Do you tip the cable guy?

[JulesMaximus]

Is it customary to tip the cable installer? If so, how much? I have a guy here installing a Tivo from Directv right now.

 

[Vic]

Not unless he gives me free HBO

 

[Dedpuhl]

never

 

[Occifer]

No, it's their job, and they are charging enough as it is.

 

[NutBucket]

His tip is to get some ice after I boot his arse out the door.

EDIT: only the cable guy. Can't comment on DTV since I installed everything myself.

 

[ITJunkie]

Nope

 

[virtuamike]

Only if it's a cable girl and she's cute

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: virtuamike
Only if it's a cable girl and she's cute

No, it's a cable guy. I've never seen a cable girl come to think of it.

I was thinking of giving him a $20. The dude's been here an hour already and he's only about 1/2 done.

 

[DaWhim]

the cable guy changed my old analog cable to digital cable. do you think I should pay him for taking away my FREE basic cable?

 

[rh71]

I asked this way back when... DTV also... the answer was no, but offer him a drink.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Is it customary to tip the cable installer? If so, how much? I have a guy here installing a Tivo from Directv right now.

Absolutely not. He does what he is paid to do (hopefully).
But if he gets you some free stuff then OK.

 

[Justin218]

no, they charge enough.

 

[Thegonagle]

If he "hooks ya up," tip him phat!

Otherwise, generally no, unless he's clearly going above and beyond in some other way, and you want to. Cant really think of how, unless he's giving you a dozen of extra splitters and yard after yard of terminated cables. That's really high quality stuff they use (much better than the average Radio Shack stuff), which is why, in addition to the extra labor, they generally charge extra to hook up extra TVs in the home. (A compliment, written or called in, to his supervisor would probably be good too--don't mention the $100's of dollars of cable, connectors, and splitters though.)

 

[hdeck]

no

 

[GagHalfrunt]

For the most part, no. They're making a good salary and don't rely on tips for their income. I tipped one guy once, my cable went out in a bad storm, tree limb knocked out my house, but the rest of the neighborhood was okay. Have cable TV and internet, so had nothing left and it sucked. Guy braved a MISERABLE storm getting me hooked up, near zero, dark, sleeting and howling wind. He seemed very surprised when I tipped him, clearly he wasn't expecting it, he earned it though.

 

[ndee]

just give him a benjamin!

 

[ViviTheMage]

i never have...dont know why i would.

 

[WTT0001]

As a DTV installer I can tell ya I don't get paid near enough (about $200 a week once you pull out taxes and gas) Tip are appreciated but most people don't. So anyway its up to you

 

[aircooled]

My neighbor tipped the guy and he came back later and returned the money. Said he couldn't accept it..

 

[Gravity]

Don't tip him but do let him use the restroom if so requested.

 

[LeStEr]

Offer him a drink that should be good enough unless he hooks you up with some "free" stuff

 

[marleymarl]

Well, apparently this guy 'tipped' himself


Text

:Q

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: Justin218
no, they charge enough.

Most of the installers are contractors that do not work directly for the cable company. And, from what I've read, the pay for installations is not all that good. Sure, the cable companies are ripping off customers, but that doesn't mean your installer is making big $$ off the install, too.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Only if he accidently gives you some extra channels

 

[TechnoKid]

If he does every thing neatly and hides all the cables and such, maybe. And gives me extra splitters.