Tipping for setup?

[clmayhew]

I took my MIM Fretless Jazz to a local luthier to have him adjust the action and fix a little buzzing. I recently put a Badass II on it and it requires a little adjusting. He is also going to plane a little bit off the end of the fingerboard to fix some of the higher register noise. My question is: Is it standard to tip for a good setup? If I'd taken it to GC or any other "big" names, I wouldn't care so much, but this guy came highly recommended. Thanks!

[202dy]

Originally Posted by clmayhew

I took my MIM Fretless Jazz to a local luthier to have him adjust the action and fix a little buzzing. I recently put a Badass II on it and it requires a little adjusting. He is also going to plane a little bit off the end of the fingerboard to fix some of the higher register noise. My question is: Is it standard to tip for a good setup? If I'd taken it to GC or any other "big" names, I wouldn't care so much, but this guy came highly recommended. Thanks!

If the tech is in the employ of a store or repair shop, tipping for an excellent job is nice.

If the luthier is a sole proprietor tipping is not called for. However, word of mouth advertising-telling everyone you know who cares-is absolutely necessary if you wish that this valuable local resource continue to be available.

[waleross]

Its your decision but If the person owns the business, his shop no. I use Samash and I don't even think of tipping. I tip UPS, Fedx for finding my house when they are delivering say
an amp or some other valuable ( new bass,etc ) ......The owner where I've been taking guitar and drum lessons sets up my guitars ( the cheep ones ) I don't tip him . Just spreading around my business is enough. I don't like to be obligated to anybody. I hope the luthier does a great job.......

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by clmayhew

I took my MIM Fretless Jazz to a local luthier to have him adjust the action and fix a little buzzing. I recently put a Badass II on it and it requires a little adjusting. He is also going to plane a little bit off the end of the fingerboard to fix some of the higher register noise. My question is: Is it standard to tip for a good setup? If I'd taken it to GC or any other "big" names, I wouldn't care so much, but this guy came highly recommended. Thanks!

I'm a technician, and I would not expect a tip. I would hope that if you are satisfied with my work, you would pass it on.

I have had a substantial proportion of my customers insist on tipping me, and I will not refuse a tip. But I won't think any the less of a customer who doesn't tip. It's a difficult position to be in. I don't want to offend a customer my refusing their generosity. At the same time I would be every bit as happy if they just passed on their experience to friends/associates.

[walterw]

i've gotten my share of tips, but it seems a little weird. (ultimately, it suggests i'm under-charging for the work in question! )

as i work for a store, i have to be careful here, to not be taking money that should have gone into the store's cash register, or to give somebody unfair consideration, like cutting ahead in my long line to get work done. as i always say, "i take tips, but i don't take bribes."

+1 to positive word-of-mouth being the much better "tip".

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by walterw

+1 to positive word-of-mouth being the much better "tip".

+2, If I were still in the biz, I'd rather have the positive advertising and more work than a few extra shekels.

[BuffaloBass]

But turnaround is right, you still should "honor" the customer, take the tip, after saying, " the best tip you can give is a referral", and their arm is still extended trying to give you some bread. If they withdraw when you say that, then don't.

OP, tipping is not required. Spread the word if the work is good.

[clmayhew]

Thanks for the help!