Carpet cleaner survey looks at tips

MUKILTEO, WA — A survey conducted in May 2011 asked carpet cleaners how often they receive monetary tips from their customers at the completion of a job and if they even expect a tip, according to a press release.

More than 300 carpet cleaners were e-mailed invitations to take the online survey, with a total of 61 technicians completing the survey, the release stated.

According to the release, 29 percent said they never get a tip at the end of the job, 65 percent reported they get a tip "once in a while" and about seven percent said they usually get a tip.

"In some parts of the country, tipping is expected no matter what the service," said Nick Wiebe, marketing manager for U.S. Products.

"However, for most carpet cleaners, receiving a tip is rare and, as the survey indicates, not often expected," Wiebe added.

For those carpet cleaners receiving gratuities, about 75 percent indicated they were less than $25; eight percent reported they were more than $25; but one technician reported not accepting a tip "even if it was offered," the release noted.

Click here to read the complete release.