How many of you get tipped for your work? Just curious...
I get so fed up with having to tip everytime you turn around (for hair, nails, practically any service profession...yet no one tips me. I take that back, my hairdresser is the only one who tips me. Usually $5.00.
Don't get me wrong...I'm not greedy, just curious why people tip for other services, but not a job well done on a cake. I stand on my feet as long as my hairdresser does! 
Or is it me?! 
Maybe you all get tipped!
I always get at least $5. The cakes posted are not my best and I still got tipped $5.
I get tips maybe 10 to 20% of the time. My policy last year was to give every tip to the local animal shelter in one lump sum at Christmas, which I did and thanked some clients by letting them know that too.
This year though, I've bought a few nice cookbooks with the tips.
If they tip me, I always send a nice card thanking them for their generosity. Weddings cost enough without having to tip too, so I'm very appreciative of their gesture. 
Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't get tipped. I also do catering and I make a point to tell my brides that I do NOT charge an up-front gratuity like other caterers. So if they find someone that has exactly the same price as me, then I'm automatically 20% cheaper because I don't tack on a 20% upfront gratuity.
I'm not a fan of up-front gratuities. A gratuity by definition is a monetary recognition of service above and beyond what you have already paid for. I don't see how you can charge for that BEFORE you deliver the "service already paid for".
I have noticed that I don't get as many gratuities for cake-only receptions as I do for cake and buffet caterings. (And that's ok with me..... I delivered the service they asked for.)
I think it's a perception...... a cake-only is either what we refer to as a D&R ("Drop and Run" - I deliver it, set it up, and leave) or a simple wedding cake reception where I stay and serve it......compared to a buffet where I have a staff who is setting up the food, helping the guests carry their plates who have small children, clearing the tables, etc. (And by the way, all gratuties I receive are split among the folks who work the reception for me.....they are the ones who made it work! So in reality, I guess I don't really get tipped myself because I give it to my staff!)
The perception is they can see the extra service being provided with a buffet, but they don't see the extra service being provided in "just a cake", like the attention to detail, the meticulous work and hours to create gum paste flowers, the talent it takes to set it up perfectly level, etc.
Do you deliver or do your customers come and pick up? Again, it may be perception. If anyone picks up a cake at a bakery or a Walmart, they probably don't tip the clerk who rings up their order. Perception.
I guess the question is: How do we change the perception?
Waitresses, hairdressers and the like (those in what is called by the IRS a service industry) are paid the minimum wage in anticipation of tips. They must report them to the IRS and pay taxes on them just like any other income.
Do bakers and cake decorators provide a service or a product? I think most customers assume they are buying a product NOT a service. If a product, then tips are not an issue. If it IS indeed a service, then tips should be a part of the equation.
Food for thought.
Do you deliver or do your customers come and pick up? Again, it may be perception. If anyone picks up a cake at a bakery or a Walmart, they probably don't tip the clerk who rings up their order. Perception.
I do a lot of birthday cakes, anniversaries, graduations etc, and most of the time customers pick up the cakes. Then I had some businesses and other customers that seemed to expect me to deliver...no problem...I started charging a delivery fee.
I never expected to be tipped on a wedding cake...I was just curious about the smaller cakes and if any of you received tips.
I find this a very interesting topic. I do cake decorating as a hobby and have NO expectation of monatary gain. I had never given any thought to whether one would tip or not. My DH has always said if the owner of the service is doing the service he won't tip, but he'd tip the assistant to the owner. Where did the custom of tipping come from? Here in Mexico (Baja California Sur) it is a new phenomenon, in the last 10 years or so. My niece (in San Francisco, Ca) says to never leave less than $5.00 for a tip. I was taught 10-15%. Now, I'm hearing 20%. All very curious. If a product is supplied and you're paid for the product, why is there a "tip"? I can see a tip for delivery if it's not in the agreement. Just some thoughts. Tipping is a custom, a courtesy, a compliment, a sign of acknowledgement of something well done. Not, in my book, an expectation. Certainly, just my opinion.
"TIPS" is actually an acronym standing for "To Insure Prompt Service". Giving your waiter/waitress an little extra would insure good attention to your table.
I have a friend who, when we do Girls Night Out, gives our waiter/waitress a $20 tip up front and tells them, "I expect to see you every time my glass is close to empty!" We always have great service!
("COP" is also an acronym standing for "Constable On Patrol", according to a friend who just LUVS acronym trivia!)
I am also a massage therapist and I have found that most people don't tip if you are in business for yourself, but do if you work for someone else. I got more tips when I was employed by a company than I do now that I work from home (have a licensed massage business out of my home). I think people assume you charge what you want to charge and if you're getting 100% of the money, then no tip is necessary. If you are getting a percentage of the money, then they tip you. I do have a few good clients that tip well, but I don't expect it. Same with cakes - some do and some don't. More don't with cakes than with the massage. I think they see it as a product where the massage is more of a service. I tend to work more than the scheduled time on them, so those usually tip more.
"TIPS" is actually an acronym standing for "To Insure Prompt Service". Giving your waiter/waitress an little extra would insure good attention to your table.
I have a friend who, when we do Girls Night Out, gives our waiter/waitress a $20 tip up front and tells them, "I expect to see you every time my glass is close to empty!" We always have great service!
("COP" is also an acronym standing for "Constable On Patrol", according to a friend who just LUVS acronym trivia!)
that is so cool.....thanks for that tidbit!
Tipping is a custom, a courtesy, a compliment, a sign of acknowledgement of something well done. Not, in my book, an expectation. Certainly, just my opinion.
I agree...I hope no one thinks I am complaining about whether or not I receive a tip! 
My point was that one of the few people that tip me is my hairdresser. In a world of tipping...I'm not sure when you tip someone and when you don't.
I had never thought about it myself until the first time she included a tip and it made me wonder about it.
Another consideration: I've always been taught that the owner of the business is not tipped. It's considered insulting. Something I heard when discussing etiquette a few years ago, when my mom started her dog grooming business.
This is the perception of most people, you don't tip the owner. I charge a fee for delivery that I give to my driver. He also gets tipped on top of that, but when they pick up the cakes, I don't even get the $.05 cents when the cake price ends in $.95 !!!
go figure!!
MY driver is STILL over the moon with a $50.00 tip he got when he delivered a cake..lol go figure THAT ONE!! 
I've gotten tips from some of my customers but not most of them - but i've been very appreciative of the ones i've gotten.
Tips aren't a favorite subject of mine. When we go out to dinner and have good service we tip well. When the service is terrible we also tip accordingly. I look at it as something "extra" for going "above and beyond". A lot of people today think they're entitled to it just for showing up - of course I know people in other industries that think that same thing 
I do however have a hard time when I go to a salon - tipping the shampoo girl and the hair stylist after paying $35 or $40 for a wash and a trim! Also, my MIL is a massage therapist and i'm sorry - if i'm paying $75 for a massage I'm not paying a $20 tip. I'm not knocking anyone but if I'm paying that kind of money for a service I expect good service - not to have to pay extra because I got what I paid for to begin with. Waiters and shampoo girls are different - they usually work for less and count on the tips to make up the difference - but I do tip according to the service I receive. We are very generous when it is deserved.
Debbie
I've gotten tips from some of my customers but not most of them - but i've been very appreciative of the ones i've gotten.
Tips aren't a favorite subject of mine. When we go out to dinner and have good service we tip well. When the service is terrible we also tip accordingly. I look at it as something "extra" for going "above and beyond". A lot of people today think they're entitled to it just for showing up - of course I know people in other industries that think that same thing
I do however have a hard time when I go to a salon - tipping the shampoo girl and the hair stylist after paying $35 or $40 for a wash and a trim! Also, my MIL is a massage therapist and i'm sorry - if i'm paying $75 for a massage I'm not paying a $20 tip. I'm not knocking anyone but if I'm paying that kind of money for a service I expect good service - not to have to pay extra because I got what I paid for to begin with. Waiters and shampoo girls are different - they usually work for less and count on the tips to make up the difference - but I do tip according to the service I receive. We are very generous when it is deserved.Debbie
My shop is in a DAY SPA...
there is a Hair Dresser and they also offer massages.
The hair dresser has to pay the rent and an if they are not the owner of the salon they have to share what they earn with the Landlord/salon owner. Sometimes they "RENT" the chair or they have to give the salon owner a "KICK" back or percentage of they earn.
The massage therapists have a ( in out spa ) have a 40/60 split with 60 going to the "HOUSE". So if they charge $100.00 for a 90 minute massage, they are only getting $40.00 dollars. They have to pay from that $40.00
*Rent for the using the room
*Fees for having the sheets and towels washed
*they also have to purchase the Spas oils and lotions ( and sometimes those annoying CD's...lol)
*buy and maintain their uniforms.
*then they also have to cover all their OWN personal expenses
( I always wondered why massages and body treatments were so expensive!!! 
)
So, they do count on their tips to suppliment their income....lol
OOPS, sorry this is a CAKE forum..not a SPA 101 tutorial....hehee...
But, I think is nice to see all sides.
I LOVE getting tips, but if I don't get them I'm fine with that...
I rely on my driver getting tipped, it keeps him happy and in my employ. I charge a flat $10.00 fee for delivery...so if he has one or 5..he gets to keep that money and whatever tips he gets.
I really only received a tip once and it was on my Witzy cake, I charged $85 (I know too little) but I was given $100.
I never really thought about it, although I don't do enough paid cakes to know if people in my area tip for cakes. (Ottawa=civil servant city)
Just to clarify RisqueBusiness ~ the hairdresser is the owner of the shop and my MIL is self employed working from home. I understand the insurance and other cost of doing business ~ my husband owns his own home improvement business and everyone thinks we're rich because they don't understand the costs associated with the charge either.
My point was just I expect what I pay for . . .
Deb
Come to think of it, my hairdresser is my best tipper too. I guess people who recieve tips are better about giving them. My next best tipper owns a restaurant.
I have a curious observation too. I once worked in a take out section of a restaurant in this prestigious downtown office building and I would be happy if I get like $2 worth of tips for the days work. Not that I'm expecting it though. But my sister who worked in a fast food place, whose clientele were mostly blue collars or construction workers, would get 20x more tips than I did. hmmm....
My father owns a little french fry and chicken tender stand that we help him with at the local fairs, etc. Last year they sat a fry cup on the counter that said "Tips" on it. I felt funny with it there but was pleasantly surprised at how many people just dropped their change in there! They split the tips btw whoever happens to be working that day and we've made as much as $20 each at a good event!
Deb
Just to clarify RisqueBusiness ~ the hairdresser is the owner of the shop and my MIL is self employed working from home. I understand the insurance and other cost of doing business ~ my husband owns his own home improvement business and everyone thinks we're rich because they don't understand the costs associated with the charge either.
My point was just I expect what I pay for . . .
Deb
Deb, I agree with you there..on both points!! It's unbelievable what people think about small business owners! They think because you have the nerves of steel to open up your own place that you have "STASHES" stashed away!!
case in point...the day I opened my shop...my sister didn't come to the Grand Opening,,,but asked me if she could borrow $100.00 !!!
some people are amazing!
AND...I also agree on tipping as a "THANK YOU" for service above and beyond!
I have been known to leave up to a $20.00 dollar tip when I go out to eat, because I can be a pain in the butt! lol and I don't like people spitting in my food...lol!!!
Nah, I just appreciate attentive service..especially when the place is crowded! 
Mocakes, I thought it was a very interesting subject, and if it was important to you, at that moment, that was the time to post it to the forum. Look at all the people who also saw it as an interesting, too. Thank you for bring it up.
Thank you....and your welcome!!!
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