Tipping On Something You Aren't Paying For

[Deleted User]

So, I won a videography package. The value is something like $2500.

I feel like I can't NOT give her SOME money. My mom suggested like $200 and after I get the video, another $300 if I love it. I mean. It's a weird situation. I tried to win the package because I couldn't afford a videographer. Giving her 1/5 of her fee seems like a slap in the face. But I can't really afford much more.

smalfrie19

I think that is fine. She submitted her services as a prize knowing she would not get actual compensation for it. I think a $500 tip is fine. A tip is 15-20% anyways. 

MsYeck

Honestly she is on to write it off on he taxes and use it as promotional material probably. I would just give her a tip what you feel you can afford.

lyndausvi

I think 10-20% percent of the value is a good tip.

itzMS

I would absolutely do $400-$500. Personally, I only tip after I've received a service, but if you think tipping beforehand works in your situation go for it.

s-aries8990

StageManager14 said:

That's a 20 percent tip. Why would it be a slap in the face?

I think because the videographer is in essence doing it for "free" and the won't be even close to what she could get if she had another full-paying client.

@Domino04 If she didn't want to extend her services for free she wouldn't have. It's not like you begged her to do it for free and then gave her like $20 bucks on the nightstand to get home. I see it as almost a gift card scenario - the service is paid for, but you cover tip. As long as the tip is close to the traditional percentage and is fair, you're fine. I think that10% just for doing the service and 20% total because you're satisfied is perfectly acceptable.

theretamaragoes

I am a photographer and I can say that if I gave someone free Wedding Day Coverage, and they ended up tipping me $500, I would be THRILLED.

Likely your Videographer is doing this for free because the 'buzz' his/her contest created on facebook made it worthwhile to them. They run a contest, get a few dozen more 'likes', create a buzz, get their name out there, get people excited about them, and in exchange they shoot one wedding for free. Potentially they'll even get some 'word of mouth' business referred from you down the road. That's his/her payment right there. Any cash you want to offer them as a tip is just a really, really nice cherry on top.

chaiteachick

Yes, the reason it was even a contest is because, overall, the pros of the publicity that the contest generated vastly outweighed the "cons" of giving a "free" service. Aside from all the extra jobs this person is getting, due to the publicity, she will probably also be using it as promotional material. She might very well also be writing it off on her taxes, if that's legal. 

I know that whenever FI and I win a free dinner or something, we still tip, but that's probably a slightly different scenario, as a waitress isn't the one who offered the freebie to begin with. 

We would probably still tip 10-15%, but not 20%.

[Deleted User]

Ok, thanks everyone! I heard back from her to confirm stuff (ONE WEEK!), and actually she is also bringing an assistant. 

I think I will give both $100 each that day, and send the extra to the main videographer in a thank you card after I get my video back. 

Does this sound good? Y/N?

MuppetFan

That sounds very good.

theretamaragoes

Yes, sounds very good

SomethingBeautiful08

I think what you are doing is very fair.  Also, if you love the video, make sure to get on the review sites and put in a good word, for a small business I know that they really appreciate those kinds of recommendations.