Just for fun.... - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

threaderman · 01-19-2008, 12:44 PM

What are some types of tips ,monetary or other [keep it clean],you have received in the past.I have gotten everything from tickets to events,cash,beer[in my younger days],tools from widowed gals,etc.Any funny stories about tips.As long as we're on the subject,they are few and far between now.Much more common when I worked FOR somebody else.

philner · 01-19-2008, 04:08 PM

Last year I got a $200 bottle of scotch from a guy I did an inlaw addition for. Three times I've gotten some nice equipment left behind by hacks who didn't finish the job,that I finished for them ( and I have a rule against taking jobs that others started, whats that say???).Ladders, commercial shop vac.etc.., 1 lady gave me a piano for my friend's son. Other than that, mostly gift certificates, free meals etc.. Phil

philner · 01-19-2008, 04:15 PM

I forgot the pin ball machine, roll of special protective covering(worth several hundred dollars), Tickets to the opera( Thanks alot). Patriots tickets (Now thats more like it). My slow mind is starting to dredge up all sorts of gratuities I've gotten over the years, antique tools, bruins tickets, a week at a condo in Stowe, Vermont. Jeez now that I think about it I must seem Like I've got my hand out,Palm up, when I say goodye to these folks. Phil

deckman22 · 01-19-2008, 10:28 PM

I got a used kayak last year. It was missing one hatch & some straps holding the 2 hatches were dry rotted. Fixed those up & good as new, only got a chance to fish out of it twice so far tho.

Bkessler · 01-20-2008, 11:13 AM

How about 20 orchids for my wife from one customer.

Chris Johnson · 01-20-2008, 11:36 AM

Box seat tickets to the A's, several regular A's tickets from the same customer, NASCAR tickets twice (These were the best)

And I live in Napa, I can't remember the last time I purchased a bottle of wine

threaderman · 01-20-2008, 11:45 AM

Some very cool things ,for sure.A guy I installed a gas service for a while back said he would send me some hockey tickets but maybe he forgot cause I haven't received them.

Nascar tickets is awesome,and that kayak is sounding good.A lot of people offer meals,which I never do,that's just nasty working on their plumbing then eating with them,nope!Thanks for the replys,I thought it was a fun little thread.Some of my best tips I can't post on here though!

LouisZerr · 01-20-2008, 11:59 AM

Here are a few of the USEFUL things I've been fortunate to come across...

A really nice Sears self-propelled lawnmower($500) that was used only once, 20 nice cigars out of a customers $100K collection, Seahawks playoff tickets, antique furniture, gift certificates to nice restraunts, case of homemade wine, homemade cookies/treats.

Some of the USELESS stuff...

Opera tickets, a broken leaf blower, a bottle of really bad wine, a fruitcake.

goose134 · 01-20-2008, 12:17 PM

Couple of gift certificates, and one really nice, carved blanket chest from mid 19th cent.

leakygoose · 01-20-2008, 12:34 PM

Redwing tickets , 4th row right next to bench during playoffs and my son,8 at the time got a puck and goolie stick handed to him buy osgood . The best. That ho can call me anytime.

BigMikeB · 01-20-2008, 12:48 PM

I was usually in peoples basements when I was at a house, so I guess that's why they gave me stuff they were looking to get rid of. I have taken a 14' car topper, tablesaws, a radial arm saw, all kinds of handtools and things I have taken with friends in mind. Real long story but..the best tip from a job has to be my wife, picked her up at her parents house a few years ago. Her mom told her I was a nice guy.

masonking02 · 01-20-2008, 01:11 PM

100 dollar cigars , beer , wheelbarrows , scaffolding, andd a kiss from a 80 year old widow

Chris Johnson · 01-20-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMikeB

the best tip from a job has to be my wife, picked her up at her parents house a few years ago. Her mom told her I was a nice guy.

Now, did she come with warranty, what's the return policy?

I've trying to give mine back for years with no success

Michaeljp86 · 01-20-2008, 03:37 PM

The only thing I ever got was a fish basket.

smellslike$tome · 01-20-2008, 08:36 PM

Only received cash tips a couple of times. In general though, if you are receiving a lot of "tips" wouldn't that mean that either you are providing trash removal services for free or more likely you are not charging enough?

Come to think of it I was "tipped" a nice, used, cast iron sink w/faucet that I didn't even remove from the kitchen counter just the other day

.

kbsparky · 01-20-2008, 08:43 PM

We got 4 box seat tickets to an O's game, complete with a reserved parking space and admission to one of the clubhouse restaurants. That was a fine evening out, to be sure.

airborneSGT · 01-20-2008, 08:54 PM

Well when I was doing work for Adelphia as a contractor I got a brand new VCR as a tip. This was about 10 years ago when that was something nice.

Other than that I received some free on field tickets and gift certificates to a nice restaurant for giving a speech. It was a chamber of commerce meeting on Sept. 11th and I was the veteran business owner. The football team (FAU) went on to do well this season.

silvertree · 01-20-2008, 09:15 PM

Got a bottle of Ouzo from a customer who went to Greece while I did his kitchen and a 2 wheel coffee grinder from a lady when I told her how cool it was. She insisted I take it, that was 20 years ago and I still have it.

Ten Fingers · 01-30-2008, 09:47 PM

used windows and used trusses. They're still in my way waiting to be re-used