Tipping question

[wvangel87]

Hey
so I have a quick question regarding tipping on a charter
I have a group trip planned in a couple of weeks to the Keys and the charter is allowing us to pay the tip in advance. The emailed me the tip cost which was 20% of the whole dive trip including gear rental. Is this normal to have gear rental costs factored in to how much tip to give. I thought it was 20% of just the total dive cost minus gear.

 

[oly5050user]

Hey
so I have a quick question regarding tipping on a charter
I have a group trip planned in a couple of weeks to the Keys and the charter is allowing us to pay the tip in advance. The emailed me the tip cost which was 20% of the whole dive trip including gear rental. Is this normal to have gear rental costs factored in to how much tip to give. I thought it was 20% of just the total dive cost minus gear.

I would'nt tip them in advance..For what?? What do you do if the service sucks?
As to the 20% thing...give what you feel it should be based on the experience you had.Why tip on the gear rental,that sounds suspicious to me..
I usually say that a person should show appreciation to a crew for a good day out,but this outfit sounds desperate to me...

 

[BarryNL]

I would'nt tip them in advance..For what?? What do you do if the service sucks?

Exactly, a tip is supposed to be an appreciation of good service - above what you would simply expect to get for your money. Wait and see whether you get that first.

I'd also give it direct to the crew/DM - if you send off 20% how do you even know what cut of that the company takes?

 

[whoji]

 

[wvangel87]

Thanks guys thats what I thought
here is what is on their website "A 20% gratuity will be added to all groups and private charters with your express permission and advanced notification at time of reservation."

We have 11 divers right now I think I might just tell them we will tip there because honestly adding including tip on gear rental is just odd

 

[Hank658]

Maybe the tip 'including gear rental' translates to "the gear fits ok and it got me back to the boat in one piece"

Seriously, that is a bit odd. Tip the crew directly if you have a great experience.

 

[Diver Dennis]

I agree with the others. Tip the crew directly if you get good service. The amount should be left up to you. I always tip but I'm also aware that some people don't so I can see adding say a 10% "service charge" to the trip but not the gear rental.

 

[Don Wray]

Tips are not part of the cost...no way I would tip on the cost of rental gear....tip after the outing if you were treated above normal....

 

[caymaniac]

I think I'd look at what other ops are in the area, this op sounds fishy!

 

[ReefHound]

I would tell them that tipping is a personal matter you will leave up to each individual. In fact, I don't even like the attitude that tries to get you to tip in advance. I can't imagine what charter is doing this but unless there is some compelling reason to book them I'd look at one of the other umpteen fine charters down there.