no tipping policy

[Mama Outlaw]

i've done a search and read several hot-topic-threads regarding this issue. not wanting to go through the whys and such, i have a question:

for those of you who don't accept tips..

i'm starting to feel the need to go from a 'sure you can tip if you want' to a 'no tipping' policy. how do i do that? how do you word your policy?

would i send out the change in my next e-newsletter? i hate talking about money and would rather not talk about money - it's just me, i've always been that way.

then there's the idea of saying that all tips will go to charity from now on and pick a different one each month.. what do y'all think? (could i sound any more like i live in alabama?)
amanda

 

[link]

I think the charity idea is great. It may end up being more "work" than you want to deal with, picking a new one each month and dealing with getting them the money. If you go with that idea, maybe choosing 1 every few months or even 1 a year would work out better for you.

There are people on the board who don't accept tips so I'm sure they will have good advice on how to approach it with clients. I think it would be totally acceptable to mention it in your next newsletter and/or on your website.

 

[gregtheripper]

no tipping policy

i'm starting to feel the need to go from a 'sure you can tip if you want' to a 'no tipping' policy. how do i do that? how do you word your policy?

I feel the same way about implementing a no tipping policy and I think I will do it when I raise rates next fall. I think it would work best for me & my philosophy to tie the no tipping/but referrals accepted together like BreatheBodywork does on her website. Because I have had such a hard time about my how to "reward" referrals(And the reward is they get to keep the $10 they might have given me!). Right now I have more regulars who do not tip me than those who do, so I will just let those regulars know when they come in that I no longer accept tips. I think in general I'll post it on my site and also have a small frame of the policy in my space.

If you send out a regular newsletter I would definitely include it in there as a "Business News" piece or something.

 

[SnuffySmith]

From my website:

I accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover when services are rendered. Don’t worry about tipping, I feel my rates are reasonable and do not accept tips. The best tip you can give is the referral of your friends and family. To show my thanks for your trust, I also have a referral program.

From my FAQ Page


And again on my Rates Page:

Tipping Policy

No tips please. The best gratuity you could give is the favor of your business and the referral of your friends and family. Thank you.

and

Referral Reward

Refer a friend or family member to Breathe Bodywork. Your friend will receive $10.00 off his or her first appointment. After your friend's first visit you will also receive $10.00 off your next session! Referral rewards may be accumulated and used together.

Hope that helps. BTW, my "no tipping" policy has worked very well for me. People know what it costs before they come in, the clients who come for treatment massage don't have any ambiguity about tips expected, and I've gotten very favorable feedback. My rates are a bit higher than many of the surrounding therapists, but it has not been an issue at all. Plus I'm comfortable with a set fee, and don't have to wonder if they liked the massage just because a tip wasn't left. (Holdover from waitressing.)

OTOH, my officemate's rates are even higher than mine, and she gets tips on top of that. But then again, she does some serious pampering-type spa treatments, and caters to the "money to burn" clientele. I'm after injury recovery clients.

 

[StarStruckk Is A Monstur!]

Breathe, I must have missed your referral program!

 

[BAPS]

hey, thanks for that, stacey and all. good ideas.

i'm half and half. on one hand, i got a $50 tip the other day from a new client who booked a standing, then there's one lady in particular i know feels like she has to tip and gets embarrassed if she doesn't have enough cash with her or .. almost i think she'd get insulted if i told her not to tip. that's why i thought about the charity idea.

but then they might still think they're obliged to tip since that option is there.

i've been struggling with my rates. everyone pays something different. some people pay $40, $50, $60, $65 depending on what arrangement we've worked out. it's rather confusing for me. as soon as i'm able to hire my mom (hopefully in the fall) i'll have her help me construct new fees and stick to them. that will be the time that i implement the no tipping policy to make everyone happy.

amanda