I wonder whether it might not be wise for the toilet-repair-writer to address this immediately with the landlord, rather than waiting for the next emergency situation? An advance discussion with the landlord will reduce anxiety. Why not have a conversation, followed up by a letter, that says that next time the toilet breaks, or some other emergency repair is needed (I'm thinking frozen water line or blown electrical circuit), the LW will hire the repairman and deduct the repair from the rent, as is suggested in the column.
1
What's with this tipping all the building's employees, why not just pay them a full & fair salary and be done with it since all the monies end up coming out of the building's occupants pocket one way or the other. Or is this some way to reduce the employees tax bill because this 'season bonus' ends up as money 'under the table & under the IRS radar'. This practice needs to ends just as restaurant tipping is going out of style. Just pay a salary and be done with this 'tipping' stuff.
7
"Or is this some way to reduce the employees [sic] tax bill" -- ding! ding! ding! Doormen can nearly double their salaries with year-end tips, and supers and porters and other workers get hefty bonuses, all under the table, this way as well.
There are many new New Yorkers and it is my impression that (1) quite a few come from places where NYC-style building tipping is not common and (2) some also take the view that they (or their parents) have spent so much money renting or buying this place that they "shouldn't have to pay more at Christmas."
10
They - and the letter writer - sound like tightwads.
6
I take issue with the idea that a resident should tip according to the level of service they feel they have received. I am certain that at the time I lived in New York, I would gladly have been in a financial position to tip according to what I felt the staff deserved, but unfortunately many of us are limited not by the quality of service received (or hope to receive) but rather by our income.
15
When you move into an apartment as an owner or renter you have to consider carrying costs utilities, taxes, condo or coop fees, maintenance & repair, rent increases, etc some apply to owners some to renters. The costs also include an annual gratuity for the staff.
12
I had to laugh at this. If i tipped according to the level of service I feel I have received, I would be tipping a lot less than I do.
10
Co-ops have various ways of dealing with holiday gratuities. In some buildings, tenants simply give what they wish individually. In others, a door to door collection is made. Perhaps the most common is that the co-op provides the bonuses on behalf of all the tenants. Tenants can still remember the staff for special services. My middle income building gives the super 3 weeks pay and the porters 2 weeks. I cannot imagine why a board would have to be so secretive about this matter. It is certainly not one of the major expenses of running of the building.
15
Why on earth would someone jump through these hoops just to find out what the bonus was. Pretty sad during these difficult times, someone would want to skimp out on giving the building employees a fair bonus. If you're able to purchase an apartment in Manhattan, there is no need for you to be a grinch at the end of the year. If there was an instance where you received less than stellar service, it should be addressed the moment it occurs so the employees are aware of your expectations. Don't wait til the end of the year to say you're not getting a bonus because of what happened in March. Everyone works very hard to ensure your daily life functions without a hitch. I have seen countless bend over backwards to keep everyone smiling. I have visited many buildings and always found the employees provided wonderful service. They earn their bonus - stop being greedy!
8
I assume the toilet problem is with the mechanism inside in tank. A temporary work around would be similar to the waterless restroom my boss encountered in Mexico. As she left, the attendant stationed by the entrance would fill a bucket from a well and pour it in the bowl. Replacement toilets are readily available and easy to install. There is no excuse for such a delay.
9
End of the Year Holiday tips for Building Workers should not be thought of as a bonus. Rather, consider the extra effort these people make for you on a daily or weekly basis as an investment for the same special services for the year to come. Tipping goes a long way here in the City.
24
Why on earth would someone jump through these hoops just to find out what the bonus was. Pretty sad during these difficult times, someone would want to skimp out on giving the building employees a fair bonus. If you're able to purchase an apartment in Manhattan, there is no need to be a grinch at the end of the year. If there was an instance where you received less than stellar service, it should be addressed the moment it occurs so the employees are aware of your expectations. Don't wait til the end of the year to say you're not getting a bonus because of what happened in March. Everyone works very hard to ensure your daily life functions without a hitch. I have seen countless bend over backwards to keep everyone smiling. I have visited many buildings and always found the employees provided wonderful service. They earn their bonus - stop being greedy!
30
Because they're cheap, that's why; and cheap, miserly people always want to know to the last cent what someone poorer was making. Note: they don't ask about the biggest expenses of the coop; it's the little stuff that irks them.
23
LMCA, you nailed it! What's more, there's a certain set of affluent people who are not just cheap - they abhor the very idea that the "lower classes" or "service classes" have any right to expect just wages or financial well-being or a decent life.
It's not only that they're cheap; they really believe the poor or the less-well-off are supposed to live wretched lives.
But often they are just plain cheap. For example, wealthy colleagues of mine who spend hundreds of thousands renovating their multi-million-dollar coops every few years are miserly with tips.
It's not only that they're cheap; they really believe the poor or the less-well-off are supposed to live wretched lives.
But often they are just plain cheap. For example, wealthy colleagues of mine who spend hundreds of thousands renovating their multi-million-dollar coops every few years are miserly with tips.
14