[bchcky]

Is this a customary practice? I recently put together a trip to a local field, we got a private group because we had 20+ people, so the field hired 2 ref's specifically for our group for the day. I had some money leftover from the deposits of people that didn't show up that day, so I gave the ref's all the leftover money. It wasn't a lot, but it was something. They did a great job, were very friendly, and were very helpful/patient for the newbie's in our group.

So is this standard? I've just been a walk-on many times before, and never tipped then, but for a private group, say a company outing, bachelor party etc... is this customary? If so... how much is average? Or how little is insulting?

Thanks.

[Dr.StraightPride]

In my experience reffing (only 8 years), walk-on refs only get tipped when they are phenomenal or help someone out greatly whether through an isolated occurance such as a heated yelling match that is dealt with adequately or helping out a first-time 10-year-old player and their parents slip you a 10 for being a nice guy. Private group refs should be customarily tipped, I believe. They work hard, concentrate on your group and make sure you have fun in a safe and responsible manner. This only applies, of course, if your referee does an adequate job. I think that $20 for a group of 20 would be a decent tip. $1 per person for a tip is next to nothing. If you go by the "restaurant" tipping scales, for a group of 20 people at $35 each (minus paint, includes rental as is the pricing scale for my local field)... you're looking at a $140 tip. For an OK ref, $10 would be sufficient. For a phenomenal ref, $50 would be well-received. I have seen tips upwards of $100 for refs that just did everything right.

[Bonestock98 III]

It happens occasionally at my field. The owner holds on to all of the money from tips and uses it at the end of the year for something cool for all of us (catering a practice two years ago, paying for most of our custom sweatshirts last year).

[overweightangel275]

It happens sometimes. When I go out of my way to make sure that a private group gets all of the attention, help, and satisfaction during a day of play. I never expect anything though.

[s+Smith]

most of the guys that tip me are either private groups or very small groups of walk-ons (8-14 ppl or so). i just make a point of hangin' out with them after the games, discuss how it went, and offer tips for the newer guys... all the usual friendly ref stuff.
but, yeah tipping ref's is normal if they're good, and it is never discouraged

[willdunn]

I never expect to get tipped by walk ons, its usually just private parties of 20 or more
If it was less than $1 tip I would be insulted but usually any tip is appreciated, since refs don't tend to make enough even for paint...

[Nickland21]

The field i ref at only does private groups, i usually average between 20 to 30 dollars for a group of around 20

[BOOGPRO]

The best tip i get is when you see the 12 yr old with a smile thats splitting his face cause hes havin the best time ever

[railz]

Last tourney I was head ref for here the 3rd place team donated their prize to the refs (a couple of cases of paint), so we split it up. That was a really nice gesture.

[akatch79]

I've gotten a $20 tip once from a bachelor party, but I don't think it's necessary to tip walk-on refs unless they are AMAZING.

[lagerbrewer]

Our private group refs get tipped sometimes. Not open play and def not tourneys (obviously).

[Lite_em_up]

walk ons i don't think need to tip unless u feel it necessary like they were outwardly nice and did a good job, for private groups (with adults) i always got tipped between 20-50 dollars depending on size.

[Dr.StraightPride]

I actually saw an interesting method today at the field... the private group passed around 2 pods (one for each ref) and they just tossed money in individually and presented the pods to the refs at the end of the day. Everyone just gave what they could/wanted to and the refs were thrilled. They ended up with $60 and $75.

[naughtydogsfan474]

yeah major man points to groups that tip their refs. it makes our day!!

[mtbrdude]

i've gotten 2 tips in 4 years... the first was $5, the most recent one was almost $15.

[whtkid9]

I just started working and ive been there 4 weeks and i was a ref for two private games and one of them game me and my other ref $20 tip.
Another ref i work with worked there two weeks longer made a $80 tip

[gamer565]

me and couple my friends were at a these one field for the first time, man did we have these kick *** ref. he basically just hung out with us all day, got us in good games, keep things balanced. at the end of the day he was going to play at another field and we had like 2bags of paint left so we give it to him, couple of drinks and some money.

all in all that was probably the best day of paintball that ive had.

[andrew hw99]

I enjoy it when im tipped

[Aut0c()cker4l1f3]

man i am always as nice as can be and after reffing for about 3 and a half years i have recieved one tip. I guess people or stingy around here.

[superskittles]

I get paid minimum wage so I hope to always bring in $30 in a 8 hour day.
sometimes i get 25 other times 35.

We had a night club owner come play for 4 hours and his goup of 6 left a $150 tip for a ref.

my biggest has been 30 at once 50 in a day.

of course never expect many tips on weekdays

[demaniacballer]

i just started to ref today at my local field we get 40$ a day for 5 hours but it rained and we played 3 but i still got alot of money