Service Advisors
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Service Advisors
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
Any insight appreciated
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Colorado
05-C230SC
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.
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.
Out Of Control!!
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From: Obama Land
K Car
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.
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
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.
i do not buy gift cards for every visit. that would be a waste.
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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
Gift cards sound like a good idea. Thanks Again
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Out Of Control!!
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From: Obama Land
K Car
Originally Posted by 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
Gift cards sound like a good idea. Thanks Again
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From: Connecticut
excites your girlfriend
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
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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.
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From: Colorado
05-C230SC
Originally Posted by 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.
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From: Obama Land
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Originally Posted by 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.
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.
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
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.
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.
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Tip service advisor?
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.
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From: Connecticut
excites your girlfriend
Originally Posted by 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.
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.
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From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
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.
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.
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From: Hawaii
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 2004.5 C230 Sport Sedan, 2005 E320 CDI, 2008 C300 4-Matic Luxury
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 
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From: Hawaii
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 2004.5 C230 Sport Sedan, 2005 E320 CDI, 2008 C300 4-Matic Luxury
Originally Posted by 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.
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.
. 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
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From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
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.
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.
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
Originally Posted by dmatre
It's the little things that mean a lot. Remember, SA's are people too.
