Wraith

Hey Guys/Gals.... Does anyone tip their Service Advisors? I have had outstanding service so far and after reading some of the horrors stories that others have had to endure, i'd really like to show him some appreciation. I remember someone metioning gifts.... is this a normal practice?

Any insight appreciated

CitronC230K_03

ive bought mine a couple of starbucks gift cards.

Deutscher_Wagen

Giving the guy 5 bucks would more of an insult if you ask me...

Citron's got the hang of it... either small gifts that make him feel good or a crisp $100 bill probably wouldn't insult his ego.

revstriker

No, I do not, and would not tip my service adviser. The only way I would even consider giving her a tip would be if she were to somehow go above and beyond her job for ex. getting me a specific loaner car, delivering the car to me, etc. However, for just setting up a service appointment, and putting me into a loaner C240, I would not tip. She already gets paid to do this.

PsssTkiD

i was thinking of the samething..

maybe i'll just mine some drink shop gift cards also...it's better than cash ..since it's insulting.

CitronC230K_03

ive only bought my SA starbucks giftcards for X-mas, installing my Fire Extinguisher, and attempting to enable my PTS. he does give me a choice of loaner car now (if he has them), when before it was basically take what you can get.

i do not buy gift cards for every visit. that would be a waste.

Wraith

Thanks Guys..., that does give me some sense of the norm. I dunno how i got lucky but my SA does seem to go above and beyond on a regular basis. Keeps finding ways to get things covered under warranty that wouldn't otherwise be (due to wear and tear). Or, for instance, I had this intermittent speaker issue that i can never seem to replicate when i'm there... he said screw it, let's replace the whole thing. I thought it would always be up to me to prove that something was defective... apparently not so.

Gift cards sound like a good idea. Thanks Again

revstriker

If your car is under warranty, this would be the normal procedure; to replace the speaker. Just because you can't replicate it, doesn't mean it's not happening. Not trying to argue against your tip, but this example is not IMO going beyond what they are already paid to do.

ctC230K

give them tips? **** that they already make enough money in commissions off the parts and labor that is marked up five times or more, they don't need more on top of that

Wraith

Yes.. you are probably right.., but again, after reading ppls experiences, I guess i'm not taking anything for granted. It's quite nice rolling into the service bay next cars costing 5-10x mine and getting treated just the same as they. Only, i seem to appreciated it more... they just expect it.

ctC230K

well the C class makes up 30% of their sales so they better treat C class owners well or they'll lose even more sales each year

Deutscher_Wagen

where you at? my dealer is the same way... very impressive

respdoc

Do don't happen to go to the one in C.O. Springs, do you?

FIXEDupW209

if anything, get them a bottle of wine

Wraith

Seattle, Phil Smart

revstriker

Well, it certainly won't hurt.

I don't know about you, but I "expect" good service too. Then again, I don't think Mercedes really treats their customers any better than any other dealer. I know I always got treated well at the numerous Jeep dealers I've been to over the years, and the SA at our local Chevy dealer treats good as well.

GDawgC220

I usually bring mine coffee. Great SA, gives me loaners, appointments when I need to get the car in, etc.

Little things help in the long run IMO. Say your just out of warranty by a thousand miles or something to that nature and something craps out, more likely to help you out to get it covered under warranty and stuff.

mleskovar

No. In fact, for warranty repairs the manufacturers should be refunding you $ for the inconvenience as well as fixing the problem. Ideally there should be no repairs needed. Good service promotes repeat customers as its own reward. A good car service writer should be embarrassed by a tip.

ctC230K

BMW service advisors are real AS5HOLES, i can tell you that.

revstriker

It depends on the dealer. Our BMW SAs were great.

nlpamg

I agree, a $5 tip would be an insult...

But the best thing you could do for your service advisor, and it could backfire for the future b/c they no longer have something they need from you... survey. My advisor said she'll have my car waxed and detailed if I give her my survey. She's called me many a times when my car was there and after to tell me about the survey. I'm going to hold onto it until I get everything I want done right... and after the ipod thingy comes in.

inFiniTE LooP

wow, and to think i almost tipped my service advisor last time i was in (checked my wallet and realized i didn't have enough to make it justifiable, ah well) i felt bad not givin him anything, but i guess my guilt has been put to rest

inFiniTE LooP

oh yea, i forgot to mention this, my service advisor has called me twice in the past week to make sure i give him "All Excellents" on the survey, i assured him i would do nothing less . in fact i almost started a thread about whether you guys have ever had service advisors call you to have you do this, guess my questions have been answered

dmatre

Tipping the SA isn't a requirement, but if you want your SA to remember you, treat him in a way that will ensure that he remembers you.

If you get good service, write a letter of appreciation to the GM of the dealership. This will certainly get you onto a first-name basis with the SA.

Remember his name. All people like to be recognized and remembered, and SA's are no different than the rest of us.

Additionally, compliment (if warranted) the quality of the service techs who work on your car, and let him know that you really appreciate the service he and his service staff provides.

You don't need to give money or gifts, there are hundreds of simple things that you can do to etch yourself a (positive) place in your SA's memory.

Think about how you would be if you were an SA. Would you go out of your way to do something nice for a guy who only complains and whines about his problems? What about for a guy who has written a letter that got you an 'atta-boy' from the GM, and who appreciates all that you do for him?

It's the little things that mean a lot. Remember, SA's are people too.

CitronC230K_03

and why i think a little gift of gratitude as a thanks isnt too much to ask for IMO.