Etiquette question - Tipping the Vape "Baristas"

[BLUwazoo]

The vape store that I like best has a separate "vapor bar" where you can try the various flavors. There is a tip jar for the people that help you pick out your flavors. They then give you a ticket to take to the counter with the name of the flavors you've picked out. They were having a sale that day - 3 10 ml bottles for $15, which I took advantage of. I also bought some hardward, so I spent over $60 total. I threw them $2 tip. They were knowledgeable and helpful. Is this a reasonable amount? I didn't spend more than 10 minutes picking out the three tobacco flavors that I purchased.

 

[Burn_notice_fan_NY]

I would think more than enough. Our society has been too focused on tipping that I think that it's absurd where people think you should tip. In a dining establishment, fine. Concierge ok too. In a place where you taste flavors prior to purchase... I would never tip. If I didn't purchase, then I might. If they dedicate their time, more than giving me a plastic cover and saying here's the list, I might as well. This is of course depending on the information and helpfulness I get from them. I liken a tip jar at a vape tasting bar akin to a tip jar at a self serve fountain machine/slushie machine that I saw at the state fair. Simply ridiculous.

 

[Dom NY]

I look at it this way... Treat the person you're dealing with the way you'd wanna be treated. I tend to tip people way more than most folks do. I don't do it as a matter of etiquette, or because its the thing to do. I do it because I want to, and enjoy acknowledging people's efforts. I won't tip at all if I receive poor service!

I think its a personal decision for people, and recommend you do what you feel is right.

 

[BLUwazoo]

Thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated! I'm happy with the decision to tip them. As far as I know, they may get all of their pay, or a substantial part of it from the tips, and they've justified a tip by being helpful to me. I'm just trying to get a sense of what is reasonable. $2 is less than 20%, but more than 10% of my juice purchase. But I'm not sure that the same kind of calculations would apply as in a restaurant. Like I said, I didn't spend more than maybe 10 minutes there. It's not like a restaurant where the server might take care of me for an hour or so. By that calculation, I'm paying them at the rate of $12/hour, which seems plenty generous. I'm thinking one or two bucks per visit, whether I'm there for 10 minutes or work my way through 10 different flavors would be reasonable. Does that reasoning make sense?

 

[Miata GT]

Interesting. I have never seen a tip jar for anything outside coil builders at a vape shop, and even then I think it is tacky. Unless that is a standard in your area I wouldn't give anything.

 

[Mrs C]

I'm in the Indy area and if it's the store I think it is, the 'tenders there are very attentive. The entire staff is for that matter. If trying 1 or 2 specific flavors I don't tip, but if I plop down on a stool and flavor shop then I will toss in a buck or 2.

 

[Goodyaz]

It is their job to sell to you and they make well over minimum. Do you tip a person trying to sell you clothes, or any other merchandise? I am a hefty tipper at restaurants but, that's how they live. Not the same with a vape store. Waiters make 2-3-4 a hour without tips maybe more or less. The workers at your vape store make more a hour I bet... No need to tip.
Unless they have commission than tipping is even more pointless

 

[Mrs C]

I don't know about FL but vape shop jobs around here are generally part time and minimum wage.

 

[BLUwazoo]

OK. The general consensus is that tipping is non-standard and not required in these situations. I respect that, and appreciate the information. But still, if I like this store (and I do) then I'm probably still going to treat the people at the "Vape Bar" well, since I'm likely to go there often.

Mrs. C, the store I'm talking about is Pure Vape Indy in Plainfield. They also have an Indy location. They have prices that are only slightly above online stores and seem to all be knowledgeable people. Is this the place that you're talking about? Or is there another good store that I need to check out in the Indy area? Anyway, your advice seems sound to me.

Brad

 

[sithbob]

If they provided you with superior service, why not?

 

[j0sh]

That's not my regular vapor shop but I'll tip on the basis of them keeping everything sanitary (hopefully.) It's a luxury to go in and taste before you buy anyway. Think of them like restroom attendants. . . And I don't think they're probably getting paid enough to field all the stupid questions they get all day. . .

 

[BLUwazoo]

Josh, thanks for the feedback. That makes sense to me. And I agree that they probably get paid poorly for the work they do. What would you think would be a reasonable tip for the service that they provide?

 

[FallenRawToast]

If you picked their brain for knowledge and recommendations, then yeah I would give a little somethign to the tip jar. If they just handed you some stuff and rang you up, then no.

IMO, in these situations, if they go beyond my expecations, i show my appreciate in some tipping. That said, of the 20 or so vape bars I have been to, I have only felt the urge to tip at 2.

 

[j0sh]

I'd tip based on the amount of time you spend there. I'm sure if you ask them there's no connection to how long someone hangs around and whether or not they tip. Some people seem to stand around all day. I always try to tip more than the next guy. I'd say $2 is appreciated. I'd also stay away from dropping change in as that might be insulting. I get tipped all the time at my non-tip paying job. Sometimes I find a big bill in my guitar case and have no idea who dropped it in. So I'd go with what makes you feel alright and have faith that they probably won't know how much you dropped in anyway and apreciate the gesture.

 

[BLUwazoo]

Once again, let me say thank you to Josh and FallenRawToast and to everybody else who has given their feedback here about my question. You guys ROCK!!! I agree with J0sh that the time spent there should probably determine the amount of tip. I'll probably follow those guidelines in the future, although I realize now (from consulting with all of you) that this is not the normal situation in Vape stores. Once again, thank you very much to all of you!!!

Brad

 

[bigbuddy]

Hi,

I am not sure about States but here in Aus we are lucky in that sense that we don't have to worry about tip which makes it much more easier to deal with.

 

[j0sh]

Yeah, I've offended people by trying to leave a tip before. If you make it over here, though, you can totally ruin someone's day by leaving the wrong tip.

 

[Mrs C]

Woo Hoo give the lady a umm drip tip

I really like PVI especially the way they treat new vapors. They walk them through step by step what they need to know for the gear they get, and they try to steer them to good basic starter gear so they don't get in over their head at first. Danny, Randy, Josh and the rest of the crew are good people

 

[AshMPWrites]

Most of the people I've worked with in vape stores are managers or owners -- most of the stores have been open maybe a year, but in most cases, that estimate is pushing it.

Honestly, I don't tip. Maybe that makes me tacky, but in all honesty, I'm constantly bringing in friends -- and that's my tip to them. Every person I bring in drops a minimum of $50 getting set up, they continue to come back and buy more. I continue to buy more. Now, with that said, I've been in one store (Downtown Chicago) that had a tip jar and a dedicated mixologist working it. I didn't sample juice, but if I had and had I found something I liked, I probably would have a thrown a couple of bucks in. Maybe that makes me a cheapskate, but being new to vaping it all adds up so quickly.

 

[Baditude]

I've yet to see a tip jar at any vaping establishment. However, I don't think its a bad idea.

If the "baristas" (new term to me) have been prompt and attentive with their service, have been helpful and educational, have been friendly, and have kept the bar area clean and tidy, then a small tip to show one's appreciation seems appropriate to me. Most vape shop employees are making minimum wage, much like waiters and waitresses at restuarants.