I tipped a mechanic(s) when my car was towed into a small dealersip about 20 minutes before closing and they spent over 2 hours making a repair and getting me underway. I was beginning a week long vacation, and was about 1/2 into my journey. I was extremely grateful and did something to show how I felt about how I was treated, when they really didn't have to. Did I mention this was on a Saturday.

So, it all depends on the situation and how you feel

 

Here's a tip - NO! If you tip service technicians for doing what they are supposed to do in the first place, then everyone will not get the service they pay for and deserve (even without tipping). These guys are paid appropriately to do a job and do it right, unlike waitresses and valets who are paid next to nothing because they basically work for tips (note waitresses actually pay taxes on tips even if you don't tip them). If the service guys do a great job, send the dealer a letter, tell their boss and maybe they'll be rewarded with a raise or a promotion, but forget the tip! That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

 

If the work was somehow above and beyond the routine expectations a tip or nice letter to the dealer would be great but that has to be your call in this situation. Lifting the car correctly would not qualify in my view.

 

Absolutely!! Same here, its the Italian way after all!!

 

I always tip the service writer and I also try to tip the mechanic BEFORE he does the job.I think it really helps to get better service all around.

 

X2 on your answer but I have a little Irish in me too!

 

I tip the mechanic and service advisor! It has paid big dividends in the past in quality service and recognition that my Corvette is very important to me. They know it!

 

Here's the INSIDE information. Years ago I was a technician at a large Chevy dealer. I was college educated and better trained than any of the other 41 technicians at that dealer.

I specialized in C4 Corvettes and Camaros.

Always tip if you want your car treated like your car, and not one of a thousand Corvettes that no-one gives a damn about. Warranty pay is cheap, and they make their living selling crap you don't need, and most of them don't even do.

I had friends at 19 different dealers and it's done the same by everyone, everywhere.

Here's the real treat, give the tip money to the service advisor when checking in the car so that he can give your tip to the technician BEFORE he works on it. May be worth nothing, may save your Corvette from things I'm not even going to mention. OK one thing: Did you know tires smoke much better when they're not your own? Tip now or pay later, your choice.

 

This whole tipping movement must be a 21st century thing. Okay, minimum wage is not enough to live on; I get it. But, if the store believes that it is okay to pay very little to their employees, make prices high, and that I'll make up the difference with tips, they're wrong.

The above is especially true for family-owned businesses where you deal directly with the owner. Give me a break. I'll pay whatever price they feel is correct; tipping is stupid. Just set the right price for the product or service.

And, yes, I have worked at minimum wage jobs ($.95/hr when I started), and no, I never got tips. In fact, in my first service job, they had mystery shoppers who would offer tips. If you accepted, you were fired on the spot.

Now, I do tip people like barbers, who provide an individual service, in my presence, and who deliver better than a rushed job.

In the case of a dealer service facility, the only people I see are the service adviser and the cashier. The cashier is certainly getting nothing from me except for bill payment. I have a long, friendly relationship with the service adviser. I treat him as I would anyone with whom I have a civil relationship.

Because I do not interact with the technician in any way, and because he might never know if I did or did not tip anyone, why would I give one? Most service techs are paid well beyond minimum wage, BTW.

Many people in other countries hate us because we raise the expectation for tips when there has been none in the past. They see us as 'throwing our money' at people rather than being polite, friendly human beings. I happen to agree. If you want to insult a Japanese shop keeper, try offering a tip.

 

Bring-em a box of donuts.

 

I'll bet there are an awful lot of Lexus owners out there (and others) with vehicles that cost as much or significantly more than a Vette who aren't expected to tip (and don't) to receive the outstanding service they deserve. Personally, I think it is extremely arrogant of Vette owners to think they get better service at a Chevrolet dealer if they tip either beforehand or afterwards - and it is a **** poor practice to start.

 

Normally though I won't tip though because they'll expect it every time afterwards. If a worker does a better job because he knows the person will give him a tip then he really needs to find another job.

But I do bring Lumpia (Filipino egg rolls) into the dealership once in a while since it is a great dealership. The other Chevy dealership in the area tried to screw me ever chance they got on my other cars.

 

 

So you differentiate between a bribe and a tip? You bribe with donuts and absolutely don't tip. It's all backsheesh (sp?) which is payment over and above that listed. I see no difference.
I TIP for a good job.

 

One trip to the dealer....Install new seat covers(non-warranty install).
Replace auto shifter(warranty item).

Tech on the shifter $10
Tech on the seats $10
Service Advisor - Case of the cold stuff...

I simply stop back by the next day or two with a couple envelopes with the 10's and a note "thanking" the tech's for what they have done. One of them tried to return the envelope, I asked him, if he read the note, and when he said "no", then I said "check it out", and left. DELIVERED....

I feel I basically "bought their lunch" so to speak, and maybe a beverage for the drive home...

 

I always give them a TIP, " Dude, if you F*@k up my car you won't live to see tomorrow" worked so far....

 

warranty work pays half what custmer pay does .so if your getting something for nothing tip don"t be so cheap.ask your adviser to talk to the teck and hook him up .Like others have said they will rember you and go the extra mile for yea.I work in the bodyshop and the auto tecks don"t make as much as you think.its just a nice thing to do if you can aford it stimulate the economy.

 

Donuts work for me!!