The version of AAA I have allows for a free 5-mile tow with a $6 charge per mile above that.
I did consider trying to start it when he jumped it, but it was already parked at the repair shop. I didn’t really see a reason to crank it.
mmm
If I had cash on me, sure $20 seems about right.
However, I rarely carry cash, so I probably wouldn’t tip him anything.
My friends and I used to tip tow truck drivers when we were younger. We thought it was funny but looking back the drivers never looked too happy as they were getting back up. I don’t do it anymore.
Weird. My AAA membership allows for 3 tows per year up to 96 miles apiece, with $2 per mile after that. I’ve only used it once, but it’s something my father has insisted my brother and I have since we were teen drivers, so he pays for it every year.
And the reason I asked about starting it is because if the vehicle started, it may have only needed a battery, which would just have required you to drive to your local AutoZone or someplace similar, and have them install a battery for you. Cheaper than taking it to the shop for a diagnostic. Of course, the problem(s) could be elsewhere.
Sounds like you had them confused with cows. 
Must be the day for it, and like usual I’m a couple hours too late to be first.
My first reaction was that I would have given him $20 for the extra service. My one experience with AAA was that they were utterly useless, utterly, so any service at all might deserve a tip.
I would tip him - if I had cash on hand. (you can’t tip via credit card and I don’t carry checks these days). If I didn’t have cash (which happens a lot), I would feel bad about not being able to tip him. $15 sounds about right, but $10 doesn’t sound too low, and $20 doesn’t sound too high.
That’s the problem with a lot of tips - I tip between medium and well when I know what the range is. But sometimes, I have no idea what a good tip is… it’s even worse when someone won’t tell you. (I had that situation while overseas. I asked “so, what’s a good tip?” the guy could have named his price and gotten it. But instead he got coy and said “whatever you think.” I had no idea so I offered something (in a currency and economy that I don’t understand. It was less than I would have offered in the US - but everything cost less than it did in the US to varying degrees). He declined saying that it was an insult.)
For the record, the vehicle is back on the road. It was the alternator.
mmm
Good deal! I’m glad it was resolved so quickly for you, and I think you did the right thing tipping the guy for his good service above and beyond what he “had” to do.
I do sort of respect the chutzpah of one waiter… We were visiting Ireland, and on our first restaurant visit, we were unsure what the local protocol was, so we asked the waiter. He said “I would generally just advise people to do whatever they would do at home”. Which sounds sensible, but also got him a much higher tip than local custom would have dictated. Which he probably knew, because it wasn’t exactly a secret that we were Americans.
The next day, we wised up, and asked about restaurant tipping before we left the B&B.
I was in a situation three years ago in which the tow truck driver went way above and beyond. You better believe I offered a tip…I don’t recall how much I offered, but it definitely wasn’t less than 10…but he declined it.
I think it would take five or six people to tip a tow truck. But to tip just the driver, you could probably do that yourself if you sneak up on him.
Inigo beat you to the joke:
Maybe read the thread next time.
mmm
I skimmed it.