View Poll Results: Do you tip your MB Service Advisor?
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Poll: Do you tip your MB Service Advisor?
03-10-2015, 01:36 AM
#26
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I think it's a generous and a very nice gesture, but I think it is also a geographic thing. I think that tipping is much more engrained in the east coast culture. I would venture to say that this tipping of an SA is virtually nonexistent in Southern California. I think that my SA would vigorously refuse to accept a tip and I think that any SA caught accepting a tip would be fired. A few weeks ago, I took my new S550 to another dealer (not the selling dealer) for some warranty work. About ten days later, I get a decent size box of Godiva chocolates delivered in a carton with an ice pack (it has been in the 70's & 80's here in Feb/Mar
). I think that dealer management that is so hungry for service work that they send gifts to customers just for warranty work would have a fit if ANY employee accepted a tip--but I will ask and find out for sure.
). I think that dealer management that is so hungry for service work that they send gifts to customers just for warranty work would have a fit if ANY employee accepted a tip--but I will ask and find out for sure.IMO, they represent the dealer. If they do well, the dealership gets repeat business, if they don't, it won't.
03-12-2015, 07:46 PM
#27
MBWorld Fanatic!
after getting my first car I sent my SA an edible arrangement......but never tipped after that, but always gave hugs(yes, a she 
) and was very polite, also always met the tech that did work on my car so the tech would know the face of the car he worked on to hopefully make it a more personal experience for him.......however I will avoid the dealer at all cost now.......
at the indy shop I bring bagels, try to tip, but they never accept a tip, amazing bunch of guys there too
) and was very polite, also always met the tech that did work on my car so the tech would know the face of the car he worked on to hopefully make it a more personal experience for him.......however I will avoid the dealer at all cost now.......at the indy shop I bring bagels, try to tip, but they never accept a tip, amazing bunch of guys there too
03-12-2015, 07:48 PM
#28
MBWorld Fanatic!
01-09-2020, 10:55 AM
#29
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2008 GL420 CDi and 2015 S500
I have not had a long enough relationship with my Mercedes dealer yet but I have used the same Jaguar dealership for nigh on 30 years now.
They really treat me exceptionally well so each Christmas tins of chocolates etc all round. This year I took in 10 tins of various types, they are easy to be shared between reception, service agents, technicians etc etc.
Most of the staff know me and I still have 2 Jaguars , I have helped them with some things in the past and they always go the extra mile for me.
They really treat me exceptionally well so each Christmas tins of chocolates etc all round. This year I took in 10 tins of various types, they are easy to be shared between reception, service agents, technicians etc etc.
Most of the staff know me and I still have 2 Jaguars , I have helped them with some things in the past and they always go the extra mile for me.
01-09-2020, 02:01 PM
#30
MBWorld Fanatic!
I always tip at least 20, gave 100 tip for a loaner I wanted for a short weekend trip while my car was being fixed. Guy that picks the car up from my house at least 10 most of the time 20 as well.
01-14-2020, 04:40 PM
#31
Super Member
My car had 18 months of a CPO warranty remaining but since I bought it from a BMW dealer, it was void. It needed to be a private sale in order to transfer to me. My dealer pulled some strings and poof, CPO warranty came over to me. SA got $100 for that surprise.
01-14-2020, 08:56 PM
#33
Super Member
01-14-2020, 09:26 PM
#34
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2023 GLE450, 2021 E350 / Used to drive: 2019 E300, 2021 + 2020 GLE350, 2019 E450 Wagon(s), 2017 E300
Having lived in NYC for 20 years, I am used to tipping everyone. That said, I still haven't received the kind of service that warrants any additional recognition - the service advisers at both local dealers are never the same from visit to visit, and I do not know what tech ever works on my car, so there's no way to recognize the tech (and that's assuming the tech does a good job, which is far from certain at my two local dealers.) I wish I felt the need to tip... I don't.
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01-15-2020, 08:34 AM
#35
Senior Member
Once had a ticking/cricket noise caused by fuel injectors. Drove me bonkers to the point of considered trading it in at 1800 miles. Tried changing injectors, no good. MBUSA said it was a 'normal noise'. Was really reluctant to trade knowing the hit I'd take. My SA found an article in Xentry, a technical online bulletin available only to dealers. It resolved the problem and I was so happy, i got him a bottle of Jack Daniels.
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Lanzz (01-16-2020)
01-15-2020, 08:03 PM
#36
Member
I tried tipping my Lexus Service adviser once and he promptly refused and told me he's not allowed to accept any tips. So I brought 2 dozen bagels and cream cheese for the service advisers and staff to share. (they couldn't refuse) I had a very good relationship with my adviser before the tipping attempt and bagels and still do until today. I think there are 2 key things to getting good service. 1. Always be polite, nice and friendly to them and always be reasonable. (its ok to demand good work and good outcomes but its a person on the other side and you need to treat them as such). 2. I look for a newer service adviser when I start a new relationship with a dealer and explain to that adviser that from know on they are my go to person. They need to build clientele and will usually reciprocate good service and good prices for me being loyal to them and only doing work through them.
01-16-2020, 08:45 AM
#37
Senior Member
I'm still trying to find a dealer I can go to and get things done right the first time with this car.. very disappointing service from MB so far.
1) Took for repairs, they scratched my car and wouldn't pay for the body shop of my choice to fix - wanted theirs to do it who had terrible reviews. Cost me $300 out of pocket. They said they diagnosed rattles, replaced dash pad, rattles still there
2) Went to a different dealer to avoid getting car scratched. Got some service work done - sent the SA a video of the rearview mirror being the cause of the rattles, showed the lady who checked the car in the mirror - they came back when I went to pick the car up and they replaced the same exact dash pad even though on the repair order it said that customer states rearview mirror is rattling. I showed the SA and mechanic the mirror, they ordered one, and I need to go back again.
3) When I bought the car, all other issues aside, they sat on the paperwork 3 weeks and the temp reg expired. I parked the car for a week while it was resolved.
I got better service with my old Hyundai.
1) Took for repairs, they scratched my car and wouldn't pay for the body shop of my choice to fix - wanted theirs to do it who had terrible reviews. Cost me $300 out of pocket. They said they diagnosed rattles, replaced dash pad, rattles still there
2) Went to a different dealer to avoid getting car scratched. Got some service work done - sent the SA a video of the rearview mirror being the cause of the rattles, showed the lady who checked the car in the mirror - they came back when I went to pick the car up and they replaced the same exact dash pad even though on the repair order it said that customer states rearview mirror is rattling. I showed the SA and mechanic the mirror, they ordered one, and I need to go back again.
3) When I bought the car, all other issues aside, they sat on the paperwork 3 weeks and the temp reg expired. I parked the car for a week while it was resolved.
I got better service with my old Hyundai.
01-21-2020, 07:16 PM
#39
This is the weirdest post/poll I've ever seen in the S-Class Forum since I've been here. My SA will go above and beyond to make sure I'm taken care of and would never accept a tip from me, I'm sure of it.
01-24-2020, 03:00 PM
#41
Senior Member
I had a great SA with Lexus for many, many years. He got a lot done for me on out of warranty vehicles as goodwill, and when I had CPO vehicles he pushed the warranty company like crazy to get things replaced. I realized I had never done anything nice for him so I started sending him Omaha Steaks around the holidays to say “thank you” for the years of service and he was very appreciative. A cash tip would be in poor form, they are paid handsomely already.
01-28-2020, 03:08 PM
#42
My grandfather always used to say "as ye grease ye slide."
01-28-2020, 10:27 PM
#43
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18 MB S63, 2022 911 Turbo S, 23 BMW M5C
I never, ever tipped a service advisor. Never even thought to do it, but I do give him goodies from my telecom company like super nice metal pens (he loves them), nice minty chap sticks with our company logo and other giveaways. I don't think most customers give him anything and he's been there for years.
