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Super March 2022

Bridal consultant tip

Candace, on January 23, 2022 at 9:42 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 14

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I never thought about the bridal consultant, but I was out on the spot. My daughter is recently engaged and in her excitement, picked out a wedding dress yesterday. We both put money down on it, and the card machine gave the option of tipping 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, other, none... I froze- what?? We had just had a conversation about how much we could afford and now I'm adding an additional 5-20%?? So in my panic I added 15% to my amount and then when my daughter went through her transaction, I whispered that I did 15%, and she made a face, like no way lol. She added 5%.
Listen, I'm all about trying to help people make a living wage, but tipping should not supplement commission. We're paying retail for the dress. It costs $1400, and with rush production and taxes the grand total was $1800. Together we put down $1100 toward the total, and $100 tip. When she goes back to pick it up and pay amount due, we're not adding a tip. That was enough, right??

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14 Comments

Latest activity by Alana, on February 5, 2023 at 10:53 PM

Master September 2019
Sarah · on January 23, 2022 at 9:56 AM
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You didn’t even need to tip the consultant at all so that’s definitely enough. It makes me really angry that more and more places are adding tipping to the card machine for services that shouldn’t expect tips at all. Consultants get paid an hourly wage and commissions on the dresses they sell (at least that’s typically how they’re paid) so tipping on top of that is excessive in my opinion.
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Master October 2023
Cece · on January 23, 2022 at 10:05 AM
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Tipping wasn’t required or needed at all, so it was definitely enough! Bridal consultants get paid an hourly wage, plus commission on everything they sell. Adding a tip line for this position sounds like an employer trying to pass onto the client their responsibility to properly pay their employees.
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Expert April 2022
Samantha · on January 23, 2022 at 10:18 AM
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Many newer checkout systems have a default tipping section, so it’s possible they didn’t change it. They may have left it/included it in case someone thought their consultant went above and beyond, or they’ve had enough brides ask to leave a tip. I never thought to leave a tip, but I did leave an amazing Google review for the store and consultant.
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Champion December 2022
Michelle · on January 23, 2022 at 2:17 PM
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You don’t tip them. They make decent hourly wages in addition to commission off the sale so they are not hurting for money. Many checkout systems have a tipping option when there is absolutely no need to give a tip. Tipping is out of control when it’s supposed to be only for those who actively go above and beyond, not showing up to get a paycheck. Many vendors in the wedding industry target brides to take extra money and claim it as this fee or that because they know no one will ever question it. That’s how they get away with it because they gaslight you into thinking they are doing you a favor and if you don’t use their services then your wedding will be a disaster and there is no one else who can do their job. They’re praying you don’t catch onto their lies.
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Champion November 2054
Jacks · on January 24, 2022 at 1:55 AM
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They don't need to be tipped. It's a retail shop, they work on commission.
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Super March 2022
Candace · on January 24, 2022 at 8:22 AM
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I agree. I was completely blindsided by it. I did recall in the moment that men's tailors get tips sometimes and so maybe this is a thing?? I didn't have a chance to really think about it.
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Super March 2022
Candace · on January 24, 2022 at 8:25 AM
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She was really great at her job. But not great enough to add up to 20% on top of the total amount. I feel like I should write a review to warn other brides and family of brides of what to expect at the cashier counter!
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Super October 2022
Jessi · on January 24, 2022 at 8:27 AM
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This happened to us as well when we went to buy FH's suit in a bridal shop. He went to pay and it gave the option to tip. The consultant working with us said we could just skip that and that they haven't figured out how to remove that step (they're a newer shop) but it felt wrong doing so, especially with her right there. He ended up tipping her 20% because that's like our minimum anywhere and that added another like $100 on top of the cost of his suit. We plan on going back there for the rentals for everyone else and we're paying for them, so I'm considering telling him that we don't need to tip again or at least not that much.
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Super March 2022
Candace · on January 24, 2022 at 8:27 AM
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If it was default, they sure did leave it. And I bet they're making alot of money off of unsuspecting brides. I think adding a button for maybe $20 or $30 would be one thing, but a percentage up to 20% is outrageous.
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Super March 2022
Candace · on January 24, 2022 at 8:29 AM
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I completely agree. Even with my knowledge from my own wedding planning journey, I was blindsided and forced to question myself.
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Super March 2022
Candace · on January 24, 2022 at 8:29 AM
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I agree. I don't think they should ask for a tip.
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Super March 2022
Candace · on January 24, 2022 at 8:32 AM
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I think $100 is more than enough! I could see if this shop was new and if the consultant had said to skip it, but she didn't and this shop is well established. The card system did not seem to be new either. When my daughter goes back to pick up her dress and pay the balance, she will not add another tip.
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Master October 2023
Cece · on January 24, 2022 at 9:53 AM
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That actually may not be a bad idea. At least then you would save others from the awkward situation you were put in! And maybe if the owners see the public reacting negatively to the practice, and the potentially negative effects it could have on their business and their employees’ earning potential, they will disable that option on the card reader.
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Just Said Yes August 2016
Alana · on February 5, 2023 at 10:53 PM
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I was also taken by surprise! I always tip 20% so when my dress was $2100 and I added a 20% tip out of straight fear and panic, I was like… holy. crap. She was fantastic but $400 tip fantastic??
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