When it comes to tipping fortune tellers/psychics/esoteric readers, tipping might not be the first thing on your mind.
Tipping conventions vary from region to region, country to country. When I lived in Las Vegas, it was common to tip anyone in the service industry even if they're in a paid salaried job. For instance, when the Tech Coordinator for Verizon came to install internet services in our apartment, he got a tip. When we had a real estate agent show us houses, she got a tip. When we moved to Kansas City, the Tech Coordinator was taken aback and put his hands up in the air, shaking his head, stating proudly that they didn't take tips.
Given that bit of info, psychics are not salaried employees - at least as psychics they aren't - if you find one who is, they likely are contracted to a corporate psychic company with tight Non-Disclosure Agreements. (Side note: my psychic shop is registered as a small business (LLC), I'm not registered as a corporation, I don't have employees, and I'm not employed or contracted to a corporate psychic company. I haul all the overhead and operations of my business and do all the readings).
Typically in the service industry, there's a tipping convention. Tipping rates depend on satisfaction of service (see Table below). There are also unwritten rules. For example, when at a hair salon, it's normal to tip the stylist but not if (s)he's the owner of the salon - that is, unless (s)he's the sole employee of that business.
The same goes for tipping psychics. Since many psychics are sole employees of their own esoteric business, or reading out of a booth at a bookstore, tipping them is the norm. How much you tip them is subjective. I do readings by phone and my clients (first-timers included) tip based on website content, word of mouth, ratings, reviews, personal vibe, whether they've had a reading with me and value me, inherent generosity, gratefulness, and...faith. (Faith is so beautiful!)
In a party setting, psychics typically offer readings at a flat rate negotiated with the host(ess). When a tip jar is on the table, guests tipping is very appropriate, as well as the host(ess) tipping. In virtual settings, gratuity is pre-set. My business has been exclusively online since 2016 (readings by phone, party readings by video), so I do pre-set prices.
At fairs, a psychic's prices are sometimes controlled by the event coordinators, venue, contract, or fair's policies and in many cases, limited to a standard price. In that case, tipping is also very appropriate unless the fair's or venue's policies explicitly prohibit tips. Even then, sometimes clients sneak tips or they send it online.
If you are visiting a psychic in their own office, then tipping is not necessary. However, if you are satisfied with your reading, then there is nothing wrong with showing your appreciation in the form of a tip. Tipping service professionals, such as servers, hair stylists, and yes, psychics, typically follow this scale:
25% or more for amazing service (they've impressed you beyond your expectations)
20-24% for excellent service (they've reached expectations and a little extra)
15-19% for good service (they've wholeheartedly done their job)
10-14% for average service (the psychic did his/her job, not more or less)
6-9% for okay service (somewhat rough, but adequate enough)
5% or less for absolutely poor service.
As a psychic, I impress 😊 I have a national profile, and tons of national media so I've attracted clients that tip equal to or more than my fees more times than I can count on both hands and feet. I'm not saying it's the norm, but it's not unheard of. On average, my tips vary. Here in the Kansas City area, I've found that when I was doing readings in person, I got tipped about 90% of the time. At parties, I've always gotten some of the highest tips from casual parties (say a birthday, retirement, fundraisers, and theme parties), but have gotten the lowest tips at costume parties and weddings due to the nature of costumes and cocktail dresses getting in the way of pockets. Since 2016, I run an exclusively online business, people generally tip ahead during booking. Sometimes they send a tip later or tip double for their second reading (to cover upcoming and previous readings). For virtual parties, tips are added ahead onto the baseline price and many times afterwards the host(ess) or guests tip extra through Venmo, PayPal, or CashApp.
Because I always deliver excellent service at the very least, for all virtual parties I add a 20% gratuity fee. You can manage that by paying for your guests or dividing the cost among your guests - it's solely your discretion. I often get additional tips after a party because I can promise to provide excellent service and deliver what I promise. Your guests will be thrilled!
If you're interested in making an appointment with me for a reading, or an event, get in touch. I typically reply in 48 hours or less.
Thanks for reading.
Cindy
Cindy Mckean
Kansas City Astrology & Tarot
Astrology, Tarot, Pendulum, Mediumship & Palmistry
(816) 895-2545
info@KansasCityAstrology.com