Tipping at feed store?

[dlskidmore]

In most urban environments, if a service person goes out of their way to help you, you're supposed to tip them. Especially if they lift something heavy or deliver something. At the feed store the nice young man loads the 80 lb bags of feed into my car for me, should I be tipping him, and how much?

[fffarmergirl]

IDK.....when I first moved out to the country and tipped people like I did in town they almost took it like an insult. They definitely thought I was odd. I suppose if it was a really big job and the kid pooped himself out, and it was a young kid, I might tip. I haven't been tempted to tip in about 10 years.

[karenp]

When I saw the same guy there every time I would give him a gift at Christmas. They seem to go through staff more quickly now.

[||Downhome||]

Tipping is a gratuity, its never required.
And if you do tip what your comfortable with.
Though I do tip for certain things.
Mostly wait staff service.

I often help load bags at the Elevator I go to well waiting to load mine.
A few weeks ago the one guy I helped tossed me a 10.
told him unnecessary but he insisted...

First you need to ask if he is allowed tips, Some places do not allow them.

I would make small talk and find out his favorite restaurant, and give him a 50 dollar giftcard now and again. And let him know you appreciate the service.

[Rustaholic]

I agree that is just their job.
On Christmas Eve or Thanksgiving we will tip the kids at the grocery store that load groceries into our car but never any other time.

[dlskidmore]

Originally Posted by karenp

When I saw the same guy there every time I would give him a gift at Christmas. They seem to go through staff more quickly now.

It is a family business, so it's not always the same family member but a small pool of people I see regularly. They have a few staff, not entirely sure which is which...

[Silvercreek Farmer]

I've never tipped or seen anyone else tip at the feedstore. And they don't stand around like they are waiting for a tip either like the pilot we had just paid hundreds of dollars to fly us out to a fishing hole did.

[Muleman]

I have never tipped at the feed store, that is the young guys job, what they are hired to do, load your truck. A "Thank you"or "I appreciate it" goes a long way in establishing respect and gratitude. Tipping in some instances can give the person the impression you think they need the money or you are better off than they are. I can not think of a circumstance where I would tip the worker at the feed store myself. If it is a big job, I normally help them anyway.

[farmerDale]

If someone starts tipping, the expectation may be created that everyone should tip. Just what we need when trying to save on feed costs. If they applied for the job, and the job description included loading 80lb sacks of feed, I would hope they do not expect a tip for loading 80lb sacks of feed.

Call me cheap, but doing what your job description entails, and yes, doing it well, does not, and should not come with the expectation of tips.

I did tip a truck driver once. But he went above and beyond his job description. He helped me shovel out a bin bottom and worked like a dog on a hot June day. He could have sat in the truck. I was so moved, we finished the job, and I told him hang on a minute, ran to the house, and wrote him a check for 50 bucks, for about an hours worth of work. It was worth that to me.

Above and beyond the job description and in terrible conditions? YES!!! Fulfilling said job description? NO!!!

[where I want to]

99.999% of the time I walk up to the counter, place my order then go back to the truck at the loading dock where they put in the back of the truck. Been doing it that way for 45 years.
I have never seen any offer a tip. Most farmers would probably grab their chest and keel over with a heart attack if asked to tip. Pulleeze don't start this as an idea.
However, when I get a large delivery where the guys work hard to stack it, I certainly do tip. With gratitude.

[Lairvine]

Well... I think if you have the money and want to tip... go right ahead... it may be just what he/she needs.

[GeneMO]

I'll give you a tip, try not to act too "urban" If it is a real feed store, it means you are in the country. They will not understand what you are trying to do.

A nice thank you and some doughnuts or snacks occasionally dropped off will be more to their style and liking.

[Danaus29]

Originally Posted by dlskidmore

In most urban environments, if a service person goes out of their way to help you, you're supposed to tip them. Especially if they lift something heavy or deliver something.

Seeing as I live close to Columbus I feel qualified to debate this statement. At every store I have been to there are signs saying "No tipping" or the employees are not allowed to accept tips. They are paid quite well for the job and are informed that they are required to load or lift heavy and/or bulky merchandise. I didn't tip the kids at Lowes who loaded 44 bags of garden soil into my van or the guy who loaded my dryer at Sears. And both establishments had no tipping policies.

[MichaelZ]

It is acceptable to tip anyone that does a service for you. I will tip my mechanic and even guys that do the quick oil changes. And of course always at a restaurant. What I find a bit odd and objectionable is when you are charged for a tip (big city) in your restaurant bill - kind of defeats the purpose of a tip.

[arabian knight]

Originally Posted by Silvercreek Farmer

I've never tipped or seen anyone else tip at the feedstore. And they don't stand around like they are waiting for a tip either like the pilot we had just paid hundreds of dollars to fly us out to a fishing hole did.

I would never even think of tipping at a feed store.
It is their Job to Load my 500 pounds of grain in the back of my PU. All they do is Throw it in there anyways with the tailgate down.
NOW if I asked them to put that 500 pounds of feed in 50 pound bags instead of close to 100 Ya I might think about it. But nope you back up to their dock they come over with a load of sakes on their two wheeled cart and toss them in the back of the truck. No Tip is necessary.

[Muleman]

I personally would take it as an insult if I worked at the feed store and someone tried to tip me for doing my job. I know in many places to tip someone is basically like telling them you do not think they make enough and they need to get a better job.

[Danaus29]

I could see tipping a mechanic if said mechanic was a shade tree operation or a small shop but when I'm paying close to a day's pay per hour of labor they aren't getting a tip. Especially at the dealership where most want you to keep coming back, even if they have to mess your car up to get you back in.

The quick oil change guys make more an hour than I do.

[Muleman]

But honestly in most cases what are you really saying when you tip someone? You are saying you do not think they make enough money so you are going to help them kinda like "Here, I know you could use this" Kind of an arrogant gesture if you really think about it?

[Danaus29]

I get tipping servers in restaurants (although most of those places could afford to pay decent wages) when the pay should be based on job performance. I don't have a problem not tipping if the service is terrible. But I think the whole tipping thing is way beyond what is reasonable.

[geo in mi]

Why not just give them a religious tract that looks like a dollar bill? I've seen that.....

geo