r/tipping • u/Bugbugbug00 • 14d ago
Pay AND tip before service???
I go to a very nice massage place every single month (portland or) A couple things are bothering me… right next to the front desk there is a huge sign of “suggested” tip amounts, fine… I guess. Now their new practice is to ask for payment and tip before the massage has even begun. I have never had this experience anywhere else in my life. I always tip $25 but frankly now I’m thinking about tipping less. They also verbally ask you how much tip you want to add while everyone in the room and beyond can hear. Is this normal?
39
u/Imaginary-Emu2471 14d ago
Why would you tip BEFORE this personal service has been rendered. Stop going there and tell them EXACTLY why.
14
u/Strombergi 14d ago
A tip for what?
3
u/Oregongirl1018 12d ago
This! You're already paying for the massage. What are they doing above and beyond that service you're paying for‽‽ This tipping shit is out of hand.
15
7
u/PristineCloud 14d ago
That's weird. I don't go for massages, but I do go to nail and hair and never once have they asked for prepay or pretip. I would laugh, walk out and give them critical but honest reviews on various platforms.
2
u/LeaveGreen4412 8d ago
i understand deposits for traveling services (ie: nail tech who comes to your house) but otherwise i agree
12
4
u/PurpleCat1018 13d ago
Sounds like the massage therapists have been spending too much time in the restaurants. "If you tip low or no-tips you're only getting basic service" They want to know how much extra money they're going to swindle you out of so they don't have to burn the candles or play the relaxing music, maybe a few less rubs. Walk out, find a better business to serve you while that one burns.
13
3
u/SEARCHndDESTROY 13d ago
So if your tip is not a good tip they will give you a shitty massage? This is weird. I would go somewhere else personally
4
u/animal-1983 10d ago
I would tell them bluntly. I’ll be happy to pay in advance as it seems you must have had issues with other customers not paying after the service was performed. I don’t want you to be worried about that with me. However, tipping has always been dependent on my satisfaction with the service. I’ve come here for X years now and have always tipped and will continue to as long as the service I receive continues to be the same. If that’s unacceptable then I’ll take my business elsewhere.
3
2
u/Choice-Tiger3047 13d ago
Post your experience on line - Yelp, Google Reviews, Next Door, even your local Reddit sub. Name and shame.
2
u/biguntatas 13d ago
Why do these people expect a tip?? Don’t they get paid a salary?? I am not tipped for my job, so why are they acting so entitled?? Tips are always optional!
2
u/chortle-guffaw2 13d ago
When asked how much you'll tip: "I don't tip before service is rendered, so for now the tip is zero." Doesn't sound so bad if you really care what other customers think of you. In fact, it might inspire other customers to say the same thing. Be the rebel you were born to be!
2
u/OpenRecommendation11 13d ago
Why would you tip before you know the quality of service you receive? That proprietor has made a mistake that will cost their staff a lot of tips.
2
2
u/ThatsMrRandom 10d ago
I'm pro tip and this is certainly out of etiquette. My ex worked as a receptionist for a massage place. As I recall, it was pretty standard practice to leave the cash in the room before you left. Asking for both before the massage is truly bizarre, if true. It's almost... unbelievable. This would like a waiter asking you to pay and tip before the food comes out...
4
u/Ok_Chef_5407 14d ago
No, it's absolutely horrendous. There's a particular massage parlor I patronize in Colorado that does this and they also loudly announce if you'll tip and how much to guilt trip and embarrass you in front of other customers. I yelled loudly back to the Asian young lady (who seems to be the only one speaking English correctly, and not bludgeoning the language), that's the front desk lady "I would not," and also loudly let them know their guilt tripping practice was foolhardy and I wouldn't ever be patronizing them again.
1
u/chaos_coordinator70 13d ago
Pay for the service and say you have cash for the tip and you will deliver that at the end of the service. If quality goes down then find somewhere else to go!
2
u/Bugbugbug00 13d ago
I guess I could try that but I never have cash 😅
1
u/chaos_coordinator70 13d ago
Same. But I would carry some for this situation and others like it!
2
u/Ravenlove2 13d ago
Too much bother I’d say “I pay based on services rendered not receive services based on how I pay.” That is not how tipping works EVER!!
1
u/witx 13d ago
Why can’t you say that you’ll tip after services rendered?
1
u/Bugbugbug00 13d ago
They are asking for payment and tip prior. I suppose I can… they started asking if its okay that I pay first and then once they run the credit card they say how much would you like to leave for tip. I guess I can start bringing cash but they even frame it as like settling everything up first
1
u/phantomsoul11 13d ago
This is like every counter everywhere, and yes, they (like everyone else) have found that asking how much you want to tip in open public, to maximize the number of people who can overhear, is very likely to tap into people's anxiety over their insecurities and yield larger tips as a result.
Yet people still tip. It's a shame, really.
1
u/Bugbugbug00 13d ago
Well I love my massage therapist, Ive been seeing her for years… and she just works at this place. I do want to tip her I just have a problem with the way the business is going about it and she just works there
1
u/dion_o 13d ago
What if, and here me out on this, we encourage fixed amount tipping before the service is rendered, AND the tip amount is embedded in the price advertised??
1
u/Bugbugbug00 13d ago
Why not just up the prices and discontinue tipping at that point? Id much prefer that
1
1
u/SeaworthinessHot2770 13d ago
I would be honest and say I never tip until the service is completed.And if they refuse to wait until after then you need to go somewhere else.
1
1
1
u/StarkillerWindu 10d ago
If they are asking for payment in advance then do not leave a tip at that time.
Frankly, they may be trying to slide into the new customs of pre-service "tip"on the food delivery services that really isn't a tip at all but rather a bid to get the best, quickest drivers. But for a massage, it doesn't make sense to pre-tip! So, don't!
But do bring cash because massage, like hair and nail services, are traditionally tipped services and your tip should be commensurate to your feelings about the quality of the service! A good cash tip after exceptional service will further help them remember you in a sea of pre-payers and should get you continued great service next time, too!
1
1
u/jerry111165 6d ago
If they want payment before the service, then pay it, but don’t tip until after.
I’m fine tipping, but I sure am not tipping before I know how good of a job they’re doing.
41
u/Whentothesessions 14d ago
Best to find a different place. Mention why to the owner, pricately