Tip the Damned Maid! (An article about tipping)

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ATN_Pilot said:
Okay, I always use Uber Black, so that makes me feel better. Thanks.
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Uber was the single greatest thing to happen to DC transportation.

Note that using UberTaxi, there is a gratuity option which is built-in. And there has been a LOT of downward pressure on fares for UberX drivers; they don't do the same kind of premium service that Uber Black does, which is part of the reason they tend to be cheaper than taxis. Some people tip them out of conscience. I sort of understand that, but I don't use the service.

Since DC cabs have had to step up their game to be competitive (and I cannot tell you how desperately it was needed) the playing field in terms of consumer choice is a lot more level. I'm a lot happier with using a cab these days. If I use Uber, it's because I want the premium service either because I'm hauling stuff, need the convenience of them coming to me and not freezing to death on the corner trying to get a cab, and/or just want the nice, quiet, cushy ride home.

EDIT - it's also impossible to hail a cab from my home - and the closest major road they travel is not legal for them to stop to pick up a fare. It's either walk to the Metro or call Uber.
 
killbilly said:
You're really not supposed to. It does happen, though. @ATN_Pilot

As a rule - you are NOT supposed to tip Uber drivers - the gratuity is built into the service. That being said, I've seen plenty of UberX drivers angle for tips before.

I don't use UberX.

I do, however, use Uber Black. On two occasions early on I tried to tip Uber Black drivers and both times they adamantly refused and said they could get in trouble for it. I had happy-hour beers a few weeks ago with an employee of Uber corporate who corroborated this as well so that was good to know.
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I haven't used Uber before. But in the last year I've hired taxis and a limo and I haven't failed to tip them them well. If I used Uber, especially considering they use their own cars, and I found a driver that was helpful, and had a clean, well taken care of car, I would tip them as well despite what some uber exec says. It's no skin off his back.
 
Old Pete said:
I haven't used Uber before. But in the last year I've hired taxis and a limo and I haven't failed to tip them them well. If I used Uber, especially considering they use their own cars, and I found a driver that was helpful, and had a clean, well taken care of car, I would tip them as well despite what some uber exec says. It's no skin off his back.
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You're probably right. The issue started when some drivers started getting pushy about getting tipped when passengers had an expectation that they didn't have to and that it wasn't expected by Uber. It makes passengers really uncomfortable when that happens.

It's totally different when your largesse is unexpected and accepted gracefully.
 
I only tip uber folks who do something (anything really) in addition to driving. Get out of the car to say hello, open the trunk (from the outside), help with bags all equals tip.

Pull up and wave me in, open the trunk from the inside and watch my wife and I load three bags. That's fine,but don't expect a tip.
 
Seggy said:
I've used a lot of cabs in Austin, NYC, and other cities in the country. DC Cabs are by far the worst.
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They've gotten immeasurably better in the last year.

I no longer have to argue with the drivers about broken credit card machines, and 4 out of 5 of them are not former Police Interceptors rejected from the final Blues Brothers chase scene. Many of the drivers have had a serious change in attitude as well - basic courtesy is starting to become the norm rather than the exception.

And it's all because Uber showed the DC cab community just how awful the service was. I think they had to begrudgingly accept Uber and raise their services or face a public revolt forcing them into a medallion system.
 
Good grief. Now you guys are tipping Uber driver? When it clearly states in the service contract that you are not supposed to and they are not allowed to accept them? That actually puts them in an awkward position. If they are caught Uber will ban them. Even if you review them "this driver is so awesome, I just had to tip." Well, you just got the driver banned. It's clear.. the Uber CBTs make it very clear they we're not allowed to accept tips.
 
Sooooo I'm in the schoolhouse in CLT and staying at a Hyatt place. It's a nice suite with two rooms and I'm here for 3 or 4 weeks roughly . I left a couple bucks by where u first walk in on the counter in the kitchenette. Money was still there when I got back. Where are you supposed to leave it so they take it?
 
I refuse to take DC cabs. They get lost, the cars are horrid, they dont show up. Incredibly poor service. It is no surprise the Uber (and the like) has done so well here. I actually used uber a few times, met a guy with a car service near me and he has been my go to guy. Flat fee, clean black car, always on time and only slightly more than a cab fare. I never tip him as it is not encouraged nor expected. He pays his employees a good wage and keeps the quality up (any one in the DC area, happy to give a referral!)
 
Runincolorado said:
I refuse to take DC cabs. They get lost, the cars are horrid, they dont show up. Incredibly poor service. It is no surprise the Uber (and the like) has done so well here. I actually used uber a few times, met a guy with a car service near me and he has been my go to guy. Flat fee, clean black car, always on time and only slightly more than a cab fare. I never tip him as it is not encouraged nor expected. He pays his employees a good wage and keeps the quality up (any one in the DC area, happy to give a referral!)
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Interesting. It has been my experience that the cab service is vastly improved here.
 
web265 said:
Don't you add a % to the bill right off the bat? Here in NJ the companies add 15%-18% for tip. If I get reasonable service I'll add about 10% but on a ride to the airport the driver's already getting his/her wage and $20 bucks from my bill.
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Ehh I don't run the business but in some circumstances there's an automatic gratuity included for corporate bookings etc. I don't live in a major metro area though but I'm sure if I drove in a huge volume area like NJ, NY it would be different.

ATN_Pilot said:
Wait, are you supposed to tip on Uber? I always thought it was an all-inclusive thing.
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There's no requirement and it's certainly not expected and there's no option to include a credit tip. Just feel like it's the right thing to do even if it's a cash tip of 5 bucks..

edit: I also did not realize a "tip/gratuity" is suppose to be built into the fare nor the policy of Uber drivers to not accept. However I've yet to have a driver turn me down a small tip...
 
L-16B said:
Sooooo I'm in the schoolhouse in CLT and staying at a Hyatt place. It's a nice suite with two rooms and I'm here for 3 or 4 weeks roughly . I left a couple bucks by where u first walk in on the counter in the kitchenette. Money was still there when I got back. Where are you supposed to leave it so they take it?
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Usually supposed to leave a note, otherwise they run the risk of taking some money that wasn't intended for them and getting in trouble for theft. I've never left a note but I usually leave the tip on the pillow and they always take it. Once I had left like a dollar and some change on the TV stand after I emptied my pockets for some reason, and I came back to a thank you note. I felt like kind of a jackass because it looked like I only tipped them that much.

Also, I dunno if it got brought up, but I know I've been on the road with some people who say they just leave a big tip at the end of a trip,
 
killbilly said:
Uber was the single greatest thing to happen to DC transportation.
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Agreed. I'm not going up anymore. but I used to go up every couple of months, and I despised the cabs. I switched to paying extra for sedan service, even though the union would only reimburse for the cab amount. When I learned about Uber Black, that was awesome.
 
JordanD said:
Also, I dunno if it got brought up, but I know I've been on the road with some people who say they just leave a big tip at the end of a trip,
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The way I learned to do it - and have done it - is to leave the money on the day I check out. The Maid knows that I'm checking out (room turnover list) so it's clear that the money plainly left in the otherwise empty room is a gratuity.

I usually leave around $2 per day I was there.
 
deadpixel said:
Ehh I don't run the business but in some circumstances there's an automatic gratuity included for corporate bookings etc. I don't live in a major metro area though but I'm sure if I drove in a huge volume area like NJ, NY it would be different.


There's no requirement and it's certainly not expected and there's no option to include a credit tip. Just feel like it's the right thing to do even if it's a cash tip of 5 bucks..

edit: I also did not realize a "tip/gratuity" is suppose to be built into the fare nor the policy of Uber drivers to not accept. However I've yet to have a driver turn me down a small tip...
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It puts the driver in an awkward position.. If they're taking your tips, well, they shouldn't be and honestly I don't think most will. Just enjoy the service, and pay what the fare is, say thanks and give the driver a good review. No tip needed.
 
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