Dress alterations

My alterations ended up being reasonably priced & I do plan on tipping her, although I'm not sure if that's standard.

I don’t think that would be odd but I don’t think that’s usually standard either. Though I don’t think it’s bad if you do

Especially if you're getting alterations from an independent seamstress or a small business, the best thing you can do for them is to write a good review for them online somewhere and/or recommend them to other people. Most people don't mind being given extra money, but helping them get more business is ultimately more valuable.

View Quoted Comment Thank you for the tip! Will definitely do that!

I don't think it is odd but like you said it is a nice gesture. I actually would have never thought to do so until now. Thank you.

I don't believe that tipping is standard - especially if the seamstress owns her own business. I definitely think it is a nice gesture, but promoting her business somehow would be an even nicer gesture - that is, if you are impressed with her work. I would tip if I were impressed, but I agree that business is more valuable in this situation. Good luck!

I think it’s a nice gesture, but certainly not required. I also don’t completely get tipping all these other vendors either. We tip our servers at restaurants, because our meal price doesn’t really pay them, we tip bellboys for the same reason, they’re helping us out for something our hotel fee doesn’t cover, but vendors who are running their own business are factoring labor costs into their contracts. Your seamstress is factoring labor and time into what she charges for alterations. One thing about that is that labor rates are affected by where you live. A seamstress in NYC is likely to charge much more for the same alterations on the same dress as a seamstress in a little rural town of NC. But if you thinking she did an outstanding job that is worth more than she charged you, then by all means tip her. She’ll be glad for it.

View Quoted Comment I ended up giving her a little extra because she ended up doing some extra alterations the day I went to pickup and wanted to pay her for the extra time and material she spent on the dress.