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Tipping the installer?

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Old Jan 28, 2006 | 12:40 AM
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Default Tipping the installer?

Getting an HU, amp and some subs installed today and was wondering if it's customary to tip the shop and if so how much?

Thanks!
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Old Jan 28, 2006 | 01:18 AM
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Honestly I dont know but if you feel the installer did a good job and was helpful and did super clean work etc, then why not give the installer a few bucks.
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Old Jan 28, 2006 | 08:03 PM
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If he cost as much as mine then hell no. 800 buxs for a damn MDF box...
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Old Jan 28, 2006 | 08:26 PM
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I say it depends on how much you did not get ripped off.
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Old Jan 28, 2006 | 10:25 PM
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Thanks, I wan't too happy with the job so I didn't give them any tip anyway =/

Gonna go to tweeter and have them rewire and clean things up a bit.

Don't go to Underground Audio in the DC area.
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Old Jan 29, 2006 | 12:36 AM
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i tipped my installer...he came up with some good ideas for me, did a really good job, and now hes my friend when i have some questions about the stereo...
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Old Jan 29, 2006 | 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by wicked 98z
If he cost as much as mine then hell no. 800 buxs for a damn MDF box...
I pretty much agree... you choose your installer based on rep, and the good ones always cost more. They're making their money.

Think of it this way... I charge a fair price for the service I offer in my business, and I don't expect anyone to slip me a little extra after I do the job they paid me to do at the price that was pre-agreed to or posted on the sign behind the counter. You don't tip the guy a Jiffy Lube, do you?
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Old Jan 29, 2006 | 02:08 PM
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I gave myself a beer.
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Old Feb 10, 2006 | 04:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Diocles
I gave myself a beer.


If I ever get mine done, it's Dom Perignone!
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Old Feb 10, 2006 | 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by DaMaDo
Thanks, I wan't too happy with the job so I didn't give them any tip anyway =/

Gonna go to tweeter and have them rewire and clean things up a bit.

Don't go to Underground Audio in the DC area.
I'd be very careful with Tweeter. I'm sure some stores are better than others.
I had them do an amp set up a few years back, and still can not believe how crappy a job they did.
They actually ran me 18 gauge wire off from a 100w per channel amp and spliced into ~20 gauge wire to feed the amp.
I didn't even check it over first, I got in turned it on and knew right away something was seriously wrong.
I was so pissed, I went home that afternoon and fixed it myself.
Scott
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Old Feb 10, 2006 | 02:22 PM
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Simple that story is the exact reason I do all of my own installs ... SOO many shyt install stories it is just crazy to me how these people stay in business. And it is also why the really good shops charge about $5 trillion dollars for a custom install

Fej
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 06:44 PM
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I do car stereo installs and let me first of all say I very much do appreciate the tips. The installers dont always make their money. Usually its the owners of the shops making the money. Us installers are usually all hourly people. Second let me say I treat each job as if it was my own car so everything always comes out perfect and I usually make at least $50 a week on tips. Its not uncommon for a customer after a big job (headunit and sub amp install) to give me 10 to 20 bucks. My rule of thumb is, if the installer is friendly, talks you through the whole process of what will happen and does as clean of job as possible (which will depend on how much cutting of OEM matterials is ok for you) then he deserves some sort of a tip. You dont have to go crazy on it but $10 or $20 can let the guy know you truely did appreciate his time and effort and really make his day.
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Old Feb 14, 2006 | 04:13 AM
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Originally Posted by kh24
I do car stereo installs and let me first of all say I very much do appreciate the tips. The installers dont always make their money. Usually its the owners of the shops making the money. Us installers are usually all hourly people. Second let me say I treat each job as if it was my own car so everything always comes out perfect and I usually make at least $50 a week on tips. Its not uncommon for a customer after a big job (headunit and sub amp install) to give me 10 to 20 bucks. My rule of thumb is, if the installer is friendly, talks you through the whole process of what will happen and does as clean of job as possible (which will depend on how much cutting of OEM matterials is ok for you) then he deserves some sort of a tip. You dont have to go crazy on it but $10 or $20 can let the guy know you truely did appreciate his time and effort and really make his day.
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Old Feb 14, 2006 | 09:40 AM
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I used to get beer/food etc. when I would do installs. And yes, I treat myself when I'm doing my own
I have never tipped in $ but I have bought pizza or donuts for the entire shop whether the shop was audio shop or automotive repair shop. Trust me, after doing that you are much more likely to get treated better in the future.
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