Chauffeur tipping question

[greenshirt77]

Ok- What is the rule of thumb if you hire a limo and gratuity (usually 20%) is already included in the final bill. Is it still customary to additionally tip the chauffeur?
It seems that if gratuity is included (this is also the case when you order room service at a hotel) you should not have to tip additionally, but how then is one sure that the chauffeur, or person that performed the service if it's hotel room service, is getting their proper cut? Somehow I'd feel like I'm shafting the driver if I don't hand him/her a tip directly.
Thanks in advance for any insight.

[jamesglewisf]

Don't tip twice. If gratuity is included, he's gotten his tip. You might consider choosing a service where your tip will be based upon his performance, not the contract.

[greenshirt77]

Thanks Jim. That is what I had figured. I did locate a company here in Va Beach (one of the largest and most known in the area) that does not automatically include the gratuity. I'm more comfortable with that being that, as you said, I can tip based on performance. Also, I like the idea of handing the tip directly to the driver instead of assuming that he will get it from the company.

[jamesglewisf]

I'm glad I could help.

[raybeck]

This thread made me laugh...at my first daughter's wedding my DH thought I had tipped the Limo driver and I thought he had, so the guy didn't get a tip (I do believe I called the Limo service when we discovered our error and did finally tip the poor guy). Then at my second daughter's wedding I just told the Limo service to just add it to the bill and I paid it, so this would not happen again. My DH made sure he tipped the Limo guy this time.........so that guy got tipped twice!!! ha ha Do we have a communication problem here, or what!!! lol