Do you ever tip a mechanic?

[Shannow]

Tipping started to take a hold in restaurants down here in the 90s, for exceptional service, but quickly died when it became an expectation, and was printed out on the CC receipt.

However, I will always refer good service to people around me (wife of the bloke I use the most told me at my last rego inspection that they should put me on commission...guess that counts as a tip)

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
I refuse to tip someone for simply doing their job.


+1 Everyone expects me to do great work and nobody tips me for it.

 

[Virtuoso]

Mechanics make more than $3/hr so I don't tip. There is one in town that's been good though, so maybe I'd do something for him if it felt appropriate.

If it was customary, I think only half the mechanics I've used would be worth a monetary donation. The other half could use a little "tip" from my shadetree arse on how to do it right.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Silk
Tipping is not a part of New Zealand life, nor is bargaining. I've never tipped or been tipped - but sometimes a customer would give me an extra $10 and say have a beer, or come back with some beer. Where I work now a box of beer is the normal method of saying thanks for the work done - the workshop seldom has to fork out for it's own beer. I just wish the customers had better taste in beer.


They are trying to make bargaining an embarrassing sin here, and trying to make recommended tips rise up to 20%+. Maybe not for automotive, but in other areas.

Ive tried to be pleasant, friendly and thankful for a job well done, and at the specialist indys that I go to, that seems to be good enough.

 

[skate1968]

Originally Posted By: Virtuoso
...The other half could use a little "tip" from my shadetree arse on how to do it right.


ROTFLMAO!!!

 

[skate1968]

Hi DoItMyself,

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
In the few instances that I develop a better working relationship with someone who's expertise and other qualities I admire and depend on, I "take care of them" appropriately. [edit]

In showing respect and taking care of them, they usually reciprocate. [edit]

He did me a favor. That kind of stuff is priceless. But no, I don't tip just any mechanic for routine work.


Well said. Strongly agree. Feel the same way.

A little off topic, I'm reminded of myself NOT being eager to add to the tip jar at a coffee shop where i am NOT being waited on. But that's just me.

Further off topic, I very much enjoy giving a 6 dollar tip -- 100% -- to the very nice girl who cuts my hair. The very nice girl who works in the very ugly neighborhood. [and she IS absolutely wonderful, btw. anyone who gets past her broken english will see that she is radiant]

I have NO desire to visit the glitzy, high rent district where 6 dollars is 20% or less.

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
...an extra few bucks tacked onto a bill that is way below what others would charge. Its simply common sense.


Sooo much agree. I'm talking about an extra 10 or 30 dollars once and a while for the folks who've arguably saved me exponentially more money.

Yes! It's common sense to give 5 or 10 to the guys who've saved you 150 to 300. Common sense to buy a 35 dollar gift for the mechanic who has, arguably, saved you thousands over the years.


It is also common sense to lean on the horn while giving the "number one!" hand signal to "wanna be" mechanics who told you that your little baby was not worth fixing. It's common sense to do this as you drive by their shops.

[ok, rant over. That's enough of me for now. i'll give you guys a break]

regards,

 

[Vikas]

I always tip; have been doing it for decades. In the past, I used to put a 6-pack of the technician's favorite brew and transfer it to his car. This was done at a dealer. I used to only work with that technician. He was great and had lot of patience with me and had no problem me hanging around. Service advisers knew to leave us alone.

These days, I slip 5ver/tenner/twenty depending upon the complexity of the job. They usually refuse but I force them to take it.

I will tell you it makes a tremendous difference when mechanics personally know you and your car and they will go extra lengths for you.

- Vikas

 

[MrWideTires]

My mechanic yes, he does everything cheap and sometimes small stuff for free for me. For example alignment is $40, so usually give him $50, but I only take my car there for things I don't wanna do myself. Nobody else touches my car, ever, heck.. he was even the previous owner.

 

[Dave Hess]

I tip $4 for a hair cut, why not give the guy a few bucks for something much more important than cutting my hair ?

Plus there are many auto techs that don't make a lot of money due to the 'flat rate' pay screwing them.

 

[PandaBear]

Most of the mechanics I visited are self employed, and the price I paid is pre negotiated, so I considered that tip included.

I do go back for more work if I like their works, does that count?

 

[skate1968]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
I do go back for more work if I like their works, does that count?


Yes, i'd say that it does count. I also send my customers to my mechanic and they're treated very well.

That's how business ought to be done.

 

[hr1940]

My mechanic refused to accept a tip and when I insisted he took the amount off my next bill. One of the guys in the shop mentioned they love home made goodies and so now I pop in with a cake, brownies, fudge,or peanut brittle. The guy that works on my car always shares but makes sure has some for later. They take very good care of my children's vehicles and everyone I send to them. I am not trying to be cheap but I want to give him something and he can not deduct that from the next bill.

 

[skate1968]

Hi Helen,

I enjoyed reading of your experiences on this subject -- among the many others things that you do.

Your post reminds me of an occasion in which i helped my mechanic with his computer. I simply forgot about it because playing with computers is usually fun to me.

regards

skate

 

[Stu_Rock]

I've never tipped, but there was one time I brought in a big box of doughnuts on a Monday morning to my favorite tire shop. They seemed pretty excited about that.

The preceding Friday, I bought a new set of tires and they had spent 4-5 hours fighting with seized tie rod threads during the alignment. They only charged me the discounted price that comes with the tires.

I'm still amazed they put in the time to remove the adjusting sleeves and clean the threads, rather than replacing everything after using an angle grinder to cut it all off.

 

[PSS]

The TIP is repeat business. If he charges a fair or better rate he will have long term business.

If he is honest, he should charge a fair amount up front for the work actually needed. I don't see any need to pay him more than that.

 

[javacontour]

Helen, Baked goods are what Tom and Ray on CarTalk recommend. I was going to suggest baked good, or adult beverages, or a couple of large pizzas around lunch time to establish some good will.

Occassionally, I bring some goodies to the folks at the Recycling Center or the FedEx Office where I get and ship my parts for work.

I get good service and folks that appreciate me (or at least my snacks) and my business.

I don't spend a dime in either place since the FedEx is on our corporate logistics with pre-paids and the recycling center is run by the city. But the folks working in both places seem grateful someone is thinking about them.

 

[Trav]

Sure do if the guy goes above and beyond like the guy who just did an alignment for me.
He know me and goes out of his way to invite me over to the rack while he's doing the job. He checked the ride height, tire pressure and steering wheel center and balanced all 4 wheels before starting.
He test drove it with me before and after, discussing what i felt it needed or any concerns.

He nailed it as always, drives perfect, straight as an arrow and smooth. Worth a 20 spot tip every time.
This young guy does the job as i would do it myself (finicky) if i had a rack, thats worth something to me. When i decide its time to quit i will have him do all my work and pay good.

Edit: The guy is a worker not the owner, i make a point of telling his boss (a friend but the guy doesn't know that) what he has in this employee. He knows!

 

[Win]

I've listened very patiently to some very involved legal issues and in return given my thoughts on the issues(s).

I suppose that counts as a tip.