Do You Give A Gratuity To Your Service Technicians?

[lostinfla]

Wow, I'm feeling in the minority. I always have tipped at Freightliner, but it really doesn't seem to make a difference in the service. Been there 9 consecutive years now and tipped most every time, 3 times using the same tech. No difference in service that I can see, so I think I'll scale back this year.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

At $200+ per hour, there isn't much left to tip with!

 

[NWIP]

I do at service center as I appreciate the tech’s willingness to answer all my questions . I will say I have benefited as he has done minor fixes without me seeing it on the final bill

 

[GlampDaddy]

I tip at Newmar, then request the same tech on my next visit. I’ve been pleased so far.

 

[RollingManCave]

Reading some of the off topic replies to my question, I had to go back and read what I posted. I was simply asking if you tip your service technicians...

My post obviously struck a nerve with the curmudgeons...

Really? I get the feeling you knew exactly what you were doing. Evident by your need to resort to name calling when others have a different opinion than yours. Have a nice day!

 

[Neal]

Stop the bashing! We are all here to enjoy the RV friends and if something doesn't set right for you, maybe it's time to just take a deep breath. Time is short, let's enjoy it and be kind to all.

Thank you!

 

[RollingManCave]

I do at service center as I appreciate the tech’s willingness to answer all my questions . I will say I have benefited as he has done minor fixes without me seeing it on the final bill

Interesting. So looking at it from the Service Owners perspective, the tech got his hourly wage for the work he did for the Service owner and a tip from you for that free work performed, but the service owner got nothing for that free work. That reminds me of another story. Years ago, I had a layover in front of a fast food restaurant. I went in and ordered a cheese burger. The woman behind the counter was very nice to me. I went back to my vehicle and when I looked into the bag, there were two burgers. I was one of those folks that should not eat two burgers but I did. A few days later I ate at the same place and again the same nice woman took my order and again I ended up with two burgers. The next day, the woman that served me the extra burgers, became my customer and she was $1 short of the required fare. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a one dollar bill and inserted it into the fare box. I let her know in the future she needed her full fair no mater how full I was from the burgers. The organization I worked for did not allow us to take tips but many operators did. I wonder how many free rides there customers were given. It is only those folks that are doing most of the rowing that rock the boat. Why rock the boat if you are getting a free ride? You may very well want to call the guy who is rocking the boat a few names. . I was told one dude, centuries ago, got nailed to the mast for rocking the boat.

 

[JRS]

At FPU we did but that's it. Donuts, etc on occasion. Never tip at the Freightliner locations.

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

No tips. I have brought in a box of donuts once or twice. Personally, I think the whole tipping thing has gotten way out of control in the last few years.

Best,
-Mark

 

[redbaron]

Personally, I think the whole tipping thing has gotten way out of control in the last few years

Agreed. I’ve seen pre programmed tip options beginning at 30% going up to 60% before you can find the custom option. That always irritates me, but doesn’t stop me from choosing custom and entering the deserved tip.

I do wonder how many just press the 30% though.

 

[Underboss]

I always tip for my vehicle services. I always tip for large deliveries at my home. I hate this newer trend of asking for tips at counter service places. Its like the mob shaking down bar owners, not that I would know much about that.
I am not looking for anything for free, just more attentiveness to the details. I had a friend who would go to a certain restaurant 2x a week and because he tipped the waiter 20%, he would get free bottles of beer for him and his wife. I asked him, as he was devoutly christian, if he thought it proper to steal from the business owner, as all those types do, he claimed I am not stealing.
I was recently stuck at FL for a week, I tipped and I bought donuts. The issue was difficult to diagnose and the tech told me, all of them wanted to figure it out as they did not want to disappoint me and they did not. I see it that just because an hourly labor fee is, say, $200, the tech is not getting that.

 

[pzookey]

I have not tipped for service but then I have just bought my Newmar. My old Coach is a 76 Travco Mahal 2+2 and I took care of all the service myself. Now I made a mistake when I purchased the Newmar from a Camping World and the tech that did the initial walk through tried BSing me on a few things. Now I am waiting for a call about parts for the televator that they are supposed to fix and after a call to them Friday they are supposedly trying to call Newmar to find out what happened to the parts they ordered. I dont think the parts were ordered. Just like the tech told me a clunk the slide makes going out is normal. I believe the slide needs adjusting but they swear its normal. There will be no tipping there.
I have no issue tipping where it is due. I have been on both sides of this issue. I worked as an Auto mechanic in the late 80s and through the 90s I rarely received tips. Most tips came from regulars and they were taken care of. Nothing given for free but the extra check or getting the job done in a quick manner (getting a 3 hour book job complete in 45 minutes so they could make a flight). Any tips I got while working as a mechanic went into tools to help me with my job.

 

[Russellvh]

My son always tips in cash. He says it helps him control it more. Plus he includes a $2.00 bill in the tip.

 

[Boat Bum]

 

[Boat Bum]

Just like the tech told me a clunk the slide makes going out is normal. I believe the slide needs adjusting but they swear its normal.

My bedroom headboard slide makes a distinctive clunk like a lever drops down past a certain point.

 

[pzookey]

My bedroom headboard slide makes a distinctive clunk like a lever drops down past a certain point.

My bedroom ahs a little clunk similar to what you are saying. My kitchen has a visible lurch with a loud clunk as the floor levels. The front side levels smoothly back the back side jumps. Something is out of whack.

 

[RVThereYet]

To tip or not to top,that is the question?
Matters not the service rendered. Was the service just part of the job being done by the employee or did it go over and above what would be normally expected.
In a restaurant, it is more easily identifiable as to normal service, good service or exceptional service.

I must say that I have left nothing for a tip if that was the service I received and have left way more than the excepted 20% tip if the service was personal and I was made felt as a true value to the business.
To tip a tech for services rendered for doing the job that he is being paid to do, not so sure I would. Now a mobile tech that is different than a tech at a dealer. Dealer tech, for sure no tip from me.
That's my $0.02 worth. I'm OUT!!

 

[DHudson]

Just to add my $.01 worth. Back in the mid to late '90's, I was Service Manager at a large Chevy Dealer in Dallas. Our labor rate was about $70.00 / hr. Techs made 45% of that. I had guys making $35,000.00 to $100,000.00 per year. BACK IN THE LATE '90'S!! So, my personal take is, unless they stay late to get you back on the road, or something of that nature, they are paid well for the job they do.

 

[Roadglide117]

I do not, their pay is their employer's responsibility. Never get a refund when they they leave a mess or have to drive back because it still isn't working. The price market on parts is rediculously high. Pass some of that for work well done. But, I would buy pizza for lunch, if they'd let me. Call me cheap.

 

[Holdmybeer]

I don't tip people for doing their job, with the exception of kids working at Sonic or the like. I tip people for exceeding my expectations however. I read in the NYT's awhile back where a waiter said if you can't tip 25% stay home. Not a problem for me. My best friend when I was in Germany told a rude waiter, " Here's your tip, stay out of dark alley's on payday".