Do you tip the mechanic ?
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Where a lay my hat is my home
After a hard days work, with a couple of frustration walk-aways, I tip myself to a beer or 6-pak. But, to others, My altternator recently went out on my Ford Ranger, went to Advance Auto and the counter guy helped me install the new alt. We spent 30 mins. doing it and I slipped him a 20. He didn't have to do it and will remember me next time I come in. As far as my indie is concerned, If he does me a favor, I will buy lunch, when it comes to the dealership, they have never given me a break so, the dealership can buy them a burger or sub.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
I had a good favorite mechanic as a child who never gave me **** when I was a nagging kid. He was the ONLY guy I trusted boring my cylinders and truing and welding my cranks, and overhauling dirt bike shocks. It was a family owned shop. Sam (head mechanic) would always bore my cylinders and true and weld my cranks while I waited. He knew I had to barter drive time from my friends and mother to make the 35 mile round trip.( hey I was 12- 14 yrs old) so He always did them quickly and properly while I watched and nagged details. I always took him a carton of Marlboro Reds as a gift. My mom bought them for me or my friends did, they knew I didnt smoke anyways.
nothing wrong with showing apreciation for a job well done. I have been a mechanic for 30+ years and i tip any mechanic of service person that helped me out. I know i apreciated geting even a small tip for apreciation. Even if the owner could not afford a few extra bucks a walk back and a handshake of thanks made me feel good for the job I did for them. Other wise it was just another job on the lift. got free tickets to a Baltimore Orioals game once for helping Rick Dempsey make it to a game on time when his truck broke down ont he way and I drove out to his vehicle on the dise of the interstate and go him going. Now that was a tip I will always remember.
Nothing wrong with showing apreciation for a job well done. I have been a mechanic for 30+ years and I tip any mechanic or service person that helped me out. I know I apreciated geting even a small tip for apreciation. Even if the owner could not afford a few extra bucks, a walk back and a handshake of thanks made me feel good for the job I did for them. Other wise it was just another job on the lift. I got free tickets to a Baltimore O's game once for helping Rick Dempsey (then thier primary catcher)make it to a game on time when his truck broke down on the way to the sadium and I drove out to his vehicle on the side of the interstate and got him going. Now that was a tip I will always remember.
Last edited by inthechateau; Mar 27, 2011 at 09:42 PM. Reason: spelling
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Central IL
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
Always. Sometimes $20 sometimes more depending on how long he worked on my bike. I have a good relationship with my dealer and can ask for the tech I want.
When I by a new bike, "my" tech does the setup and always does each service. That way, if there's a problem, he kinda' owns it.
When I by a new bike, "my" tech does the setup and always does each service. That way, if there's a problem, he kinda' owns it.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Hickory, NC
I hear T.I.P. means To Insure Promptness. I think it means Thanks For The Service. I have good results with my H-D shop, especially my last case. Tryin' to do stuff to "Black Beauty" & too mbasassed to say what I did, but disabled her and unable to start motor. Two H-D owners tried & no help so went to H-D shop to get'em to pick up and repair. Pick up guy out sick and at first service guy said get it tomorrow then said I'll try for another guy but they were covered up. He fount one and he decided to follow me for pick up. I explained situation and he said he is a H-D mechanic and will try to fix it. He has done this dozens of times and after 15 minutes, no good. Take her to shop. Later called and ready for me to pick up. Now, NO CHARGE for their pick up, 8.$ for part and 41.$ for 1/2 hour labor. I had sprayed oil all over the motor & mechanic said he cleaned amap. It looked good! What fired my rocket was no charge for pick up! I were pleased and gave service writer 20.$ to share himself, pick up guy & mechanic. Maybe a gallon of gas & a cold one for each one. Not trying to buy something in advance but just saying thanks. Do you think I was out of line for the tip thing? Just wondering & thanks for your thoughts. 
If the service managers make their paycheck on the business they write, I'm not sure a tip is in order. I for sure make it know to the dealer owner and managers when any of their help goes the extra mile.
Great thread. Should be interesting what the crowd thinks about the tip
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 11,020
Likes: 3
From: Calumet City,Illinois
I do 99% of the work needed on all of my Bikes and Cars,the Harley shop doesn't charge me to balance a wheel so I tip the guy that does !!!
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,132
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From: Las Vegas
To top it off, most of the service area is fully viewable from the rest of the dealership since the only thing that separates service is a wall of windows.
