I don't tip, I overtip. -- My blue heaven

Ok, tomorrow morning I pick up my car from the dealership after having the two tranny TSB's done.

I'm thinking I give 20 bucks to the technician that worked on my car. ( of course provided the car is in perfect order )

Does that sound reasonable?

How about his boss, the service manager?

What do you do? Do you tip your mechanics?

-- Tom

 

The service manager and service writer work on commission, so I'd be careful looking like you have money to throw around lest they decide that you need some unnecessary stuff when you're paying for it rather than AHM.

I'd send your mechanic a pizza and let him decide who to share it with!

 

I have never heard of tipping a mechanic. I guess I was stiffing my Porsche mechanic all those years. I thought he charged enough anyway.

 

I gave my mechanic a Thanks for the help note with $40.00 in it after he went to bat for me with the tech line and got some stuff covered that they didn't want to cover. He helped me so I sure don't mind helping him.

 

I tipped the guy who did my alignment $10.

Of course he got the numbers perfect and it's a PITA since my car is lowered, so I feel it was worth it. He was really appreciative. It didn't seem like he got that too frequently.

Years ago, when I worked in a bike shop, I'd say I got tipped 5% of the time.

And as I see it, its not just for the work that was done, but for the NEXT time as well.

 

I actually like the pizza idea because if he shares, the other mechanics will remember you too and take care of you too if they get your car. However, if the mechanic really goes the extra mile to fight for you, money seems like a better idea...

 

Nobody's gonna turn down a tip but I'm not sure $20 will make you memorable to someone makeing $60k and up. In the bike shop, we used to laugh at the people who thought their tips made a difference in service. We'd happily take the cash, though.

 

I think CG's approach makes sense. But for typical work, I believe we're already charged a lot and those high fees should more than compensate for the lack of a tip. (If the owner doesn't pass his profits on to his mechanics in the form of adequate compensation, that's between them.)

Just MHO.

cal

 

I think I'll stick with my original plan of seeking out the technician that did the work and giving him a thank you and $20, it's more of a thank you than a supplement to his income since I'm sure he is paid well. But I won't be giving anything to the service manager, just doesn't seem right.

While I don't think they did anything spectacular they did both the TSB's in less than two days. Which seems to be a bit faster than the standard I've seen on this board. As long as the work was complete and thorough and I have no more problems I'll be recommending this dealer for service in NJ.

I have often thought about what jschmidt had to say about whether the guys will actually be laughing about the tip. But I figure it can't really hurt, can only help.

BTW - Sondra, when you say pizza, is this a real pizza or is a metaphorical pizza? I'll take a pizza with the works.

-- Tom

 

tipping my mechanic? never heard of such a thing; that's their job. where does this madness end? you're supposed to tip your hairdresser, delivery guy, manicurist, gas station attendant, waitstaff, masseuse, blah-bah-blah-blah! i hate this. the only industry i think deserves tipping is the restaurant waitstaff, they work their asses off.

so, you say you should tip the mechanic for keeping your engine running smoothly? well, hell, do you tip your proctologist and ob/gyn too? come on! enough already. just my $0.02........