Tipping
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Potter County PA
Tipping
Is it appropriate to tip the technician if he does a good job on your service call. Like using lifting pucks and being carefull around your vehicle? My wife says you don't do that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
I think you guys ought to start tipping me when I make a good posting here. 
A mechanic just doing his job gets no tip from me. On the other hand, they will remember you if you tip. That can be good or bad. Some will work harder next time expecting an even better tip and some will sabotage your car next time so you will be back sooner.
As you can probably guess, I give lots of kind words for a job well done but no money.
A mechanic just doing his job gets no tip from me. On the other hand, they will remember you if you tip. That can be good or bad. Some will work harder next time expecting an even better tip and some will sabotage your car next time so you will be back sooner.
As you can probably guess, I give lots of kind words for a job well done but no money.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 2
From: "Cedar Valley" (Northeastern) Iowa
I have in many cases given tips IF I believe/observe they are doing a job well above the norm........typically $20 on a warranty job and more (up to $100) if it a significant job on my tab..... IF I believe/observe they are idiots, I tell them such to their face (once I have my car back in my control)
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
The only time I've ever tipped the tech at my dealer's was when he was trying to get an error code & fix a problem with the radio.
Because the radio problem would usually go away when I restarted the engine, I had to pull into the dealer's lot near the service entrance & leave the car running while the tech came outside to work on it.
He eventually spent about 45 minutes laying in the car in the 80°-85° heat to get the code, then reprogram the radio. He got a tip.
Because the radio problem would usually go away when I restarted the engine, I had to pull into the dealer's lot near the service entrance & leave the car running while the tech came outside to work on it.
He eventually spent about 45 minutes laying in the car in the 80°-85° heat to get the code, then reprogram the radio. He got a tip.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 945
Likes: 1
The only time I ever tipped a mechanic was when my boat was stuck in gear. Turns out there was someones grill cover stuck in my prop.
The mechanic went over the side and under the boat to check out the prop. I was charged one hour labor. That was worth a $50 tip for me.
The mechanic went over the side and under the boat to check out the prop. I was charged one hour labor. That was worth a $50 tip for me.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Allentown Pa.
The only time I ever tipped a mechanic was when my boat was stuck in gear. Turns out there was someones grill cover stuck in my prop.
The mechanic went over the side and under the boat to check out the prop. I was charged one hour labor. That was worth a $50 tip for me.
The mechanic went over the side and under the boat to check out the prop. I was charged one hour labor. That was worth a $50 tip for me.
Sounds like "hush money" to me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,933
Likes: 13
From: The Beautiful Inland Empire WA.
I would say, that if he does a great job as you describe and respects the car --- fixes it the first time correctly, AND it is a dealership that you are likely to have to come back to --- then I think that a quick $20.00 tip is entirely appropriate, as well as a wise investment.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 80
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
Absolutely not. having said that, the small mechanic shop that does my out of Province inspections on all my cars that I import from the US, I do supply coffee and donuts for all the staff everytime I visit, because he gets me in with no notice and no hassles.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa Ontario
Many companies do like it when their salaried and or commissioned employees receive tips because of the precedent it sets as well as the perception. It all depends on the industry. And even in an industry things can vary. I work in the computer industry and tips from clients would be a no-no. Very sensitive issue, I would suggest talking to the owner/manager before doing anything like that in the auto industry.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,762
Likes: 2
My fiancée tips valets, me OTOH I don't let them valet my car period. 
I'll tip a good waiter 20% for a job well done because their salary is peanuts.
But a good technician IMO is just doing their job and should already make a decent living. I'm on the fence on whether or not a tip is deserved depending on the level of work performed.
I'll tip a good waiter 20% for a job well done because their salary is peanuts.But a good technician IMO is just doing their job and should already make a decent living. I'm on the fence on whether or not a tip is deserved depending on the level of work performed.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Absolutely when it's appropriate. I don't throw money away but I believe in tipping generously for service 'above and beyond' and to help insure excellent service in the future. Even a little holiday card/cash to your service advisor at the dealership can reap dividends in the future.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 860
Likes: 2
From: Naples. FL.
get to know and tip the service co-ordinator, the guy that books you in, making sure he connects you to the head service technician with explicit instructions of what you need done and I have his cel number ..............I have actually had the top service techie come out(whom I have got to know and also have his cel number) and discuss with me what he was going to do or what I wanted him to do before the car disappeared from my sight.............Found that they get to know you and can get you in almost immediately if needed.
