Forum post of the day: A monetary slap in the face
by Amanda Dean 
Aug 1st 2008 at 2:30AM
Every once in a while we do nice things for other players out of the goodness of our hearts. More often we do things in game in exchange for gold or other necessary services. Feevah of Shattered Hand is unhappy that he was given a two silver tip for a portal. He feels that the acronym "WTB" implies that the tip for the service will be at least enough to cover the cost of materials. Thus defining the distinction between a purchase and a gratuity, which is usually given to members of the service sector above the advertised price.
Some suggested that the tip was mistyped in either the wrong coin slot or missing a digit. Others suggested that Feevah should have immediately disbanded his group so that the penny pincher could simply stare at the portal without being able to use it. Perhaps the poster was unaware of the material cost of the spell, or maybe he was just a jerk.
The subject of tipping comes up fairly often in WoW. I may well be the nicest person you'll ever meet. I'm hoping to have positive interactions in the future. Like many other posters in the thread, I try to tip fairly for service and tend more toward the over-generous end of the scale. I tip when I feel it's warranted. The neighbor kid helps me with the groceries, I give him a buck; a couple of guys juggling torches in Orgrimar during the Fire Festivall- a gold a piece. In this case I would be a little irate in the OPs position as there was the implied assumption of proper payment.
Was the OP at fault for not clearly stating the price of the service outright? Or was the purchaser to blameFiled under: Mage, Analysis / Opinion, Making money, Forums, Forum Post of the Day
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Cheese Aug 1st 2008 2:39AM
I am a JC and I cut all gems in the game that I can (except faction-specifics).
This has happened a few times but if I cut a metagem or an epic gem I expect at least 10g for the cut in tips. I tell the person this and they agree, so we do it. If they all of a sudden fail to produce the tip I put the cut gem on the AH for 10g. You will be surprised how fast that person will buy it.
I've been reported for this a few times but it goes no where because of the trade rules.
Point is, tip people what they ask or arrange or what's just the simple un-said rules. It just makes people mad in the long run and could end up costing you more than you think.
Gordon W Aug 1st 2008 2:58AM
If it's your mats then more power to you, if it's their mats that they are supplying then that's incredibly dishonest and you should be banned for essentially mat stealing. On potions and elixirs I do the same thing if it's my mats on the line and it's always funny watching someone who tries to screw me on a tip or even pay for for the mats (which they normally want me to find for them for a recipe they specify with no talk of extra money) on an end game elixir or the rare flask and next thing they see they can only find it on the ah for a ridiculous price. You better believe that 9/10 times they buy it.
Andy Aug 1st 2008 3:07AM
@ Gordon W.
If the 10 gold tip is disclosed before the gem is cut and the other player agrees to it, I see no issue dropping that puppy in the AH. As the other player broke the agreement.
Not disclosing the cost/tip and expecting something is another story entirely.
Though I should think that proper etiquette is to tip a person for their time.
Heilig Aug 1st 2008 3:13AM
I simply COD it to them at the agreed upon price. I have a macro that includes my prices, and half the time people say '"You didn't say that!" so I re-pop the macro and COD them the gem.
Haven't had one returned yet.
THE AH, now that's another story. That was that person's gem that he paid for one way or another. It's not yours to sell to the high bidder, even if it is him that gets it. COD it. You'll get your money.
Jordrah Aug 1st 2008 3:28AM
... and i thought i was a bitch...
mora Aug 1st 2008 9:45AM
i don't think so. He told the guy that you will have to tip ten gold. the guy agreed to these terms. since he backed out of the terms he lose his mats.
Ktok Aug 1st 2008 10:47AM
That... is awesome.
But I am a complete bastard when someone tries to cheat me, so of course I'd think that throwing the gem on the AH is golden if they failed to pay the agreed upon tip. :)
Well done. Continue beating down the deadbeat non-tippers.
Sothe Aug 1st 2008 8:43PM
Imo you are a jerk.
See I never charge for anything. If you come to me and bring me matts. Heck I'll do it for free its fun for me. And I hate people who charge for pressing a button, so I would never be one of them.
But then again I'm a good person.
As for ports (I have me a mage) I love porting I use about 15-20 runes a day porting people (haha used 12 on one person porting them here and there but they were a good friend.) And I don't charge a copper.
Same with guildies. If they try to pay me they wont get what I'm trying to give them.
Bloodelfer Aug 1st 2008 2:40AM
time is money, but since most of the players haven't work so they dont know this. Need to have time to buy mats, need to have to invite person to grp, need to have time to make portal, although it doesnt take time i still have to stop doing what i was doing so i can make portal to somewhere :s
LttS Aug 1st 2008 2:44AM
This works both ways, I've been tipped 30g for a Shattrath port before :P.
That said, you should at least cover the cost of the mats.
Savant Aug 1st 2008 9:50AM
The way I see it a portal is an investment of time. If I am in the old world and want to get to outland, how much would it cost me in terms of TIME? Seeing as you're looking at at least 15 minutes from a city that is close to the Dark Portal (like Stormwind) then you need to ask yourself what is your TIME worth.
For me, I announce a tip of 10g, and there is never a shortage of anyone who is willing to come get me and drop a portal on the spot. In the 20 minutes or so of time I save flying, riding etc, I can make back that cash in a flash in Outland farming or doing dailies.
Bunkai Aug 1st 2008 11:16AM
Except, you don't have to run from Stormwind to the Dark Portal... Alliance has an FP in Blasted Lands... then it's like a 2 min run from there.
Anyway... I'm a lazy tipper... I don't take the time to figure out what the service that I'm asking for costs. I tip 1g to open a lockbox, no matter what kind it is... just because it's easy for me to type a "1" into the gold slot. I typically do the same thing for every service. Make me a blue-quality gem, you're probably gonna get 50g in return (since I only ask if I can't buy it on the AH anyway). I have plenty of hearth and patience, so I rarely, if ever, ask for a port, but if I ask you to port me, or help summon a party member, or group with me so I can ghetto hearth... you'll get 5g.... just for your troubles. After all, it's not like it takes long to get that money back. Run a handful of daily quests and rip through Scholomance or LBRS and sell the greens and blues on AH (or DE them)... hell dumping the grays at the vendor is usually 5 to 7 gold by itself.
So, I tip the way I do partly because it's the right thing to do, but mostly just because I'm lazy, and "1", "5", "50" is quick and easy to put in to the gold slot without having to give it much thought.
Bunkai Aug 1st 2008 11:17AM
Except, you don't have to run from Stormwind to the Dark Portal... Alliance has an FP in Blasted Lands... then it's like a 2 min run from there.
Anyway... I'm a lazy tipper... I don't take the time to figure out what the service that I'm asking for costs. I tip 1g to open a lockbox, no matter what kind it is... just because it's easy for me to type a "1" into the gold slot. I typically do the same thing for every service. Make me a blue-quality gem, you're probably gonna get 50g in return (since I only ask if I can't buy it on the AH anyway). I have plenty of hearth and patience, so I rarely, if ever, ask for a port, but if I ask you to port me, or help summon a party member, or group with me so I can ghetto hearth... you'll get 5g.... just for your troubles. After all, it's not like it takes long to get that money back. Run a handful of daily quests and rip through Scholomance or LBRS and sell the greens and blues on AH (or DE them)... hell dumping the grays at the vendor is usually 5 to 7 gold by itself.
So, I tip the way I do partly because it's the right thing to do, but mostly just because I'm lazy, and "1", "5", "50" is quick and easy to put in to the gold slot without having to give it much thought.
Andy Aug 1st 2008 3:01AM
If they come to you and want a portal, I tell them that I at least need the cost of the rune. Most of the time the player will give you a gold or two.
If I have to go to them, the cost depends on their location.
Dunelawler Aug 1st 2008 3:14AM
In some countries, Tipping is not customary...
Raynier Aug 1st 2008 1:41PM
Oh, he's totally right! Last time I was in Bangkok and asked for a port to Shattrath, the cabbie refused my tip.
Irshalthra Aug 1st 2008 9:41AM
I agree, that is why I do not follow a "tipping" process as such. I am a gatherer with no high level crafting experience. I will gather the mats and WTB in trade to locate a crafter - then prior to meeting we will agree upon a sell price. Very simple - no one gets hurt or anxious.
There are times when they state - "whatever you feel is right". I will state - "I will pay 20G" or something similiar. They are happy and know what to expect.
Zegim Aug 2nd 2008 4:57PM
But try saying "Hola" in Trade and you'll get a:
"This is America! Speak English!"
The only costumes that matter in regards of tips, are those set by the population of the server.
Dranaerys Aug 1st 2008 3:14AM
This is why you get paid before opening the portal. :p 2 silver is ridiculous, I mean seriously, thats an insult, its like tossing a beggar a copper.
Adorenko Aug 1st 2008 4:50AM
You should toss a begger a copper, as an insult. I hate those a$*holes.