Gas dock attendant tipping

Paugus Bay Resident · 08-18-2007, 09:28 AM

I usually go $7 - 10 if a pump-out is involved. 2 110 gal tanks, so gas and the pump out usually take some time

Captain Zipper · 08-18-2007, 10:35 AM

24 foot boat

70 gallon tank

I'll give $2 to $5 depending on service; or I'll give zip if I'm doing it all.

If the attendant tells me how beautiful my wife is than she usually makes me tip him more.

Misty Blue · 08-18-2007, 11:01 AM

I learned this during my bus boy days at the Harvard Club in Boston. A place where the patrons can get a great meal and the help can eat their pride!

The acronym T-I-P stands for "To Insure Promptness". It is a method for those requiring service to insure that they are treated in a special manner. Every patron expects and deserves courtious, professional service as a standard. This is for the extras. ie.

Welcome to the Harvard Club Mrs. Archabault. My, your hair is a lovely shade of blue today. And isn't that a new diamond collar on your pricious poodle Mr. Tips? Very becoming. Yada, Yada, Yada. In the industry this is known as "smooch hiending". Demeaning but effective both for Mrs. Archabault and the server!

Of corurse, servers depend on tips for a major part of their income but the T-I-P concept is real for evryone in the service industry.

When I hit the gas dock with my work boat the kids there know that I am not there to pussyfoot around. They land me professionally, top me off fast and get me underway. Good deck seamanship and refueling procedures. At the end of the weekend I drop them a $20 for a pizza. Always good service. It's a T-I-P.

I am offered and accept tips for my services. Usually a small thank you, sometimes a bit more if the job is difficult or dangerous. A tough job at three in the morning would be an example. It is funny but I have noticed hesitation on the part of the patron. Don't worry! You will never offend someone by offering a tip.

So remember the kids at the gas dock have ten weeks to make their college spending money. If they can make enough then maybe you won't see a sheet hanging from the bleachers at the B.C. game that says...

"Hi Mom, Hi Dad...Send money!

Misty Blue.

Newbiesaukee · 08-18-2007, 08:02 PM

I usually tip $5 and it is always appreciated. The price of gas has not changed this. There was one place on the lake where the attendant refused the tip.

jrc · 08-18-2007, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newbiesaukee

I usually tip $5 and it is always appreciated. The price of gas has not changed this. There was one place on the lake where the attendant refused the tip.

I used to tip $3, now with a bigger boat, it's usually $5. These kids are either sitting around board to death or scrambling with three boats waiting. I spent my teen years in the service industry, every little bit helps.

Once someone hinted very loudly and clearly for a tip, a grown man, he didn't get one from me! Luckily it wasn't my regular marina, so I haven't been back.

MeEscape · 08-18-2007, 08:33 PM

As one who actually pumped gas for a number of years, a HUGE number of years ago, helped dock, helped launch, changed oil, cleaned up after the “Barbershoppers”, OK we did pump a bilge full of gas ( hey, we were young and the customer was great looking). I don’t ever remember getting a tip. We did pump some good sized tanks and without automatic nozzles.

I have my own 200 gallon boat and I don’t tip. I just never think of it, isn’t it part of the job? I don't do it to be mean or cheap, it has just never occurred to me. I hope my kids don't read this, I can guess what they'll say.

Newbiesaukee · 08-19-2007, 10:12 AM

To be honest, I did not think of it until it was discussed on this forum a while back. I did not tip before then. Of the kinds of tips that I do give, this is the one that is usually not expected by the recipient who does appreciate it. At this point IMO it really is a matter of choice and not really "necessary."

Kamper · 08-19-2007, 10:44 AM

I usualy tip a dollar or two. I can afford it and it's worth it to see their eyes light up.

masssteve · 08-19-2007, 03:59 PM

Like Cap. Zip, I tip depending on level of service,
helping with lines, fill up, pumpout, conversation = $10
no help with lines, fill up, no pumpout, no conversation = $0
They are mostly college kids paying for school, at least there working and not taking the summers off to party!
Its also amazing to me the quailty and level of service that differs from marina to marina. Lakeport is not only the least expensive but by far the nicest. Channel, Anchor, Meredith, personal are also very helpful. Thurstons is at the bottom of my list along with Trexlers, and the station in Wolfeboro, they seem to never help, and are aggravated that I'm even there. I manage a business and am very attentive on the customer service that my employees provide.

08-18-2007, 09:28 AM	#1
Paugus Bay Resident Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Gilmanton, NH Posts: 754 Thanks: 136 Thanked 93 Times in 51 Posts	I usually go $7 - 10 if a pump-out is involved. 2 110 gal tanks, so gas and the pump out usually take some time Last edited by Paugus Bay Resident; 08-29-2007 at 03:26 PM.

08-18-2007, 11:01 AM	#3
Misty Blue Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 658 Thanks: 121 Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts	T.I.P. is an acronym! I learned this during my bus boy days at the Harvard Club in Boston. A place where the patrons can get a great meal and the help can eat their pride! The acronym T-I-P stands for "To Insure Promptness". It is a method for those requiring service to insure that they are treated in a special manner. Every patron expects and deserves courtious, professional service as a standard. This is for the extras. ie. Welcome to the Harvard Club Mrs. Archabault. My, your hair is a lovely shade of blue today. And isn't that a new diamond collar on your pricious poodle Mr. Tips? Very becoming. Yada, Yada, Yada. In the industry this is known as "smooch hiending". Demeaning but effective both for Mrs. Archabault and the server! Of corurse, servers depend on tips for a major part of their income but the T-I-P concept is real for evryone in the service industry. When I hit the gas dock with my work boat the kids there know that I am not there to pussyfoot around. They land me professionally, top me off fast and get me underway. Good deck seamanship and refueling procedures. At the end of the weekend I drop them a $20 for a pizza. Always good service. It's a T-I-P. I am offered and accept tips for my services. Usually a small thank you, sometimes a bit more if the job is difficult or dangerous. A tough job at three in the morning would be an example. It is funny but I have noticed hesitation on the part of the patron. Don't worry! You will never offend someone by offering a tip. So remember the kids at the gas dock have ten weeks to make their college spending money. If they can make enough then maybe you won't see a sheet hanging from the bleachers at the B.C. game that says... "Hi Mom, Hi Dad...Send money! Misty Blue.

08-18-2007, 08:33 PM	#6
MeEscape Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Da' Bay Posts: 39 Thanks: 6 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Non tipper As one who actually pumped gas for a number of years, a HUGE number of years ago, helped dock, helped launch, changed oil, cleaned up after the “Barbershoppers”, OK we did pump a bilge full of gas ( hey, we were young and the customer was great looking). I don’t ever remember getting a tip. We did pump some good sized tanks and without automatic nozzles. I have my own 200 gallon boat and I don’t tip. I just never think of it, isn’t it part of the job? I don't do it to be mean or cheap, it has just never occurred to me. I hope my kids don't read this, I can guess what they'll say.

08-18-2007, 10:35 AM	#2
Captain Zipper Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Granby, Ct. Posts: 138 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	24 foot boat 70 gallon tank I'll give $2 to $5 depending on service; or I'll give zip if I'm doing it all. If the attendant tells me how beautiful my wife is than she usually makes me tip him more.

08-18-2007, 08:02 PM	#4
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,359 Thanks: 955 Thanked 573 Times in 298 Posts	I usually tip $5 and it is always appreciated. The price of gas has not changed this. There was one place on the lake where the attendant refused the tip.

08-19-2007, 10:12 AM	#7
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,359 Thanks: 955 Thanked 573 Times in 298 Posts	To be honest, I did not think of it until it was discussed on this forum a while back. I did not tip before then. Of the kinds of tips that I do give, this is the one that is usually not expected by the recipient who does appreciate it. At this point IMO it really is a matter of choice and not really "necessary."

08-19-2007, 10:44 AM	#8
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,309 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	I usualy tip a dollar or two. I can afford it and it's worth it to see their eyes light up.

08-19-2007, 03:59 PM	#9
masssteve Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: North Reading, MA & Laconia, NH Posts: 67 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Like Cap. Zip, I tip depending on level of service, helping with lines, fill up, pumpout, conversation = $10 no help with lines, fill up, no pumpout, no conversation = $0 They are mostly college kids paying for school, at least there working and not taking the summers off to party! Its also amazing to me the quailty and level of service that differs from marina to marina. Lakeport is not only the least expensive but by far the nicest. Channel, Anchor, Meredith, personal are also very helpful. Thurstons is at the bottom of my list along with Trexlers, and the station in Wolfeboro, they seem to never help, and are aggravated that I'm even there. I manage a business and am very attentive on the customer service that my employees provide.