Tip service guys?
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
The answer for tipping in general is - did they go out of their way and do something they weren't already paid to do?
I broke down in my Yukon years ago a few hundred miles from home. I limped into the dealership about 5 minutes before closing on a Saturday. The SA was beginning to walk out and the sole tech was washing his hands.
The SA and the tech (who was heading to a date) diagnosed the problem as a broken front suspension piece and both of them spent an hour replacing the part - all under warranty.
Those two went well beyond their job description and I compensated them both well.
OTOH, the BMW techs and SA who got me an Altima as a rental then spent two days fixing something they broke on a previous visit got nothing even though they stayed an hour late getting my car ready the second day.
I broke down in my Yukon years ago a few hundred miles from home. I limped into the dealership about 5 minutes before closing on a Saturday. The SA was beginning to walk out and the sole tech was washing his hands.
The SA and the tech (who was heading to a date) diagnosed the problem as a broken front suspension piece and both of them spent an hour replacing the part - all under warranty.
Those two went well beyond their job description and I compensated them both well.
OTOH, the BMW techs and SA who got me an Altima as a rental then spent two days fixing something they broke on a previous visit got nothing even though they stayed an hour late getting my car ready the second day.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,142
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
It is against company policy to accept tips if you work for a MB dealer. The mechanics or others at the dealer cannot do it.
I occasionally take the courtesy van from my dealer to an airport when I leave my car for service. I tip the driver but it is always a "battle" to make him to accept it.
In the OP's case the mechanic obviously making the trip for the tip should earn him to be let go. And that will likely happen.....yeah right...
These people are told not to accept tips and still some of them stretch their arm to ask for it. The mechanic in the OP's case could never accept a tip at the dealer, this is why he was so eager to make the local trip to the customer for the window "synchronization" in hopes for an easy $20 or so.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 342
Likes: 83
From: SOUTHWEST OHIO
2016 E350 2015 ML250 2002 Z06 CORVETTE
It is against company policy to accept tips if you work for a MB dealer. The mechanics or others at the dealer cannot do it.
I occasionally take the courtesy van from my dealer to an airport when I leave my car for service. I tip the driver but it is always a "battle" to make him to accept it.
In the OP's case the mechanic obviously making the trip for the tip should earn him to be let go. And that will likely happen.....yeah right...
These people are told not to accept tips and still some of them stretch their arm to ask for it. The mechanic in the OP's case could never accept a tip at the dealer, this is why he was so eager to make the local trip to the customer for the window "synchronization" in hopes for an easy $20 or so.
I occasionally take the courtesy van from my dealer to an airport when I leave my car for service. I tip the driver but it is always a "battle" to make him to accept it.
In the OP's case the mechanic obviously making the trip for the tip should earn him to be let go. And that will likely happen.....yeah right...
These people are told not to accept tips and still some of them stretch their arm to ask for it. The mechanic in the OP's case could never accept a tip at the dealer, this is why he was so eager to make the local trip to the customer for the window "synchronization" in hopes for an easy $20 or so.
Suggesting the Road Side Assistance visit was based simply on a desire to garner a "tip" or generate pay for the tech is simply ridiculous. Unless there was a work order prepared and signed by the customer, Mercedes is not going to pay for the trip. Generally, simply giving information to the customer is not a warrant-able event to begin with.
One could argue that the entire problem could have been handled over the phone but then again they most likely have never dealt with the buying public. I have seen a lot of time spent trying to explain the simplest of operations over the phone with little success. It is far more likely the customer was close to the dealership and the tech was in-between assignments. Some customers appreciate the personalized attention and are not so skeptical as some of the opinions expressed here.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,142
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
During my career I owned and or managed a number of different dealerships of multiple different brands. I have never seen a policy stated by a manufacturer regarding tips nor have I seen a policy stated by a dealership. That is simply an area stayed away from unless there was blatant solicitation of tips by an employee or trading favors for same.
Suggesting the Road Side Assistance visit was based simply on a desire to garner a "tip" or generate pay for the tech is simply ridiculous. Unless there was a work order prepared and signed by the customer, Mercedes is not going to pay for the trip. Generally, simply giving information to the customer is not a warrant-able event to begin with.
One could argue that the entire problem could have been handled over the phone but then again they most likely have never dealt with the buying public. I have seen a lot of time spent trying to explain the simplest of operations over the phone with little success. It is far more likely the customer was close to the dealership and the tech was in-between assignments. Some customers appreciate the personalized attention and are not so skeptical as some of the opinions expressed here.
Suggesting the Road Side Assistance visit was based simply on a desire to garner a "tip" or generate pay for the tech is simply ridiculous. Unless there was a work order prepared and signed by the customer, Mercedes is not going to pay for the trip. Generally, simply giving information to the customer is not a warrant-able event to begin with.
One could argue that the entire problem could have been handled over the phone but then again they most likely have never dealt with the buying public. I have seen a lot of time spent trying to explain the simplest of operations over the phone with little success. It is far more likely the customer was close to the dealership and the tech was in-between assignments. Some customers appreciate the personalized attention and are not so skeptical as some of the opinions expressed here.
The OP did not call for road side assistance. If I do I will tip as I ask them to come. In this case it is very obvious the tech just wanted the tip.
The simpliest things that are explained in the manual are simple for almost everyone to do.
If the tech had left immediately without lingering around for the tip it would have been fine but him "asking" for it is just wrong.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 342
Likes: 83
From: SOUTHWEST OHIO
2016 E350 2015 ML250 2002 Z06 CORVETTE
The OP did not call for road side assistance. If I do I will tip as I ask them to come. In this case it is very obvious the tech just wanted the tip.
The simpliest things that are explained in the manual are simple for almost everyone to do.
If the tech had left immediately without lingering around for the tip it would have been fine but him "asking" for it is just wrong.
The simpliest things that are explained in the manual are simple for almost everyone to do.
If the tech had left immediately without lingering around for the tip it would have been fine but him "asking" for it is just wrong.
The original question was "do you tip or not?". From experience, the vast majority of people do not. That is not to say it would not be appreciated but I can assure you most techs, Service Advisors, etc do not expect it. The retail dealer's objective is usually total customer satisfaction from each contact and generally dealers stress this in the training of their employees. I have never seen classes on how to solicit tips nor do the employees count on them for their income.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,942
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
thinking selfishly, i'd consider tipping if I felt I may benefit from good will and
potential value added service in the future.
but since I do nearly all of the
work on the car myself, probably not.
potential value added service in the future.
but since I do nearly all of thework on the car myself, probably not.
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