LRM1

I may be in the wrong forum but since it's about a 212...

Are you supposed to/expected to tip the service guys who come out to where you are? I just called for help on a window that wasn't going up automatically (just asked if I could do something rather than bring the car in). Next thing I know the guy asks me where I am and he'd be here in 10 min. Shows up, fixes the window in 10 seconds, shows me how to do it and we're done.

Before leaving he lingered a few seconds - am I supposed to tip him?

hyperion667

hehe, guess he was lingering for a tip?
maybe; since the guy came to you and all.......

you could always give him a verbal tip, LOL......

what was the problem anyway? all the windows are one touch up and down right?
thay are on the 550 anyway, sure they would be too on the 350.......
what was the quick fix?

Firestopper0383

In my opinion, it would have been appropriate to give the service man a tip. Considering he came to you at your request, it would have been a nice gesture on your part to show your thanks by giving him a small gratuity.

amdeutsch

Not true. OP asked how to do it. Service came out at their own suggestion.
Unless of course you interpret a call to the dealer as a request to come out.

mg-E550

"Never eat yellow snow!!"

Seriously....when I first saw the thread my thought was "you've gotta be kidding" given what these guys charge.....but for someone to come to you pretty nice touch.....assuming you willfullly consented to him coming out I probably would have been inclined to give something.

hyperion667

LOL MG550, I usually make a tip about the weather........hehe.......

I'd still kind of not want to tip them.........I was also wondering about the 'dealer plate', you know, from where you bought it.....I can never figure out why people leave those things on because it's free advertisement for the dealer......if I'm going to be an ad, I want some compensation! seriously......

Firestopper0383

sorry about the "request" assumption. The service man took it upon himself to come out as a service to the customer. I still would have tipped him something for his service. I guess that's the difference between people!

petee1997

First of all the dealer is paid by MB for the service call if the car is still on warranty. The guy is a technician and is well compensated be the dealer.
You don't tip the electrician, dentist, doctor etc. Tips are for minimum wage earners in the service industry. These people have no benefits, low pay and need tips to survive. Tips are not applicable in this case.

Firestopper0383

Like I said Petee 1997, that's the difference between people.

highroller550

never mind the tip issue..

what was the problem and how was it rectified.

hyperion667

haha, yes, I'd like to know too, hehe

mg-E550

Have to disagree with Petee here. Compensating people extra for going above and beyond what their ordinary pay requires is perfectly acceptable in cases where people are paid hourly and don't have ownership in the business. I think the real question is - is this above and beyond what is normally called for here?

I had the MB guys pick my car up at my house when I was travelling for work so I could have my drive dynamic seat fixed. In this case - dealer told me at time of sale and also advertises that they pick up your car for service. I didnt give a tip.

However - no dealer that I know of ordinarily makes house calls to fix a problem...particularly a non urgent one.

Im not suggesting that a tip is required here....but I clearly see the argument for one.

220S

No big deal either way. Just do what you're comfortable with doing in your own life.

I gave the plumber's helper $20 and told him to go get some lunch the other day. So what. He did a good job and was pleasant. Trickle down economics

El Cid

First, I can't see my dealer sending a technician out unless he charges extra for it, if then. Even if he did, considering what the dealer is charging you (or MB) for the work, why tip?
The technician is getting paid well if he is sitting in the shop, working on a car, driving to/from your location, etc. IF he really did something extra, maybe then.
If under Roaside Assistance, there is not supposed to be a charge and to me this includes tipping. BTW, lots limitations on Roadside Assistance.
Tip a plumber-not in my lifetime. That would be like tipping a doctor or lawyer.

LRM1

LOL. Great range of opinions. I didn't think to tip because like someone said, I wouldn't tip a plumber or electrician, but I wasn't sure.

The problem was a minor one. The auto up on the passenger window wasn't working. I'd have to hold the button on manual to get it to close and when I let go the window would reopen about an inch (like on a convertible).

I called the dealer to find out if there was a quick fix. The girl wanted me to come in and I said no figuring there was a quick fix to just put a tech on the phone to tell me what it is. She told me someone would call me. Guy called me back in 5 minutes, asked if I was local and then said he'd be right out without me asking. I thought it was great service of him to do so.

He fixed it in 2 seconds - as I suspected. There was a way to hold the window button to reset it and poof ! Window worked. He could have told me over the phone.

I guess most of us Benz owners are prima donnas ?

hyperion667

good to know, thanx for sharing

mongo slade

the lingering was the hint for a tip...

mac911

Never heard of this, so I don't know the procedure.

Nice of them I suppose. I guess you could send some kind of thanks note or something.

I've always wondered about my service advisor. I did send them a small gift once.

albanianbenz

Some mechanics only get paid based on jobs and book hours for the job. So when it's slow with nothing to do they are not getting paid but when it's busy and can donthings much quicker than book time they make lots of $$$. At least this is how my buddy was paid by Audi a few years ago when we were talking about it.

So I would may have tipped him.

JALLEN4

One does have to appreciate the originality offered by guys driving very expensive cars to rationalize saving ten bucks!

hyperion667

I sent my "SA" a fruit thing from Edible Arrangements once........

ONCE being the key word........I tried from the start to establish a friendly repoire, but it didn't last, once I realized all they wanted to do was RIP ME OFF, I started going elsewhere.......all SA's and wrench monkey's can eat it, they only have themselves to blame too for making a bad name for stealers......
the guys at the Indy shop I like won't even accept tips!!!

Arrie

So, the guy did the window Syncronization (reset), which is also explained in the owners manual (on page 107 for my 2010 E550). He could have explained this most simple procedure over the phone and directed you to the correct page on the manual.

The procedure simply states to hold the up-swithch to close the window all the way and then release and the window open a little bit as you say. Then immediately hold it up again for about one second after window is all closed. This resets the window so that the AUTO-UP works again.

Him lingering around just confirms he made the whole trip in hopes for a tip.

I hope from the bottom of my heart you did not tip this assh***.

petee1997

What is roadside assistance for?

petee1997

Did you get the fruit back Hype?

Live Oak

That's the entire point of this whole, sad thread. The Roadside Assistance Program, which is included in the PRICE of the automobile, has been paid for by YOU the customer. Tipping for Roadside Assistance is wholly inappropriate. The tech was handsomely paid for every single minute he spent providing service to the OP.

Now, it's questionable whether or not the tech should have gone out --- the problem would have been easily fixed on the phone. Rather than looking for a tip, he may have been looking for a nice break from the shop!

(And, yes, I tip waitstaff, hotel maids, etc., etc., very well, thank you. They are paid nothing like MB techs.)