How much tip would be appropriate for telephone assistance??

[Yvonne's hubby]

Our small gas heater went out a few days ago and I located a sales center online, got the phone number and called to order up what I thought I needed. The service guy was incredibly helpful, walked me through a diagnostics check, put me onto an owners manual and saved me around a hundred bucks overall in parts, on top of getting my stove up and running without having to wait for parts that I didnt need. I am going to send him a thank you letter and am thinking about sending him a little bonus. He spent at least an hour on the phone with me, and saved me a lot of time trouble and money. What do yall think of $50? Too much? not enough?

Btw.... The outfit is Fireplace Pro out of Cross lake Mn. if anyone looking for wood stoves, gas stoves, pellet stove or a fireplace insert... things of that nature I recommend these guys. Heres a link to their store, we have the Napoleon with the brown enamel finish shown in the lower right corner. http://fireplacepro.com/napoleon-gvf...gas-stove.html

[dmm1976]

If the employer allows him to be tipped.. Some don't. I think whatever u decide to give cuz most don't I'm sure. Maybe a gift of cookies or muffins instead of cash? Something for the whole office in case they don't allow the tip. I'd call and ask the boss. That way he also gets some recognition before the tip

[Harry Chickpea]

$50 for a tip for a paid tech is excessive. I commonly have spent a couple hours helping my customers through windows networking problems that are specifically excluded from my service contracts. I've never expected a tip. I HAVE charged those who repeatedly abused the help.

Your better course of action is a snail-mail letter of appreciation on nice stationary, detailing the qualities you observed in the person assisting you. That letter can then be handed to his boss, or used as a letter of recommendation with a resume.

As for a gift, some local craft or foodstuff would be appropriate. (Package of good cheese, maple syrup, etc.).

[sisterpine]

I also think 50 is too much. Perhaps 10 would be better and find out his name so you can make a check out to him (so no one else cashes it?) Otherwise maybe a gift card or some type.

[snoozy]

Home baked cookies or banana bread or something like that would be better.

[where I want to]

I would send a letter to him and another letter to his boss telling that due to his help you have basically posted free advertising to a nation forum.
That would probably give him more than money.
But, rather than a tip (money), I would send a gift- something like a good pen or mechanical pencil with supplies.
I can remember getting cash from clients and it all had to be immediately turned over to the manager for distribution.

[Conhntr]

Working in service industry myself i have to say homemade/homecooked arenot thebest tips. During christmass season i get many cookies/cakes that i have to throwalot away. I get alot of alcahol also but i can regift that.

Cash tips thoughare greatly appreciated even something small like 5$ youd be suprised how muchit makes my day! Especially for those that dontexpect tips (waiters etc). I think of it as the person buying me lunch and i think that amount is right 10-20

[jkhs]

A lot of companies-especially larger ones, don't allow tips. I think a nice letter to his boss stating how he went "above and beyond" would be great. My DH had something similar happen to him a few years ago and when it a better job came up in the company his supervisor told him that it was that customer's letter that made him stand out above the other applicants.

[kasilofhome]

I am of the ilk that service is a cash deal. I find that I belive Yvonne's husband is right ==

He knows his budget better than I.
He know the value of the worker better than I.
Now--think about this will the action that YH is talking about taking does it encourage the employee to aid You in your time of need? Does it encourage
reward for working?

[Yvonne's hubby]

Thanking everyone for your input. I have decided to send the company a letter praising this workers dedication to customer service along with a thank you note and a cashiers check made out to him. (separate letters so he will get his without the boss interfering.) I have given quite a bit of thought to baked goodies, and if I knew this guy better might go that route, but as others have mentioned, he may not like my particular brand of cookies or may have health issues that would prevent him enjoying them. A cashiers check works just about anywhere, he can buy his lunch, or a bottle of his particular flavor and choice this way, or who knows, might even could use it to pay his power bill... it leaves it up to him. As to my budget? LOL what budget!?! I live a pretty frugal lifestyle, but do like to pay my way. The man saved me well over a hundred bucks had I done things my way... I figure I can afford something to give him a decent "reward" for talking me out of making mistakes. Its not going to bankrupt me either way. After giving this quite a bit of thought I have decided to get the check made out for $27.43 its a nice round number that will make him scratch his head for a while figuring out how I arrived at it. Its the amount of cash and change I happen to have in my pocket at the moment.

[where I want to]

Be sure to put "Don't open in Mailroom" on his persoanl envelope.

[Tacoma]

Your decision is perfect. We often get phone calls about how to fix a boat motor (which is our business). Hubby does a "troubleshoot" over the phone and has helped many in a matter of minutes saving the caller a service call that really wasn't needed. Only 1 person has ever sent a" thank you check" in 17 years, but we do get referrals. I know the service person will greatly appreciate your kindness as well as his to you. This would be a nice Pay It Forward idea?

[||Downhome||]

call back and thank him, ask if he has paypal, if so ask for his email, send it to him that way!

send him enough for a nice dinner out! 25 to 50, really it depends on how generous you feel!

[Helena]

I would also send a letter of thanks to him and his boss and include a gift certificate to a local bakery or pizza shop in his area where the store is. This way the other staff members would enjoy this with him. $50 would buy a lot of pizza for the whole gang..