parias1126 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 (edited) Today I went for laser hair removal. This is my third treatment. I have never left a tip prior. Before I made my appointment, the receptionist says, "Would you like to leave a tip for _______?" I just paused for a second. It was awkward. I said, "Hmm..I don't think I have any cash on me..." as I waffle through my purse to grab my wallet. She responds, "You can leave it on a debit or credit card...". :001_huh: I did leave a tip, but was confused and astonished that she was so blunt. I have never been asked before on the way out. This is a medical spa where they actually have a doctor on the premises. I don't tip my dermatologist or medical doctor. This has baffled me since I left. I'm now wondering if I was wrong to not leave a tip after any other laser hair removal appointment. I have had other laser done at other medical spas in the past and have never left a tip. Does laser hair removal fall under the same category now as getting your hair and nails done? Or even getting your eyebrows waxed? I would love to hear your opinions! Edited January 13, 2012 by parias1126 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I have had people ask that at hair salons and massage places. Don't know about laser hair removal though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I wouldn't at a medical place and that is what it sounds like with a doctor there. If it was one of those nail/hair salon places, then I would. Then again, ask me for a tip and I will give you one that's not money. O/T- How do you like your results so far? I have been considering this for myself for awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ. Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Did a dr or nurse perform the service? An esthetician? I would not leave a tip for medical personnel but would for an esthetician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I think that's outrageous. I wouldn't expect to tip at a doctor's office??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlestonmom03 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I've done laser hair removal in three different states and have never been asked anything like this! Typically I pay for my sessions in advance with a package type of deal, and so I guess I have never paid on the way out. Still, as you said, it is more of a doctor's office than a salon, and I would never think to leave a tip there. I feel like I am already paying them very well for the 7 minutes they spend with me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parias1126 Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 I wouldn't at a medical place and that is what it sounds like with a doctor there. If it was one of those nail/hair salon places, then I would. Then again, ask me for a tip and I will give you one that's not money. O/T- How do you like your results so far? I have been considering this for myself for awhile. The results have been amazing so far. In the past they have always been great as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parias1126 Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 I've done laser hair removal in three different states and have never been asked anything like this! Typically I pay for my sessions in advance with a package type of deal, and so I guess I have never paid on the way out. Still, as you said, it is more of a doctor's office than a salon, and I would never think to leave a tip there. I feel like I am already paying them very well for the 7 minutes they spend with me! This is how I feel. I spent $1400 for a package deal and I am sure the technicians make a fairly decent salary. I have never thought to leave a tip because, to me, it is considered a medical treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5kidsforME Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 This is how I feel. I spent $1400 for a package deal and I am sure the technicians make a fairly decent salary. I have never thought to leave a tip because, to me, it is considered a medical treatment. Uh, I would tell them no thanks when they ask if I would like to leave a tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink and Green Mom Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 It never dawned on me to tip. Now I'm afraid to show my face (or any other part of me) at the place I go to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myeightkiddies Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Asking for a tip just seems unprofessional. Maybe that is me. If it is mandatory, it isn't really a tip; it's a fee. You handled it well considering it caught you by surprise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I see both sides. The first side, well, you'll never know until you ask. The other side, I've refused tips when there I am already paying for a service, like the helper at the already expensive bouncy, birthday place. She just put the cake on the table for goodness sake! But, I have tipped at massages and facials, like I would a hairdresser. I don't know about the laser hair removal. I would consider it cosmetic, so yes, I would tip, like the hairdresser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lluv Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 (edited) I have had laser hair removal done for the past year at a medical spa where the doctor is on the premises. After the initial consultation with the doctor, the estheticians are the ones who do all the laser treatments. I got one treatment several years before this at a different medical spa and I tipped then as well. I think if it was a doctor's office where the doctor provided the treatment, I wouldn't think to tip. But I guess because it's called a medical "spa", I've just automatically tipped out. I always tip because like the PP, I believe that it's the same category as a massage, facial, or haircut. Plus- I want to be on the good side of the person coming at me with a laser :lol:, especially since they remember me every time I come in :scared:. Edited January 13, 2012 by lluv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parias1126 Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 I have had laser hair removal done for the past year at a medical spa where the doctor is on the premises. After the initial consultation with the doctor, the estheticians are the ones who do all the laser treatments. I got one treatment several years before this at a different medical spa and I tipped then as well. I think if it was a doctor's office where the doctor provided the treatment, I wouldn't think to tip. But I guess because it's called a medical "spa", I've just automatically tipped out. I always tip because like the PP, I believe that it's the same category as a massage, facial, or haircut. Plus- I want to be on the good side of the person coming at me with a laser :lol:, especially since they remember me every time I come in :scared:. I will be leaving a tip again next time. I am embarrassed! I really never though to leave a tip for laser hair removal. I'm not sure why it never crossed my mind, but I do leave a tip when I go get my eyebrows waxed and they are both forms of hair removal and a service....Hmmm. This really left me something to think about. I'm glad I posted here. I do feel much better now, but I feel bad now because I never left a tip prior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lluv Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Aww, don't feel too bad!! It's hard to tell what to tip for nowadays. I just found out the other day that you're suppose to tip the person who washes your hair if it's not the person who's cutting it?! BTW- at my spa they actually have SIGNS in the treatment rooms "thanking" people for the gratuities given for laser hair removal. That's their way of giving people a "hint" :D, so seriously don't feel bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Aww, don't feel too bad!! It's hard to tell what to tip for nowadays. I just found out the other day that you're suppose to tip the person who washes your hair if it's not the person who's cutting it?! BTW- at my spa they actually have SIGNS in the treatment rooms "thanking" people for the gratuities given for laser hair removal. That's their way of giving people a "hint" :D, so seriously don't feel bad. Yeah definitely don't feel bad. Here is a story to make you feel better. I've been using my hairdresser for over 20 years. In the early days, she worked for someone else and we should have tipped her but didn't (didn't really know better!) By the time I realized I should be tipping her she owned her own place and so I still don't tip her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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