hi
i believe in tipping the service manager and mechanic that did the work i have good result with this it seems they all know me and are willing to help me out and go out of there way i think a 10 spot goes a long way
they spent 3 hrs cleaning my bike after a rode trip i did it was in for 110 motor rode in the rain for 4 days and rode right into dealer for upgrade and they spend the time cleaning it for me

and the 110 is the sh*t
thanks gabe

 

Are you kidding. You have extra money to tip a mechanic when you have to pay for the bill too? Thats restaurants and whose waitress makes minimum wage.

I suppose if I was wealthy I would consider it hoping to encourage them to watch out for me and my bike . I've been known to bring a case of cold beverages, is that a tip?

 

Gabe,

When I had them service my bike (doing it on my own servicing now because of this forum), if the guy/gal went above and beyond to delight me I would throw a 10 or 20 his/her way, but for the normal service, I do not think it is needed.

I once gave a kid 20 for installing the audible siren on my 2003 Roadking plus the 1000 mile service. I got home took the seat off while I was cleaning it and noticed a nice scratch on the fender under the seat(noticable when using solo seat only. The dealer took it back and asked the guy right in front of me what happened. The guy said, "A scratch under the seat?? All that I know is the guy even tipped me he was so happy" I felt like Bruce Banner when the music starts to play and his eyes change right before he turns into the Incredible Hulk. I could have jumped over the counter at that point. They fixed it, no questions asked, but that always reminded me of how people can be. My question to the guy which he never answered was "did you know the scratch was there when I handed you the tip and decided not to say anything?"

 

I tip at a resturant, But not if they were to charge me $200.00 for a hamburger.

 

I have never tipped them unless they have done me a favor. But at their prices there are no favors.

 

No way. My dad was a mechanic and I spent a lot of time in the shop with him. Never heard of such a thing. They do charge what I consider to be high hourly fees to begin with. Now, if I saw my service manager in a bar I wouldn't hesitate to send him a beer.

 

I'd agree with this approach - same goes if I saw the sales manager or one of the techs in a bar. But as a general rule - no, I don't tip for service on any of my vehicles.

 

Tipping for service always seemed a little backward to me, yes I know that waitstaff dont make as much and it supplements their income, but why tip people that are taking your money, they are being compensated for their work. If they are being compensated for their work then they dont need to supplement thier income by tipping. Further do you tip your accountant or attorney, they often times are either making or retaining more of your money for you then had you not been represented or advised by them, I would think that you would want to tip them more for assisting you with a problem, since they are helping your bottem line. Untill I start tipping those that help me make/retain more money, I dont think I will be tipping those that are already taking to much away from me.

 

no different than tipping a dealer at a casino...never did figure that one out either......

 

When I brought my previous bike in for service, I decided to use a shop I don't normally use. The mechanic spent extra time on the bike, and even came out to talk to me to explain what he did, and what else he found. I was impressed, and gave him a $10 as a token of my appreciation. He seemed really surprised, and I knew that I had made a friend and that he would always go out of his way to do me right from then on. Seemed like it was well worth it to me.

But no, I normally don't tip for getting my biked serviced. Maybe a couple of bucks to the wash guys, but usually not even that.