Tipping a person doing mods for free

[Kyrie Arashi]

I am buying a doll from someone and the doll is getting mods done by the person I am buying it from. This person offered to do it for free. She also is having her friend do a faceup on it for free. What is the proper etiquette in this situation? They've stated multiple times that there is no problem and they offered to do it for free and whatnot, but should I tip them anyways?

[Brightstar1008]

I am not sure about the proper ettiquet for the either, but I have a friend who I abuse all the time for mods and the like. She has no problem doing them for me, and does not charge me for them because it gives her more practice. As a thank you, I usually will get a gift or take her out to dinner.

Maybe that might be something you can do to show your appreciation for them doing that for you. Find out what they might like and get them a little something to say thank you.

[psyence]

Don't feel obliged to tip, but if you want to, I'm sure it would be appreciated :)

I do free faceups for my friends, and in the past, they've bought me a meal at KFC or something in return :D All's fair~

[Kyrie Arashi]

I was considering sending them a Christmas card with my dolls on it and a few gifts in December, but maybe I should make them something and send it along a bit earlier, too.

You mentioning your friend made me remember that I do free faceups for my friend a lot, and I always end up with food at some point from her. XD I guess tipping doesn't have to be with money. X3

[honeyedbiscuit]

I don't think that you should tip in cash, but a thank you card and/or something handmade in return would be a nice gesture. :)

[brennil]

Cash seems a bit - I dunno, crude? A gift certificate from somewhere they like is a really nice gesture, I think.

[astrosnik]

Tipping is a cultural thing, so checking with other people in the customizer's area would help. I think a small gift would always be appropriate, even where money would not. Some artists might be adamant about not accepting fees or tips because they don't feel it would be appropriate, or makes them uncomfortable at their skill level. Finding something they might like for their own dolls, or something like art of one would be nice.

[mk13]

Some people may not feel comfortable accepting money when they've stated that they'll do it for free. Generally I think a gift is better if you want to show thanks. I choose chocolate when I don't know the person too well, or something they'll like if I know them a bit better :D

[Shankula]

When I do faceup or mod work for free for a friend, it makes me feel really awkward if they try to force money on me--especially when I have already said 'no'. That said, if someone later makes or gives a little goodie to one of my 'girls', I feel less inclined to argue, because it feels like they put thought into it, planned and didn't feel pressured to do something spur of the moment (like giving money).

[nikita]

I definitely think a small gift would be great, especially if it's bjd-related. Perhaps if you look to see what type of dolls she has, you could purchase a gift certificate of some sorts from one of the bjd company sites. Hmm, I wonder if they have something like this?

[Bel]

I agree with everyone else - a gift is the way to go. (However, it's awesome that tipping even crossed your mind - it warms my hard, crusty little heart to see people being thoughtful and polite. Too rare, too rare.)

If she does faceups semi-regularly, maybe send her a couple of cans of MSC?

[Shankula]

I agree with everyone else - a gift is the way to go. (However, it's awesome that tipping even crossed your mind - it warms my hard, crusty little heart to see people being thoughtful and polite. Too rare, too rare.)

If she does faceups semi-regularly, maybe send her a couple of cans of MSC?
Omg, that suggestion is WIN! Someone did that for me once, and I was so happy--seriously, THAT is the gift that keeps on giving. Forget 'saying it with flowers'...say it with MSC!

[Kyrie Arashi]

Such a great idea! If only MSC wasn't so hard to find now. x.x Maybe the Volks spray?

I've gotten a lot of good ideas; thank you all so much!

[shiroikun]

I does free face up for friends, and we trade doll to paint for fun too~ I think its a way to share friendship, also u get to play with different dolls. Its way to learn and friend can also share tip and hint to each other : D

[Christy]

I think people always like to see that their work is appreciated by way of a gift of some kind. It's extra and unexpected and just makes everyone feel good.

Let's just say, not many people turn *down* a tip. :flowers

[Glyndon]

I did some sanding and a full-body paint for a friend over the summer. There was no question of accepting money, but she did surprise me with a pretty wig and a thank-you. It was a very sweet thing to do.

[kiradyn]

I'm rather into baking, so when my friend does free faceups for any of my boys, I bake her something. :3

Or sometimes, I just bake her stuff anyway. XD

I think something handmade would mean more than a monetary gift/compensation. I feel that it's in the same nature as the gift/free faceup. It's personal, self-made, and thoughtful. :3

(Also...what is this forum's thoughts/policies on necro-ing threads? I just noticed that the last post to this was about 6 days ago D: )

[Rhian]

(Also...what is this forum's thoughts/policies on necro-ing threads? I just noticed that the last post to this was about 6 days ago D: )
Please necro to your heart's content! We don't mind at all. :)

[Angma Suzy]

I'm rather into baking, so when my friend does free faceups for any of my boys, I bake her something. :3

I have a friend like that, so I sometimes offer to do things just in order to get some of her cookies! :oops

Small gifts of appreciation go a long way, in my opinion.

[Ai Kazi]

I second (or third) The MSC idea... u_u; you never find it when you need it. <3 I think the artist would appriciate it a lot. XD

[hobbywhelmed]

Definitely nice to treat people to a meal if they're close in your area. Further away, something appropriate to their dolls, or even a gift of some kind of art supplies, if you know what they're using. Fine brushes or some shades of pastels, and the MSC is a great idea.

What's "on necro-ing threads?" First time I've run across that phrase!

[Uneide]

Tipping? O_o Never thought of that-- but hey, a good turn deserves another, right? I'd send her a small thank you something - or like someone suggested, MSC. Can never have too much.

[omichao]

I definitely think a small gift would be great, especially if it's bjd-related. Perhaps if you look to see what type of dolls she has, you could purchase a gift certificate of some sorts from one of the bjd company sites. Hmm, I wonder if they have something like this?

Do they do that? That would be wonderful if they did! I'm such a marketplace shopper, I don't go to the company sites often anymore and when I do, I never check out those kinds of things @_@;;

But anyway, I do a lot of mods for my friends, mostly piercings and sanding, but some wig fixing and posability mods (which are actually quite a bit of work). If I offer, I never expect to get paid and I wouldn't really want to, so a sincere thank you or small gift is definitely the more tactful way to go about it ^_^