The Tipping and Anti-Tipping Cultures

Ekka · 16th April 2008, 11:05 PM

Are you noticing anything changing over the last few years?

Lets talk about it, on one hand the marketing geniuses say give better service, even pay $'s to the prospect (not a customer till they pay you for work done) if you are late, free quotes, free stump grinds, free assessments, free advice, pensioner discounts etc etc etc.

So, what are you finding out there, are you getting tips for a job well done or doing extra work for nothing, and worse still extra work for nothing and no thanks for it.

JohN Dee · 17th April 2008, 02:39 AM

"oh while ya here..." "You know.. you can just bzzzzzzt it!" - My reply: "Oh, while your writing it, can you add an extra 0 to the bill?" Lol i've never said that, but I should, LOL. I tell them yeah but it's gunna cost you more. Extra work = Extra Money. Simple as that.

I can probably recollect all the tips I've ever gotten...

The first tip I got was when I was just a groundy, prolly 4 years back $20, nice old lady... I just recently worked for her again and she tipped my groundy this time, suzie, $50, LOL.

Quoted a prune on a Tallow wood once, for an older bloke, quoted him $250 to do it, he said quote me $500, so I did and he did...

Quoted a 1.2m wide blackbutt stump once, told him how long I thought it'd take, but it took longer, at the end of the job there was an extra $150 when I was counting it, pulled him up on it, he said it took a little longer then what I said, so thats the extra for it. Good thing I didn't take a little less time!

I've probably been tipped, 14-20 times my 6 years in the industy... But hey Ekka, do lunches, beer, wine and spirits (I'm building up a mad grog cabinet aye

) count?

If so i'd have to say 75%

Done it · 17th April 2008, 04:55 AM

This might turn into the Biggest Ever Thread.

I've seen some changes alright, mainly the people here, but they all respect a well done job. I started up here in March 1977 and still have clients from then. Seen a lot come & go, only thinking of quick money, not next year.

People tip in different ways. Money, food, beer, but the best is, recommend to a friend, that's the best tip you can get, it keeps going & going, probably like this thread will.

newguy18 · 17th April 2008, 06:15 AM

Not very often but i do get a nice thanks.I'm guilty of throwing extra work in at times.

Roller · 17th April 2008, 09:58 AM

you rarely get a cup of tea over here let alone a tip

blair duncanson · 17th April 2008, 10:18 AM

Leaving the site tidy, if not tidier than you found it, is usually what most clients appreciate. Agree with Done It, recommendation is best, especially in small communities. Usually find that ,'want to be millionaires", try to screw you. The more genuine, working folks, rich or poor normally tip. Think it depends a lot on the area you are working and whether the client appreciates hard work?

quercus · 17th April 2008, 02:33 PM

My groundies get tipped al the time. It varies from 5 to 25 euro's. When I worked for someone else I got tipped too. I on the other hand never expect a tip. I'm usually very happy when they pay me on time.

When work is on a roll, and things get done quicker then expected, some clients do ask me if the bill is gonna be lesser. I simply ask them if they would pay more in the event of it taking longer... They shut up after that most of the time....
For some reason, everybody out here thinks that people whom are self-emplyed are always rich. Except for the ones whom are self-employed too of course. We do work for free all the time, and when things do get done quicker, it happens that we do something more then scheduled in that particular contract. I always stick to my price. Even if it takes three days longer then expected. I've never ever told a client that things are gonna be more expensive without telling them in advance. I don't take pre-payments either... Clients gotta pay in full when the work is totally completed.

Ekka · 17th April 2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blair duncanson

The more genuine, working folks, rich or poor normally tip. Think it depends a lot on the area you are working and whether the client appreciates hard work?

I personally find those who haven't sweat or worked physically for a living and usually more demanding, more nit picky, harder to satisfy and expect more done for nothing.

The best I find to work for a fellow blue collar workers and tradies.

However is the "marketing geniuses", such as a recent blurb in the Australia Arbor Age, pressing a culture of the customer expending something for nothing. Suggestions of "we will pay you $50 if we are not there in 2 hours" etc on your yellow pages ads?

Already ads are littered with free this and that, now go through the professionals and other trades ads ... who's giving much away? No-one!

I see a lot of this circulate, a lot of competition at the dollar value of our service. One company here enters you a monthly draw for $500 if you get them etc. Are these publications and "marketing geniuses who most likely don't sweat for a living" devaluing us? Elsewhere I referred to this as a race to the bottom, who's cheapest and gives away the most gets the work.

I certainly have noticed customers demands are increasing and their expectations bordering on blackmail. Blackmail in the sense of if you dont do the extra you may not get paid, will get bad mouthed etc.

quercus · 17th April 2008, 03:40 PM

Out here we don't have those kinds of practices... Fast service does give me an advantage though.

s.kerrone · 17th April 2008, 07:09 PM

Tipping ??,I got a phone call last week to have a look and price three tall fir trees.They wanted the trees removed and cut into firewood,I would have to climb them to put a line on them to fall in the right direction.(tight spot) When I got there,I got the how much,tight for money,can you do it real soon?? I gave them a price and changed my plans to help them out.Two days later I got the phone call,found someone else!!(cheaper) no tip either

bigshea13 · 17th April 2008, 09:21 PM

:yesterday i was offered smoked salmon to remove two large dead firs. he d have needed his own hatchery to cover the bill. i get asked EVERY day to do something in someones yard. i was even asked to adjust a radio antenna{which i did

}
they think because we remove the trees on the roadside and around the lines we can just zip in and take out a few for them .......seeing that we re already there.
i tell them my boss is an asshole and that he ll fire us. that usually works. the general foreman i work for is actually a good guy but they dont need to know that

Done it · 18th April 2008, 06:49 AM

I get jobs all the time because of guys doing your job. Thanks to you all,

it stirs them up, "they wouldn't even come and look at it", so they ring me.

Therrin · 18th April 2008, 08:34 AM

I'd say 70% of the time is pretty close.

Sometimes cash, sometimes food, or both. Getting the calls from the neighbors sure is the best though, you've got that right.

Was workin on my own one day and this doctor guy took me out for a steak for lunch. TD on a large-ish pine by myself. When we got back I was fat n happy and didn't feel like moving an inch. Oh the drudgery a good steak can induce!!

Had people bring lunch out, some invite me into their homes to wash up and eat. It's almost crazy. Made at least 2 good friends so far.

Like John, one guy had asked me about "hitting up one more pine" before I left, he said how much? I threw out a quick $150 from a hundred yards off without looking too hard. Ended up being there another 3 hours, thing had a ton of leaders comin out of it.
Finished up tired as a rat and the guy gave me $400. Said he used to do "treework" but stopped after just a couple clients and that he could appreciate something that he can't do. Pity they aren't all like that.

Oh, one crazy lady called me back to agree on a bid, said she'd even throw in a $50 tip, then called back 2 days later and cancelled.

blair duncanson · 18th April 2008, 08:50 AM

Spot, on. Is it because there are too many'",cowboys,"" out there, devaluing your work and the clients are too nieve to see the importance of getting quality arborists?? Perhaps introducing the importance of proper treecare to pupils at school, may break this trend??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

I personally find those who haven't sweat or worked physically for a living and usually more demanding, more nit picky, harder to satisfy and expect more done for nothing.

The best I find to work for a fellow blue collar workers and tradies.

However is the "marketing geniuses", such as a recent blurb in the Australia Arbor Age, pressing a culture of the customer expending something for nothing. Suggestions of "we will pay you $50 if we are not there in 2 hours" etc on your yellow pages ads?

Already ads are littered with free this and that, now go through the professionals and other trades ads ... who's giving much away? No-one!

I see a lot of this circulate, a lot of competition at the dollar value of our service. One company here enters you a monthly draw for $500 if you get them etc. Are these publications and "marketing geniuses who most likely don't sweat for a living" devaluing us? Elsewhere I referred to this as a race to the bottom, who's cheapest and gives away the most gets the work.

I certainly have noticed customers demands are increasing and their expectations bordering on blackmail. Blackmail in the sense of if you dont do the extra you may not get paid, will get bad mouthed etc.

JohN Dee · 20th April 2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blair Duncanson

Perhaps introducing the importance of proper treecare to pupils at school, may break this trend??

That is it, the long term plan. We need the bloody government to have a very light/basic but detailed enough tree biology part in the curriculem. Heard on the news a little while back ole' Keven Rudd gunna make a national curriculem... Reckon he's gunna include any tree awareness? Not likely. Our best bet would be to volunteer our precious time at the primary schools preferably on Arbor Day.

Hey Ekka, coppers and firies are good payers aswell. That's because the majority of them are tradies on their other 4 days off.

View Poll Results: How often do you get a tip?
regularly, 70% of the time +	3	18.75%
often, 50% of our jobs	2	12.50%
crikey, cant remember the last one	8	50.00%
get shafted with the anti-tip and do extras all the time for nothing!	3	18.75%
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

16th April 2008, 11:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 5,673	The Tipping and Anti-Tipping Cultures Are you noticing anything changing over the last few years? Lets talk about it, on one hand the marketing geniuses say give better service, even pay $'s to the prospect (not a customer till they pay you for work done) if you are late, free quotes, free stump grinds, free assessments, free advice, pensioner discounts etc etc etc. So, what are you finding out there, are you getting tips for a job well done or doing extra work for nothing, and worse still extra work for nothing and no thanks for it. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

17th April 2008, 02:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
JohN Dee Astronaut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 679	Re: The Tipping and Anti-Tipping Cultures "oh while ya here..." "You know.. you can just bzzzzzzt it!" - My reply: "Oh, while your writing it, can you add an extra 0 to the bill?" Lol i've never said that, but I should, LOL. I tell them yeah but it's gunna cost you more. Extra work = Extra Money. Simple as that. I can probably recollect all the tips I've ever gotten... The first tip I got was when I was just a groundy, prolly 4 years back $20, nice old lady... I just recently worked for her again and she tipped my groundy this time, suzie, $50, LOL. Quoted a prune on a Tallow wood once, for an older bloke, quoted him $250 to do it, he said quote me $500, so I did and he did... Quoted a 1.2m wide blackbutt stump once, told him how long I thought it'd take, but it took longer, at the end of the job there was an extra $150 when I was counting it, pulled him up on it, he said it took a little longer then what I said, so thats the extra for it. Good thing I didn't take a little less time! I've probably been tipped, 14-20 times my 6 years in the industy... But hey Ekka, do lunches, beer, wine and spirits (I'm building up a mad grog cabinet aye) count? If so i'd have to say 75% __________________ Climber with slow climbing speed, must make up with mighty chainsaw roar. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Red : Green : Blue

17th April 2008, 04:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
Done it Fly'n Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Parramatta. nsw. Australia. Posts: 169	Re: The Tipping and Anti-Tipping Cultures This might turn into the Biggest Ever Thread. I've seen some changes alright, mainly the people here, but they all respect a well done job. I started up here in March 1977 and still have clients from then. Seen a lot come & go, only thinking of quick money, not next year. People tip in different ways. Money, food, beer, but the best is, recommend to a friend, that's the best tip you can get, it keeps going & going, probably like this thread will.

17th April 2008, 06:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,196	Re: The Tipping and Anti-Tipping Cultures Not very often but i do get a nice thanks.I'm guilty of throwing extra work in at times. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

17th April 2008, 09:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
Roller Fly'n Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Suffolk UK Posts: 190	Re: The Tipping and Anti-Tipping Cultures you rarely get a cup of tea over here let alone a tip

17th April 2008, 10:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
blair duncanson Cruisin' Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: argyll Posts: 70	Re: The Tipping and Anti-Tipping Cultures Leaving the site tidy, if not tidier than you found it, is usually what most clients appreciate. Agree with Done It, recommendation is best, especially in small communities. Usually find that ,'want to be millionaires", try to screw you. The more genuine, working folks, rich or poor normally tip. Think it depends a lot on the area you are working and whether the client appreciates hard work?

17th April 2008, 02:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
quercus Afterburner is shakin' Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: belgium Posts: 414	Re: The Tipping and Anti-Tipping Cultures My groundies get tipped al the time. It varies from 5 to 25 euro's. When I worked for someone else I got tipped too. I on the other hand never expect a tip. I'm usually very happy when they pay me on time. When work is on a roll, and things get done quicker then expected, some clients do ask me if the bill is gonna be lesser. I simply ask them if they would pay more in the event of it taking longer... They shut up after that most of the time.... For some reason, everybody out here thinks that people whom are self-emplyed are always rich. Except for the ones whom are self-employed too of course. We do work for free all the time, and when things do get done quicker, it happens that we do something more then scheduled in that particular contract. I always stick to my price. Even if it takes three days longer then expected. I've never ever told a client that things are gonna be more expensive without telling them in advance. I don't take pre-payments either... Clients gotta pay in full when the work is totally completed.

17th April 2008, 03:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
quercus Afterburner is shakin' Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: belgium Posts: 414	Re: The Tipping and Anti-Tipping Cultures Out here we don't have those kinds of practices... Fast service does give me an advantage though.

17th April 2008, 07:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
s.kerrone Gettin' motoring Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: duncan b.c. Posts: 16	Re: The Tipping and Anti-Tipping Cultures Tipping ??,I got a phone call last week to have a look and price three tall fir trees.They wanted the trees removed and cut into firewood,I would have to climb them to put a line on them to fall in the right direction.(tight spot) When I got there,I got the how much,tight for money,can you do it real soon?? I gave them a price and changed my plans to help them out.Two days later I got the phone call,found someone else!!(cheaper) no tip either

17th April 2008, 09:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
bigshea13 Afterburner is shakin' Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: hiding Posts: 388	Re: The Tipping and Anti-Tipping Cultures :yesterday i was offered smoked salmon to remove two large dead firs. he d have needed his own hatchery to cover the bill. i get asked EVERY day to do something in someones yard. i was even asked to adjust a radio antenna{which i did} they think because we remove the trees on the roadside and around the lines we can just zip in and take out a few for them .......seeing that we re already there. i tell them my boss is an asshole and that he ll fire us. that usually works. the general foreman i work for is actually a good guy but they dont need to know that __________________ what's today?

18th April 2008, 06:49 AM	#12 (permalink)
Done it Fly'n Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Parramatta. nsw. Australia. Posts: 169	Re: The Tipping and Anti-Tipping Cultures I get jobs all the time because of guys doing your job. Thanks to you all, it stirs them up, "they wouldn't even come and look at it", so they ring me.

18th April 2008, 08:34 AM	#13 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,113	Re: The Tipping and Anti-Tipping Cultures I'd say 70% of the time is pretty close. Sometimes cash, sometimes food, or both. Getting the calls from the neighbors sure is the best though, you've got that right. Was workin on my own one day and this doctor guy took me out for a steak for lunch. TD on a large-ish pine by myself. When we got back I was fat n happy and didn't feel like moving an inch. Oh the drudgery a good steak can induce!! Had people bring lunch out, some invite me into their homes to wash up and eat. It's almost crazy. Made at least 2 good friends so far. Like John, one guy had asked me about "hitting up one more pine" before I left, he said how much? I threw out a quick $150 from a hundred yards off without looking too hard. Ended up being there another 3 hours, thing had a ton of leaders comin out of it. Finished up tired as a rat and the guy gave me $400. Said he used to do "treework" but stopped after just a couple clients and that he could appreciate something that he can't do. Pity they aren't all like that. Oh, one crazy lady called me back to agree on a bid, said she'd even throw in a $50 tip, then called back 2 days later and cancelled. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

21st April 2008, 02:14 AM	#16 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 5,673	Re: The T