DDB & Limo Driver Tipping

AustralianSam

Hey Ladies,

How much should I be tipping the Limo driver (2hr photo tour) - fee does not include a tip... so I will need to pay that.

And the Double Decker Bus driver? Our rate includes a 15% tip... so Im assuming I only need to tip more if they are really nice?

We don't do tipping here in Australia, so Im not too up on it, but is 15-20% the norm?

Only 13 days to go......

vegasgroom

Tipping is definitely a frustrating thing since it's so random.  Typically it's a mandatory 20% for transportation services; I'm actually surprised it was not included in your bill for the limo.  When I've arranged for limo or other party bus type things in advance, the 'service charge' has always been included.  If they do a good job then 20% is probably the way to go.  Just make sure the limo driver does his or her job too though; the vehicle should be clean inside and out, stocked with ice and waters, any other things you've requested, etc.  No sense paying and not getting your money's worth.

Futuremrshauger

@AustralianSam‌ your rate included a 15% tip already that they quoted you? I'll have to recheck my email cause I don't recall seeing a 15% tip

AustralianSam

@futuremrshauger... yeah, it was written in an email I got from them. so maybe just email back and confirm with them. It wasn't on on my booking sheet.

AustralianSam

thanks vegas groom... again, cause we don't tip here, we are really picky when it comes to tipping. If I get bad service, I don't tip at all. If I get standard, nothing to talk about service, I tip the base... good service gets more. I really hate the people who live on tips, but then give horrible service and still expect a tip! urgh! 

AustralianSam

but wait a minute.... Im paying $190 for 2 hrs of limo.... surely Im not expected to tip $40?!?!?!

Futuremrshauger

@AustralianSam‌ I private messages you what I was quoted and the fine print I was sent

toughcookie508

My dad is a limo driver here in FL. He said a normal tip for that price range would be $30-$40. You have to realize that most drivers work for a large company and make probably a hourly rate around $15/hour or even less for the service so any tip you give them is actually something nice for their pockets. 

I imagine it is strange for you, I just recently came back from Japan where it is actually rude to tip. It was the weirdest thing for me not to leave tip, especially when getting better service than I do here in the states. So it must be just as weird the other way around. 

vegasgroom

Yeah the whole situation bugs me.  Good employees should earn a livable wage and not have to live off tips, they deserve to be paid a good wage.  Bad employees should be fired, not just tipped less, which pisses them off, and then they give even worse service than their already poor service so you end up in an even worse situation.  The other reason I dislike tips is because I know, from my restaurant working days, and I was guilty of this too, but probably 90% of tipped workers don't honestly report their wages on the cash tips, so it's also not fair to thsoe who do pay all their tax burden.

AustralianSam

You are wise Vegas Groom!

I guess Im lucky to live in a country where the minimum weekly wage is about $640 a week... or $16.87 an hour... google tells me that the US minimum wage is half that.

Anyway... I digress!

Do I have to tip the photographer too??

Rosebubbly

Sorry to hijack thread but @vegasgroom‌ please advise on the tipping of our vendors. Do all of the following require tips and if so, what percentage:
HMUA
Chapel Coordinator
Officiant
DDB Driver
Photographer
Reception Coordinator
DJ
Day of Coordinator

I need to get my stuff in order. And take up a second job working the pole. LOL!

Knottie76129794

This is good to know.
Anyone can answer the list @Rosebubbly posted?
TIA!!!

vegasgroom

Rosebubbly said:

Sorry to hijack thread but @vegasgroom‌ please advise on the tipping of our vendors. Do all of the following require tips and if so, what percentage: HMUA Chapel Coordinator Officiant DDB Driver Photographer Reception Coordinator DJ Day of Coordinator I need to get my stuff in order. And take up a second job working the pole. LOL!

If the HMUA is an employee of your venue, coordinator, etc. and you're not paying directly, then definitely tip something within reason as a thanks.  If the HMUA is sole proprietor running their own business and it's just them, then I would not feel obligated to tip, but if you're happy with the results, doesn't hurt to do so.  My wife really liked Francesca, and although Francesca is her own business, I think we tipped her $50.  She did work two times though, trial the night before and wedding day, and she was there a good nine or ten hours.  If an HMUA has an assistant, that person I'd tip since they're working for the primary person and probably not getting an even cut.

Chapel and Reception Coordinators I would not tip unless they did some miraculous work.  They're simply 'doing their job' when it comes to setting everything up for you and they're paid a salary to do so.

Officiant you don't have to tip.  We tipped ours because he came to our rehearsal dinner to meet us and hang out for a bit, completely voluntary, but you don't need to tip someone who's getting $50 to $150 for 15 minutes work.

DDB driver it depends.  I've heard the owner of the company is sometimes the driver.  If it's someone hired then I'd probably tip.  I'm actually surprised it's not mandatory 'service charge' in the contract.

DJ and photog, treat it like HMUA.  We didn't tip the DJ's because we paid extra to have the owners of the company do our reception.  We did tip the photog, but in a thank you card after we saw a preview of some of the pics. :-)

Rosebubbly

Thanks VG!