To Tip or Not to Tip

I just found out last night that the person who has been restoring my g-grandmother's treadle machine case (the wooden section) is finished with the project. This person is one of DH's fellow firefighters and he teaches woodworking at the local 'reform school' for lack of a better term. It is this group of young men who have actually done the work with the teacher's guidance and supervision. This is a standing department at the facility and they have been doing this work for years. The teacher is someone we are friendly with but certainly not good friends. The reason I wanted him to do the project was because I knew the work would be done correctly and not just your quickie 'dip 'n strip' method of refinishing. Teacher was soooo excited telling me about this last night. Says it came out beautifully and I'm sure it is.

Enough background. My question is how much, or at all, do I tip for this work? The cost will be somewhere in the $100-$150 range. I'm happy with the price as it was a mess before and I don't think that is unreasonable for stripping; sanding; staining; finishing. The boys are not allowed to have any cash at the facility. The payments go into a facility account and are then distributed to each student in an inhouse 'personal' account based on the number of hours the individual put into any particular project that they can apply credits to at the inhouse commissary. Do I just give the teacher a tip for his pickup/ delivery of the item and the care with which the job was completed? Give extra to the boys for their accounts? Give extra to both? How much???

In a quandry here. I'll get delivery of the case sometime this week depending on weather and everyone's schedules. DH of course still needs to sandblast and repaint the iron base pieces so it will still be a while before it's all put back together. I picked up a 15-91 a few months ago to use in this piece as the original machine has apparently been MIA for a very long time. No idea how that happend but I can't do anything about that! I'm really excited about getting this project completed. Not sure how much I'll actually use it but the sentimental value is tremendous.

TIA, Kim in NJ

Reply to
AuntK
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Does the $100-150 include the pickup and delivery, or not? If not, would you or your husband have been able to do that? If the answer is "no", then a transportation fee may be in order. If after seeing the job, and you are beyond satified to teary-eyed and speechless, then a tip to the young men and a beautifully worded thank-you note would go a long way in boosting their self esteem.

Just my thoughts, G> I just found out last night that the person who has been restoring my

Reply to
Ginger in CA

I think Ginger put it very well! I think a $25 minimum for pickup and delivery would be a good start. Do you know how many boys worked on it? If it was 5 or 6, you could do a 20% tip, and each would get $4 or $5 or so in their account. If you wanted to do more or less, that'd be fine, too. Tipping is a personal thing, so you should do what makes you comfortable.

I th> I just found out last night that the person who has been restoring my

Reply to
Louise in Iowa

Reply to
Sally Swindells

Yes, total price includes all pickup/delivery although DH or I could have easily done this if we're allowed at the facility which I have no clue. And the teacher lives around the corner from us so it was not an inconvience for him either.

Kim

Reply to
AuntK

Unfortunately at the moment I have no idea how many of the boys worked on the project. I'll find out more specifics when I actually get it back. I agree with Ginger's suggestions as well. I suppose, since I see the teacher on a regular basis I could always do the tip after the actual delivery along with a note to the boys. I think that's a great idea. I'd certainly want to encourage them to continue with a trade/ artform that is a positive influence in their lives. I'm not sure what their restrictions may be as to food/candy either - not sure if those things are allowed as I supposed they could be considered 'commodities' and might be restricted as well. This, from what I gather, is a fairly secure, restricted facility.

Kim

Reply to
AuntK

Check with the teacher about the facility's restrictions. They may not allow homebaked goods, due to liability of tainted items. I know the note [first name, last intial only, no address or hint of your circumstances] would be appreciated, and perhaps a copy to the director of the facility. This will bolster their spirits and show the administration this was a good thing. Give gas costs plus a bit to the teacher for his efforts, or if he won't accept that, a pie/cake/goodie of his choice.

Aren't you glad you did this!? G> >

Reply to
Ginger in CA

It very well could be that you could express your appreciation with something baked if you play by the rules. Step #1 would be finding out what the rules are. Nothing much says 'thank you' like an Italian Cream cake and I'm betting those young fellows don't see 'good' food very often. Their menu is probably mighty bleak. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

Reply to
Taria

Reply to
Louise in Iowa

Kim, in addition to the fees (i understand around 100-150?) Could you maybe buy pizza and soda for the boys? or McD's? As far as a delivery fee? you might give the teacher a gift certificate to Home Depot or Lowe's for future projects. amy in SoCal

Reply to
amy in SoCal

Amy, I'm still waiting (im)patiently for my piece to arrive. Granted, this week has been hectic to say the least and will not slow down until after next Tues. I'm not sure yet what the boys are or are not allowed to have so I'm waiting to speak with the teacher when my piece arrives for those specifics as well as how many of the boys worked on the project so I have a better clue as to what to do. As to future projects - I could give this shop a lifetime of work I think. My dear grandmother, whom I loved to pieces, was not a person who was kind to wood! In addition to this particular piece, she 'antiqued' her entire bedroom set at the same time. I have that lovely set that is all carved mahogany. If I had a room to actually put the furniture in, I'd be keeping this shop going for a lifetime with pieces going back and forth! As it is, I'm waiting until either we can find a vacation home or probably retirement which will not be for quite a while. A girl can dream!

Kim in NJ

Reply to
AuntK

Oh,no! not the dreaded "antique-look"! I had a MIL that did that to almost EVERY peice in her house...in lime green...eoo. There used to be some wonderful camps for sale in the Poconos. Or the Catskills. I almost bought a camp near Cooperstown a few years ago. I bet that furniture would be great in a vacation home. Can't wait to see what the teacher says. Keep us posted!

Reply to
amy in SoCal

Reply to
Taria

Oh Yes! And then my mother did the lime green version to the mahogany dining room furniture that had been my grandmothers. I have some of those pieces as well. My mother was very odd and gave different pieces of it to myself and other siblings. Why...who know how my mother's brain worked. She also wanted to do that to my grandmothers silver. I guess to make us all get together for holidays???? Difficult since we're spread out over 3 states in various parts of the country. Thank God I talked her out of that. My Dad currently still has that and fortunately he's far more practical.

Reply to
AuntK

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Taria, I agree completely. Unless the piece is really shot there's never a good reason to paint any real wood imo. I have, over the years, spent countless hours stripping paint from beautiful wood. Incredible amount of work but the reward is usually worth it. I just really don't have a place that's suited for that kind of work at this point so out it goes to someone who can.

Reply to
AuntK

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