Went out to my truck this morning to see a completely flat front passenger side tire. I checked my Progressive policy and sure enough, I had roadside assistance coverage that covered about every scenario including fixing a flat.

I wasn't sure I could do it myself with my weak knees and bouts of gout this year. I would have to climb under the pickup to retrieve the tire after cranking it to the ground. That's a big nope.

I contacted Progressive, explained the problem, and was assured the problem would be resolved and the agent dispatched the nearest available local tow truck. I received a call from the driver in less than ten minutes and he was here within a half hour, took about twenty minutes to swap tires and pack up after I signed the receipt. A very smooth, trouble free experience! Driver was pleasant and efficient. He even showed me where the nail was in my tire.

I didn't think until after he left if I should have tipped him. I haven't had to deal with a flat tire in a lot of years, and usually took care of changing them myself. In fact, I don't think I've ever had to use R.A. for anything in the past. (Maybe a tow a few dozen years ago).

So, after all this rambling, Tip yes, or Tip no?

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Mr. Lahey: A lot of people, don’t know how to drink. They drink against the grain of the liquor. And when you drink against the grain of the liquor? You lose.

Randy: What the @#$%& are you talking about?

I tip waiters, pizza delivery and the hotel cleaning staff. Everyone else is on their own.

I never have. Hadn't thought of it.

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********************************************
“A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand.” Seneca the Younger

The police have no duty to respond. See Castle Rock v. Gonzales, 545 U.S. 748 (2005) or Warren v. District of Columbia[1] (444 A.2d. 1, D.C. Ct. of Ap. 1981)

Judge Lee wrote that “we cannot jettison our constitutional rights, even if the goal behind a law is laudable." 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

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If it's exceptional I'll give him a $10, thank him profusely and tell him to have lunch on me.

No. I assume tow truck drivers are paid considerably better than waitstaff and food delivery personnel. Yes we tip for service but traditionally in lower wage jobs where the minimum wage is legally, considerably about 1/3 of regular federal MW.

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If you want to fix our country, work with us in the states. statesproject.org

"Success isn't about how much money you make. It is about the difference you make in people's lives."--Michelle Obama

No.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

I'd say no, unless they go out of their way for you. Like if you had the truck dropped at a shop and he dropped you off at home on the way back.

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C(-)ris
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ditto. No unless they go above and beyond the call of duty.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

The last time I asked AAA for a tow truck, the estimated wait was 4 hours. We unstuck ourselves long before they would have arrived. No tip would have been given.

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“Live your life, love your life, don’t regret…live, learn and move forward positively.” – CR Johnson
Loving life in Lake Tahoe, CA

Rick-o,

Normally I would say no tip. However you are in a special situation.You knees and gout this time, and next time it may be something else. I'm at the point where I am hiring almost everything done that requires any physical stress. In your position, I think I would track the guy down and give him a $20 for the quick service, especially if he is based nearby. You may need him again, and you want him to remember you. Just don't get on a jury where he might be the defendant.

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Ed (modelamac)

I think I will just put an OUT OF ORDER
sticker on my head and call it a day.

I dropped a 20 on the last driver, and I was footing the bill for that one. I try to tip as many of the hard working people I can. It does depend on personal circumstance, there have been times I couldn't rub two quarters together.

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“Every great and deep difficulty bears in itself its own solution. It forces us to change our thinking in order to find it."

As a rule, no.

If it's exceptional I'll give him a $10, thank him profusely and tell him to have lunch on me.

This


No. I assume tow truck drivers are paid considerably better than waitstaff and food delivery personnel. Yes we tip for service but traditionally in lower wage jobs where the minimum wage is legally, considerably about 1/3 of regular federal MW.

And all this.

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I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

Only if the service was exceptional. Their wages should cover it. I didn't tip the last tow truck driver who came to jump our dead battery. He had a Glock in a holster. I thought that was just plain weird. It's not like he was doing a repo.

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If you give someone $1 or $2 for handing over a beer, I'm inclined to say yes, if you can afford it. Sounds like a pleasant experience that was expedient and courteous.

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Hurts like a bastid...

if the work is done to your liking, absolutely.

everyone needs to make a living.

stay well.

rob

I had some Car issues during Covid and had to get a Tow. They have a rule that due to Covid, the owner of the car CAN NOT ride with the driver during a tow and pretty much has to find their own way home or to a destination.

First time (early in Covid - May or June 2020), I had to phone a friend. I even asked if I could lie down or seat recline in the car- still was a no for safety reasons.

Earlier this year, had a female tow truck driver, she understood the situation and allowed me to ride with her in the truck.

I gave her a $10 tip even though tow was covered via Progressive.

$20 for one time kid locked the keys in the car, $50 for one time I had to tow the car to the dealer. I regret I didn't tip $100.

EDIT: both times covered by AAA or Insurance.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/2021 08:39PM by space-time.

This is how you tip a tow truck...and its driver...

NOT "necessary" but just about always appreciated. Over the the last five years or so, I had a few "service calls" for various reasons. On two of those calls, providers refused to accept the gratuity I offered (both stated it was against company policy).

I think I tipped the AAA locksmith $10 or $20 for the extra (2) keys he cut when my wife broke off the key in the cylinder.

I think I also tipped the AAA tow truck driver with a W.A.R. tattoo on his arm after he swapped out my flat along the interstate outside of Pigeon Forge. The place he suggested for tire repair was pretty interesting as well..

Hey! Thanks for all the input, folks! I appreciate the opinions from everyone.

I need to be more aware of situations like this recent event. I respect what all the blue collar workers do to keep us all moving on with our lives. I shoulda KNOWN better. Hopefully, I can do the proper thing in the future.

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Mr. Lahey: A lot of people, don’t know how to drink. They drink against the grain of the liquor. And when you drink against the grain of the liquor? You lose.

Randy: What the @#$%& are you talking about?

That was funny, and entirely appropriate for this thread!

Quote
Steve G.
This is how you tip a tow truck...and its driver...

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Mr. Lahey: A lot of people, don’t know how to drink. They drink against the grain of the liquor. And when you drink against the grain of the liquor? You lose.

Randy: What the @#$%& are you talking about?

I've never tipped a tow truck driver. I didn't realize it was a thing...

Former tow truck operator here.

Handing them a $10 can make your life sooooo much easier.

Quote
chopper
Former tow truck operator here.

Handing them a $10 can make your life sooooo much easier.

You mean tip them before?

I tip everyone for everything if they are trying. Life is short and you can’t take it with you.