Tips

[Nettie Belle]

Is it an ok thing to accept tips at a paid thing or is that tacky?

Yesterday, I was doing face painting at a grocery store ... and they had already paid me, but some of the people whose children I had face painted insisted on tipping me and one lady was looking for my "tip jar"? Do you put a tip jar out for something like that, or is that tacky since the place had already paid me?????

[pixcoco]

If I am being paid my full rate already I will tell the person I was provided to them by "-------". If they still want to tip me I accept it. I put it away and do not encourage it. But sometimes they really want to give you the tip because they feel you went above and beyond.

If I have reduced the rate as part of the negotiation to be there, I may have secured permission to put out a tip jar.

[Jolly Well]

I do the same as Coco..

Full rate - I tell them that the balloons/magic/whatever are courtesy of <establishment>, and will only take tips if they insist.

Reduced rate - I not only take, but encourage tips! If Im working for a reduced rate, I always include tip rights in the negotiations.

[Scruffy]

I do the same thing. I only put out a jar and wear a badge when It's O-tay with the people hiring me.

[in Harmony with Jesus]

OK - out of curiosity (I hope it's ok to discuss this here) what kind of rate should you charge an establishment to twist?? I'd like to get into doing sompublic twisting but don't have a clue where to begin when it comes to the financial stuff. I've never twisted to get paid. I've twisted just for fun at church functions & for tips at a local school thing. So what kind of rates should I give a business??

[stitches]

It depends on your area too. Some in my area charge as much as $150/hour but I think most average around $95. Plus it doesn't hurt to offer a discount for 4 or more hours.

[in Harmony with Jesus]

Originally Posted by Luki Loki

This can be a tricky subject since some claim it is an attempt to price set.

Thank you Luki for sharing with me. I knew this could be tricky to approach & if anyone else would like to share what they do as far as quoting to an eating establishment or any other kind, all help is appreciated. And if you'd like to share how you quote & NOT amounts, that is fine too.

ex:
~ a flat rate / hour
~ a flat rate / night
~ $x + tips

I'd really like to get out there but don't have any idea where to begin on the rate quotes! I don't know what's reasonable to ask & what's not. So ANY help or direction at all in this area would be greatly appreciated!

[Finito]

I'm also from Massachusetts - Stitches hit the nail on the head, atleast for out market anyway. It varies depending on the local economy, from what I understand.

Price fixers unite! Hahahahaha!

Distance is a factor, too. I guess it all comes down to what you want to make and what the market will bear. Unless I'm doing a Birthday party, if I can cover the cost of the balloons and gas and still take home $100 an hour, I'm pretty happy.

[TheSillyMan]

Ya know, old Rabbi Klears taught me a lot about humor and other things. This thread reminds me of something he once said.

"For weddings, I get paid. For Bar Mitzvahs, I get paid. For funerals, I get paid. But for circumcisions, I only take tips!"

Sorry for that, but it's the obvious response to the title and I'm surprised I got there first.

[Lolly Plop]

Harmony, call various clowns, balloon twisters in your area to see what their prices are. You'll probabley get more info if you pose as a customer calling around for prices. I charge $100 an hour but I'm in the northeast outside a major city. I don't work for tips. You are a really good twister and I wish you luck with going pro.