Hey all,

I've finally started electrolysis and want to know if I am supposed to tip the electrologist?  It will be rather expensive, in the end, to remove the hair.  I am not sure of if I should tip or not. I guess I could just ask her,  but what's the fun in that??

Thanks!!

The idea of tipping for a contracted medical procedure seems weird to me; I don't tip for laser.  I did notice a place to put tips though the last time I was there, and that just seemed...uncomfortable.  I don't consider it to be a service industry; I consider it to be a medical industry.  I tip for waxing and haircuts though.

Thanks Kristina!!

I kind of thought about it the way you stated it, but wasn't sure.  The electrologist seemed to pause when I paid and scheduled my next session.  Just wanted to be sure!

Thanks for the response!
Sofia

I've been getting my arm laser'd and electro'd for bottom surgery. I've never been asked if I wanted to add a tip for laser. Visits for electro that are less than 45 minutes, I've been asked if I want to tip. Longer than that, they don't ask, I think because the price exceeds $100 at that point. I don't know if that's shop policy or if it's just been a different girl working the front desk each time.

I tip unless it is the owner of the business. I would not want to do that job myself, so I feel a tip would be appreciated.
Moni

I think electro may be different.  I would imagine that you pay per session for that, just like a waxing or haircut, right?  With laser though, I bought a package of 9 treatments and paid upfront, so...yeah.  It's not like I'm signing the credit card receipt at the end of each session.  It's just a mentality thing I guess.  If I paid out of pocket at each session then I'd probably feel differently.

Yeah, I do have to pay out of pocket(cash or check only). And my sessions are an hour long at $110/hour. Thanks for the responses. Yeah, the owner of the business is the one doing the work. She is awesome and very nice, and as an added benefit, has worked with trans people and trans people of color, regarding the scarring from folliculitis on the neck area. Because laser will not work for my skin color/hair type & color, electro is the only option for me. Sux. But needs must, ya know??

I tip.  In asking around the trend is to consider it a spa treatment vs a medical treatment.  Yea.  odd.  It's borderline as a general statement. 

For me though, I love my hair removal techs though so really don't mind tipping them to show my appreciation.  They have been awesome and accepting and seriously have been a safe place when I was transitioning.  If you have people like that, take care of them.  I really can't say enough good things about the folks I work with  ....even though they zap me with lasers and stab me with needles.....  :-)

Quote from: CrysC on May 05, 2016, 12:55:16 AM
I tip.  In asking around the trend is to consider it a spa treatment vs a medical treatment.  Yea.  odd.  It's borderline as a general statement. 

For me though, I love my hair removal techs though so really don't mind tipping them to show my appreciation.  They have been awesome and accepting and seriously have been a safe place when I was transitioning.  If you have people like that, take care of them.  I really can't say enough good things about the folks I work with  ....even though they zap me with lasers and stab me with needles.....  :-)

I thought about the spa vs. med treatment, as well. I guess I will try to feel it out more during my session next week.  Because it's electro, though, and 110$/hour, how much would you tip.  What percentage? 20%? 15%?  Even at those rates, it will be increasing my payout over the long run. BUT good work is good work, and she comes with a good rep, so maybe tipping is not such a bad idea!

Thanks for the response!

I hate tipping culture so very much. It makes it way too easy to inadvertently be an jerk.




*Language - No Profanity Please*

Quote from: IdontEven on May 05, 2016, 09:53:38 AM
I hate tipping culture so very much. It makes it way too easy to inadvertently be an jerk.

Lmao!  I hate being that inadvertent jerk!  And your answer is spot on.  That is what I'm worried about. 




*Language - No Profanity Please*

I tip everybody. I tell the guy at the gas station to put in nineteen dollars worth and hand him a twenty. I buy a lottery ticket for the cashier who sells me mine. DD, the sub shop, wherever I go, there's a tip involved. The payback is the smiles I get. 

Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: KristinaM on May 04, 2016, 03:09:17 PM
The idea of tipping for a contracted medical procedure seems weird to me; I don't tip for laser.  I did notice a place to put tips though the last time I was there, and that just seemed...uncomfortable.  I don't consider it to be a service industry; I consider it to be a medical industry.  I tip for waxing and haircuts though.

I completely agree with you, Kristina.  The place I go has tip jar at the receptionist's desk. I look at it every time I give her my credit card to get charged $147 for 75 minutes of electrolysis.  And I am usually weak or trembling from the pain.  A tip just doesn't seem appropriate.

I do like my electrologist. I've been seeing her almost two years. I gave her a Christmas card (with a little bit of cash, of course) last December. A small gesture of thanks to let her know her efforts are appreciated.  I also told her that when we are done with the first clearing, which is soon, I am taking her out for dinner or drinks or whatever she wants.  It's almost more on a personal level.  At least it will be when we start the genital electrolysis, lol. Oh dear... I don't even want to think about that.

~Terri 

Hi Friends 

Whither you wish to tip a service provider or not is understandably and completely your call

But here's tip, foul language is not permitted on this website

Please keep site rules in mind when posting

Thank you

V M

Quote from: SophiaBleu on May 05, 2016, 04:18:12 AM
I thought about the spa vs. med treatment, as well. I guess I will try to feel it out more during my session next week.  Because it's electro, though, and 110$/hour, how much would you tip.  What percentage? 20%? 15%?  Even at those rates, it will be increasing my payout over the long run. BUT good work is good work, and she comes with a good rep, so maybe tipping is not such a bad idea!

Thanks for the response!

I'm prone to tipping my techs around 15% but it can vary depending on how much the charge is and how much cash I have handy. 

Two things - if it's the owner - no tip, usually.  They could charge what they want.

The place I plan on going for electro has sessions that are ALL DAY and run $3000/day for two technicians.  I don't plan on tipping.