Do You Tip Your Service Tech at Newmar

[danleininger]

Ive been working with a new (to me) service tech at Newmar. He's young, has a family and seems to sincerely want to do a good job. And he was small enough to crawl between the rear axles to install my TPMS extened antenna.

So, my question is...Have any of you tipped your Service Tech? If you'd rather not post pubically, feel free PM me a reply.

Does Newmar have a policy on this issue?

Thanks!

[JohnRR]

I don't know about Newmar but according to the tech that installed my Fleetwood windshield they would be fired for accepting a tip so maybe it's something that would need to be extremely discreet.

[nforus]

Hi Dan,

I'll be sending you a PM

[tom chelbana]

When we have had great service at the factory we have given gift cards and would recommend them. There are a lot of great people working at Newmar and we are so pleased to have chosen Newmar for our last 2 coaches.

[Jeffreys]

I would never, ever tip a paid newmar technician. They are paid a very fair wage for their services from Newmar and the cost of your coach reflects that. It's much different for other industries where tipping is customary as their low wages take that in consideration. (waiters, waitresses, maids, tour guided, etc).

It's certainly a nice gesture on your part. But, definitely not expected and properly something that could get an employee fired for if they were to accept it.

[danleininger]

Great thoughts, everybody! Thanks for the replies.

[vettenuts]

Sometimes at other facilities I will send in several pizzas for lunch.

[1mainiac]

Originally Posted by Jeffreys

I would never, ever tip a paid newmar technician. They are paid a very fair wage for their services from Newmar and the cost of your coach reflects that. It's much different for other industries where tipping is customary as their low wages take that in consideration. (waiters, waitresses, maids, tour guided, etc).

It's certainly a nice gesture on your part. But, definitely not expected and properly something that could get an employee fired for if they were to accept it.

I realize many places have a policy against tipping employees but I would ask what you consider a very fair wage? Industry wide the vast majority of techs will never be able to afford the product they repair. Many of these units have higher monthly payments than the avg tech makes before taxes. You can check the employee parking lot and you won't see many if any new cars and trucks. You would be amazed at the companies I have broken into laughter at when they started telling me about their great pay and benefits package. When a major company demands 5 years of employment records as a master tech and then thinks they can hire you in at 14 dollars a hour you have to laugh. The sad part is they fill the jobs and for that kind of money. Which is why you guys often complain about poor service because no highly skilled person would take the job other than a few of us that simply want a different job as we approach retirement. I told my son I would kick his butt if he ever took a job as a mechanic.

[Jeffreys]

Originally Posted by 1mainiac

I told my son I would kick his butt if he ever took a job as a mechanic.

That's the answer I would give. If one doesn't feel that their profession is compensating them for what they feel they are worth, then they should move on.

[94-Newmar]

Originally Posted by 1mainiac

I realize many places have a policy against tipping employees but I would ask what you consider a very fair wage? Industry wide the vast majority of techs will never be able to afford the product they repair. Many of these units have higher monthly payments than the avg tech makes before taxes. You can check the employee parking lot and you won't see many if any new cars and trucks. You would be amazed at the companies I have broken into laughter at when they started telling me about their great pay and benefits package. When a major company demands 5 years of employment records as a master tech and then thinks they can hire you in at 14 dollars a hour you have to laugh. The sad part is they fill the jobs and for that kind of money. Which is why you guys often complain about poor service because no highly skilled person would take the job other than a few of us that simply want a different job as we approach retirement. I told my son I would kick his butt if he ever took a job as a mechanic.

Haha.. spot on! The continual complaints over poor service work is nothing more than a direct result of the poor wages paid by most RV dealerships. You simply cannot attract quality techs to work on 1/4 million dollar coaches for less than 30k/yr. Even worse are those dealerships whom pay based upon book labor. Having a rookie tech work on your coach being paid based upon pre-determined costs out of a book is dangerous - proceed with caution, you've been warned.

Back to the original topic of tipping.. Remember, IF you have a good tech he/she certainly isn't there because they're making serious $$$. The vast majority make less than 30k/yr. They are there because they love to work on coaches - and in my opinion, that's worthy enough for a tip, whether monetary or just sending a pizza, perhaps some doughnuts, which are always a good idea! :-)

[millerj]

I think many of you might be surprised how well the Newmar people are paid. I would be very surprised if the "vast majority make less than $30k a year". The last time I was there my tech was very interested in finding out exactly where I lived when he learned I lived in Warsaw, Indiana a little over 20 miles away. He was amish and told me he bought a 35 acre tract of woods close to my house that he uses to hunt in. I go to a bar in Nappanee and will have a beer or two and frequently talk to Newmar employees and many have been there a long time and seem to be doing pretty good financially.

[DieselTech39]

Originally Posted by millerj

I think many of you might be surprised how well the Newmar people are paid. I would be very surprised if the "vast majority make less than $30k a year". The last time I was there my tech was very interested in finding out exactly where I lived when he learned I lived in Warsaw, Indiana a little over 20 miles away. He was amish and told me he bought a 35 acre tract of woods close to my house that he uses to hunt in. I go to a bar in Nappanee and will have a beer or two and frequently talk to Newmar employees and many have been there a long time and seem to be doing pretty good financially.

Did you miss something about the discussion??

IMO You are talking about Techs at the factory....others are talking about Techs that work in dealerships or privately owned RV repair facilities. Why do you think everyone seems to suggest in the posts I've read here on IRV2 that they get good to great repairs made at the factory service center, be it Newmar, Tiffin, Entegra, etc. ? My guess is part of the reason is the wage and benefit package that the Techs at the factory receive.

Remember the old adage You get what you pay for. You don't have any control over what the RV dealership or repair facility pay their employee. If they don't pay the employee what the work is worth then you get the quality of work for which they are paying the employee.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by 1mainiac

I told my son I would kick his butt if he ever took a job as a mechanic.

Originally Posted by 94-Newmar

The continual complaints over poor service work is nothing more than a direct result of the poor wages paid by most RV dealerships. You simply cannot attract quality techs to work on 1/4 million dollar coaches for less than 30k/yr.

I agree!
Just because shops charge $120 an hour does not mean that their techs are paid a "living wage".
It's sad but "flipping burgers" can be a better carrier choice.
Mel
'96 Safari

[millerj]

My bad. I thought you were also talking about the Newmar techs that make the repairs at the factory.