Do you tip your Mechanic?
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
Tipping is a big thing in Las Vegas, as you can imagine. If I had a good repore with an indy, I'd consider it. I do take my car guys some beer every now and then, but I consider them friends, not just mechanics.
Funny you mentioned the midwest thing. In conjunction with what you said, the flip side is, midwesterners are notoriously the worst tippers out there. My best friend is from Iowa and he's notorious for leaving little to no tip. He's not being cheap (well, maybe he is), I think it's due to the fact he simply doesn't know any better. Example, he'll leave like 3 bucks on a $60 dollar meal/drink tab. Yikes.
Funny you mentioned the midwest thing. In conjunction with what you said, the flip side is, midwesterners are notoriously the worst tippers out there. My best friend is from Iowa and he's notorious for leaving little to no tip. He's not being cheap (well, maybe he is), I think it's due to the fact he simply doesn't know any better. Example, he'll leave like 3 bucks on a $60 dollar meal/drink tab. Yikes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 64
From: West Liberty, Ohio
My Indy who I have known and rode with for 35 years, I'll take lunch and drinks to half the time just because I pick his brain, he doesn't do HD though .
I tipped my tractor dealer for holding and loading a pallet of freight on fed ex for me, brought 2 pizza's the next day for the crew.
I don't plan on getting close enough to the HD stealership to feel any commradery.
I ran a catering truck for 5 years. It sure was nice getting tires changed, rotors turned, pipes welded, etc., all by giving them free lunch(I did have to buy it)
I still stop back to some of my favorite catering stops with a box of donuts(5years later). The body shop manager got me another $600. on a claim last year.(legally and ethically)
I tried tipping my PHE who I have known for 45 years and graduated with. I bought a nozzle and filter to do my own mainten. and ask questions and his wife wouldn't keep the change. I'll drop off a box candy for Christmas.
I can say without a doubt no mechanic is getting my new take off parts that will recoup half of my add on $'s.
As far as my doctor goes, if it wasn't for insurance screwing up everything, I'd be changing the brakes on his car for some care.
I tipped my tractor dealer for holding and loading a pallet of freight on fed ex for me, brought 2 pizza's the next day for the crew.
I don't plan on getting close enough to the HD stealership to feel any commradery.
I ran a catering truck for 5 years. It sure was nice getting tires changed, rotors turned, pipes welded, etc., all by giving them free lunch(I did have to buy it)
I still stop back to some of my favorite catering stops with a box of donuts(5years later). The body shop manager got me another $600. on a claim last year.(legally and ethically)
I tried tipping my PHE who I have known for 45 years and graduated with. I bought a nozzle and filter to do my own mainten. and ask questions and his wife wouldn't keep the change. I'll drop off a box candy for Christmas.
I can say without a doubt no mechanic is getting my new take off parts that will recoup half of my add on $'s.
As far as my doctor goes, if it wasn't for insurance screwing up everything, I'd be changing the brakes on his car for some care.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 11
From: Kentucky
So some of you guys tip mechanics. Really? Seems like a thing Mercedes drivers might do.
I've never taken a motorcycle to a mechanic, but I don't think I'd tip.
KBFXDLI even tips at McDonald's - I'm calling BS on claiming the "standard" for tips to waitresses recently got somehow rasied to 20%. Never heard that one before, anywhere.
I've never taken a motorcycle to a mechanic, but I don't think I'd tip.
KBFXDLI even tips at McDonald's - I'm calling BS on claiming the "standard" for tips to waitresses recently got somehow rasied to 20%. Never heard that one before, anywhere.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
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So some of you guys tip mechanics. Really? Seems like a thing Mercedes drivers might do.
I've never taken a motorcycle to a mechanic, but I don't think I'd tip.
KBFXDLI even tips at McDonald's - I'm calling BS on claiming the "standard" for tips to waitresses recently got somehow rasied to 20%. Never heard that one before, anywhere.
I've never taken a motorcycle to a mechanic, but I don't think I'd tip.
KBFXDLI even tips at McDonald's - I'm calling BS on claiming the "standard" for tips to waitresses recently got somehow rasied to 20%. Never heard that one before, anywhere.
Agreed. Around here it's still 10-15% for personal service: hair cut, wait staff, paper boy, etc...
If you're in the "1%" I suppose you do tip 20% or better. Good for you. Hope your conscience doesn't catch up w/you!
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 16
From: USA
Or anywhere else in the country. Standard today is 15-20%. I do realize in rural parts of the country, it's not as expected. Hence my comments about my buddies from the midwest, and judging from the responses, it seems pretty accurate.
I was back in western PA a few years ago visiting some family and stopped by the local watering hole one night. Draft beer was .80 cents. I'd leave the barmaid the 20 cents every time and few times threw her a few bucks. She was floored, she sincerely didn't realize it was tip. And I'm certainly no big spender, nor rich. So, I guess it comes with the territory, I suppose.
I was back in western PA a few years ago visiting some family and stopped by the local watering hole one night. Draft beer was .80 cents. I'd leave the barmaid the 20 cents every time and few times threw her a few bucks. She was floored, she sincerely didn't realize it was tip. And I'm certainly no big spender, nor rich. So, I guess it comes with the territory, I suppose.
Last edited by Jack Straw; Nov 14, 2011 at 07:12 PM.