I wish I was lol, it was early in the am and I was at work.
So this is my first mod meet and I read earlier in the thread that it was more or less free but donations to the people working on your car were a suggested which is a good thing. My question is that how do you know what to "tip" them for doing installs w/o hurting their feelings if its not enough. I dont mind paying someone at all, I just dont want to low ball them thats all.
It doesnt have to be monetary. Gifts work. Service for service works as well.
Basically, if there's something you're good at, and you do it for a few cars, people generally don't mind helping you out. Even if you're not very mechanically inclined, but you know the difference between an open-ended wrench and a hammer, help out with your mods and some of the other's cars. It can be a great learning experience.
Example 1: If you cook really well, provide a bunch of food, prepare it, and serve everyone. I know I work much better with a home cooked meal in my gut. Just don't bring a bucket of chicken, throw it on the table and go take a nap on the couch waiting for your stuff to be done like Critterman!
Example 2: One meet, a few people taped off and painted a bunch of engine covers for people while having a few minor mods done to their car. It was kind of an assembley line thing and bennefited everyone.
Example 3: Physical barriers do exist. Since Chuckdoc is good at painting brake calipers (he can stand up straight while the car is on jackstands), he can do 3-4 sets for others while the taller people help install his booster seat!
Out of the meets I've attended, I don't think I've done anything other than wipe down my car during the actual meet. I've put a lot of time in on others, though.
Bottom line, it's not free labor. If you do some work, any work, people will be more than willing to help out. At some past meets, some first timers have showed up expecting to sit and have a few beers while someone did some major installs on their car for free. DON'T BE THAT GUY!
