quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
When a hunt I am doing is over and the client is getting ready to depart, they hand me whatever tip they feel like giving, I do not even look at it.

I put in my pocket, shake hands with them and Thank them for choosing to hunt with me.

I never know how much they have given me until after they have left camp.

I do the exact same level of work for every client and do not think about whether or not there will be a tip at the end of the hunt.

I guide because I love to hunt, but no longer get a rush out of killing game myself, with the exception of ducks.

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
When a hunt I am doing is over and the client is getting ready to depart, they hand me whatever tip they feel like giving, I do not even look at it.

I put in my pocket, shake hands with them and Thank them for choosing to hunt with me.

I never know how much they have given me until after they have left camp.

I do the exact same level of work for every client and do not think about whether or not there will be a tip at the end of the hunt.

I guide because I love to hunt, but no longer get a rush out of killing game myself, with the exception of ducks.

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
When a hunt I am doing is over and the client is getting ready to depart, they hand me whatever tip they feel like giving, I do not even look at it.

I put in my pocket, shake hands with them and Thank them for choosing to hunt with me.

I never know how much they have given me until after they have left camp.

I do the exact same level of work for every client and do not think about whether or not there will be a tip at the end of the hunt.

I guide because I love to hunt, but no longer get a rush out of killing game myself, with the exception of ducks.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
A tip IS a gift, its not required, whats your problem, don't you know you paid for the hunt and that's all that is required, the option of a tip is your call nobodys elses and its not required where I work.

We feel that folks are not all heeled the same financially, A $25.00 tip is a lot to some, A $1000 is a token to some, go figure..Ive been in the hunting business way to long to set down a set of rules on tipping..Tip what you can afford and if your strapped make no apology just don't tip and offer your thinks.A tip is a gift. end of story...An outfitter that gets out of sorts over a tip one way or the other, just ain't worth his salt, if he feels such then he should charge more for his hunt as that might be a better solution than whineing like a school girl. Ive told a few just that before I dropped them. Ive also seen some working guides dismissed for making a big to do over how much they were tipped..I think most outfit owners feel the same..

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Originally posted by RAR60:
Breaking out and saying that 10-15% is part of contract is BS. Personally, I would never hunt with someone like that. He is just cost shifting more to the hunter to pay for the guide. If you were so inclined to try and operate that way why wouldn't you bury in price or say "tip included". Again, when you book the hunt you are paying for a guide and whatever else is spelled out! A tip, if you even give one is 100% discretionary! I put a lot of these expectations on the hunter as well as the outfitter!

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Originally posted by rodell:
My experience is the guides are making their living in tips. Not my problem, of course, but the observation reflects the outfitters I've used.

It is absolutely cost shifting - off the books.

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My experience is the guides are making their living in tips. Not my problem, of course, but the observation reflects the outfitters I've used.

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Names or shut your trap

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Names or shut your trap

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Originally posted by Haverluk:
Having been an expat for a while now and having the privilege to hunt with guides in the US and abroad. I have some different views and experiences.

First, I think that if an outfit expects more compensation in the form of a tip then they should just increase the price of the hunt and provide better payment to the guide and staff. This especially holds true for owner/operators. If you are an O/O and take 5k for a hunt and then want another $500++ in a tip. Not for me. Save us both the hassle and just raise the price to $5500 and decline my tip if I offer one. You can bet that I will be back to hunt with you and refer all my contacts. Maybe that is just me...?

This is similar to the way things are purchased abroad. You pay the price on the item and that is it. The VAT or commission or whatever is built in and not of your concern. You do not tip for services in most areas of the world.

Being a great client is often refreshing to the guide or outfitter and multiple times I have had a guide hand me my money back and tell me that "my money was no good here" or "they had too much fun to take my money"... These guys have become friends and have had my repeated business. I am always available as a reference for them as well.

I went on a charter fishing trip in Florida a few years back. The crew was late to launch, drank heavily and we caught zero fish... Then the first mate gave me grief as we disembarked because I only gave them a $100 to split between the three of them. That was 20% and they did not deserve it IMO but then to give me grief about it... never again!

We need to get away from the tipping culture. Service provided and payment rendered. Tell me the last time that any of you tipped a car salesman for doing his job and getting you in a car?

quote:

Originally posted by Jason P:

quote:

Originally posted by Haverluk:
Having been an expat for a while now and having the privilege to hunt with guides in the US and abroad. I have some different views and experiences.

First, I think that if an outfit expects more compensation in the form of a tip then they should just increase the price of the hunt and provide better payment to the guide and staff. This especially holds true for owner/operators. If you are an O/O and take 5k for a hunt and then want another $500++ in a tip. Not for me. Save us both the hassle and just raise the price to $5500 and decline my tip if I offer one. You can bet that I will be back to hunt with you and refer all my contacts. Maybe that is just me...?

This is similar to the way things are purchased abroad. You pay the price on the item and that is it. The VAT or commission or whatever is built in and not of your concern. You do not tip for services in most areas of the world.

Being a great client is often refreshing to the guide or outfitter and multiple times I have had a guide hand me my money back and tell me that "my money was no good here" or "they had too much fun to take my money"... These guys have become friends and have had my repeated business. I am always available as a reference for them as well.

I went on a charter fishing trip in Florida a few years back. The crew was late to launch, drank heavily and we caught zero fish... Then the first mate gave me grief as we disembarked because I only gave them a $100 to split between the three of them. That was 20% and they did not deserve it IMO but then to give me grief about it... never again!

We need to get away from the tipping culture. Service provided and payment rendered. Tell me the last time that any of you tipped a car salesman for doing his job and getting you in a car?

Gentlemen, we have a winner!

quote:

Originally posted by Haverluk:
Having been an expat for a while now and having the privilege to hunt with guides in the US and abroad. I have some different views and experiences.

First, I think that if an outfit expects more compensation in the form of a tip then they should just increase the price of the hunt and provide better payment to the guide and staff. This especially holds true for owner/operators. If you are an O/O and take 5k for a hunt and then want another $500++ in a tip. Not for me. Save us both the hassle and just raise the price to $5500 and decline my tip if I offer one. You can bet that I will be back to hunt with you and refer all my contacts. Maybe that is just me...?

This is similar to the way things are purchased abroad. You pay the price on the item and that is it. The VAT or commission or whatever is built in and not of your concern. You do not tip for services in most areas of the world.

Being a great client is often refreshing to the guide or outfitter and multiple times I have had a guide hand me my money back and tell me that "my money was no good here" or "they had too much fun to take my money"... These guys have become friends and have had my repeated business. I am always available as a reference for them as well.

I went on a charter fishing trip in Florida a few years back. The crew was late to launch, drank heavily and we caught zero fish... Then the first mate gave me grief as we disembarked because I only gave them a $100 to split between the three of them. That was 20% and they did not deserve it IMO but then to give me grief about it... never again!

We need to get away from the tipping culture. Service provided and payment rendered. Tell me the last time that any of you tipped a car salesman for doing his job and getting you in a car?

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Novel idea. If you want your car worked on, you pay when the job is completed. You pay after a doctor visit. Eat a meal in a resturant and you pay as you leave. but on a guided hunt, you pay everything up front. Why? Having your money in his pocket, regardless of the outcome, just might not be conducive to best efforts.

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Originally posted by wasbeeman:
Novel idea. If you want your car worked on, you pay when the job is completed. You pay after a doctor visit. Eat a meal in a resturant and you pay as you leave. but on a guided hunt, you pay everything up front. Why? Having your money in his pocket, regardless of the outcome, just might not be conducive to best efforts.

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Tips do give you a little leverage but I think that it can taint the entertainment on occasion.

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Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:

quote:

Tips do give you a little leverage but I think that it can taint the entertainment on occasion.

And that is exactly the attitude that caused the whole "Tipping" concept to get out of hand and Americans are the most guilty of the situation.

Americans, especially in the larger Metropolitan areas found that if they greased a palm or two, they would get better seats and service at eating establishments/night clubs.

It carried over to other aspects of life/business, because most folks when faced with getting extra $$$ have no problem showing preferential treatment.

It is the concept that a tip/gratuity is Mandatory that has caused the problem.

quote:

Originally posted by wasbeeman:
Novel idea. If you want your car worked on, you pay when the job is completed. You pay after a doctor visit. Eat a meal in a resturant and you pay as you leave. but on a guided hunt, you pay everything up front. Why? Having your money in his pocket, regardless of the outcome, just might not be conducive to best efforts.