Do you Tip your Mechanic?

Mine is a nice guy, but he is soooooo damn slow he doesn't deserve a tip. (I do my own work)

 

Absolutely. The "up front grease" amount varies based upon the projected magnitude of the work. Back end tipping is also appropriate for a job well done. And don't forget the service advisor/manager. What goes around comes around.

 

I owned a shop for 10 years. Never was tipped once and neither were any of my mechanics.

If anything most complained about the bill, "joked" about the bill, or tried to "negotiate" some kind of reduction.

By California law, you have to give a written estimate before the work can start and it has to be signed by the person agreeing to it. If you go above that amount you have to get them to agree to the change. Otherwise they can refuse to pay above the estimate. Few jobs on exotics don't reveal another problem when digging into them. So, it's a hassle between the shop and the customer. Some understand. Some think it's "bait and switch". No one likes paying more to get their car fixed.

The "bait and switchers" were almost always Maserati Bi-turbo owners. Can't say I blame them for thinking that.

I personally don't see the need for tipping. You pay for the service and parts you agreed to. If you're happy you come back. If you're not you try somewhere else.

 

IMO, tipping just leads to some kind of weird relationships between the clients and customers. Do I tip? How much? Is that too little? What happens if I'm not 100% happy? Do I still have to tip? Will someone think its not enough and be upset if I do? Am I trapped into tipping?

If you have a no tipping policy everyone -- client, mechanic, owner -- know exactly the score. You get the estimate, you hopefully like the service, and you pay the bill and shake hands. Then you come back next time.

Mechanics are not like waiters who work for minimum wage and work for tips. They are well paid. They move between shops if they can get a better deal if not. Good professional mechanics with experience, credentials, and the correct tools for the job are always in demand.

Then there's the issue of "well, did someone else get their car fixed faster because they tipped more than me?" I leads to unnecessary questions and perhaps even doubts. Or a feeling that you tip and still not getting what you expect -- such as a fast turn around.

When you deal with a bill total that is higher than the original estimate (which is really common), the tipping thing gets a bit tricky. IMO, just be a great customer and everyone will appreciate you.

Keep it simple. 2 questions you need to know: How much will it cost to fix? When can I get it back?

Asking yourself how much you should tip shouldn't be part of your worry or in the back of the mechanic's or shop owner's minds.

 

I don't tip the tech or shop working on my cars, but if I really like the place, work, service I may bring a cookie tray or similar for everyone to enjoy at Christmas or other suitable opportunity - not of particular monetary value but a token of appreciation for their commitment, skills, etc. and hopefully enjoyment.

 

Because dry cleaners and pharmacists don't normally get tips, and they're paid accordingly. Waitstaff here in Virginia have to be paid at least $2.13/hour, and the rest comes from gratuity.

I'd hope that your Ferrari mechanic is earning a decent wage, but it's very cool of you to tip him on top of that.

 

I've brought a 6-pack on a Friday afternoon to a shop that deserved it. That was well-appreciated.

 

I bring in a bottle of single malt (a dalmore 15 is always a good choice) or have lunch sent in every now a then and on rare occasions a tip (usually only when you are doing some special for me). On holidays I bring something for all the sales guys, I don't see it as a tip though. I have been very lucky (for those who do not know I was homeless living on the streets begging for food when I was young), I see it as something that means I value them as people (I always ask my servers name at a restaurant and give them mine usually I shake their hand), and not as someone there to serve my needs. I think it is important to always remember that.

 

That is a horrendous comparison. Do waiters make $25-$35 an hour?

 

I didn’t, but that’s good advice, I will one my next visit!


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I don't know that I would tip, as a matter of fact I don't tip the mechanics at white star (bobcat) or John Deere. But everyone at both shops are excellent at what they do and keep my business running with minimal down time. So I do call the manager and arrange to have pizza delivered for lunch or doughnuts dropped off quite often. It's been my experience that pretty much everyone from the store manager to the shop manager down to the mechanics and parts runner deserve a bit of a thank you.

Of course this isn't for a personal vehicle as I haven't purchased my Ferrari yet (hopefully this fall) but I have found that I continue to get very prompt service and they all know me by name when I visit the shop. The way I have it figured they are an as important part of me being able to successfully run my business as one of my employees that run the equipment. I would figure a good mechanic working on a car you use for pleasure would be worth some recognition. Heck some of the service techs answer a lot of our questions and help us with problems here, I assume for nothing.

 

When it comes to a shop, I buy the whole shop pizza. Not when I pick up the car but I will pop in on a Friday or Saturday after the work is done with a couple pizzas and a couple of 6 packs of soda. Trust me when I say they appreciate it. I know I did back in the days I was wrenching.

 

Understood, however my point is that a mechanic can live comfortably without any tips, while a waiter cannot survive without them.

 

I have done similar things -- like at the holidays. There's nothing wrong in being friendly. But passing money between them is setting up a possible disaster for both parties involved.

 

Agree. Something special I would agree with. But the normal fixing of my car? No. And as the manager or shop owner I would discourage it or return it.

Sometimes we had to work weekends of late at night for people to get ready to drive to Monterey. But we never asked for anything special. Our hope was that they appreciated us and would come back. With exotics, you have a really limited market. Every customer is like gold. Some move, some sell their cars, some become disinterested and lose interest, some unfortunately pass away. Replacing them can be difficult.

We were really hurt by the LA Riots. People just stopped driving exotics like overnight.

When I owned my shop all I wanted was happy customers who paid their bills and came back when they needed something. And if they recommended my shop to other people, I would thank them.

A handshake, a paid bill, and a smiling face was enough of a tip as long as we could keep the doors open.

 

I think it depends on the situation. Was I worked in ? Did he drop everything and take care of my car ? Was it a normal service ? Was something small fixed that saved me money ? Was it done while I waited ? Was it a non warranty issue that he covered ? Etc. I’m not sure it’s black and white. Do I or don’t I tip. Best, Kirk.

 

You don't tip the strippers?

 

I think you're mixing different business models. Wait staff make less per hour because it is expected they will make it up on tips. Mechanics are paid what they're worth.

What you really need to focus on is whether you're dealing with a "technician" who works on a book rate or a mechanic who actually fixes your car.

 

i do not tip my mechanics.

i do them one better, i keep bringing them my cars, i speak well of them, and most importantly i get them more clients.

i forgot to add that i also give them any insurance work i get....