What ever happened to getting a tip and maybe even a cup of tea - TilersForums.com

[Balloo]

When serving my time with mee oll mate desy ( God rest him ) , going back 15-20years ago we always got sandwiches cookies and tea , and nearly every job we got a tip .
I've been thinking lately I've not had one in a very long time.
I recently cancelled a family holiday we had planned , to tile 400 mt house the owners want to move in asap because they had a baby coming and lived in a caravan .
I worked 16 hours a day usually started at 2-3 am to escape the heat .
I think I carried 10 pallets of 1800 x250 planks tile and adhesive on my own , I complete the job in 5 weeks finished on Friday before the Saturday they moved in and they never even bothered to come and see me after completing .
I even gave them a card and Campaign to celebrate there new home .
I called them back weeks later to see how everything was and they text back . " fine "
I think people in general have become unappreciating towards trades men because they hold resentment at what we earn and they think we are scum , from all the shows they watch on tv about cowboy builders.
What do you guys think on this subject

 

[Qwerty]

I agree. It does seem that generally nowadays customers expect alot more for alot less. I tend to 'vet' my customees at the quote stage to avoid those types. Still happens every so often though.

 

[Dumbo]

I never expect a tip . I charge for my work what I want therefore why should I get a tip i'm not a waiter

 

[Balloo]

I never expect a tip . I charge for my work what I want therefore why should I get a tip i'm not a waiter

A waiter serves your dinner .
A tiler you meet every day for 5weeks , and a tiler who cleans all the mess and takes the trash to the dump , trash I don't own ! , im only paid to fix .
The more you do the less respect youget and the more they expect .
But this should never make you change your work ethic , rise above .
Im only asking to see if you guys are seeing the same

 

[One Day]

As above - interview your customers before taking the work on.
It's a society thing...people are becoming very "entitled" and unappreciative. Thankless.
I find the people with less money, or those that are self-made, are the most appreciative.
Younger generation think that the leased Audi they drive, makes them a better person than a tradesman in a van
(stereotype I know!)

 

[hmtiling]

As above - interview your customers before taking the work on.
It's a society thing...people are becoming very "entitled" and unappreciative. Thankless.
I find the people with less money, or those that are self-made, are the most appreciative.
Younger generation think that the leased Audi they drive, makes them a better person than a tradesman in a van
(stereotype I know!)

best tip I've ever had was on a council estate. Just did a job for a Baron and didn't even get offered a drink!

 

[Andy Allen]

What does it matter, as long as you get paid.........
One thing I've learnt in this job is never take thing's personally...
Saying that I won't even work a weekend to help out a customer ....(even a Friday is pushing it)....
I certainly wouldn't be cancelling family holidays......lifes to short..!!

 

[hmtiling]

What does it matter, as long as you get paid....
Saying that I won't even work a weekend to help out a customer ....(even a Friday is pushing it)....
I certainly wouldn't be cancelling family holidays......lifes to short..!!

A tip should never be expected but common courtesy doesn't seem too common any more

 

[Andy Allen]

Don't eat yellow snow was the best tip I ever had...

 

[Balloo]

A tip for not leaving a tip , like most trades

What does it matter, as long as you get paid....
Saying that I won't even work a weekend to help out a customer ....(even a Friday is pushing it)....
I certainly wouldn't be cancelling family holidays......lifes to

There can be multiple reason why someone needs to take a job on the expense of a holiday , we don't have the luxury of sick pay and holiday pay etc', and most don't know when the next job
is you should know that !!!

 

[WetSaw]

The only things I want from a customer at the end of a job is them to say they're happy ( elated is better..) and to be paid!

 

[GoneGuy]

I never expect a tip, all I ask the customer to do is to pay full balance and to leave a review on social media/website.
I think a review/recommendation is worth more than a tip.

 

[hmtiling]

I just want a bloody brew!

 

[Spare Tool]

Been on a job for a builder at his home for three weeks, not had even the offer of a brew yet... Always take a two litre bottle of juice with me to work every day, last week I'd run out of juice by mid afternoon, asked him for a cold drink and he came back with a glass of luke warm tap water..."jeez can you spare it" ...BUT he pays immediately.
Job before this was treated to brews all day long and jam and cream scones for afternoon tea but had to wait two weeks for money to go in the bank..

 

[Balloo]

What does it matter, as long as you get paid.........
One thing I've learnt in this job is never take thing's personally...
Saying that I won't even work a weekend to help out a customer ....(even a Friday is pushing it)....
I certainly wouldn't be cancelling family holidays......lifes to short..!!