Do you tip your Mechanic?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 11
From: Kentucky
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Airdrie, Alberta
It is funny ya'll say you wont tip since you pay the stealership x amount per hour. well the Mechanic in the back is not getting anywhere near that amount. I am a heavy equipment technician. And worked at a stealership (peterbilt) for a number of yrs. The door rate would go up every yr, and our wages sure would not. It used to be 30% of the door rate is what the mechanics made. Its not even close to that.
I do remember the guys that slipped me a 5 or 10 for working through lunch, or not taking a coffee break to get his truck out the door cause he has to be somewhere right away to pick a load up. Or the guys that bring in coffee and donuts for 30 mechanics. I would like to think I work on everyones equipment the same, to the best of my ability. I would never expect a tip though, just thanks is good enough.
I do remember the guys that slipped me a 5 or 10 for working through lunch, or not taking a coffee break to get his truck out the door cause he has to be somewhere right away to pick a load up. Or the guys that bring in coffee and donuts for 30 mechanics. I would like to think I work on everyones equipment the same, to the best of my ability. I would never expect a tip though, just thanks is good enough.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 5
From: Hudson Valley, NY
I wouldn't tip a mechanic though, I assume that's included with their ridiculous rates and charges.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 4
From: Douglasville, Ga.
I don't go to the STEALERSHIP to get my service or anything else done, I go to my trusted INDY mechanic that has his own shop and is Harley-Certified, never had a problem and me and him allways agree on a price before anything is done, and if he finds anything else that needs to be done he calls me and gets my OK before he does it.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
It is funny ya'll say you wont tip since you pay the stealership x amount per hour. well the Mechanic in the back is not getting anywhere near that amount. I am a heavy equipment technician. And worked at a stealership (peterbilt) for a number of yrs. The door rate would go up every yr, and our wages sure would not. It used to be 30% of the door rate is what the mechanics made. Its not even close to that.
I do remember the guys that slipped me a 5 or 10 for working through lunch, or not taking a coffee break to get his truck out the door cause he has to be somewhere right away to pick a load up. Or the guys that bring in coffee and donuts for 30 mechanics. I would like to think I work on everyones equipment the same, to the best of my ability. I would never expect a tip though, just thanks is good enough.
I do remember the guys that slipped me a 5 or 10 for working through lunch, or not taking a coffee break to get his truck out the door cause he has to be somewhere right away to pick a load up. Or the guys that bring in coffee and donuts for 30 mechanics. I would like to think I work on everyones equipment the same, to the best of my ability. I would never expect a tip though, just thanks is good enough.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Indy who went above and beyond, yes. Dealer, no way. But after my purchase experience, and a week later having all the negotiated stuff added, and its first service the week after that, I sent them an email about how happy I was with every one and everything.
For those wondering if they ever read their emails, they do here. Next time I was in there I was treated like a visiting dignitary and they (service,parts, and sales.) all knew my name. A little sugar goes a long way, and it doesn't have to be green.
For those wondering if they ever read their emails, they do here. Next time I was in there I was treated like a visiting dignitary and they (service,parts, and sales.) all knew my name. A little sugar goes a long way, and it doesn't have to be green.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
Cookies.
Our local mechanic is not at a $tealership, it's a family-owned custom shop (that also does all manner of repairs and body work).
While I've never tipped them extra in cash, we try to retain a good relationship with them. I don't haggle with them over prices, pay promptly, and my wife will often bake cookies and drop them off just to be nice. Also, I'll do things like send them an x-mas card, drop off dirt bike magazines for the owners' kid, little things like that. We're not personal friends, but we are friendly customers.
In return, they don't nickel and dime me [not that they'd do that to anyone, I'd hope and assume], and they're always good for a handful of free advice if I need it.
While I've never tipped them extra in cash, we try to retain a good relationship with them. I don't haggle with them over prices, pay promptly, and my wife will often bake cookies and drop them off just to be nice. Also, I'll do things like send them an x-mas card, drop off dirt bike magazines for the owners' kid, little things like that. We're not personal friends, but we are friendly customers.
In return, they don't nickel and dime me [not that they'd do that to anyone, I'd hope and assume], and they're always good for a handful of free advice if I need it.
