As long as I have been in the marine industry, it has always operated on the expectation of gratuities. If you need to receive a set amount for your service, then charge for it up front. I sub-contract out to all of the dealers and boat yards here for my air conditioning work. They mark up my invoice 30% just for picking up the phone and calling me. I don't care. I don't take a cut in pay so they can make their "profit" and I'm not the one who has to explain to a boat owner why his buddy got the same work done by his buddy from me for $1000 that he paid $1300 for. Not my problem. The end result is that because of the greed of those in the marine business, all of the work eventually comes directly to me and I make the same amount of money regardless. I'm sometimes asked by dealers and shops what their points or percentage on a job is and I tell them, whatever you want to mark it up. End of story.
That I am the only guy in a 100 mile radius of Austin that does marine AC probably helps, but I don't rip my customers, nor do I allow it to happen to me. I know what profit margin I need to stay in business and that's what I charge.

I think I'm the first guide to respond to this so I don't speak for all, but myself and the ones I have close personal relationships with all think the same thing. I never expect a tip no matter how good or bad the trip. I want my clients to have the best day possible every day out there and try everything in my knowledge and power to provide this. At the end of the day if I get a top I really appreciate it but at the same time if they only pay the asking rate I don't not want them back. I'm still really appreciative of their business. Tipping is %100 on the customer as far as if or how much. I'm going to give you the best service I can regardless because I want you to come again... and again

No,they raised their rates!

Is that line I highlighted in red a typo or am I misunderstanding it?

Thank You Billy.!!!!. ATTITUDE about customer service is actually what earning tips, as it should be. Being wise about customer service will get ,not just guides, but, many service providers more revenue. Even if there's no tip involved, return customers to keep the beans on the table. As a side note, ive seen more lifelong friendships come about in the hunting & fishing industry between clients & guides. More so than other trades.
Well said Billy Lawson.

I understood it Billy. You are saying if they Dont tip, it doesn't mean you Dont want them to come back. Exactly the opposite. You STILL want them as return customers.

Sorry guys this is what I meant, I'm certainly not great at my literary skills at times, lol.

Don't not is a double negative. Poor grammar. If you do not have a 903 area code it won't make sense. He is trying to say that he still wants their money.

When I guided, I tried to EARN a tip ever time we went out. The worst tippers were the Tournament anglers, in my observations. They just wanted knowledge of the lake, and nothing else. Some did tip, but not all. The best tip I ever got was $500 on a $250 trip. A doctor and his son both caught the biggest fish of their lives and were so thankful. I tried to turn it down, but he was insistent that I took it. Customary tips were between 20 and 25%. I gave them a guarantee before we left the dock. If you or I do not catch a LMB or spotted bass, you get your $250 back, you get another free trip and I give you $200 of my own, so I made sure I EARNED MY TIP by doing whatever I could to get them on fish. No other guide I know of makes that kind of guarantee. Probably stupid, but I NEVER had to make good on it, we always catch a bass on each and every trip. Hope this helps. Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

Big 10, that made me laugh out loud.[color:#FF0000][/color]

Yeah, the first time I read through it, I thought you were a jerk for the statement but reread it and saw what you were saying.

I tip around 15%.

I personally wish tipping would end all together. For instance, what sense does it make for me to go to a restaurant, have my order taken, food and drink brought and what I pay for that service is dependent upon the amount that is charged for the food? Is the service provided not the same whether I eat a $10 hamburger or a $50 steak?

I wish that guides would just set a price that they expect and be done. I hate walking away and wondering if what you tipped was what was expected.

I don't know a lot of guides but the ones I do know would not be offended if they didn't get a tip. Bigger people than that.