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I just recieved confirmation of our airport transfer. How much is an appropriate amount to tip each way? Do you still tip if the owner of the business is driving you? I don't tip owner's of businesses here but think I should there? Any advise is greatly appreciated. I only have 8 more days!! :)
airport to negril i usually tip driver about $15 each way.
tip up front so they take good care of you :)
I tell them what their tip is going to be (usually ten dollars), and I find it works well for both parties.Quote:
Originally Posted by sevenmile
We tipped $10 each way. We had a different driver on the way home so I'm glad I didn't tip for the return trip upfront. I would maybe tip more if we needed to make additional stops etc depending how out of the way and long the stops were.
I tip accordingly to service. If it's just a straight airport to hotel with no stopping I tip anywhere from $5-$10. If it's a stop or two I will tip a bit more from $10 - $15.
I look at it this way...they are helping puting your bags on and off the bus (or whatever) and they should be tipped, just like you tip the porter at the airport.
We usually tip $10 each way (after,not upfront) but I can see the advantage of tipping upfront, it might get you better service if you want to stop somewhere on the way.
Not completely relevant but funny - I had come back on a Juta from Negril to Mo"bay. After the bags were unloaded, I had everything in hand and turned to pay the driver (plus tip of course). As I was doing so, this porter (an older man) started loading up everyone's bags, including my carry-on which he had grabbed FIRST and put half a dozen bags on top of it, despite my cries of "NO, NO! DON'T TAKE THAT RED BAG!" He heard me but ignored me. I had to chase him around and could not get my bag back until the others were unloaded. He made hardly any tips, including nothing at all from the lady whose two big cases he unloaded before giving me mine. I didn't have any money to spare (which is part of why I didn't want his services) so I reached into my pocket and gave him my last $100 JD. Not much but considering he had taken my bag against my will, at least it was something. He held it up and said "what's this? It's not even as much as 1 US dollar!" I said "If you don't want it give it back - I didn't ask you to take my bag in the first place! Besides, it's more than you got from the last one." With that, he pocketed the bill and walked away. I had to laugh just because of how ridiculous it was - me chasing this man to get my case back & all.
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I tip 20 each way, I think anything is appreciated, I even tip Clive if its him. Have a great trip!
Thank you everyone for the advice!! I will tip. I was quoted $140.00 roundtip for two people for a private transfer. If we stop to get something to eat or drink maybe I'll buy the driver a drink or some food too. Now I have to go back and re-read all the other tips and advice and trip reports I had previously read. I did write down a list of places to eat I want to go to.
When I travel alone I tip Henry 1,000 on the way in.
On the way out we always stop at Juicy Patties in Lucea and I buy 12 assorted to carry home, whatever he wants and I give him the change from 2,000..usually about 700
When Miss G is with me I do more.
If my son carries me it's another story.......
OUCH! I pay $100 roundtrip private transfer. If you want to save 40% let me know. However I do tip $20 each way, so in the end it is $140.Quote:
Originally Posted by vw40
Quote:
Originally Posted by booger
Yeah, I thought it was a little high, $20.00 more than what is stated on the website. Ugh! I should have stated that I saw the price on the website in my original email. I need to get better at negotiating prices before I arrive!! It's O.K. though, he comes highly recommended. Thanks for the offer but we have already confirmed.
Reality is we would pay much more in North America, so $140 is not bad for safe reliable transportation that comes highly recommended. Have fun and enjoy your trip. Also, do not be afraid to ask to stop wherever you choose on the way. Cambio to exchange money, store to get beer and what have you, Bigga's on the way for some jerk chicken. Your response from the driver should be something similar to " no problem mon."
Tip like you normally do. I'm a 20 percent guy. 20 percent in Boston 20 percent in Jamaica. Extra deserves extra. Tip the owner same too. The tip is for service.
Remember that you've already paid for his gas by hiring him as a driver so as far as tipping....tip for service and not GP. Ask yourself a few questions before tippin such as how many bags did you have, were they big and heavy and how helpful was the driver with your bags. How many stops did you make? Was the driver conversational? Did he make you laugh or share some Jamaican history with you? My advice is to not have a set amount in your head and see how the driver treats you and then do what you feel is right. You also have to remember not everyone has the same budget. Some can afford to tip more than others so do what you are comfortable with.
VW40....
The price you were quoted of $140.00us round trip for a private ride...isn't out of the ordinary.
A bit out of the ordinary now is the $100.00us round trip for a private ride...and I can't imagine that will last much long as this is barely sustainable.
Good to hear! I picked him because the prices on the web page ($60.00 each way, $120.00 round trip) were some of the cheaper ones I had found for a private transfer and I've read a lot of great reviews. An extra $20.00 is not a huge deal and I'm sure we will love him. I guess maybe the website hasn't been updated.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bnewb
One week!!
I tip 10 dollars each way--but I almost always do shared rides. If we stop for food or beverages I always get the driver something. And the one time I had a private driver and stopped at megamart, I got the driver his choice of item from the store, and then soup at biggas etc in addition to the tip. I would never ride and not tip the driver--regardless of whether he was the owner or not.
I always use Clive's service - red plates, nice vehicles with good AC, safe friendly drivers.
Since traveling single I just do the Regular Transfer to have company on the ride - even with the fairly recent increase to $US30 each way, still excellent deal.
Only way I know that is cheaper is JUTA - but usually a longer wait and more hotel stops before mine since usually on west end.
His is also just $50 for 2 people and just $20/person if 3 or more - again Regular Transfer prices to/from Negril, I never have need to do Private.
20% is $US6 - so I usually tip $500JA plus buy the driver a drink/snack at the rest break going to Negril.
$20 us each leg of the trip. Stop at Mega mart and a beer run.