Thread on tipping for Service at Infiniti Dealers?

[uncbeers]

Forgive me for taking up a post for this question but I swear I saw a thread a ways back where this was discussed. Anyone know where it is? I ran some searches and came up empty-handed. I'm just trying to get a general consensus on if I should tip a little when I take my car in next week for some work and check-up or if it is over-rated.

Thanks!

[zozoka1212]

I never do. I always talk to them and remember their name and called them on their name. I never had any issue with them. They helped e every time and keep calling me after the service if I was 100% satisfied with their service. Every time I go for a service they ask me if I want to testdrive any of the car. (I do that all the time).

If you talk to them friendly they will remember you. Few friendly question about them. Just show some interest in them would take you farter then tipping.

zozo

[MagicM]

This is news to me why tip a service mechanic working on your car . to me it's pathetic they should be working on your car with their full attention and not half a**ed and better on a different vehicle because somebody "tipped" them. It's not a Pizza delivery man ~_~.

[SVTCOBRA]

I never do. I always talk to them and remember their name and called them on their name. I never had any issue with them. They helped e every time and keep calling me after the service if I was 100% satisfied with their service. Every time I go for a service they ask me if I want to testdrive any of the car. (I do that all the time).

If you talk to them friendly they will remember you. Few friendly question about them. Just show some interest in them would take you farter then tipping.

zozo

Also, I try to do most everything myself. If I do need to take my car in for non-warranty service, I take it to my NISSAN dealer!!! Why pay more for the 'experience' Infiniti offers?

[telcoman]

Forgive me for taking up a post for this question but I swear I saw a thread a ways back where this was discussed. Anyone know where it is? I ran some searches and came up empty-handed. I'm just trying to get a general consensus on if I should tip a little when I take my car in next week for some work and check-up or if it is over-rated.

Thanks!

One of the things I learned from my father is taking care of the service advisor/manager/mechanic can often go a long way not only in reducing what you are charged but the hassle factor at a dealership as well.

Many Dealerships offer monetary incentives for the service advisors to increase billing. So if you are having a couple of hundred dollars of work done, the service advisor can make an extra $20.00 or more in commission by finding other things to bill you for. It is cheaper for you to just give them the $20.00 They will always remember you & when you call for an emergency appointment they will always squeeze you in.I have in the past received used parts at no charge (88 Mazda 929) when a new anti lock brake regulator would have cost over $1000 new. Also a free headlight bulb on my 92 Lexus. Tipping has always worked for me.

Telcoman

[awdjdmtalon]

I am a tech. And it is nice to have someone reccognize the excellent work that you have done for them. I have received money, gifts, and food. I think the most appriciated thing is food.

We don't always have time to stop for lunch. So when someone brings in doughnuts or bagels. We are like "Wow thanks" That means a lot. And we remember that.

We have several customers that do that for us. And we remember thier name, what they drive, and make sure they are taken care of. I can tell you that they are the first ones to get their car looked at in the morning. And if it needs anyting extra, like wiperblades or a bulb. 99% of the time it is no charge to install it. (99% is b/c some techs don't have a clue)

And another piece of advice. If the tech does a good job, ask for him the next time. It builds a relationship, and he is more likely to thow something extra in on the next service. We are straight commission. So it helps us to have repeat clients.

Just my .02 worth

Just last week we had a customer bring us coffee from Honduros (i know i spelled that wrong). And the bagles and donuts are great, b/c you cover the techs and the servicewriter and manager all at once.

[SVTCOBRA]

^ Your post does remind me that when we get service at our Nissan dealer my daughter or wife bakes up a batch of cookies to give to the guys. Since I do my own maint. it's usually something big like new tires.Or,when we get a good deal on a car there, the sales-guys get a batch of cookies.

[joe603]

+1 on the food thing! It really does go a long way

[heliochrome85]

i never give tips. i dont even fill the loaner back up. at 120 an hour, the dealer gets enough of my money

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,Pastries and Gift Certificates actually can go a long way in engendering goodwill. Also, every Christmas I give the two advisors at my dealership $25.00 gift cards to Starbucks. It is my only annual expenditure at the home of charbroiled coffee. They seem to like it though.

It really does help. Last year, I was able to have both my steering wheel and shift knob replaced under warranty. The leather steering wheel was starting to crack on the top of it. This is a thousand dollar part that other members have not been able to get covered unfortunately. Many dealers claim this to be "wear and tear". Cheers,ML

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

The guys at infiniti of tampa pissed me off! I don't give them $hit!

DJ

[Jacko3]

I am calling my service consultant right now to let them know I will be hooking them up pretty soon.

[awdjdmtalon]

The guys at infiniti of tampa pissed me off! I don't give them $hit!

DJ

That is what the service manager is for. If there is an issue, talk to him.

Remember. If you come in w/ a sh*tty attitude, then you will get it in return. Same if you call w/ one. Remember tread others like you want to be treated.

I have a customer that bring myself and the service adviser that she deals w/ a goodie bag at christmas. WE DO REMEMBER THOSE WHO TREAT US WELL, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE AN A** TO US.

[uncbeers]

That is what the service manager is for. If there is an issue, talk to him.

Remember. If you come in w/ a sh*tty attitude, then you will get it in return. Same if you call w/ one. Remember tread others like you want to be treated.

I have a customer that bring myself and the service adviser that she deals w/ a goodie bag at christmas. WE DO REMEMBER THOSE WHO TREAT US WELL, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE AN A** TO US.

So those of you that are service managers, do more people than not tip and/or bring in stuff or are those types rare? Curious now...

[awdjdmtalon]

I'd say about 3-5% do. But belive me. When those ppl come in. They are taken care of. Like I said earlier. Make sure you get in good w/ the tech as well as the service writer. And make sure to introduce yourself to the service manager.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

^ Your post does remind me that when we get service at our Nissan dealer my daughter or wife bakes up a batch of cookies to give to the guys. Since I do my own maint. it's usually something big like new tires.Or,when we get a good deal on a car there, the sales-guys get a batch of cookies.

I'm with SVT on this one. Why take the car to the more expensive (than Nissan) dealer for the same service. So you are paying more and contemplating tipping on top of that?????

Think about it - the powertrain is shared with the Nissan 350Z - and All of theparts on your infiniti (except the logos) are stamped Nissan.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

Forgive me for taking up a post for this question but I swear I saw a thread a ways back where this was discussed. Anyone know where it is? I ran some searches and came up empty-handed. I'm just trying to get a general consensus on if I should tip a little when I take my car in next week for some work and check-up or if it is over-rated.

Thanks!

I wouldnt say tipping is overrated - I thinkit is just unnecesary. Find yourself a good Nissan dealer, be courteous, save some dough. If you want to give during the holidays fine - but why tip for routine service.

[Raylo]

Your insane!!!! About as insane as those clowns at taco bell, dairy queen and starbucks are for their damn tip jars!!! I agree that if you are given service above and beyond some bagels or such are a good gesture but tipping just because is ridiculas. Treat them like you want to be treated and that should be all it takes.

[uncbeers]

Your insane!!!! About as insane as those clowns at taco bell, dairy queen and starbucks are for their damn tip jars!!! I agree that if you are given service above and beyond some bagels or such are a good gesture but tipping just because is ridiculas. Treat them like you want to be treated and that should be all it takes.

OK- so servicing my car for stuff I can't do is no more important than wrapping my meat, cheese and lettuce into a tortilla?!

Not so sure I see eye to eye one the 'almost as insane' part but I do believe I get the point you were trying to make!

[infinitgkid]

Here's an idea:

Why don't we go to congress to enact some kind of holiday for the people in the service department?

It'd be the same concept as Mother's/Father's day and we'd call it something like Service Department Appreciation Day (I know the name is lame, but it was a spur of the moment thought).

But then again now that I think about it is that why Labor Day exists?

Then again, I'm all for leaving gratuity to someone just as long as the job was done right. Heck, I remember one time I left a $2 tip for this chick at TGI Friday's and I felt bad so I came back a week later, asked for her section, got a coke and then paid and left a $40 tip.

The way I see it, if you tip your mechanic/service dept person even when you feel that you shouldn't; yeah you may loose a couple dollars that you were gonna put towards something on the dollar menu... but when it all boils down to it, the moral reward you can get from making someones day is far greater than a double cheeseburger with a McValue fires... This world could use some good will, gotta start small right?

Just my thoughts...

[504G]

Im a service advisor and customers with ****ty attitudes get put last on the board in my shop. All that I ask for is some patience and respect, because for some reason people feel as though real service work should be as fast as a 5min oil change shop!! I dont really look for tips from customers but If they wanna tip the tech thats kool. So I kinda agree with the tipping the tech and/or the service writer, because believe it or not if you have a good attitude when you come see me I normally take care of the customer by putting a little discount at the bottom of the ticket just to build relationships with my customers to show them im not going to get over on them.

P.S: I DONT BRING MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR NON-WARRANTY WORK, I WORK AT A SHOP!!!

[awdjdmtalon]

Thank you for adding the input from a service adviser. I guess that a tech's input wasn't good enought.

[rn79870]

If you give them money before the work, it's a bribe. If you give it them after the work, it's a tip. The tip is for doing a "extra special" or fast job. I never tip and never go for any of the other suggested service. If it isn't in the owners manual, it doesn't need to be done IMO.

[zozoka1212]

After all I am the boss. I bring the money.

Without costumers the service people would not get paid.

zozo

[Raylo]

Ok, Ok, insane is a but rough, sorry, the whole tip jar fad just kills me.. soap box issue