should I have tipped the satellite guy?

[Syrinx]

A guy came over the other day to fix my satellite system. I was getting very poor signals. In the fifties on the odd transponders, and mostly seventies on the even ones, with a few in the low eighties. And the odd ones would go to zero with the slightest shower.

From what I gathered researching the topic online, I thought my LNB (that's the arm that sticks out from the dish) needed to be replaced.

But the repair guy came out, and quickly determined that the problem was a tree limb. I was skeptical, because everything that I read online led me to believe that I had a hardware problem. But we got rid of the offending limb (I did help), and my signal went up to the upper nineties on all transponders. I think I'll actually be able to watch TV when it's raining!

It didn't occur to me at the time to tip him. I don't think satellite and cable repairmen are generally tipped. (Except by drunk teenagers on Saturday nights.)

But he did an outstanding job. And was friendly and professional.

I noticed on the invoice after he left (I'm not sure why I needed the invoice really, since I didn't pay anything) that tree-trimming isn't their job. The invoice made a fairly big deal out of it.

And yet he literally climbed a tree for me. True.

I should've given him a least a five. Damn.

[Betty88]

1. Back in the day I was the "cable guy.."

Most people did not tip. Usually the ones that I broke my ass for didn't even offer a glass of water. Its not expected but a really nice gesture to give the person a few dollars or at least a cold drink.

[Syrinx]

2. I was a notorious water giver

Until the crews started to carry cases of water. Though I liked it better when it was gallons of water.

[Betty88]

3. Then your cool :)

In the summer I could not believe how much water I would drink in a day. Water givers always got an extra remote.

[Syrinx]

5. back in the day, before digital...

It was free HBO. ;)

[sammytko]

4. Yes, we try to tip everyone who comes to our house to repair something

AC guy won't take it. Cable guy did. I always offer bottled water and/or soft drink.