do you guys tip a hand car wash

Hemipower95 · May 19, 2016

If so how much? Mine will cost $20 for hand wash with armor all on tires.

lonestar21 · May 19, 2016

It depends how good of a job they do. Some take their time in doing the smallest details and some you can tell they rush thru it. Whenever I do take it to a car wash it varies

Jake91 · May 19, 2016

I normally do 10% since they are working for a hourly wage. I tip extra though if they do a exceptional job, or in the summer when its over 100* (I live in AZ)

Hemipower95 · May 19, 2016

Tiped her $5.

develand · May 19, 2016

If it is a place like Waterway type car wash (they dry the car, windows, etc), they make crap wages. I used to work at one in high school.

That hourly wage is about the same as a waiter. I got $2.15/hr plus the tips. Most the time people would tip a couple bucks to each person working on the car (1-2 usually) and more if it was a full wax or detail. Most only work a couple hours a day also, so the hourly wage is basically all taken up in taxes. Granted on a busy day I could work a couple hours and leave with 50-60 bucks.

So yes, you should tip those guys. If you think they dont remember someone who comes in and doesn't tip or is a jerk you are wrong.

And for the love of all that is holy, PLEASE hold off on the armor all, there are WAY better products that won't leave all your stuff greasy, eventually crack and brown your tires.

Feli · May 19, 2016

5 bucks

MADDOG · May 19, 2016

I tip and I let the guys and gals who are doing the washing how much if they do a good job.

I may wait a little longer but the car and truck looks really good when they are done.

And I keep my word.

Flip-er · May 19, 2016

Depends
If they have a community tip bo, where they have to share equally, then no.
Because some of them bust there asses and others do nothing, and yes I have tried to tip the person doing the job, and they tell me I have to put in pot.
If its one person only doing the truck, and there isn't a community pot, then I tip on how well they do.

Treburkulosis · May 19, 2016

We do. Usually 5 bucks like everyone has said.

mtofell · May 19, 2016

I tip everyone

I waited tables and tended bar for years and now have a much better job so I feel it's my duty.

I have a large scale view of tipping. If you tip and the people make better money they are more likely to stay at their job so the next time you come in there will be better people there. No tips = unhappy workers = mouth breathers next time you come in. And this is for really any place... not just car washes.

I even gave the tow truck driver $20 yesterday for hauling my broken down truck into the dealership. The whole thing was covered by warranty and I know the tow companies get screwed by the big contracts like Chrysler. Also, driving a tow truck is far from glamorous. Changing tires beside the road, hauling cars from where there not supposed to be parked with irate owners chasing you, etc, etc.

Be generous..... if you can afford it and the people are deserving.

:favorites13:

Jake91 · May 20, 2016

develand said:
That hourly wage is about the same as a waiter.

I had to look that up I didn't realize that some car washes paid their employees that way. The 2 main washes i use the employees don't work off tips and just have a shared tip jar (i know this because I applied at them once). Ill make sure to keep that in mind if i ever go anywhere else.

baum · May 20, 2016

where are you guys at that actually has people hand washing cars? around me they dry them off and vacuum them but they dont actually wash.

CMil527 · May 20, 2016

depends on the how they take care of the truck and effort put into wiping her down!

THETANK · May 20, 2016

slightly different tune but soon the military will be looking for tips, the world has gone tip mad.

Hemi450hp · May 20, 2016

I havent taken my truck to a car wash to have someone else do it in years, but I used to tip them $10-$20 depending on what kind of job they did. For a while, I used to go to the same place every 2 weeks, and the same guy would always grab the keys because he knew he would be tipped well for doing a good job. $10 isnt going to hurt us, but you would be surprised at how far that extra $10 goes when it comes to the quality of work they do on your expensive truck. Treat people right, and they usually return the favor.

oliver305 · Dec 14, 2022

Yes, although it is not necessary to tip at a car wash, it is very much appreciated. The earlier mentioned variables may aid you in deciding how much to tip a car wash if you choose to do so. It doesn't have to be much, but even a little can help someone feel appreciated for their labor. A fair general guideline is 10-15% of the total cost of the service you used if you're unsure of how much to offer.

huntergreen · Dec 14, 2022

No place near me that does a hand wash. But during COVID I tipped pretty good while people were hurting.

GsRAM · Dec 14, 2022

When the time comes for me that I cannot hand wash and maintain my vehicles myself, I will tip 10% of the cost of the wash or more if they do a good job. I still enjoy doing all of my own maintenance though and hopefully can continue to for many more years to come.

Dean2 · Dec 14, 2022

Alberta has a $15 minimum wage, and very few places where you could get a vehicle hand washed. In 55 years of driving I have never used that kind of a car wash. Surprised they are so common down south.

joesstripclub · Dec 14, 2022

I used to work for a mobile detailing service and we would go to people's offices and do wash days sometimes. We charged like $20 to $25 a car. Regular customers usually tipped and we would typically spend a little more time on their car. Some clients would basically tip us double and we would take really good care of them. So I would say if you are using a detailing service, tipping is appreciated and will probably get you a little extra service depending on who is doing the work. A drive through type wash, I'm sure tips are appreciated, but I wouldn't expect too much extra out of it.

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