Author Topic: Do you tip your pro shop operator? (Read 13146 times)

BrunsMike · « **on:** February 18, 2010, 01:17:01 AM »

I have been tipping my pro shop guy for the last 4-5 year's for all kind's of ball work done. I normally don't tip for thing's like new shoe's, bag's, cleaner's, towel's, ect.

Last night I was talking to a few guy's who just picked up a new ball last night, 2 Invasion's and a Mission. I don't remember how we got to this topic but all I can remember is me asking these guy's if they gave the man a tip. All 3 said "No, I already paid $250+ for this new beast. Why would I tip the man?!" Not in their actual word's but the general idea. 1 guy said he will never tip any proshop because of the money he already make's. 2nd guy said he just don't feel it's needed. 3rd guy said he's never really thought about it but probably wouldn't tip anyway.

You tip your waiter/waitress, you tip your barber guy/gal, you tip your pizza delivery dude, why would you not tip your pro shop guy?

I tip him because I know he don't make a lot off each ball sale or anything else for that matter. On a typical new ball sale he generally make's $25-$30 at most. Most of his money come's in the form of ball plug and redrilling. I normally tip $5 unless he's getting me 2 ball's done in the same day then it's $10.
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Mike Zadler
"When in doubt, Pull out" - Rob Stone
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/SearchUSBC/ViewMember.aspx?prefix=552&suffix=12886

Mike Austin · « **Reply #31 on:** February 18, 2010, 06:31:08 PM »

quote:
quote:
He/she is providing you with a service, no different than a waiter, barber, etc. If you feel he/she went above the average service, you should tip them. You guys will tip a waiter for bring you a drink and writing your order down correctly, but won't tip a guy that drills you a bowling ball that could POTENTIALLY win you alittle cash?

But the waiter's income is substantially tips. Your drillers income is not. It's drilling fees. Do you tip your doctor? Do you tip the plumber? They're providing service.

No, you pay them for the service. If the service is above average, you continue to give them your patronage and recommend them to others.

SH

But when I'm cleaning the gunk off your ball from the ball return or beveling your thumb hole from a ball you got from a friend or cleaning out the gunk from tape that's been in the thumb hole for two years or I'm.......

Is all that covered in "drilling fees"? Hell no, throwing the guy, owner or not, a couple bucks, buying him a cold drink of.. is not a crime, which some make it sound like it is. It is a show of appreciation from one human to another. "Thanks man (or woman) for doing that for me, I APPRECIATE IT!" That's all it is, no written laws or codes, just a simple thanks with an impact.

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Check out my blog:

www.strikes4days.blogspot.com

The Stroke · « **Reply #32 on:** February 18, 2010, 06:42:36 PM »

I wonder if the bowling cheapos that buy their stuff from the internet to save $10 tip the internet site or the driller they bring the blank to. Wait, what am I thinking, they are trying to save $10 why would they tip? They would rather save the $10, get in two brackets, then log into BR to complain how they lost in the first round with a 247.
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Toodles

Brickguy221 · « **Reply #33 on:** February 18, 2010, 07:55:13 PM »

If my driller does a really good job of span-pitch accuracy in drilling my ball, I give him a 6 pack or 12 pack of beer of his choice. (after he drills my ball of coarse....lol) I don't tip him otherwise as I do all other work that a ball requires myself.
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"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."

Brick

shelley · « **Reply #34 on:** February 18, 2010, 09:40:37 PM »

quote:
But when I'm cleaning the gunk off your ball from the ball return or beveling your thumb hole from a ball you got from a friend or cleaning out the gunk from tape that's been in the thumb hole for two years or I'm.......

Is all that covered in "drilling fees"? Hell no, throwing the guy, owner or not, a couple bucks, buying him a cold drink of.. is not a crime, which some make it sound like it is. It is a show of appreciation from one human to another. "Thanks man (or woman) for doing that for me, I APPRECIATE IT!" That's all it is, no written laws or codes, just a simple thanks with an impact.

No, it's not covered in drilling fees because you're not drilling a ball. Yes, it would be covered by the normal service charges one levies for those kinds of services. If you choose not to charge to bevel a thumb (in one instance or in general), that is your business decision. Many shops do things like that to encourage bowlers to bring their business to the shop. It's called customer service.

Just because it is a service industry doesn't make it necessary to tip. I'll never say that tips aren't appreciated, nor will I discount the value of a "thanks, dude". But there are plenty of services we use that don't involve tips because you're already paying for the service directly. A tip would simply be an increase in price.

SH

scotts33 · « **Reply #35 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:14:37 PM »

You got it correct shelley. Good explanation for those that are dense.

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Scott

mrteach3 · « **Reply #36 on:** February 19, 2010, 08:15:03 AM »

Like many on here. I have been offered tips and declined them. I don't know why, but I just don't think it is necessary. I do have a decent amount of people offer to buy me a drink after I get done in the shop. I think that is the person's way of saying "Thanks. Good job." I do take the drinks however.

Can't pass those up.

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Who needs a 300 or 800, when I have a 294 and a 295!?!?!

tekneek · « **Reply #37 on:** February 19, 2010, 08:59:50 AM »

I'm offered tips all the time, mostly "sleep on the streets and save your money"
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Steve
Leading Edge Pro Shop
brinkley2223@yahoo.com
512-755-2947

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Leading-Edge-Pro-Shop__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Crash7189 · « **Reply #38 on:** February 19, 2010, 10:03:31 AM »

No one tips me for my Job.( Sales Engineer). Does any one tip you for yours?

Bigmike · « **Reply #39 on:** February 19, 2010, 01:02:47 PM »

I work PT about 6-8 hours a week for a shop. I have had several of my friends and others "tip" me for drilling there gear. Our owners are pretty cool about letting me cut a break since the majority of these are repeat business or do spread the "word".

I also have came in on my own time and went above and beyond for some folks. I came in on a Saturday to practice with a friend and ended up slugging and redrilling 8 balls for his daughter who wanted to make a pitch change. This was on my own time. My teammate slipped me a Fifty out on the lanes while we were practicing later as he knew I wasn't getting paid by the store for doing this.

When I used to go to shop by my full time place of employment, one of the workers there used to charge me a flat rate on blanks which was half of the stores normal blank drill price. This guy always let me lay out my own stuff and never caught an attitude about anything. I would send him word-of-mouth business if anyone asked me where I went to get work done. He wouldn't take a tip but I paid for his entry once or twice in some local shoot outs as appreciation.

Kharma rules!!

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"Why don't you call me sometime.....when you have no class" ~~Rodney Dangerfield to Sally Kellerman, his college professor in Back to School ~~1986

Mike Craig - Storm Products Pro Shop staff -Columbus, OH

BrianCRX90 · « **Reply #40 on:** February 19, 2010, 03:57:34 PM »

Lol I don't tip anyone except at a restaurant, pizza delivery guy, barber and sometimes a bar tender. Rare occasion a taxi or vallet driver.
Why would I pay extra for a service that is mandatory? In other words, unless I got the money, space, time and experience I can't drill my own balls and do other modifications.
I can order food out or at a store. I can buy pizza instead of having it delivered. I can cut my own hair if I chose to and have. I don't have to go to a bar and could buy a beer at a store.

BrunsMike · « **Reply #41 on:** February 19, 2010, 04:32:26 PM »

I figured this would be one of those controversy thread's. That was kind of the point.

I still will continue to tip my driller who IS the shop owner/operator. He used to have an associate but found out that guy was pocketing the cash. 1 out of every 8 ball sale's he figured was going into this guy's pocket, he was there for 3 month's. Anyway, I direct anyone and everyone to the porshop I goto. I also get decent discount's which I know he don't have to offer me but he does, just like I don't have to offer him a tip, again, I do. It's a 2 way street. I also feel like it's neccessary.
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Mike Zadler
"When in doubt, Pull out" - Rob Stone
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/SearchUSBC/ViewMember.aspx?prefix=552&suffix=12886

themagician · « **Reply #42 on:** February 19, 2010, 05:04:47 PM »

I don't tip my ball driller but I do refer him to others frequently. I also tell him when things go well and thank him again because I owe a lot to him and know he appreciates hearing success from the bowlers he took care of.
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BowlingChat.net

Author Topic: Do you tip your pro shop operator? (Read 13146 times)

BrunsMike

Do you tip your pro shop operator?

Mike Austin

Re: Do you tip your pro shop operator?

The Stroke

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Brickguy221

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shelley

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scotts33

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mrteach3

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tekneek

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Crash7189

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Bigmike

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BrianCRX90

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BrunsMike

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themagician

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