Breakfast Topic: How Much Do You Tip?
by David Nelson 
Nov 14th 2006 at 8:00AM
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If someone helps me out, via opening a lockbox or crafting something, I usually like to throw a little coin their way. Now in some cases, such as the crafting of high end armor and weapons, or expensive enchants, I am usually paying extra beyond just the materials, and that extra is good enough in my opinion. If I pay 15 gold plus mats for a crafted item, I would expect that 15 gold is the tip. And now that I think about it, tipping the rogue who is leveling up his lockpicking, or a low level enchanter looking to skill up on an enchant that you provide the materials for...that is kind of silly. I mean, by providing the mats, and having them make it, you are in a sense helping them out. So should you also be on the hook for a little extra? I usually do pay a little, but I have no idea if everyone else does or not.
So, my question for you guys...do you tip? If so, how much and when?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Argent Nov 14th 2006 8:05AM
i took up asking for a tip for combines simply because i got sick and tired of having to haggle with people over what i considered fair value.
unfortunately for me, most of my combines seem to revolve aroun going to BRD, solo'ing incendius and crafting stuff at the black forge. and for the record: anything less than 50g for that sort of stuff is a lousy tip, imo.
Unkle Nov 14th 2006 8:14AM
I'll usually drop a tip to the rogue who is offering to pick boxes for free. I figure that I get a little something, he gets a little something, and its all good.
Jason Nov 14th 2006 8:22AM
Depending on what it is, I've tipped anywhere from 50s up to 5-10g. However, of late, I find that all I'm really getting done are higher level craft combines, and in those cases, I'll let the crafter keep the extra mats. The exception to that being enchanting, since I have a hard enough time coming by mats to get that type of stuff done as it is.
cancerox Nov 14th 2006 8:37AM
I usually tip a pot or two. Or something like a couple of armor kits. They can either use or sell in AH or to vendor.
Trout Nov 14th 2006 8:38AM
I almost never give gold as a tip. I am an Alchemist, so depending on thier class and level I will make them a couple potions. I have never had anyone complain, so it seems to work for me.
Trout
Feathermoon Server
Order of the White Tower
cappyoak Nov 14th 2006 9:18AM
Trout
thats a great idea
Anon Nov 14th 2006 9:02AM
In general, I never tip. If it's something requiring reputation to make, I'll throw in a few extra pieces of the material, or a few extra dusts/shards for enchanters. But as a rule, I never accept tips on my crafting either. I flat out refuse to accept tips. (I'm an Elemental LW/Gnomish Engineer, and get a fair bit of work.)
The way I look at it, you don't deserve to make money for pressing a button. Things requiring the black forge, though, should give both a tip and a clear to the forge. You're taking more than just a minute or so from the person's time.
Deam Nov 14th 2006 9:09AM
Rogues you should tip, or you could buy keys, or level up smithing and make them yourselves.. but they don't always work for the level of box you are trying to open.
Flit Nov 14th 2006 10:59AM
How about someone makes a "Tipster" addon for wow. (bit overboard i know) but seriously, give a little "if crafted for you, expected tip should be..." to set fair amounts for crafted items. Someone get on this
Thomas Nov 14th 2006 6:38PM
When I had Blackguard made the paladin that created it made it known that he would be expecting a 50 gold tip and only one other person could come along (not sure why on that...like he's going to mug me or something?). I felt it was fair at that time (about 5 months ago) since there were not many people who could make the sword. Now...a majority of the people who could craft the weapon left Silver Hand for other servers and I have no idea what the going rate could be for it. 100? 200? I think the rarer the item/enchant the higher the tip should be plus cost. After all, this is a service they're doing for you and they either were lucky in the recipe drop or just grinded away to gain the vendor pattern to make that item for you.
Now as an alchemist I tend to shoo away tips if you provide materials, with the only exception being if you want me to make you a flask. The time and effort required to make them in one of two instances is a bit great.
freehugz Nov 14th 2006 9:43AM
I did a fiery enchant last not and got 20s for it. I must say, I felt a little heartbroken
Xorr Nov 14th 2006 9:51AM
As a 60 rogue, it's nice to get a tip for opening a lockbox, but not necessary. If the person is from my guild, I never accept tips, even if they try. But if someone tosses in some silver for opening a difficult lockbox, then great! It was a PITA to skill up lockpicking to 300, so I appreciate it.
The biggest annoyance is when somebody asks you to open a lockbox and then they just keeping opening trades with you for more and more lockboxes. The other night somebody did about 10 in a row, tipping me 10s each lockpick. I don't care about the money, just tell me how many you have ahead of time, jeesh!
hiya Nov 14th 2006 10:20AM
since there are so many different ways people tip how would you ever know if youre tipping enough? its kinda hard to apply the 15% rule to all the different things you can tip for in wow.
Methusal Nov 14th 2006 10:30AM
I'm a lock so when I need help with a summon I always tip- even for just clickers. I usually try and find low levels and give them 50s or so. It is nice to be declined on a tip though- but as a rule I feel the offer must always be there. After all, when I'm asked to do a summon I like tips.
kel\\\'jaden Nov 14th 2006 10:24AM
as a rule i will not take mony for low level enchanting how aver once im doing enchant that are in the 200-300 a little some thing is always nice. no charge for my guild, a good leader knows to take care of his troops.
jpc Nov 14th 2006 10:26AM
I forgot to tip a guy for my +55healing to Benediction, and mailed him 15g afterwards. I always wonder if he was pleasantly surprised or smug when he got the tip. You know, was he like, "Oh sweet, he didn't have to do that." Or was he like, "FFS he better have tipped me GD it's about time!"
mk2tmr2 Nov 14th 2006 11:43AM
When I was leveling up my enchanting I handed out minor-level enchants for free. The only one I ever charged for was Beastslayer because it made weapons glow red and lower level players were willing to pay for it.
Since I've ditched enchanting and gone to leatherworking, I just make lots of stuff for guild members for free. I don't care to be tipped by guildies. I do, however, always offer to tip. I had some guildies who are alchemists make up some Elixir of Minor Defense for me so that I could make Toughened Leather Gloves. On my server that particular elixir sells for 1g each at the AH. They made me 14 of them so, naturally, I tried to tip. They were practically insulted!
Jason Satterfield Nov 14th 2006 11:13AM
I usually tip 1g for opening lock boxes and 1g for portals.
Beyond those I usually tip approximately 1% based on the value of the item, and not less than 1g.
That is, of course, unless someone is making me a linen bag ;)
Bunkai Nov 14th 2006 11:15AM
My personal opinion, having had a 300 Enchanter/300 Tailor on a PvE server, is that for any crafting/combining, there should not be a charge greater than that of the value of the mats. I feel this way simply because if the crafter has the mats in their possession already, then I've not caused them any work above and beyond what they have already done themselves, and IMO, paying any amount of gold above and beyond the cost of mats is ridiculous for someone to essentially just cast a spell on an item.
Now, if I'm asking for something that will cause the crafter to farm some mats (which is almost never, I either have them or they do), or travel to the opposite continent, then that would be a case where I would assist with getting the mats or pay fairly for their time, otherwise, asking for "mats +100g" for a crusader enchant or the likes, is just being greedy.
I've never crafted or enchanted an item that I charged more than the cost of mats, and generally, I charge less, even if I use my own mats. Say... 25g with my mats for a Fiery Enchant... 30g tops, or no charge with your mats.
warforge Nov 14th 2006 11:18AM
#1 and I are on the same page here.
My Lifestealing, Agil, Crusader enchants are a (serious pain in the rear to farm for mats) and I am not gona carry all the crap in my bank. No thanks.
Bad enough I carry loads of shards.
I always setup store with: xxx xxx enchants for Tips
I have rarely been tiped below 30 gold.
OP if you really want to complain I can get the mats and charge 150g to 200g depending on the enchant.
Or you can farm the Orbs and pay 80g since im using my own shards. This enchant does cost 200g.
Really consider what you posted with a lot more thought. You think its easy to come by all the matts and or even find these rare recipes?
There is no Set Fair price cause the market fluxes on all the matts often.
Hell currently its roughly 80g per pair of Righteous orbs alone...not counting the Large shards.
I prefer working on the Tip system ...matts alone would
fill my bank up for my rare enchants. No thanks. Yet alone farming for it all..
I dont wana see Stratholme EVER again...5000 times inside is enough in my career there.