Leaving tips at the dealership?

BEM-S4 · 02-08-2016, 09:30 AM

Think it's important to consider what kind of customer you are as well. I usually show up without an appointment, in a rush, and just grab the first loaner in line and am on my way. Never have to wait for more time than it takes to explain why I am there. Take that into consideration when buying beers for the tech or whatever.

AlpsRider · 02-08-2016, 11:23 AM

I think if I was really friendly with the SA or techs and I had known them for awhile I might bring them doughnuts or beer etc. I don't think I would give money, I would be afraid they'd think I was just arrogantly throwing money around.

DivideBYZero · 02-08-2016, 04:42 PM

I once tipped the guys at the dealership a crate of 24 beers after they got an E46 M3 flywheel and clutch replacement done for me on the warranty. The dealership was a couple of weeks away from being closed, so it was the least I could do for some of them.

IDBMW · 02-08-2016, 05:33 PM

I would not tip anyone at the dealership but I do like the idea of bringing donuts to the service people.

snaketh · 02-08-2016, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Think it's important to consider what kind of customer you are as well. I usually show up without an appointment, in a rush, and just grab the first loaner in line and am on my way. Never have to wait for more time than it takes to explain why I am there. Take that into consideration when buying beers for the tech or whatever.

This is what I dislike about the tipping culture here. A tip should for a service well received. Not "I'll throw a little something your way in the hopes that you'll give me a little something in return". I'm NOT intending to cause offense to you BEM-S4. I believe everyone should get good service and treated equally, not a "you scratch my back I'll scratch yours" situation.

kd0t · 02-08-2016, 10:24 PM

What if your SA and the tech drive nicer cars than you? Haha

CalCarNut · 02-10-2016, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

I always think the techs think the car owners take the garage work for granted. Some of the work can be dangerous and complicated - to offer a tip to get lunch or to buy some tools when the 'tool trucks' drive by always seemed liked a nice jester.

I generally tip tire guys who do my tire work. I haven't tipped a tech who's worked on my car for awhile now...(its an indy shop and the owner charges more than enough

).

As for the dealership, I'll have to think about doing that again once my car goes in for service.

sstarrx3 · 04-05-2016, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi

I live in a country who don't tip as they all receive full wages with overtime and 4 weeks holiday minimum.

If service is excellent a gift of a few beers or a bottle of wine or flowers is better than money as some thought has gone into the gift, We also say please and thank you which seems to be missing we notice in America. We also notice some are outright rude to staff and if this happened in my country they would be asked to leave or apologise to the stuff member they were rude to.

Son you have been visiting the wrong parts of America. Where I live please and thank you is required. We even say bless your heart when we are really telling you to F**K off!!!

BEM-S4 · 04-12-2016, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaketh

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Think it's important to consider what kind of customer you are as well. I usually show up without an appointment, in a rush, and just grab the first loaner in line and am on my way. Never have to wait for more time than it takes to explain why I am there. Take that into consideration when buying beers for the tech or whatever.

This is what I dislike about the tipping culture here. A tip should for a service well received. Not "I'll throw a little something your way in the hopes that you'll give me a little something in return". I'm NOT intending to cause offense to you BEM-S4. I believe everyone should get good service and treated equally, not a "you scratch my back I'll scratch yours" situation.

I think you missed my point, and no offense taken. I just left my car at the dealer and they had the wheel guy fix all my curb rash on 3 wheels for no charge to me. For that, I left him a case of beer next time I was there. I don't think tipping or doing something for the tech is necessary if it's basic normal service but when they do something nice for me without asking I give them a thank you.

B_Rice · 04-12-2016, 01:46 PM

As a guy that works at a dealership. I think most of us would appreciate a good yelp review and a good survey rather than a monetary reward.

chattanooga240 · 04-12-2016, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

I will tip the kids who wash the cars and when deserved give outstanding ratings for service.

Even more important is leaving quotes on the surveys.

This 100%

BMWrules7 · 04-12-2016, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Quote:

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

Same here...I would never tip a professional auto technician. They are well paid professionals not minimum wage wait staff. I think I would be insulted if I was a professional and somebody tipped me.

I always think the techs think the car owners take the garage work for granted. Some of the work can be dangerous and complicated - to offer a tip to get lunch or to buy some tools when the 'tool trucks' drive by always seemed liked a nice jester.

Agreed

Transfer · 04-12-2016, 05:20 PM

Tipping is out of control in the U.S. I would never tip my mechanic or dealership. That's just nuts.

CanadianGatorBacon · 04-13-2016, 04:51 PM

There was a story on the Freakonmics radio show about tipping in restaurants (and more specifically about a restaurant in NYC that has done away with tipping). According to the show the custom of tipping in a restaurant in the U.S. started during prohibition. The restaurants were making less money because they couldn't sell alcohol (usually the most marked up item in a restaurant), so to balance the books restaurants slashed wages. People who could afford it started tipping to subsidize the works' meager pay. Of course, once restaurant owners found out they could get their customers to pay the same prices for food and pay the workers, things stayed that way after prohibition ended.

Most other tipping is done to show appreciation for a personal service. I always found this a bit weird since there is no real way to draw the line. Most of the time you are tipping just to say thank you for doing the job I already payed you to do, and very often regardless of the outcome. Tipping has become so expected in some industries that we tip almost automatically, and then tip more to show appreciation. In general I don't get it.

I don't tip for service at a dealership, but then I've never really been given a reason to do it.

morphomeman · 04-13-2016, 05:03 PM

The OP is from Brooklyn, where you tip everyone if you know what's good for you, including your wife, for a job well done.

02-08-2016, 09:30 AM	#23
BEM-S4 Major General 4516 Rep 8,942 Posts Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (5)	Think it's important to consider what kind of customer you are as well. I usually show up without an appointment, in a rush, and just grab the first loaner in line and am on my way. Never have to wait for more time than it takes to explain why I am there. Take that into consideration when buying beers for the tech or whatever. __________________ 2022 Macan S 2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
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02-08-2016, 11:23 AM	#24
AlpsRider Brigadier General 2865 Rep 3,842 Posts Drives: M2 Competition, LBB, 6MT Join Date: May 2015 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	I think if I was really friendly with the SA or techs and I had known them for awhile I might bring them doughnuts or beer etc. I don't think I would give money, I would be afraid they'd think I was just arrogantly throwing money around.
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02-08-2016, 04:42 PM	#25
DivideBYZero Never underestimate the Home-Bowl 484 Rep 821 Posts Drives: F87 M2<E92 M3<E46 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M2 [0.00] 2016 BMW M235i [0.00] 2012 BMW 120d M Spo ... [0.00] 2010 BMW M3 - SOLD [10.00] 2002 BMW Z3 2.2i Sport [0.00] 2001 BMW M3 - SOLD [9.00]	I once tipped the guys at the dealership a crate of 24 beers after they got an E46 M3 flywheel and clutch replacement done for me on the warranty. The dealership was a couple of weeks away from being closed, so it was the least I could do for some of them. __________________ 2017 F87 M2, MG, M-DCT 2002 E36/7 Z3 2.2 Sport 5MT 2016 F22 M235i Coupe, MW, ZF8
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02-08-2016, 05:33 PM	#26
IDBMW Captain 41 Rep 825 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boise, ID iTrader: (0)	I would not tip anyone at the dealership but I do like the idea of bringing donuts to the service people. __________________ 2019 X3 M40i - Black Sapphire Metallic - Mocha Lather - 21" 718M wheels - Every option except Sun Shade
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02-08-2016, 10:24 PM	#28
kd0t Banned 137 Rep 627 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	What if your SA and the tech drive nicer cars than you? Haha
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04-12-2016, 01:46 PM	#32
B_Rice Lieutenant 218 Rep 518 Posts Drives: 6spd Estoril Blue M235i Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	As a guy that works at a dealership. I think most of us would appreciate a good yelp review and a good survey rather than a monetary reward. __________________ Estoril Blue 6spd M235i LSD Sunroof delete AWE touring exhaust Fabspeed sport cat
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04-12-2016, 05:20 PM	#35
Transfer Major General 5250 Rep 5,874 Posts Drives: Bronco Wildtrak, Tesla MYP Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Issaquah, WA iTrader: (1)	Tipping is out of control in the U.S. I would never tip my mechanic or dealership. That's just nuts.
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04-13-2016, 04:51 PM	#36
CanadianGatorBacon Lieutenant 232 Rep 417 Posts Drives: M235i (holy crap!) Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: D.C. iTrader: (0)	There was a story on the Freakonmics radio show about tipping in restaurants (and more specifically about a restaurant in NYC that has done away with tipping). According to the show the custom of tipping in a restaurant in the U.S. started during prohibition. The restaurants were making less money because they couldn't sell alcohol (usually the most marked up item in a restaurant), so to balance the books restaurants slashed wages. People who could afford it started tipping to subsidize the works' meager pay. Of course, once restaurant owners found out they could get their customers to pay the same prices for food and pay the workers, things stayed that way after prohibition ended. Most other tipping is done to show appreciation for a personal service. I always found this a bit weird since there is no real way to draw the line. Most of the time you are tipping just to say thank you for doing the job I already payed you to do, and very often regardless of the outcome. Tipping has become so expected in some industries that we tip almost automatically, and then tip more to show appreciation. In general I don't get it. I don't tip for service at a dealership, but then I've never really been given a reason to do it. __________________ Current: 2016 BMW M235i \| 2013 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wife's) Gone but not forgotten: 1992 Buick LeSaber Limited \| 1999 Acura CL 3.0 \| 2003 Volvo S60 2.4T \| 2006 BMW x3 3.0i \| 2009 Honda Fit Sport
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04-13-2016, 05:03 PM	#37
morphomeman Major 593 Rep 1,219 Posts Drives: 2015 M235ix Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW X3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M235ix [0.00]	The OP is from Brooklyn, where you tip everyone if you know what's good for you, including your wife, for a job well done.
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