Getting a new windshield for the car and I went with a service that comes to your home and installs it. Mind you, it was suppose dot come yesterday but apparently they were missing a part (I hope it wasn’t windshield!). They are supposed to come to install it this morning, but I’m not sure if I’m supposed to tip the installers?
Any opinions?
Good god, no!! Where is this out of control tipping business going to stop?!
Of course not. Why would you? The installer likely gets paid more than I do, and nobody tips me. The number of jobs where it is even arguably reasonable to expect tips is very small.
I get so confused with tipping some times. I feel like I have to tip anyone that does any sort of effort like driving to my home to install this thing.
Thanks for putting my mind (and wallet) at ease.
I just had this service done last Friday. I wasn’t sure what to do either.
I ended up giving the guy a couple of bucks and a cold Pepsi. It was a very hot day and the guy was out there sweating in the heat, and I felt he deserved something extra.
Damn it, Phipps, I’m back to square one!!! 
I’d say a tip is not expected, but a glass of water or iced tea or somesuch would probably be appreciated.
You don’t have to tip anyone. I tip a lot of people I don’t have to tip though. A windshield installer? Maybe I would if he was doing a really good job, it’s the kind of thing I like to encourage. If I thought I’d need a lot of windshields installed I’d tip to try to get the best service each time. Hopefully it wouldn’t be something I’d have to do at all.
Is it a service that you have to be present for? Or can you leave your car in the driveway/parking lot and have them come do it and send you a bill?
If you don’t have to be present then you can avoid tipping, even if you are present, because hey all those other people who weren’t present didn’t have to tip!
The Pepsi was a great idea. the tip not so much. This guy is a skilled, specialized mechanic whos service he has chosen to bring to your location. I’m not sure you would be comfortable with tipping him at a $$ level that truly enhances his hourly rate. It’s not a couple of bucks…
I don’t know about that. The average salary for a windshield installer seems to be about $50K, or $25 per hour. Another $2 would be about 8% of his hourly salary.
And, it’s tax free. 
Here’s an idea:
If he happens to be working at your house around meal time, order a pizza. Put his favorite topping on half of it.
Win-Win!
If you know the windshield installer’s favorite pizza topping, you’re going through way too many windshields and should stop tailgating.
Tips are not tax free (unless you file fraudulent tax returns.)
As cited above, they’re already very well paid. No tips.
Virtually nobody who gets paid tips in cash is going to report it.
I don’t know if $50K is well paid or not. But the question is whether a guy getting about $25 per hour appreciates another $2 tip for about an hour’s work (less than that of actual work, but I’m including travel time). I think he does.
As a government employee whose salary depends on taxes, this is why I get annoyed at signs asking for cash tips. Yes, I’m willing to tip, because it’s how you earn your living; please be willing to pay your taxes, because it’s how I earn mine.
Schools starting soon. Maybe you should give your kid’s schoolteacher a $2 tip at the next open house. Maybe every parent that shows up could!
I guess my general philosophy on tipping is tied to how much I think quality might vary in the level of service I receive. I’ve actually had a windshield replaced by a mobile repair person before (many, many years ago), but it’s not the sort of service where I imagine thinking someone did an exceptional job, whereas the last guy did a lousy job (“Dude, did you just put that in upside down?”).
So, I’d vote no on tipping in the OP’s case.
I’ll throw them 5-10 bucks if I’m around. I’m usually not though. The trucks just get left in my lot for the glass guy and I come back in the afternoon to a new windshield.
No need for that attitude; if you made a mistake you can always back off.
As noted, the total amount of work the guy put in on this windshield including travel is about an hour. Not remotely comparable to a teacher, as you are undoubtedly aware. In the amount of time that a teacher teaches 25 kids, the installer could install a thousand windshields. The amount you would tip reflects that.