Thread: A Blank Check?

Well, this was a new one on me. Last night I danced at this family reunion - it was a huge shindig, with caterers, a comedian, saxophone player, DJ, 4-wheeler rides, etc. The client was obviously very wealthy, what with the huge 3-car garage house (containing a BMW, Hummer, and a Harley Motocycle), the 3-4 acres of land with a lawn like a golf course, etc.

When I showed up, he said he wanted to pay me right away because he was very busy and didn't want me to have to chase him down after my performance. He leaves to room and returns with (I kid you not) a blank, signed check. He gives it to me and says, "Make it out for whatever you want." I told him what he owed me for the balance, and asked if I should make it out for that. He then replied, "Well no, add something extra on too, whatever you want." .w.: He didn't specify how much, and I was unable to talk to him after my performance.

Has this ever happened to any of you before? I'm just stunned that this guy would give someone he's never met before a blank frikkin' check! What I decided to do was email him when I got home last night and ask him to tell me how much to make the check out for. I would feel uncomfortable making it out for anything but the balance due without having in writing from him how much of a tip he wants to add. I wouldn't know if he wanted to add on $5, $50, or $500! Does that sound like the right approach?

For Pete's sake! Take a tip like he told you to!
Just make it a reasonable amount, so you'll know you've been a Good Doobie, and if he should even happen to bother to ever check on how much that check was, he won't think badly of you (so he'll hire you again! Yeah!)
Rosette

I've never had this happen, but yay for you!

Take a tip, but don't go over board. If the check bounces....

that's awesome! But I totally know how you feel. No, it hasn't happened to me, but I would have the same dilemma: if I take too much, I'll feel weird, if i take a little, knowing he doesn't care, and even a very generous amount of tip won't even make a dent in his account, ... then why not?
I think you did the right thing. if he answers (hopefully he will) and you write that amount, you will sleep better.

Wow, this is a different problem! Suggest adding 20% gratuity because you were obviously fabulous. With a big THANK YOU in the subject line on the check :) That way if/when he comes down from party-high he won't have any regrets.

I was going to say add 20% as well. It seems fair to everyone involved, that way he gets to be generous with his tip and you don't feel like you're taking advantage.

Originally Posted by maurazebra

Wow, this is a different problem! Suggest adding 20% gratuity because you were obviously fabulous. With a big THANK YOU in the subject line on the check :) That way if/when he comes down from party-high he won't have any regrets.

This is what I would do too. In my experience people like this expect you to do it, it may be a bother to him if you keep asking him how much and he may see you as weak. Just saying. I have worked for people like that before. If he didn't like your performance he isn't going to hire you again regardless of what tip you give yourself right? Just give yourself a nice tip, but not too nice. ;-)

If he doesn't respond to my email, I'll just go ahead and add the 20%, I think. I agree with you Mahira, that to keep asking would probably annoy him.

I think I'll give him until tomorrow afternoon - I really need to deposit that check before the bank closes tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Mahsima

I was going to say add 20% as well. It seems fair to everyone involved, that way he gets to be generous with his tip and you don't feel like you're taking advantage.

"4th-ing" the 20% tip rate :) You're always awesome anyways!!!

Originally Posted by Mahsima

I was going to say add 20% as well. It seems fair to everyone involved, that way he gets to be generous with his tip and you don't feel like you're taking advantage.

"4thing" the 20% tip rate :) You're always awesome anyways!!!

Another vote for the 20%, which is standard in my area for service industry gratuities.

What a lovely problem to have. :)

Yup. 20% was my first thought too. Sounds like a fun party.

I agree, 20% is reasonable if he doesn't answer your email.

Thanks everybody! He emailed me back this morning with an amount that totaled just slightly more than 20%, so it looks like you were all spot on with the suggestion. ..g.:

Woot! This is refreshing to hear after all of the cheap skate "I'll pay you $50 for a two hour set" threads!

Wow, Laura! I wish this kind of dilemma would happen to me. ..g.:

That's wonderful, he obviously trusted you to do the right thing as well. I bet he'll be giving you further performance ops and referrals, too. Congrats!


Khalida