why dont people tip people that help em out like tow trucks and such?

Question

if ur insurance takes care of it y not tip u tip the pizza guy and his work is easier then most and he gets paid the same stays in a lil area ... and others are all around the county just wondering thanks.... i know i put 300 plus miles on a day and maybe get 5 bucks in a week but i know most never think about helping the rescue people

just to say what my job is im not a tow truck i unlock doors, change tires, gas deliveries, and jump starts but yes i am in the line of a tow truck. i buy all my tools and pay for gas. I do not feel i have to have a tip just like the pizza guy dont have to get one. Just to say though i have never thought of tipping either till i got this job. If someone had to pay out right cash its hard to tip, but when insurance pays or whatever it is u use it is nice to tip, when u have good service. Just a thought though.

just to say what my job is im not a tow truck, i use my own car, i unlock doors, change tires, gas deliveries, and jump starts but yes i am in the line of a tow truck. i buy all my tools and pay for gas. I do not feel i have to have a tip just like the pizza guy dont have to get one. Just to say though i have never thought of tipping either till i got this job. If someone had to pay out right cash its hard to tip, but when insurance pays or whatever it is u use it is nice to tip, when u have good service. Just a thought though.

Answer 1

I had car trouble on a Sunday morning, a half hour from home. I used my tow insurance card, and it cost me nothing for the service call. I had little money with me, so I gave the guy the 3 dollars I had, and apologized for not having more. It was all I had, and I told him so. I had been unemployed for a long time, and am just back on my feet, financially. I thought 3 bucks was better than nothing, at least he could get a cup of coffee. And he did thank me.
Now that I am better off, I can do what I used to do, keep some small bills for just that purpose, emergency tips.
Hey, it is a part of our culture now, everyone wants a tip. I have a job where it is not legal to tip me, and that is fine with me.
The tow truck guy expects a tip.
Remember that old rule about the owners of a business should not be tipped? Throw out that rule, they do want to be tipped, whether doing your hair or serving your meal, or towing your car.
And Dentist, and Doctors do not expect a gift, but my Mom always did give them a little present, anyway.

Answer 2

Not all people have Insurance that covers towing. My son had his car towed two miles and got a bill for 150 bucks. I think that's robbery, taking advantage of people that are stuck in a predicament. I'd hate to know how much some of these companies bill their Insurance companies. Not a wonder costs are so high. But I also understand your position if you are the operator and not the owner. When in that case like many, have to deal with the public (Like me) I learned a paper boy gets good tips. Personally I never exspect to receive anything for a tip when doing my job.

Answer 3

They just don't think about it. It is not that they don't appreciate it.
People are used to tipping in restaurants and tipping the pizza delivery person or taxi drivers. Some jobs are not as automatically associated with tipping as others.

In a way, the lack of tipping of tow truck people could be seen this way: We don't tip our doctors or car mechanics or drycleaners or dentists because we see their jobs as their "profession" (even if the job, itself, isn't a technically "professional" one). We tend to tip people we think of as in the service business more. It could be that nobody helps us more than our physician, dentist or our children's pediatrician; and there are no words to express appreciation for that help. There are so many types of work that result in our being helped. It could actually be a form of respect for the work that makes people think it is not a "service job" and that makes them think tipping is not necessary.

There is at least the chance that many people would more lump tow truck drivers "and such" in a category with their mechanics, doctors, or others not conventionally given tips rather than lumping them with pizza delivery people who are paid little and rely on tips as part of their income.

Sometimes, too, maybe they assume the tow trucker operator is the owner of the business, and they figure they're paying for the service.

Answer 4

Since I know your job let me first say that I KNOW you are not a tow truck driver, you are the "road side assistance" guy and I don't think a lot of people realize what that job entails or that tips are appreciated or even a good practice. You are on call 24/7 to help people who lock themselves out of their car, run out of gas, those who are too afraid to ask a passing motorist in a parking lot or the neighbor to give them a jump if their car doesn't start or to change someone's tire who is either not able, or willing to get out in the cold, on the wet ground and do the "dirty work". You should be tipped, I agree but I don't think that society realizes how your job works or what it entails. In most cases if you are called out insurance is going to pay the bill the "customer" insues no out of pocket cost and it would be a good gesture to tip you.

Answer 5

Good question...here is something to think about:

Do you tip your ambulance driver? How about the fire department when they come for an alarm at your house?

When your car breaks down and you are stuck on the side of the road, you generally are in a stressful situation, and people are not thinking of the tow truck driver at that point...They are thinking of the really large repair bill that is coming up, they are thinking of how they are going to get home or get to work.

I don't see a problem with tipping a tow truck driver. I tip my taxi driver and I tip my gas station attendant. I just think most people do not think about it when it comes time because of the situation.

Answer 6

Why should there be the requirement to "tip" any one.... why do not employers pay living wages?..... if someone goes out of their way in some circomstances then a gratuity might be ok.... but it should never be a requirement and should never be expected by any one being paid to render service.... horse whiping underpaying employers on the other hand might not be such a bad idea. the "tip" of a whip might be a good incentive to them...Of course it is against the law... but laws can be changed... and it is just a thought.... now how long before someone reports me for making some threat .... but I am so tired of people haveing to cry for tips when they should be being paid fair in the first place....

Answer 7

What?? Assuming that you are asking for tips as a tow truck driver or "rescue person" (it is difficult to read your question in your IM-speak), I don't think that it is standard practice to tip your "rescuer". Doesn't your employer pay you? Sure a gratuity is always nice when you are performing a service and you go beyond your standard job requirements, but it isn't it a gratuity? I do not know how you can expect people to know that they should tip you.

Answer 8

Wait staff (waiters and waitresses) and delivery personnel are usually paid a lower wage and tips compliment the lower wage. Tow trucks however charge a standard fee (usually mileage is considered in the fee). And any tow truck fees I have incurred are usually "pricey" to say the least. Whether covered by insurance or not, the tow truck driver should be well-compensated by the towing company based on their rates.

Answer 9

tow truck driver... already paid for his truck and time by charging outrageous amounts to start with. Even adding in a surcharge for the elevated fuel prices... not worthy of a tip... even if it is a service that I am paying for. Food service on the other hand... ask your next waitress/waitor what the hourly rate is that they receive.

Answer 10

I tip when it is allowed.Believe it or not but some people you think are tip worthy aren't allowed to take money or tips.So for them I always make sure that I smile,that I am kind,and tell them that I appreciate them and thank you for helping me...When you can't tip the next best thing is a show or act of kidness.I do what I can when I can and that's all I can do:)

M.G