MetaChat - How much should I slip the tree guys?

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28 March 2006

How much should I slip the tree guys? →[More:]They spent an extra 15-20 minutes putting some limbs and stuff we had lying around in the chipper. How much do I give them?

post by: jrossi4r at: 14:55 | 15 comments

while in your slip?
i'm still waiting for the postman.

posted by ethylene 28 March | 14:56

enh. Seeing me in my slip isn't much of a payment. Best to stick with cash.

posted by jrossi4r 28 March | 14:58

How many of them are there? $10 each? I dunno, we just pay Fast Eddie in beer. For real.

If there are a bunch of them, make sure they can see the main guy getting the tip so the main guy can't keep it all himself.

posted by rainbaby 28 March | 14:59

Slip 'em a $20. Make sure to do it such that everybody sees it (to make sure they share).

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 28 March | 15:01

I've never tipped someone who's come over to do contracted work - though when we had a builder go the extra mile rendering the front of the house (in the middle of July - the plaster dried too quick and fell off in huge slabs, repeatedly), we tipped him a case of beer.
So I'd say a cold frosty one each.

I'll never forget the look on the builder's face when he asked me what time the sun would be off the wall. "Around sunset," I replied, "It's south facing."

posted by Incharitable Dog 28 March | 15:02

You can ask their boss if tipping is customary. You'll be abe to tell if he isn't honest with you. In ether case, I'd give the guys a 6 paxk of Rolling Rock and thank them for a job well done.

posted by jelly 28 March | 15:05

Well, we wanted to tip them for going above and beyond. Chipping up the stuff already in the yard wasn't part of the deal. The owner had mentioned that they'd be willing to throw stuff in the chipper if we "slipped them a few bucks."

We ended up giving $40 to the head guy to split among the 3 of them. They're going to be here for the next couple of days, so we can give them more $$ or more work depending. Thanks for the help!

posted by jrossi4r 28 March | 15:11

$40 to the head guy to split among the 3
You could have picked a multiple of 3.

posted by Wolfdog 28 March | 15:15

I know Wolfdog, but it was all we had.

posted by jrossi4r 28 March | 15:18

If they did overtime, pay them accordingly per their hourly rate.

But do it under the table.

posted by Eideteker 28 March | 15:25

Twenty to the dude you paid, ten each for the other two. Fortune favors the head guy.

posted by Hugh Janus 28 March | 15:47

Are these burly lumberjack mens? Where there other favors involved? Cause that would change the equation all together.

posted by jelly 28 March | 15:59

Do they have any carrots that need squeezing?

posted by TrishaLynn 28 March | 16:44

Mmmm...carrot squeezin' favors...

It was one of those situations where I wished there was a grown-up around to tell us what to do. Adulthood is still so new to me. Thank god I have you guys.

posted by jrossi4r 28 March | 17:44

Beer is the universal currency for extra work done in or around houses. Best to ask first what kind of beer they like, though. Different exchange rates or something.

posted by dg 28 March | 19:00

← Any intelligent life out there? || My Dearest Buns, You Really Squeeze My Carrots →

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