Community Forums

Chickadee · 12-13-2008, 02:41 AM

G'morning ALL: Have any of you other RV'rs run into the dilema about tipping at maintenance, repair and/or service centers for service performed on your rig? Alot of us occasionally have our rigs (MH's, 5rs, TT's, C's, B's, etc.) in for service on some component of the rigs. Well, when the that engine work, chassis work, body work, wash or detailing work is done, do you generally TIP the folks who did the job (assuming you're pleased with their work)???? If so, how MUCH do you tip???? And....who do you tip??? For example, we just had some body work performed on our rig. The body/paint shop head guy...and his crew of sometimes, 2 workers, sometimes 3 workers, did a FANTASTIC JOB so we ended up tipping the head guy...kinda assuming he'd share it with the others. To tip them all was hard to figure as some worked a little, some alot....we just didn't know. Also, when finished, the head man asked if we wanted the rig washed by their detailing dept. FOR FREE!!! Well, ofcourse that'd be nice, so rig was moved and wash job done by a swarm of detailing crew with no decernable head person. NOW WHAT?? Tip again? How much?? And...WHO? Anyway....WHAT DO YOU ALL DO RE: SUCH TIPPING QUESTIONS??? Thanks. Steve & Lynette

Chickadee · 12-13-2008, 02:41 AM

G'morning ALL: Have any of you other RV'rs run into the dilema about tipping at maintenance, repair and/or service centers for service performed on your rig? Alot of us occasionally have our rigs (MH's, 5rs, TT's, C's, B's, etc.) in for service on some component of the rigs. Well, when the that engine work, chassis work, body work, wash or detailing work is done, do you generally TIP the folks who did the job (assuming you're pleased with their work)???? If so, how MUCH do you tip???? And....who do you tip??? For example, we just had some body work performed on our rig. The body/paint shop head guy...and his crew of sometimes, 2 workers, sometimes 3 workers, did a FANTASTIC JOB so we ended up tipping the head guy...kinda assuming he'd share it with the others. To tip them all was hard to figure as some worked a little, some alot....we just didn't know. Also, when finished, the head man asked if we wanted the rig washed by their detailing dept. FOR FREE!!! Well, ofcourse that'd be nice, so rig was moved and wash job done by a swarm of detailing crew with no decernable head person. NOW WHAT?? Tip again? How much?? And...WHO? Anyway....WHAT DO YOU ALL DO RE: SUCH TIPPING QUESTIONS??? Thanks. Steve & Lynette

MtManLee · 12-13-2008, 03:25 AM

Never thought about tipping outside of the usual restaurants and such. You have posed an interesting question. I would like to see what others say. If you start tipping further we would almost have to tip anyone we get a service from.

jodann · 12-13-2008, 03:35 AM

I'm usually a very generous tipper when I receive good service but this past Monday we went to see the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. It cost me $42.60 to park my car during the show; that's robbery in my opinion.
I did not tip the garage attendant since I figured at those rates (plus having to wait 1/2 hour to retrieve my car) the owners could afford to pay generously.

**Petro** · 12-13-2008, 03:39 AM

Chickadee;

I generally tip the tech about $10.00. My reward has been fantastic service. I tell him to take his wife out for a couple of beers on me. I usually get the same tech that way also. When I come into the shop I get adopted right away and It has paid hansom dividends for me.

I did a post on this same subject about 4 years ago and received a lot of negative comment. I believe in the long run it does not cost me $ but saves me $.

Don

TXiceman · 12-13-2008, 05:49 AM

Tipping is supposed to be for extra or excellent service out side of eating establishments. If the service is beyoud the normal, I may tip. If it is what you would expect...no tip.

Ken

Gary RVRoamer · 12-13-2008, 05:54 AM

I don't usually tip service people, but have on occasion where I have received extraordinary personal service from somebody. Not just good service using the company's facilities, but where 1-2 people make an extra individual effort to solve my problem either quickly or in an innovative or cost saving way. If the service is good enough to get my attention like that, I'll probably tip $20 with a comment something like "have lunch on me". $10 doesn't go very far anymore.

Note that mechanics and such get a regular, living wage, typically well above minimums, whereas restaurant wait staff are paid far below minimum wage and are expected to make up the difference with tips from customers.

Tom N · 12-13-2008, 06:12 AM

I utilize a large over the road trucking garage for my chassis maintenance. I tip the mechanic. I stay in the shop with the motorhome and speak directly with the mechanic. They don't work on many motorhomes so I tell him exactly what I want done. This is during my annual required PA state inspection.

I tip most service people. I even thought about tipping the nurses when I was in the hospital 2 years ago but my wife brought candy in for the nurses station.

After many trips to Vegas I want to tip everyone.

-Tom

LVJ58 · 12-13-2008, 06:22 AM

Recently I took our coach to a local Bridgestone tire store where I bought my tires to have the front ones re-balanced and check on the left outer dual for a slow leak.

To my surprise, the total charge for this service was only $15 so I gave the two guys who working on my coach $10 each as they most polite and helpful.

Glen41 · 12-13-2008, 08:27 AM

Sorry, I don't tip for someone doing the job they are paid to do. They would have to do something outstanding to deserve a tip. However they can count on repeat business. I drive 70 miles one way to have my 4-wheeler serviced by one business. I also touted neighbors and friends to the same place. They are now doing a turn-away business and are way better than the local dealer.

MMouser · 12-13-2008, 09:35 AM

If the job was well done and the service writer made sure you were kept up to speed on what they where doing why not buy lunch?
By this I mean did they go above and beyond call?
Was the work warranty or a recall that may not pay the technician 1/10th of what he would recieve flat rate or hourly? He did loose time doing the work and doing it well. Don't forget some dealers like those big names in Florida can do more damage to your coach than what they are fixing.
A twenty or even a fifty can help the guy or gal that still gives old school service and still recieves old rate pay.
The money crunchers do not pass on the high costs to thier employees. They put it in thier pockets, then the stock holders portfolio.

beaverjim · 12-13-2008, 01:22 PM

after being in the restuarant/bar bus. for 33 yrs. i need to say tipping is not a bad thing like some people seem to think. tipping your waiter/bartender is pretty standard. you wouldn't believe the amount of people that will stiff their server. most times these people have jobs that pay well or retired and have good incomes. i guess these people think that servers should be able to live on 3 to 6 dollars per hr i personally believe in tipping for a lot of things. mailpersons,garbage,delivery people, etc for christmas. service people for our motorhome, autos etc on a quality of sevice basis.i guess i just like the smile you get most of the time!
jim.

Ray,IN · 12-13-2008, 01:52 PM

If you tip someone for doing their job well, what do you do extra for the people giving their lives and limbs to protect you?

TXiceman · 12-13-2008, 02:00 PM

A lot of service jobs have been held low in wages a with the expectation that the customer will pony up with a good tip to make up for the poor wages.

I do feel that tipping is something to do for excellent service and also that poor service deserves no service. On the occasion that I have received poor service, I will leave a nickel or dime on the table so that will know that we did not forget the tip. On the way out, we will find the manager and tell him that the service was not good and that we purposely did not leave a tip.

Ken