Do you tip your mechanic?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,941
Likes: 6,742
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Sure, IF he performed tip-worthy work! But, I'm not about to tip for the crap I've gotten; instead I'm more apt to contact the dealership owner and GM. When I get/experience good service I'm always happy to tip, but I refuse to reward incompetence.
There's a reason I do everything to my vehicles except warantee work.
All the best.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Coming up, I will be tipping my mechanic and his boss as well... have to take care of those who take car of you. It will work out well for you in the long run if you work the PR the right way.. especially if you have a modified car.
VR
VR
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 3
From: Ventura, CA Fight On Forever
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05
Ah............................well it depends. I think my mechanic is in to me for at least $16,000 so far. Actually, I think he should be tipping me! Best,
mtv
mtv
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 0
From: Stop staring at my azz!!!! IL.
No,I do not tip him,but I do talk to him "one on one"just to get to know him and figure he would do a better job for a friend then someone he does not know,when he is done I always thank him
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,222
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
Originally Posted by sturgeon90293
Sure I tip a waitress, barber, car wash, taxi driver, but I don't tip any worker who is making a reasonable hourly rate. If the job performed on my car is good, then I'll be bringing the car back when it requires more work and telling others the mechanic did a good job which will get him more business. If the mechanic does a less than satisfactory job on my car, I will keep bringing it back till he gets it right or his boss gets it right
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
Why would I tip someone who I might end up suing? The dealership shop area is off limits to the public, so you have no idea who is doing what. You go through some tech supervisor to find out what they did. They just read codes off the computer. They probably don't even know the name of the person who actually worked on it.
So, a NO would be my answer. That's what these folks are paid to do - fix what is wrong. All to often it comes out with more wrong than it went in for.
So, a NO would be my answer. That's what these folks are paid to do - fix what is wrong. All to often it comes out with more wrong than it went in for.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Newport AR
Smart guys tip everyone who gives them excellent service or if they want excellent service in the future. I have bought my last 6 new vehicles over the past 7 years from the same dealership and I take care of the mechanics, service writer and service manager. I can't recall any repair taking more than 48 hours in that period, including bodywork!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Lakeville MN
I have actually developed a relationship (professional only) with the tech at the Ford dealership that works on my 03 Expedition. The Ford techs get paid "flat rate", so how much Ford says it should take to repair is what they get paid for. Ford has apparently been laying the pipe to the techs by reducing all of the times in order to make an extra $$$, thus making the times unachievable. They don't get paid much if at all for test drives, looking up TSB's in the system, etc. I think this may be one of the reasons dealer service can suck so damn bad. If they're not getting paid for it, many won't put out the effort. The guy that works on my Ford puts in the extra effort to make certain things are fixed right the first time. None of this "we couldn't recreate it" B.S. I usually buy him a gift certificate or something for Christmas. I would much rather spend an extra $25-$50 bucks a year and save some trips to the dealer.
So, yes, I do tip some service techs.
So, yes, I do tip some service techs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 0
From: St. Robert Missouri
Originally Posted by MyBlueC5
LOL, sorry, after dealing with my local idiot stealership this week, the only tip I have is NOT to go there.....
Mark
Mark
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Tipping a tech you have not worked with prior to performing the work?? 
You are opening yourself up as an **** retentive owner who does not trust the tech. In my opinion, this does more damage than good.
If they do a good job, and the car is taken care of, tip them well. When you come back for any other work, they will take care of you. When they do, tip them again.
Don't seed the pot, you'll come across as someone they want to get out of their shop.
F
You are opening yourself up as an **** retentive owner who does not trust the tech. In my opinion, this does more damage than good.
If they do a good job, and the car is taken care of, tip them well. When you come back for any other work, they will take care of you. When they do, tip them again.
Don't seed the pot, you'll come across as someone they want to get out of their shop.
F
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange Fl
As a tech I take great offence to some of the comments on this thread, yes we are paid a wage, but not too many are driving Vetts, most love cars and are happy to work on something better than average and would like your appreciation for their hard work. and it is hard work! do you guys know how complex the cars are getting? how much tools cost to keep current? how much time is spent on learning ( and not earning while you are learning) ? and the $70 per hour does not go to the tech!! he only gets a small portion of that. think of him only as a person trying for his piece of the pie. tip him or not that is up to you its not expected ( I'd be glad for just a thanks once in a while ) tiping should never be expected in any line IMHO