Nordstrom used to have a shoe shine service at many of their stores. Alas, no more. Since I rarely wear dress shoes anymore, it’s a moot point. That said, I do a pretty amazing job myself, including a spit shine.
For first-timers and regulars, I leave the cash on the counter. 90% of the time they don’t even notice it. I’ve been lucky. Out of countless meetups over the years, I think perhaps I’ve been asked upfront once. That session was probably fine.
He’s very responsive and polite is his texts. I wish I had seen him when he was in Seattle, but I always host and he doesn’t do outcalls, apparently. My loss!