How much to tip the DirectTV guy?
11-25-03, 08:19 AM
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How much to tip the DirectTV guy?
We're having our DirectTV/TIVO system installed on Saturday (YEAH!!!)...I was wondering if you're supposed to tip them. If so, how much? I don't want to be rude or have the guy think we're a-holes for not tipping. Thank you!! 
11-25-03, 08:24 AM
#3
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Re: How much to tip the DirectTV guy?
How much to tip the DirectTV guy?
I usually just charge my friends for my travel expenses and a 12-pack to knock any service-related technicians off their ladder.
I usually just charge my friends for my travel expenses and a 12-pack to knock any service-related technicians off their ladder.
11-25-03, 10:26 AM
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That depends. When I had mine installed several months ago (mover's program), the installer didn't do anything above and beyond, so I didn't tip. Just a standard installation, with no extras.
When my mom had it installed, the installer went out of his way to make sure everything was perfect. He put up an 18x20 dish, even though the work order didn't call for it, and included the required multiswitch (again, that the work order didn't call for). He saw that my mom had just bought a new HDTV, and told her that she would need the new dish eventually, to get the HDTV. He just didn't want her to have to buy a new dish. He fished all the cables thru the wall, which is considered non-standard. He should've charged $75/wall run, but he didn't. He did a great job.
She tipped him $50 and a six-pack. It took him four hours to do the install, start to finish.
I'd say use your best judgement. If he goes over and above, then yeah, give him a tip. Otherwise, don't worry about it.
When my mom had it installed, the installer went out of his way to make sure everything was perfect. He put up an 18x20 dish, even though the work order didn't call for it, and included the required multiswitch (again, that the work order didn't call for). He saw that my mom had just bought a new HDTV, and told her that she would need the new dish eventually, to get the HDTV. He just didn't want her to have to buy a new dish. He fished all the cables thru the wall, which is considered non-standard. He should've charged $75/wall run, but he didn't. He did a great job.
She tipped him $50 and a six-pack. It took him four hours to do the install, start to finish.
I'd say use your best judgement. If he goes over and above, then yeah, give him a tip. Otherwise, don't worry about it.
11-25-03, 10:33 AM
#8
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One thing to remember. If you're going to tip for exceptional service (no, not the mature kind), make sure you give a real tip, at the least $5, probably more. I wouldn't imagine you'd need to tip a DirecTV installation, but if he has to do excessive lifting or climb through a bunch of dirty attic space or something above an beyond, make sure the tip isn't just a couple of bucks formality tip like you'd give the pizza guy.
das
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11-25-03, 10:43 AM
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If the DirecTV guy could either A) rotate my apt building 10 degrees or B) reach into the sky and move the satellite itself, I'd be willing a tip quite a lot. 
11-25-03, 11:00 AM
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Originally posted by Red Dog
If the DirecTV guy could either A) rotate my apt building 10 degrees or B) reach into the sky and move the satellite itself, I'd be willing a tip quite a lot.
If the DirecTV guy could either A) rotate my apt building 10 degrees or B) reach into the sky and move the satellite itself, I'd be willing a tip quite a lot.
11-25-03, 07:25 PM
#11
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Did you learn nothing from the cable guy? No tips.
tasha
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11-25-03, 11:40 PM
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I always assumed it was customary to eviscerate and consume any and all delivery men. So you're telling me I should have been tipping them instead? Oops.
