Spa treatments and tipping

Debora

After reading Angie's post on spa treatments yesterday, I've decided to start dropping hints for a spa gift certificate. The facials and body scrubs sound divine. The problem is that I'm really unsure about tipping for these types of services. I've just started getting pedicures two years ago and I only get these sparingly. I'm never sure if I'm tipping enough.

I'd really be interested in hearing from you ladies who do get spa services about what is appropriate to tip for the various services that you receive. Also, what do you do when you receive more than one treatment or service?

Thanks in advance for your help! I would feel much more confident during that first spa visit if I knew what was expected.

16 years ago

General

9 replies

Latest reply was from Debora

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Rightly or wrongly, I tip 15%. Enjoy your spa service!

16 years ago

lwc

Active Member

I worked as a massage therapist in a high-end health club, and I had my own private practice.

15%-20% is a good tip. I've seen it all, from nothing to jaw-dropping amounts of cash (especially at holiday time).

When you receive multiple services, you can leave envelopes (provided by the spa) of cash for each service provider. Or you can indicate how much you want to leave each provider during the checkout process, and they can put it into the computer when they tally your bill. When you charge it to a credit or debit card, then the service provider will receive their tip as part of their paycheck. It's up to you, but I will tell you from experience that service providers generally prefer cash tips.

Enjoy!

16 years ago

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I tip 20% across the board.

16 years ago

Debora

Veteran

Thanks ladies! It seems like 15-20% appears to be the norm. Leslie, what you said makes perfect sense. Thanks for demystifying the whole tipping process for me!

Here's another question for you all. Where do you go for your spa services? There's an Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa near me. Do any of you have any experience with this spa? Is it worth the money or is it overpriced or over-rated?

16 years ago

Vani

Veteran

I'm so afraid of embarrassing myself that I almost always over tip - 20% across the board. But it seems like 15% is perfectly acceptable so I'm going to be saving myself some cash henceforth Not that I go to spas so often anymore. I used to hit Aveda every month for facials about a year ago.

Debora, I prefer to go to the Aveda Institute we have here. The pros are that the services are much less expensive and since the students are graded on their performance, they are almost always eager to do their best. Cons are since they are final sem students, they eventually graduate and you cannot keep going to the same person I have not had a single bad experience so far, yet.

16 years ago

billieJean

Active Member

hey, its billieJean.. actually my names Jessica.. but whatever besdies that i just wanted to personally thank you for all your suggestions!! Im going to the mall soon and the knit dress is a great idea. thanks again.

16 years ago

Debora

Veteran

Niva, thanks for the suggestion! I just googled Aveda Institutes and unfortunately there is not one near me. I'll have to do a little more digging and see if there are any beauty schools in my area.

Jessica, you' re welcome! I hope you have a wonderful trip to NYC. Be sure to tell us all about it!

16 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I tip 15-20% at checkout and tell the girl at the desk to split it between specialists. Only one time did I tip one of the three less than the others. She followed me to the desk and complained to the girl checking me out that the package I got shorts her some of her money. That's an issue for the manager or whoever sets the package prices, not me. Situations like that always make me uncomfortable.
Anyway.

16 years ago

Debora

Veteran

Sarah, that was sooo unprofessional of the technician! You definitely did the right thing. Sorry to hear that you were made to feel uncomfortable in a situation that should have been one of relaxation and rejuvenation.

16 years ago

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