Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Tipping the tow truck

Search

Tipping the tow truck

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 04:32 AM
  #1  
gc
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Tipping the tow truck

This really is travel related. While driving to a vacation spot over the weekend, my trusty car died. Lucky for me, I've got AAA Plus (100 free miles of towing per incident).
The tow guy showed up, towed me 90 miles home, I signed the paperwork and left.
Question, should I have tipped him? And if so, how much?
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 04:37 AM
  #2  
depends
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I don't know, depends on a lot of different conditions:

Were you driving in the United States or Europe as different tipping rules apply?

Was the total bill over $1000 and did he chase you out of the resturant after you didn't tip him?

Is he also an airline pilot? This makes a lot of difference because if he is you are not supposed to tip airline pilots.

 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 04:40 AM
  #3  
gc
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Depends,

Cute...in the US, thr driver didn't chase me, I have no idea what the bill was, as I didn't see it, but figure $75 to hook up and $3/mi that's $345. And he was niether a pilot nor rocket scientist.

Cheers
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 05:10 AM
  #4  
grease
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I don't know if this influences your thinking (and it's not an answer to the question):

Garages that are part of the AAA network get a nominal amount for towing disabled cars. The theory is that if they tow you, they're likely to get the repair job and make some money on that.

I guess I would have tipped the guy $10 or so.
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 05:14 AM
  #5  
Howard
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Even if it is part of AAA's service, you really got a good deal, considering that he towed you 90 miles home. To me, that's worth at least $20. If you have his address, I'd send it to him.
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 06:24 AM
  #6  
x
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
this post just about made me gag...no you shouldn't have tipped him. tipping in this country is getting way out of hand in my opinion. what's next, should we tip the public transit driver everytime we get on a bus. enough already.
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 06:30 AM
  #7  
xxx
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Based upon some previous posts about tipping, you should tip anyone that makes less than you do.
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 06:55 AM
  #8  
cute
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
only if he was cute
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 07:04 AM
  #9  
gc
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Based on what I've heard so far (over x's gagging), I'm not missing anything. There is no standard etiquette for the tow truck guy.

I suppose, in case he comes at you with a crowbar, you should have a 10 spot ready...
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 07:23 AM
  #10  
Mildred
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Oh rats I thought you meant you tipped over the tow truck. Sort of like what people do to cows.
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 07:28 AM
  #11  
gc
Guest
 
Posts: n/a

that's another story...
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 08:09 AM
  #12  
xxx
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Here's a tip to give to the tow truck driver, tell him to pull up his pants so the moon don't show...
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 01:22 PM
  #13  
xxx
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
He was just doing the job that he was paid to do, so why would you tip him? He didn't do anything above and beyond the service that you had contracted for with AAA. Tipping is getting out of hand in this country!
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 01:27 PM
  #14  
Dan
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I would have thanked him with a 20 and told him to get Lunch/Dinner on me.

But that's just me. On the other hand if he had billed me $345. I would have paid it without a tip.
 
Old Jul 29th, 2002, 02:57 PM
  #15  
Lisa
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
As is the custom when it comes to tipping anyone. Tip if you think the person deserves it. IMO if a person provides me with a service that exceeded my expectations, then they get a tip. Whether it is my waitress or the plumber....The problem in this country is that certain people (i.e waitresses) get tipped no matter what, even if the service is awful. Understandably waitstaff are paid below min wage because of tips, however if you stink at being a waiter / waitress maybe one should find a new line of work rather than expecting tips for bad service.

 
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jeterray
Europe
88
Nov 20th, 2014 09:33 AM
boors
Australia & the Pacific
15
Nov 12th, 2013 01:48 PM
VHolly
Europe
58
Oct 27th, 2011 04:24 PM
tejana
Caribbean Islands
6
Aug 14th, 2009 06:39 PM
Lindsay
Australia & the Pacific
5
Aug 27th, 2002 09:45 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -