Hey guys, I am currently working with a local shaper right now and I was wonder what the proper etiquette was when you receive the surfboard. Do you tip? A six pack of beer? Any type of insight would be great.
I guess if you really like the board after you try it a tip or some sort of present would be really nice. But I suppose if the board surfed worse than a closet door you'd regret tipping them.
Absoutely A 12 pack of Heineken.Who doesn't like a Heineken.I just bought a bike off this dude and threw some in with the purchase.
Tips are not expected, but appreciated. Most people don't tip, but those who do can expect to be remembered. Cash tips are best... but good beer is never a mistake. If you pick up your board, and it's what you ordered, and the shaper did a pro job, a tip is a nice gesture in an industry where everybody wants a bro deal.
If I had a six pack for every time a complete stranger asked for a bro deal, I could throw a raging kegger.
If someone does something nice you should thank them. If someone does something nice you should thank them. If someone goes out of their way and does something awesome for you a tip would be a great way to tell em you're super grateful.
I would personally wait until i rode it a few times to see if it actually met my expectations. I don't tip a waiter the minute they set the food in front of me, i actually want it to taste good before i start getting too excited! I would ride it a few times, and if i was stoked on the board then I'd go back and give the shaper some actual feedback and slip them $20 or a 12 pack, thank them for their work and let them know i like the board, and why.
Great analogy and solid point! I'd say follow this advice...its easy to be a bit star struck about a new board.
Sure. If a waiter brings out awful food, or the wrong thing, their tip will probably be affected by how they deal with that. A friendly attempt to make things right is always appreciated. At any rate, in the case of the local shaper, they ARE both the cook and server. Lets face it, the 12 pack is just a nice gesture of appreciation...it might mean more if it was accompanied by an actual positive review of the board!
If you're happy with your new ride continue to give him your business as well as bring others to him. I compliment my shaper on his work, never ask for a deal and I always pay up front.
