"Proliferation of tip jars" Topic

Why does my local lumber supply yard have a tip jar at the register?

I am already 6 kinds of p.o.'d at the fact that the wood board I have to replace on my deck due to termite damage before I sell the place is not a 2x6, because why would ANYONE use a standard American sized piece of wood for that purpose in America? No, Contractors use foreign wood for decks that they buy in huge bulk sums that is not cut to the same measurements as American wood, so I have to get a 2x6 and pay extra to have it ripped as well as cut to match my deck wood that is NOT damaged.

So I go to support my local lumber yard, and YO! There is an additional reason to get me riled up…

A FREAKING TIP JAR. For the jackhole that pushes buttons on the register for lumber and lumber accessories? I DON'T THINK SO.

That's ridiculous. A tip jar?

Dan

Just a thought, but are you sure it wasn't a collection jar for some cause or other? I know there's usually a sign or something,but maybe everyone "knew".

I was wondering,because I don't recall ever seeing anything like that otherwise. Certainly not in retail.

Maybe it's a West Coast thing.

I too am tired of the tip jars. Even my trash and recycle bill comes in with a place to add a tip, and they have a line for every crew position!

And every jar I have seen is clearly labeled "tips"

Matthew

I've also seen more tip jars, labeled as such. I ignore them.

I also ignore tip jars. I only tip wait staff who actually wait on me, bell hops, taxi drivers, and other like service personnel.

Clearly labelled "TIP JAR."

Well the concept of tipping is pretty much an American thing although its roots are founded with European aristocracy. Tipping by one's master was seen as a way to reward a servant who went above and beyond in their duties. The concept in 19th century America was originally seen as distasteful and undemocratic. However, post Civil War America saw recently freed blacks entering the work force. Owners of restaurants and railways saw tipping as way to not have to pay equal wages to blacks. Guess what group won the argument in terms of labor law?

So that tip jar is really just a symbol of continued inequity in labor wages and inequality within our culture. Instead of your ire about the tip jar, perhaps seeking a more fair and just society that provides the opportunity for a person to make a living wage would be a more appropriate use of your energy. Attend your city and county council and board meetings to demand better working wages for municipal employees. Ask your local restaurant what they pay their staff? You might be appalled at what legally is allowed under loop holes in the minimum wage laws.

I can understand and participate in tipping those who are affected by lower pay scales due to the type of work they do. I cannot and do not participate in tipping those who are just panderers with their hand out trying to shame money out of the paying public.

kallman…

"That tip jar" ???

No, no, no… "THE" tip jar AS A CONCEPT, not THAT particular one.

THIS IS NOT A RESTAURANT.

Hence the example of a restaurant their pay scales and whether it is justified or who did whom wrong regarding pay scales DOES NOT APPLY.

This is a rant about the proliferation of job descriptions attempting to "tip-shame" that have no business (see what I did there?) doing it.

Well, around here restaurants hire at nearly double the minimum wage, if not more. That happens when you have a vibrant local economy with a high demand for competent workers. Get that, and the rest takes care of itself. (Especially as our cost of living is way lower than even the closest major city just up the road.)

As for tip jars, I typically ignore them unless the service truly feels like service. Though once a local place had a tip jar sign that read "Tips are like hugs without the awkward physical contact." I figured the laugh that gave me was worth a buck.

Tip Jars…I will tip if I made some sort of errror in ordering or paying or questioning change received back.

The doesn't happen often, but if I feel that I caused the person a bit of grief or left them thinking I was questioning their honesty, I figure the least I could do would be to toss a few quarters or a dollar into the tip jar…AND for exceptional service.

In short, I agree w/75% of the above, but there should be some flexibility.

I almost always ignore tip jars.

Here is a link to "Trip Advisor" and there tip guide.

link

I will tip if I want the server(s) to take care of me. But only for food or services.

A lumber yard? No way. There is no expectation of tipping in that kind of work. There is no "tip credit" that you have to report to the IRS.

…am already 6 kinds of p.o.'d at the fact that the wood board I have to replace on my deck due to termite damage before I sell the place is not a 2x6, because why would ANYONE use a standard American sized piece of wood for that purpose in America?

According to Wiki a 2 X 4 is actually 1 1/2 X 3 1/2 inches. Been like that forever, due to drying and planing.

As for foreign wood, well US made wood is too expensive…..but that is another rant. I agree with the tip jar nonsense though. That may just be the cashier, and not really the lumber yard policy.

Personally, in a lumber yard, I assumed the biggest rant for wood shoppers is the inability to find non-warped wood. Most 2 X 4s look like Twizzler licorice pieces. And plywood sheets look like the surface of wave pools.

Bowman, the actual cost of the US lumber vs imported lumber is similar. However, much foreign wood, especially Canadian, is heavily subsidized by the taxpayers of those countries.

As a property owner and manager, I deal with "Twizzler"-shaped lumber all the time. I have learned a trick to dig towards the center of the stack when selecting pieces. The outer layer of two will be exposed to weather and stress from shipping. The inner layers seem to be protected and held to shape by the weight of the outside layers. However, I have dug through piles of wood that were largely useless.

Here is something that might lead to good changes.

link

as for:

……much foreign wood, especially Canadian, is heavily subsidized by the taxpayers of those countries.

It's not that simple:

link

link