tipping

ShadowRoll · #1 06-17-2007, 09:50 AM

When I cash a big ticket (i.e., when the payout is at least several hundred dollars), I usually tip the teller from whom I bought the ticket. I was wondering what other people do, and what's the proper etiquette.

Does anyone tip when they buy their tickets? Or just when they cash a winner? And how much, or what percentage?

Also, just as they used to say that there's no atheists in foxholes, I don't think there's any punters at racetracks who don't believe in karma. But maybe I'm wrong. Does anyone risk the wrath of the racing gods by refusing to tip at all?

MISTERGEE · #2 06-17-2007, 09:57 AM

it seems like you should find a teller you like cash and buy from them, and yes by all means tip when you hit a nice one

hoovesupsideyourhead · #3 06-17-2007, 09:58 AM

i used too..but they get payed and the take out hurts..and if you have had them screw up a ticket..with a nice payout..it stings..but i do understand ..

AeWingnut · #4 06-17-2007, 10:03 AM

it's a spur of the moment thing
I used to hit and I used to tip $20-$50 on signers
then this chick shorts me $100

it was caught but not by me

I do almost all of my betting via Autotote so there is only myslef to blame for a messed up ticket.

hoovesupsideyourhead · #5 06-17-2007, 10:05 AM

and for those of you going to toga opening weekend ..check your tickets...they bring in a mostly new crew..brutal

Antitrust32 · #6 06-17-2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

and for those of you going to toga opening weekend ..check your tickets...they bring in a mostly new crew..brutal

I never take the change when I am cashing a ticket (small - I dont play or hit big tickets). Its bad luck!

IrishofNDMan · #7 06-17-2007, 10:21 AM

i don't win big, but I almost tip a little everytime, even if it is very small. If my voucher is for 52.60, she gets 2.60. I don't know why, but it's how I always do it.

NTamm1215 · #8 06-17-2007, 10:22 AM

I used to be a mutuel clerk so I tip. When I was working though I saw it all. There was a man who tipped $100 on all signers over $2,000 and $50 on anything up to $1,000. One night on a Sunday night a woman comes up to the supervisor and says, "Oh I have to cash my ticket...my horse won the 8th race and I had the superfecta!" The supervisor put it in the machine and it paid $2,800. She didn't give him a penny.

It really all depends on the people. You can never expect one on a voucher because you don't know what the person started with. However, if you know you sold a guy a ticket that came in because he's coming back to the window smiling and he goes to somebody else to cash it and tips them...it sucks.

NT

hockey2315 · #9 06-17-2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

and for those of you going to toga opening weekend ..check your tickets...they bring in a mostly new crew..brutal

They were AWFUL on Belmont Day. . .

pba1817 · #10 06-17-2007, 01:10 PM

Don't eat yellow snow, and don't get into the ticket writing game for the tips.

Ticket writers are writing tickets for a track who is taking out 18-25% of our winnings every race.

NoLuvForPletch · #11 06-18-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmfhb411

The very last Belmont Day I went to was 1998.
I vowed never to go on that day again.
I see nothing has changed.

Actually quite a bit has changed.

1) They no longer allow people to have fun, I mean bring beer, on Belmont Day. You are still allowed to drink beer, but only if you pay $7.50 for it at the track. (A shot at NYRA)

2) They now charge $65.00 for my Clubhouse seat. I think tickets were $20 back in 1998. (A shot at NYRA)

3) Clubhouse admission is $20 and Grandstand is $10.00. In 1998 it was $5 and $2. (A shot at NYRA)

4) In 1998 they had over 80,000 people attending. This year there were less than 47,000. (Hmmm, I wonder if the 3 previous reasons have anything to do with this?)

5) In 1998 we got to see Chief Bearhart, Richter Scale, Coronado's Quest and Victory Gallop. This year we got to see Better Talk Now, Will He Shine, Teuflesberg and Rags to Riches. (A shot at the game itself)

So, I'd say quite a bit has changed, and you are probably the wiser for no longer going. I on the other hand continue to torture myself and attend with the same people I've been going with since 1997. Overall, it is still a nice day, though it should be so much more than that. It's kinda sad that even those that enjoy horseracing enough to participate on DT can't muster the energy to show up at BEL on the biggest racing day in NY?

fpsoxfan · #12 06-17-2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AeWingnut

it's a spur of the moment thing

It's completely spur of the moment for me too. Obviously the larger the hit the bigger the tip. It also doesn't hurt if the pari-mutual clerk is nice.
The problem I have is when I have to take a leak at the Spa. I never know what to tip the guys who give you the towels. I always feel guilty when I don't throw something in the basket. One of these years on Opening Day, I'm just going to throw a $20 in the basket and just ask the guy if I'm good for the meet.

Hickory Hill Hoff · #13 06-17-2007, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpsoxfan

It's completely spur of the moment for me too. Obviously the larger the hit the bigger the tip. It also doesn't hurt if the pari-mutual clerk is nice.
The problem I have is when I have to take a leak at the Spa. I never know what to tip the guys who give you the towels. I always feel guilty when I don't throw something in the basket. One of these years on Opening Day, I'm just going to throw a $20 in the basket and just ask the guy if I'm good for the meet.

So, does this mean I have to leave a tip when wizzing behind Charlie's garage on "Estreet" ???

GPK · #14 06-17-2007, 07:18 PM

I try to use strictly the self service Amtotes.

ddthetide · #15 06-17-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPK

I try to use strictly the self service Amtotes.

i use the computers at the OTB but i still like going to the tellers.

Riot · #16 06-17-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Does anyone tip when they buy their tickets?

I tip wait staff at least 20%.

I've tipped cows.

If I've spent the day at Kee, and they haven't goofed up multiple tickets (If I find a good, helpful, efficient teller) I'll tip on anything over $200.

DerbyCat · #17 06-17-2007, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riot

I've tipped cows.

Yep, I tried that too... and I have the scars to prove it... ok, the scars are from when I thought (in my drunken state) that the cows were charging me so I tried to hop over a barbed wire fence (and that cut my arm), but in reality the cows just looked at me and I was paranoid (cause I was drunk)... yep, been there, done that!

Thunder Gulch · #18 06-18-2007, 09:24 AM

Tipping comes down to A) My overall standing for the day $+/- and B) How much beer I have consumed. If I hit a big one late on a good day, good for the person who sold it to me.

philcski · #19 06-18-2007, 02:01 PM

If I hit a signer, I'll usually flip them the cutoff to the next bill, so if it's $807.50 they get the $7.50, unless they try to take it without asking (as someone who worked in tipping-industries for 8 years this is a pet peeve of mine.)

Exception: Back in Queens, there was a couple tellers at the restaurant OTB who were very nice to me & everyone I knew there but took a TON of abuse from the azzhole clientele there. Every time I hit big (i.e., $3k or more) they got a NICE tip.

zippyneedsawin · #20 06-17-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPK

I try to use strictly the self service Amtotes.

me too. I've had too many tickets with mistakes on them when I go to a teller. I'd rather punch it in myself, and only have myself to blame if there's an error.