Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

[New York Sue]

I'm always generous with tipping wait staff, my husband even more so. To the point of YIKES!

But I'm kind of stuck on this. Regarding hair, my girl owns her own shop. I have never tipped. That's what I was taught.

The shampoo girl always gets a $5 tip. It's not her 'house'. Hope you follow my crazy logic...

I've found a LAQ, who's prices are affordable. (An hour west of me, as opposed to an hour east of me <NYC>)

Would a gratuity be expected?

[Slokarma]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

Wow, good question. I assume she is working for herself. Once upon a time, I needed those tips, so I try to show my appreciation when I'm treated well by staff.

I think I would if she goes the extra mile and takes good care of me and my quilt, I'd probably want to show my appreciation.
How much? Gosh, I don't know.

[Hulamoon]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

I would say no. I took my quilts to a lady's house.

[JCY]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

I've never tipped my LAQer. I take my quilts to her house. She charges for the batting & thread, etc. in addition to the quilting. Tipping never entered my mind. JCY

[auntiemern]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

I would not have any idea about the etiquette of something like this. I have never used a LAQ. I too am a generous tipper, having been raised on tip money, I completely understand the care it takes to be a good server. Irks me to know end when people say they get paid a salary. Well how would you like to live on less than half of min wage? Their tips are what they live on. Sorry Sue, got carried away. I would say if she goes above and beyond what you expect, by all means, if you feel she deserves it, then give her one. However, I can't imagine the folks @ M*, getting a note with a tip for their long arm quilters, lol.

[Cathy F]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

I do. The gal who does my quilts does a good job and is more than reasonable. Sometimes I feel she has not charged enough when she sends her invoice, so when I send her the payment I include a tip and round off the difference of what she charged .

[kensington]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

No... this person is a service person who charges you based on them getting a good wage for what they do. It would be more like your postman, you don't tip him but at Christmas time. For a quilter, I'd give a gift at Christmas or send a card. I would not tip them.

They are doing a service for a fee, they are not actually waiting on you. My nail person, who does my pedi, I tip her each time, but at Christmas she gives me a gift. Thanking me for my patronage.

I only use my quilter twice a year, I send a stack of quilts to get back in time for Christmas. But, I don't tip her. I pay her VERY well.

[Mpyles]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

I would not tip a quilter...if they were setting their prices. Would seem to me they would be pricing what they need to be financially set doing it. Now that not to say I wouldn't give them a gift at Christmas. As far as tipped employees are...as I have told many before...I was a tipped employee for many years, until I decided to go into the managerial side of the operation...let's just say it took me several years of management to attain the salary I made as a server. All of my servers make more than my production staff with tips and more than some of my managers. They work hard for their money and if they offer outstanding service are well rewarded for it.

[goofyizzy]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

Interesting discussion. My understanding is that it is not necessary to tip a business owner, only the hired help. I have not tipped my LAQ, but did buy her a nice thank you gift after the first couple of quilts.

[Kgrammiecaz]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

I also worked and received tips in my just out of school years.

For a LAQ there is no need for tipping but I would for sure, if i liked his/her work, i would probably give a gift after a bunch done, or a gift at holiday time

[vchale]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

I haven't used one yet but I would say if you're sending it to a shop like MSQC I wouldn't. But if it is someone you have a relationship with who owns her own business I would say yes or at least a bonus at Christmas. I don't tip my gardener or housekeeper but do give bonus at the end of the year. When my beautician worked in a salon I tipped her so I still do even though she has her own shop now. I tip my dog groomer even though she owns her own business. I have to say all around I try to tip better after having kids who spent time waiting tables. One of my biggest gripes about this is that in some states the servers get minimum wage plus tips and others they get maybe only $2/hr plus tips but are guaranteed minimum wage.

[maxwellthecat]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

That's a tough question. I don't think I would give a tip. My DH gives our dog groomer a tip. He pays $55.00 and always gives her a $5.00 tip. Now, we have 2 dogs so, that's each dog. I should have been a dog groomer, lol.
When you go to the hair boutique, do you leave a tip for the hairdresser? This is my point, dog groomer does work for you. Hairdresser, does work for you. LQS, I wouldn't give a tip.

[Claire Hallman]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

I don't think so, unless they went out of their way to do something special.
When I owned a custom drapery business I never expected a tip for the services I provided. I got a present once when I did a rush up on something in time for a party but as I said that was going above and beyond.
Your long armer should charge what she is worth and no tip would be needed.
If you sent lots of quilts to be done and have formed a relationship, perhaps a gift at Christmas might be in order.

[alliek]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

I wouldn't with each quilt. At Christmas or another special occasion I think then it would be appropriate.

[Bubby]

Re: Is it customary to tip your LAQ?

I know my LAQer would be offended if she was offered a tip. She charges a reasonable amount for her services and that's that.