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tipping

Sonicstef Posted:

Re: tipping

I know - its really infuriating - imagine how I feel after 16 months!

Another hair person (not mentioned here) did the same thing as a result of press from another board. I pretty much told her that I though her tactics were unethical but what does she care? She is booked every weekend now.
taraalissa Posted:

Re: tipping

some people are so greedy. As long as brides are willing to pay the insane rates that some vendors charge, they will keep charging it, and raising (and in this case) doubling their prices.

dcbride Posted:

Re: tipping

THe maitre d usually doesn't get the tip until the end of the night- so the service should be good no matter what. I htink 2-3 dollars a person is high-- I am not going to tip my maitrd my net salary for a week.

shamma Posted:

Re: tipping

Tara, which vendor doubled their price??? That is ridiculous. I just did an excel spreadhseet of all final payments that are due to all vendors and so much of our money is going out in tips for services that these people are already being paid to do. Why should I tip you on top of that, for what I hired you to do. I would not pay you to provide me with horrible service I can get that for free. Man this wedding industry has definitley opened my eyes to the way people do business. Only 16 more days and this will be all over, no more vendors, no more tips, nothing more. Thank Goodness!!!
Marnles Posted:

Re: tipping

You guys are sooooo right! I mean, we're already paying thousands of dollars for a service...and I really don't want to hear that the majority of these people work on tips. Gimme a break! The only ones I'm sure who do are the waitstaff people - and that's why I am very concerned with the 18% gratuity...I really want to know if all or any goes to them.

I'm a teacher and my FH is a PA - both extremely important jobs, both under paid, and both NEVER receive a tip for a service that helps better our world.
CHELSEADOG Posted:

Re: tipping

Does anyone think you have to tip the photographer and videographer they are charging so much to begin with.
How about the florist deliverer. Isn't delivery included in the price?
Gratuity is included in the price of the limos do I have to tip too? Isn't that tipping on top of tipping??
The catering place has recommended $700.00 for the Maitre D' (160 guests). What could he possibly do in five hours for that much money in addition to 15% added to the bill?????
07052002 Posted:

Re: tipping

Marles, I can relate. My fiance will be a 2LT in the Airforce and his salary is less then what are wedding is costing and he's military and were at war.
Such is Life, and Long island is expensive.
shamma Posted:

Debbie08

How does tipping fall under supply and demand?? I have taken marketing courses and no where does supply and demand deal with tipping. If you are talking about the prices they are charging for the service they are providing, then that I would consider supply and demand, not tipping, that is what this topic is about

yabbobay Posted:

tipping

here is what i did...and everyone did such a FABULOUS job, I wonder if I gave enough!! (although 1 month ago I was *****ing and complaining!!)

maitre 'd $400 (150 guests)
bridal assistant $200

the 2 of these people did EVERYTHING for me...they were spectacular!!

dj $100 total for 3 plus dinner (1 is the owner)
photographer $100 total for 3 plus dinner (1 is owner)
video $40 (owner) plus dinner and $20 for 2nd camera man there for 1 hour
flower delivery $20...only one place to deliver - owner (guest at the wedding) put cake flowers in himself!
string trio $20 each for 2 hours no food.
limo $10 (rounded up to next $20) plus his 20% in bill AND he only brought us one place (1 hour total), but my in-laws tipped $100 to their driver (don't ask...they are just big tippers) b/c they had the same driver in the morning and evening and he waited very patiently for us after the reception for 30 min!

hope I got everyone
Sonicstef Posted:

Re: tipping

I think what Debbie is saying (I don't want to put words in your mouth Debbie - so correct me if necessary) is that if we make less than the wedding vendors, the market is telling us that we are in less demand than they are.

She is absolutely right - a McDonalds clerk is in less demand than a wedding photographer so the clerk makes less. (that is an exaggerated example of course)

Honestly, I don't think what WE make is really at issue here. We have all chosen our professions and free to change that if we choose. Even if I made $1M a year - I still think some of the wedding tipping practices are uncalled for and just greedy.

However, the main issue is that SOME vendors deserve tips for providing extraordinary service and I don't think most of us mind giving those. Its the 'built-in' gratuity that we are paying a bundle for BEFORE we get an ounce of service and then being asked for MORE.

Just because a Maidre D or waitstaff don't make enough - its not our problem if we have already given the hall 20% as a service charge. They are free to get another job if they prefer.
Marnles Posted:

Re: tipping

Thats exactly what I was saying. I knew WAY before I went into teaching that I wasn't going to become a millionaire - I did it because I loved it. But, I wouldn't expect a tip for what I do - it's my job. Perhaps my point was missed earlier. All I am saying is that no vendor should expect a tip, especially if I'm already paying thousands of dollars to get the BEST service, based on my research that I've put months into. And even if it's dictated as the 'norm' to tip certain vendors, my FH and I are, like many others on this board, paying for the wedding ourselves, and to shell out about another $1,000 on tips alone is just impossible for us. I am not saying that I was surprised, shocked or appalled by the amount that vendors charge for their services - I knew the cost of an average Long Island wedding way before I was engaged - and if this be due to supply and demand, then so be it, I have to deal. But what Stef was saying about built in gratuities is where my comments started - I really want to know where the 18% gratuity charge I am paying is going towards. Just like I would never stiff a waiter or waitress, I wouldn't want to do the same at my wedding. BUT I couldn't possibly afford to tip them on top of what is already included in my contract. Like Stef said, if you don't like your job and the money you're making, then attempt to find another (not that now is the best time to do so). I wasn't complaining about being underpaid - what I was saying is that I would never expect a tip for a job I am paid to do, no matter how much my salary is.

Sonicstef Posted:

Re: tipping

Ok..sorry about that Debbie.

Your right that its supply and demand but it seems that these vendors were happy charing X last month, its not right to charge 2X this month purely because you have an influx. Consistent pricing is a good business practice.
taraalissa Posted:

Re: tipping

I have no problem with a vendor raising their prices, after all they are a business, right? I have the problem with the vendor who literally DOUBLED their prices.

Sonicstef Posted:

Re: tipping

For me it was a hair and makeup person that gets a lot of press on ANOTHER (more NYC centric) wedding board.

A bride posted about her in April and when I called in May her prices had doubled.

Other people have mentioned that Kristen from Enchante has doubled her prices but I have no dealings with her.

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