« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: Super Tip question  (Read 8900 times)

Offline alleyinJH

  • Resident
  • ***
  • Posts: 35
    • View Profile
Super Tip question
« on: June 11, 2008, 07:09:25 PM »
How much would you tip your super for doing an odd-job for you?   Ours recently installed our air conditioner and we are unsure as to how to tip him.  Any advice?
Logged

Offline buddy

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 1477
    • View Profile
    • work
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2008, 07:33:40 PM »
$20.
Logged
First, do no harm.

Offline Handyman-B

  • Resident
  • ***
  • Posts: 26
    • View Profile
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2008, 07:41:21 PM »
I'm a super in my building and I'm just happy to have ppl offer a tip now and then.  I usually say, "no, that's not necessary" once and let them force it on me.   

It doesn't happen often, so even when it's only $5 or so, I'm appreciative.

If I was in your situation, I'd base it on how long he was there and how difficult the job was.  (usually determined by how much cursing was done under his breath)   ;)
Logged
Handyman-B is a MamaMac supporter @ astorians.com

Offline ECG

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 1175
    • View Profile
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2008, 11:34:35 PM »
How much do you get paid per hour? You who asked the question, not Handyman-B.

I'd pay the equivalent of $35/hr. That is about what a carpenter/contractor charges per hour.
Logged

Offline buddy

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 1477
    • View Profile
    • work
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2008, 08:21:06 AM »
Quote from: Handyman-B on June 11, 2008, 07:41:21 PM
I'm a super in my building and I'm just happy to have ppl offer a tip now and then.  I usually say, "no, that's not necessary" once and let them force it on me.   

It doesn't happen often, so even when it's only $5 or so, I'm appreciative.

Are you saying, people don't tip you often?  That's horrible.  In my building the Super always gets tipped when he does work that's not part of his regular duties. 

I base $20 on the fact that it probably took about 30 minutes, max, to put in the unit.  But the Super still had to get his tools, lift the unit, drill in the screws, make sure it was secure etc.  That's worth $20.   And I still give money at Christmas every year because my Super takes packages when people aren't home from delivery people (they don't have to) and helps out in too many ways to count. 
Logged
First, do no harm.

judibean

  • Guest
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2008, 12:26:50 PM »
I've also tipped $20 for a 30 minute job.
Logged

Offline Handyman-B

  • Resident
  • ***
  • Posts: 26
    • View Profile
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2008, 05:53:13 PM »
Quote from: buddy on June 12, 2008, 08:21:06 AM
Are you saying, people don't tip you often?  That's horrible.  In my building the Super always gets tipped when he does work that's not part of his regular duties. 

I base $20 on the fact that it probably took about 30 minutes, max, to put in the unit.  But the Super still had to get his tools, lift the unit, drill in the screws, make sure it was secure etc.  That's worth $20.   And I still give money at Christmas every year because my Super takes packages when people aren't home from delivery people (they don't have to) and helps out in too many ways to count. 

Hey, I do all that shit.     Maybe you should move into my building.  :-)     Thanks for making me feel pretty una-freaking-preciated.   :tickedoff:
Logged
Handyman-B is a MamaMac supporter @ astorians.com

Offline NYCMacUser

  • Council Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 401
    • View Profile
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2008, 12:59:23 PM »
Quote from: Handyman-B on June 14, 2008, 05:53:13 PM
Hey, I do all that shit.     Maybe you should move into my building.  :-)     Thanks for making me feel pretty una-freaking-preciated.   :tickedoff:
Handyman-B, please don't feel that way. You and I both know that these Jackson Heights folks have a much higher per capita income than Astorians. Just compare the difference in the numbers of coops and condos between our 2 communities. The last stats I read showed that the largest number of Astoria rentals were to the roommate generation.

I live in a 140 unit rental building in Astoria with a Building Manager, an on-site Building Super and three on-site Porters. NONE OF WHICH HAVE ANY COMMAND OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. When there is a building-related problem the wait time can be as much as 4 weeks to get your point across . . . unless the rushing of boiling hot water running out from under your front door can help get the point across for you faster! I tip based on the promptness of the repair. NEVER on how long the repair takes. Hell, if my floors get ruined, they are going to have to replace them for nothing, if they hadn't waited as long as they did. And in the case of my kitchen floor that got ruined when a hot water pipe broke, I simply deducted the cost of the floor replacement over the next 2 months rent. I had to report my non-stop flushing toilet to the DEP to get that repair expedited, and I did NOT tip for that repair.

None of us have a money tree in their backyard, and I especially resent the hand out, waiting for the tip, trying to make conversation with me, when I have had to make 12 phone calls, put 4 notes under doors and spoken directly to building personnel on-site, and still had to wait 2–4 weeks just to get a leaky faucet fixed.

If I need something done that is not building-related, I call Handyman-B. At least I know it will GET done, get done correctly, and I don't mind being given a rate to pay when I call on him. The fee is always fair and reasonable, and the problem is rectified correctly.
Logged

Offline Handyman-B

  • Resident
  • ***
  • Posts: 26
    • View Profile
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2008, 04:12:18 PM »
Quote from: NYCMacUser on June 15, 2008, 12:59:23 PM
If I need something done that is not building-related, I call Handyman-B. At least I know it will GET done, get done correctly, and I don't mind being given a rate to pay when I call on him. The fee is always fair and reasonable, and the problem is rectified correctly.

Awww, gosh.  :embarassed:
Logged
Handyman-B is a MamaMac supporter @ astorians.com

Offline alleyinJH

  • Resident
  • ***
  • Posts: 35
    • View Profile
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2008, 06:23:23 PM »
Quote from: NYCMacUser on June 15, 2008, 12:59:23 PM
Handyman-B, please don't feel that way. You and I both know that these Jackson Heights folks have a much higher per capita income than Astorians. Just compare the difference in the numbers of coops and condos between our 2 communities. The last stats I read showed that the largest number of Astoria rentals were to the roommate generation.


Really?  Do you have stats to back this up?  I always thought younger people moved to Astoria because it was so close to the city- you know, an easy commute to their finance and banking jobs in Manhattan. 
« Last Edit: June 15, 2008, 06:38:09 PM by alleyinJH »
Logged

Offline NYCMacUser

  • Council Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 401
    • View Profile
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2008, 08:19:51 PM »
Quote from: alleyinJH on June 15, 2008, 06:23:23 PM
Really?  Do you have stats to back this up?  I always thought younger people moved to Astoria because it was so close to the city- you know, an easy commute to their finance and banking jobs in Manhattan. 
I almost fell of my chair. Finance and banking? For the college graduates, try Social Work and Teaching. For the High School graduates, try bar tending, bus driving and home (health) care worker. The vast majority of Astoria's 1 bedroom apartments are now shared by 2 roommates who build walls or hang curtains to afford a separation. The 2 bedroom apartments are 90% occupied by roommates, whereas less than 10 years ago were 90% rented by families. Oh sure, we have a share of the City's population of trust-fund Hipsters. You can always spot them, though. They are dressed shabbily-chic, have their ears plugged with Bose earbuds attached to their iPod Nanos and/or have their BlueTooth receiver covered ear wirelessly receiving transmission from their iPhones carrying on their text messaging as though there were no world around them, and they carry their Badgley Mischka or Prada Messenger Bags on their shoulder as they enter the local take-out sushi joint to complain about the last time they were there and how they expect better food and service.
Logged

Offline eddiestjohns

  • Council Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 455
    • View Profile
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2008, 09:52:12 PM »
Quote from: NYCMacUser on June 15, 2008, 12:59:23 PM
You and I both know that these Jackson Heights folks have a much higher per capita income than Astorians. Just compare the difference in the numbers of coops and condos between our 2 communities. The last stats I read showed that the largest number of Astoria rentals were to the roommate generation.


I'm not sure if JH has a much higher per capita income than Astoria or if they are older and more established and spend  more of their money on housing then on  entertainment.  If you read the food section under the Astorians website their members seem to eat out an awful lot or maybe their kitchens have been converted to bedrooms. :2funny:
Logged

Offline michaelb

  • Activist
  • *****
  • Posts: 174
    • View Profile
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #12 on: June 16, 2008, 12:00:12 AM »
Quote from: NYCMacUser on June 15, 2008, 08:19:51 PM
I almost fell of my chair. Finance and banking? For the college graduates, try Social Work and Teaching. For the High School graduates, try bar tending, bus driving and home (health) care worker. The vast majority of Astoria's 1 bedroom apartments are now shared by 2 roommates who build walls or hang curtains to afford a separation. The 2 bedroom apartments are 90% occupied by roommates, whereas less than 10 years ago were 90% rented by families. Oh sure, we have a share of the City's population of trust-fund Hipsters. You can always spot them, though. They are dressed shabbily-chic, have their ears plugged with Bose earbuds attached to their iPod Nanos and/or have their BlueTooth receiver covered ear wirelessly receiving transmission from their iPhones carrying on their text messaging as though there were no world around them, and they carry their Badgley Mischka or Prada Messenger Bags on their shoulder as they enter the local take-out sushi joint to complain about the last time they were there and how they expect better food and service.

So in summary your answer to

Quote from: alleyinJH on June 15, 2008, 06:23:23 PM
Really?  Do you have stats to back this up?

was:

"No."
Logged

Offline toddg

  • Moderator
  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 3492
    • View Profile
  • Lived here since: 2002
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #13 on: June 16, 2008, 12:50:58 AM »
Since I'm a data junkie, I had to look this up.  The numbers are a bit out of date, because they come from the 2000 Census.

HCT12. MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN 1999 (DOLLARS) BY TENURE

Tenure 11102 11103111051110611372
Owner Occupied 50,156 48,898 51,424 51,989 50,236
Renter Occupied 32,021 35,907 35,582 31,630 35,893

ZIP Code 11103 is interesting... of this group it has the lowest median income for owner-occupied housing, and the highest median income for renter-occupied housing.   But other than that, the areas seem pretty similar.


But anyway, back to the main point at hand, it seems that different buildings have quite different arrangements.  In my co-op, although there is a large staff, the rules state that the Super and other staff are not responsible for repairs within the apartment.  If we want them to help with installing an air conditioner, replacing a faucet, etc., we negotiate a price with them and pay them to do the work on their own time (and yes, I tip too, if the work has been done well).   I never questioned this policy, since this is the first co-op I have belonged to, but it does make sense to me.
« Last Edit: June 16, 2008, 01:01:29 AM by toddg »
Logged

Offline KC

  • Activist
  • *****
  • Posts: 184
    • View Profile
Re: Super Tip question
« Reply #14 on: June 16, 2008, 06:31:40 AM »
You know, when I move into a new building, I always consider "making nice" with the super to be one of my moving expenses. I am NOT handy, and I know that by the time I am unpacked, and settled in, I will have asked for help at least a half a dozen times.  So the first thing I do when I move in, is offer $100 to the super, and announce, politely, with a nice smile, that I am going to be a royal pain in the butt.  So over the next couple of weeks, when I need someone to help hang a hook rack on the back of the bathroom door and someone to help me move the china cabinet "just over here to see how it looks" and someone to hang this mirror right there... I mean there...wait...how about....

I've had great supers in the past three buildings I've lived in, but I always started off on the right foot.  Like Todd, I've been in apartments in which repairs inside the units are NOT the super's responsibility, and therefore I expect to pay for help.  I tip for each visit...but in addition to offering some cash right when I move in, I also make sure I offer a holiday card with cash at least once a year. 
Logged
Pages: [1] 2
« previous next »