right their (points to gutters)
2) Me too.
3) Call for an relocate when you want to move the TV
4) Call Dish
5) Bummer.

:)

[rustynails]

Ya are making me feel bad that I did not tip my installer. It really never occurred to me to do so. I think in terms of tipping waitresses, delivery people, etc. I am a independent contractor but I never expect tips in my line of business.

[Mertzen]

Ya are making me feel bad that I did not tip my installer. It really never occurred to me to do so.


That was never the intention here nor should you.

We as installers are in a people business. I've been tipped with change and singles by people who would not take no for an answer. That makes me feel bad. Last saturday I did an a job for people who just moved and probable didn't have a dime left. They were very nice and I moved furniture and all to get the job done and I didn't get a tip nor did I care to get one. But I've been to places where the vibe I get from the second I walk in you know you are there just to serve them. I don't know how to explain it. I am sure most people don't know the whole piece work thing and nor should it matter. But if you tip a waitress to walk 30 ft from the bar to your table or to open a bud light is is too much to maybe tip a guy who goes up and down ladders with heavy dishes, works in hot and cold and so on0 And I know there are a lot of bad seeds out there but I try as much to go above and beyond even in the most dirty and decrepid places.

[RobertE]

That was never the intention here nor should you.

We as installers are in a people business. I've been tipped with change and singles by people who would not take no for an answer. That makes me feel bad. Last saturday I did an a job for people who just moved and probable didn't have a dime left. They were very nice and I moved furniture and all to get the job done and I didn't get a tip nor did I care to get one. But I've been to places where the vibe I get from the second I walk in you know you are there just to serve them. I don't know how to explain it. I am sure most people don't know the whole piece work thing and nor should it matter. But if you tip a waitress to walk 30 ft from the bar to your table or to open a bud light is is too much to maybe tip a guy who goes up and down ladders with heavy dishes, works in hot and cold and so on0 And I know there are a lot of bad seeds out there but I try as much to go above and beyond even in the most dirty and decrepid places.

I'll second that.

I've been in houses that cost more than I'll ever see in my lifetime. In a good number of those houses, you really get the vibe that you are "the help" are are beneath the customers cast wise.

On the flip side, I've been to some peoples places where they struggle to put food on the table (not going to get into how/why they can afford sat tv), completely different feel there.

I have gotten my share of tips, nearly all in cash, but a few interesting ones. One around last Halloween I was given a small metal Spiderman pail because I got a non functioning phone jack to work. Another was a travel mug with a whole bunch of pens, for changing a light bulb that was too high for the lady to reach with her ladder.

I never expect a tip, and will decline on the first offer.

All I ask is that I be treated with some respect, not like someone at the very bottom of the cast system.

[ironwood]

In the time I have been doing this, pay has decreased by about 25% around here and expected freebies from both the customer and the HSP have increased by 400% or more.

I am sure it decresed over the years. First installers doing BUDs and Primestar probably made a fortune.

What I meant is pay for HD installs increased comparing to basic installs by 10-20 percent ($12.50 extra for 5 LNB dish). And of course time spend on HD jobs is on average 2-3 times longer.

[NYCEGUY01]

A 1 box Primestar paid $140.

[ironwood]

A 1 box Primestar paid $140.

Wow! Back in the day 140 was more than it is today too! They did a great job mounting dishes on the roof and pole mounts. Solid like a rock.

[SebastianBlack]

The last installer I had instructed me to make the check (for dish installation) out to his first and last name. I did not tip him.
This guy is not to smart!:nono:

Good Ole SB

[thespaceghost]

Tipping does always have to be about money. I do expect a tip if I go outside my scope of work. If its a few extra feet of cable, moving heavy furniture, a sincere "thank you" goes a long way. That can be a "tip" enough.

With work slow right now, I end up doing jobs I normally turn away. I'll end up spending double the time and double the costs of doing a job. I make it abundantly clear that I am going out of the way to help them, and at the end of the job, I barely get a nod.

Today I was tipped with a big bag of freshly picked vegetables for a service call. Another occasion, the customer and I shared a favorite basketball team, and he gave me a handful of semi valuable basketball cards of our favorite players. The value of a tip is not the issue, its the appreciation.

[ironwood]

I actually more than anything love when customers send their wife to Jack in a Box and ask me if I want anything. They get me a meal that cost only 5-6 dollars but its better than 20 dollar tips. Techs dont have time to eat so a meal in the middle of a job comes very handly. Plus its a few minutes spend together at the table, brings customer and technician closer.

[TigersFanJJ]

I actually more than anything love when customers send their wife to Jack in a Box and ask me if I want anything. They get me a meal that cost only 5-6 dollars but its better than 20 dollar tips. Techs dont have time to eat so a meal in the middle of a job comes very handly. Plus its a few minutes spend together at the table, brings customer and technician closer.

Same here. Nothing better than that. Especially on those days where you don't have time to take a lunch (which is almost everyday).

[kevinm34232]

Tips are a funny thing. Some places you just don't know if you'll be tipped. You can be courteous and go above and beyond and get nothing, or do the minimum and get tipped. On the other hand, there are the ones you just know you won't get dime before you even go in, for running 2nd DVR lines or not understanding a 2nd language.