LIStingray was the first person to mention tipping, I believe, in his recent great writeup about Spring Mountain. I'm usually a decent tipper, but I hadn't thought about it. I'd be interested in hearing what others did about this. I guess it's the first time I've heard of tipping at a school or training class. (I hope I don't sound cheap! )

 

The instructors are great and definitely deserve a tip. I left $150, not sure if this was typical or not would like to hear from more who attended. I made a point at the end of the class to thank the instructors and remind everyone to leave a tip as there was no way they would ask for one.

 

There was a big bucket that sits on the counter for cell phones - not sure what that was about because they didn't take our cell phones - but at the end of the 3rd day, all the instructors stood at the front of the class, they announced our names one at a time, we had to go to the front of the class, shake all their hands then they handed us our completion certificate. It was at this time that I put a tip in the bucket - others in my class did the same thing. The instructors are top notch and IMO they deserved a tip.

 

I was surprised by it too. Would never have thought that you would leave a tip at a driving school. Seems it was kind of expected - it was mentioned at the "graduation" ceremony. In fact, it was suggested that the tip be in cash. I did get a chance to ask the director what might be appropriate and it was twice the number I had in mind. I split the difference, but still felt it was strange.
But I didn't feel cheap either.

 

I tipped $100 on a 2-day level 2 course. I thought the guys out there were great.
S.

 

I tipped $100 each

 

I typically tip everywhere. Share the wealth - to a point if deserving.

 

I've never been to Spring Mountain but I've been to Bondurant. They didn't expect tips there, but that was back in 2000.

It seems more and more everyone expects a tip. I go to a deli and there sits a tip jar. I go to Starbucks and there sits a tip jar. Now, I'm hearing you go to Spring Mountain and someone wants a tip.

I'm not saying it's wrong. And I've tipped many deli, Starbucks employees, and Scuba Diving operators. I also always tip at least 20% when eating at a restaurant, except if the service is lousy. Some of the places I frequent I'll tip the staff well as I know them, 15 dollar bill, 10 or 15 dollar tip. But I wish I could put a tip jar out there for all the customers I've helped and assisted. Sometimes I don't even get a thank you, it's just what is expected from me.

On top of all that, you're getting paid to instruct people on how to race, which is supposedly you're passion, and you want a tip on top of your salary? You're living in Las Vegas too, cost of living is dirt cheap. I wish I could get a salary AND tips if I could teach Judo to folks for a living.

Tipping just seems a little out of control to me in today's era. It seems like everyone wants a tip. But cost of living seems to be increasing too, so maybe they are trying to get money to offset? Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox.

 

I did NOT feel that there was any pressure to tip at Spring Mountain, it was simply pointed out that tips would be appreciated. My attitude towards tipping is that you do so in appreciation of SERVICE ABOVE AND BEYOND the basic level expected and required for the job. When I go to a restaurant and the service is poor or lacking I normally respond by either leaving a very small tip or even a .01 cent tip to make the point. When service is good to great I like to acknowledge that effort and show my appreciation by leaving 15% to 20%. My Spring Mounatin experience was outstanding. A big portion of my experience was the result of the superb efforts of the staff and specifically the instructors, who I felt went way above and beyond just doing their jobs. It was a very easy decision for me to show my sincere appreciation and leave a substantial tip... Which I did, by credit card at the pro shop on my way out the last day. I gave what I was comfortable with... What I thought was fair. It'was a gesture of my appreciation... Not a competition and certainly wasn't forced. Do what you feel is right. I will say this... If ever a group of employees deserved a tip I felt my instructors did.

 

Funny, I'm a professional and I don't get tipped no matter how above and beyond the call of duty I go. Heck, I'm lucky to get a thank you.

I guess I'd have to ask in what respect did the instructors go above and beyond? It should be an excellent experience.

I tip waiters/staff 20% and more if they delight me. So I'm not a skin flint. Just curious, did y'all tip your salesman too, when you bought or ordered your C7?

While you've got your generosity buzz on don't forget to tip your doctors and lawyers people (tongue firmly in cheek)! We'd like to get in on all this tip money gone wild.

 

Tipping professional drivers at a race school that costs thousands to attend? Crazy !

Waiters, low wage earners, that I get.

 

To each their own. For me I agree with you and OrioleFan. It is pretty unusual to tip teachers and instructors. And many, many other occupations.

Heck, I just received absolutely incredible service from a person at my credit union. The woman was professional, knowledgeable, and VERY responsive to my requests. I'm in the process of sending a short letter to her management. But tipping her? I think not.

"Service providers" traditionally get tips...and their employer pays them accordingly. I used to be one, and somewhat as a result I tend to tip well. Wait staff, hair care professionals (for what I have left) and similar individuals.

Whatever...if someone wants to tip an instructor, more power to them.

 

I think the statement that tips would be appreciated IS pressure. Trying to make anyone who doesn’t tip feel cheap.

I guess I have mixed feelings about tipping at a driving class. Most “professionals” i.e., engineers, scientists, doctors, professors and many others do not out of ethical practice accept tips. I think most of those individuals would be a bit offended if you tipped them. Don

 

Wow, it appears to me that those who haven't done Spring Mountain don't think tipping is needed, but many who have gone were so impressed that they felt it was deserved. Guess I'll make that decision there. I thank LIStingray for mentioning it so we could have this discussion.

 

I don't get it either. These guys are doing their job for which they get paid and they expect tips. WTF!!! Like Boxster99t said.... I'm also a professional and nobody tips me no matter how great a job I do. People who do their job the way they are expected to do that job shouldn't expect a tip. If you expect a tip put a skirt on and go wait on tables.

 

I'll add my viewpoint, since I was the catalyst for this thread.
I certainly wouldn't lump the Spring Mountain driving instructors into the "professionals" category with doctor's, lawyer's, cpa's, or engineer's - these aren't guys like Juan Montoya or Jimmie Johnson; they are "professional" drivers who are truly excellent, but nowhere near world class or famous - they are "professionals" more like Starbuck's barista's are "professional" coffee brewers (they generally get tips too).
The instructor to student ratio (while we were there) was essentially 1:2, so when you take into account the economics of the entire program, even at $2,500 (full price) per student, I'd be shocked if the instructors were earning more than $30/hr, and wouldn't be surprised if they were earning as little as $15-20/hr. I know for many of you that may seem like good pay (and it might be outside of NY), but I don't think of it as anywhere near what a true professional would earn, or the value they added to my experience at the school.
I left a $150 tip, just because I thought that was fair and reasonable for their effort - I am not suggesting that is what anyone should leave.

 

Nicely said.

 

They have $15 dollar bills? Is it as funny to look at as the new $100 monopoly looking bills? Probably just a typo. I too generally and if I feel service was good, they receive a tip.

 

It seemed funny to me also. I don't own a C7 so I had to pay full price for the class. For this type of high price service the instructors should be paid adequately by the company IMO. I'm also a poor Vette owner by standard so I didn't feel tipping was necessary.

 

When all this tipping business came into question, I was thinking.. Hmm. Didn't expect that. Depending on the instructors, I may leave a $50 tip. And that's only if I feel they did everything they possibly could for me. They are professionals, they have their jobs because they are great at what they do. Do I feel I should have to tip on what is, at full price, a very expensive course? No.

But $150 tip? For 2 days? That's more than a nights stay at the course and as much or more than many people make in an entire day working once the tax man gets his cut. Seems quite excessive to me. The only time I'm tipping $100+ for anything is on a cruise ship because that gets divided up between hundreds of very hard working employees who don't get to drive race cars around all day and have a bit shittier jobs with much worse pay. And that's over like 5+ days as well.