How much to tip the super ?

d_luxx · December 2009

I was surprised to discover how widely varied people's opinions are as far as an appropriate amount to tip your super at christmas. I asked a few friends and got responses from 20 on the low end to over 100 on the high end. what do you guys think ?
Of course it varies according to the building and the merits of the super him or herself. My situation is that I moved into my building about 2 months ago...I own a condo ( in a "modest" building ), and therefore any repairs on the inside of the unit are on my own dime - when I asked him to do something for me I had to "hire" him. The super lives across the street and handles things like garbage, sweeping up and snow removal, as well as acting as a go-between for the owners and management company.
I'm not rich, but he is a really a sweetheart and I would like to show my appreciation. What's a good tip in this case?

anastasia beaverhausen · December 2009

I'd go middle ground and say $50? That's what I'm giving mine (just moved less than a month ago) but he's been really good about responding to stuff so far...

MOD · December 2009

Do a search on the PS board or a general search. This same question come up every year, you'll find many answers there.

vidro3 · December 2009

I would say it depends on how much the super has done for you in the past and/or how much you want him to do for you in the near future.

Since you're new I think $50, though high, could get you off on the right foot with the super. Though this "hiring" thing sounds suspect.

brooklynjack · December 2009

Did you tip him when you moved in to pad the elevator etc? If not go $35 - $40 now and $50 next year if you did another $25 now. My live in super will get $100 from me this year and the part time porter $20

youbetcha · December 2009

I give my super $80 even though he doesn't deserve it. I also give money to the other staff because you never know when you'll need them. Consider it as insurance.

opossumqueen · December 2009

The following holiday tip guide seems helpful to me.

http://www.emilypost.com/everyday/holiday_tipping.htm

doublediamond · December 2009

I usually give between $50-$100. He holds packages and stuff for me. However, thanks to unemployment, he's only getting $25 this year.

crowhillkitty · December 2009

sorry if this is a hijack --

we tipped our super (lives in the next bldg over, does repairs) $60 last year, even though we had only moved in in july. i want to give a similar amount this year, but it's going to be tough because, like everyone else, we have a lot less money than we had last year.

there is another guy who lives in the basement of our building who takes the trash to the curb 3x/week and sweeps up. should we be tipping him as well, separately? he is explicitly not the super (the other guy is), but i don't know what the etiquette is here.

thanks...

crowhillkitty · December 2009

i should add that the super is very hands-off -- we only see him to say hi on the street or if there is a problem in the apt, and there have been very few. this is a non-doorman walkup building. he doesn't hold packages or let in the cable guy or anything like that.

d_luxx · December 2009

Thanks to all who answered. Hi Ms Beav ! The responses kind of echo what I came up with when I polled my friends - all over the place.
Just to clarify, I'm not a renter, so I'm responsible for repairs myself, that explains the "hiring" situation. Also explains why I'm confused - not sure how it works owning vs. renting.
I settled on 50 in a card. He doesn't receive packages or do anything special for me, so I thought that would be enough.

doublediamond · December 2009

crowhillkitty, definitely give a little something to the guy who sweeps and takes the garbage out.

How much to tip the super ?

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