Input please?

 
Alright gals and guys, got a question for ya'll ... being an immigrant I sometime have a hard time with whether I should tip or not .. and if so how much ...  Now, with that said, I just came back from the dealer after the usual 3 month visit for an oil change.  Every time I go they end up washing, waxing, polishing the little chrome I have, and give the tires a shine.  This is a "complimentary" gesture from the dealer ... and for the record something I'm very pleased with.  With this said, is it customary to tip the fellow that did the detailing work?  I've TRIED in the past but always get a "nahhw bud, that's on the house" or something to that nature.  And I get rejected of course.  Not that I have a problem per say but these guys pour their heart and soul in to getting this thing clean for me every time and NEVER accepts anything ...
So with this said, am I the one insulting them for TRYING to show my appreciation!?!?!  Considering they oilchange is $39.99 I don't see how they have much of a margin on 20-30 minutes worth of detail work.  Hell, I'm used to paying $99.99 for a complete detail through my usual place .. these guys do about half that work for nothing .. (the other place does everything, including engine hehehe) ..
 
So gimme some input here folks .. :-)
 
 

Nope not an insult....you are one cool dude for trying...but since they get paid by the hour it's nothing for them anyways...I know, next time they'll do even a better job if you show your appreciation...
 
If money is declined, bring them in some gratuities like tickets to a game or a concert, or even something simple like a can of coke...anything to show that you are happy with the service would not be out of line..foreigner 

LOL!!!  Yeah yeah yeah, us dumbass foreigners and the yank tip system .. it drives us nuts!!!  Everything is "included" when we get a bill overseas .. there's never any doubt ... :) 
You gave me some ideas though ... will have to remember that for next time I go down there!   

don't give them coke if they like pepsi  they may get offended   

No tip.

I think it is good of you to try and tip. However, I bet the dealer does not allow them to accept tips.
 
I would do as Dennis said.  Take something in for them.  A dozen dougnuts works great, but whatever you do, just remember that a very kind "thank you" goes a long way.

I usually just hook them up with.  Well you know. 

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sugardaddy

I usually just hook them up with.  Well you know. 

 
a free vasectomy?

quote:

ORIGINAL: shortbus

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sugardaddy

I usually just hook them up with.  Well you know. 

a free vasectomy?

 

ZYNE, very thoughtful and generous of you to want to do so..with that being said, here is my opinion (and yes I KNOW what they say about opinions!) I get a little tired of the tipping thing. I am not a cheapskate by any means and when I go out I tip at least 20% if service was good. BUT... 
 
The "stealership" charges quite a bit more generally than say going to a quick lube place..so YOU have paid for that mini detail in essence.  My dealer quoted me over $100.00 and I paid $75.00 to the Quick Lube place (yes I stood and watched them actually doing what they were supposed to after hearing the Jiffy Lube story. LOL) AND quite frankly, when I take my car in to the dealership clean and pick it up with greasy hand prints on it in areas they worked on - which I have!..I expect them to clean it!
 
I just get tired of EVERYONE expecting a tip nowadays when I pay my hardearned $$ out for some of these services already!   Ex: The paper delivery person who sends me the Christmas card with self addressed stamped envelope "in case I want to send a tip" (half the time it isnt delivered when it is supposed to be - and yes I tipped them a few times!) The mail carrier who does the same and screws up my mail delivery EVERY fricken time I do a vacation stop! 

If they turn down money, I would just buy a pizza or two for all the guys in the shop just to show your appreciation. They would probably take extra care w/ your ride next time!!

quote:

ORIGINAL: ZYNE

LOL!!!  Yeah yeah yeah, us dumbass foreigners and the yank tip system .. it drives us nuts!!!  Everything is "included" when we get a bill overseas .. there's never any doubt ... :) 
You gave me some ideas though ... will have to remember that for next time I go down there!   

 
All of those are good ideas.  Another good idea IMO would be to get the employee names and write a letter to the dealer manager specifically calling to attention those employees by name, along with a description on how happy with their service you are.  The recognition of their good work by their bosses will give them a "high"

Some good ideas with the soda's, pizza or tickets.   Here in Mexico tipping is a way of life because employees are poorly paid.  In the US, not so much.    However at my car wash/detailer I would and do, every Christmas, buy them all a gift in which I indlude 10 bucks for each of them.
 
I'm sure there'd be benefits through the year but it seems each Christmas is a new crop of guys.
 
poncho

quote:

ORIGINAL: LawWyfe

ZYNE, very thoughtful and generous of you to want to do so..with that being said, here is my opinion (and yes I KNOW what they say about opinions!) I get a little tired of the tipping thing. I am not a cheapskate by any means and when I go out I tip at least 20% if service was good. BUT... 
 
The "stealership" charges quite a bit more generally than say going to a quick lube place..so YOU have paid for that mini detail in essence.  My dealer quoted me over $100.00 and I paid $75.00 to the Quick Lube place (yes I stood and watched them actually doing what they were supposed to after hearing the Jiffy Lube story. LOL) AND quite frankly, when I take my car in to the dealership clean and pick it up with greasy hand prints on it in areas they worked on - which I have!..I expect them to clean it!
 
I just get tired of EVERYONE expecting a tip nowadays when I pay my hardearned $$ out for some of these services already!   Ex: The paper delivery person who sends me the Christmas card with self addressed stamped envelope "in case I want to send a tip" (half the time it isnt delivered when it is supposed to be - and yes I tipped them a few times!) The mail carrier who does the same and screws up my mail delivery EVERY fricken time I do a vacation stop! 

You are being ripped off, my whole "package" runs me $39.99 LOL!  I'm not much for the tip system at all but I am like you, if I get good service I make sure they know it was appreciated .. and TRY in other cases lol!
I guess the problem I have here is the fact that my dealer is cheaper than your average Jiffy Lube, they do a better, FASTER job.  I've taken my H2 to JL ONCE and it took them an hour to realize the skid plate probably needed to come off, duh!  On my SRT-10 they put the wrong damn lube in it even though I supplied them a box of the CORRECT oil (bastard took 11 quarts) along with the filter ...
Bottom line is, I simply can't get better service, better pricing, and better overall treatment than at the dealer.  The same oil change at the closest JL is $59.99 and that includes the oily palm prints and stolen change out of my cup holder add-on service ..  All the while my dealer is offering to do some electrical work for me when I get my Gobi rack and 6 lights, $110 for the install plus material such as wiring and such. 
 
 
 

Wow you have a great dealership then and that is where I'd be going too!!  Mine quoted me something like $100 for the oil change (but I am running syn oil too) I took mine recently to a Mobile quick lube and was in and out in 15 mins and $75.00 & change and the waiting area is right in front of the bay/vehicle where I can see everything that goes on.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LawWyfe

Wow you have a great dealership then and that is where I'd be going too!!  Mine quoted me something like $100 for the oil change (but I am running syn oil too) I took mine recently to a Mobile quick lube and was in and out in 15 mins and $75.00 & change and the waiting area is right in front of the bay/vehicle where I can see everything that goes on.

 
Lawwyfe, did you get that rattle fixed (or fix it yourself) in your H3 before your trip?

Poncho, when we lived in Mexico - we tipped for EVERYTHING pretty much too...Everyone who knew us there loved to see us coming - from our favorite restaurants to the maid and gardners as we tipped so well. LOL Things were so cheap there and we always felt so badly for folks who made so little money coupled with the fact that we lived very well compared to most - it just seemed like generosity was the thing.  I think my point was it just seems like everyone has gotten to where they expect tips for every job they do down here just about - even when they are paid fairly well for doing that job!

Nahhh Lil HB I did not have the time to mess with the dealership before I left. I need to get it in soon and have it done. I am just kind of tired of the whole dealership keeping my ride a week at a time every repair and the whole GM thing I guess. I just have a bad taste in my mouth right now that I need to get over lol - good thing I like the darn thing so much!

I would tip them.  Sometimes it's nice to go out of your way for someone to show them your appreciation, and it usually means more to them if you haven't met them before.  that's just me though.

hey zyne what part of cincinnati are u from, do u go to hummer of cincinnati (now that sounds like a dumb question), i am from around the dayton area. just kinda cool to see sombody from cincy on here (not a lot of people on this forum from this aea)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LawWyfe

ZYNE, very thoughtful and generous of you to want to do so..with that being said, here is my opinion (and yes I KNOW what they say about opinions!) I get a little tired of the tipping thing. I am not a cheapskate by any means and when I go out I tip at least 20% if service was good. BUT... 
 
The "stealership" charges quite a bit more generally than say going to a quick lube place..so YOU have paid for that mini detail in essence.  My dealer quoted me over $100.00 and I paid $75.00 to the Quick Lube place (yes I stood and watched them actually doing what they were supposed to after hearing the Jiffy Lube story. LOL) AND quite frankly, when I take my car in to the dealership clean and pick it up with greasy hand prints on it in areas they worked on - which I have!..I expect them to clean it!
 
I just get tired of EVERYONE expecting a tip nowadays when I pay my hardearned $$ out for some of these services already!   Ex: The paper delivery person who sends me the Christmas card with self addressed stamped envelope "in case I want to send a tip" (half the time it isnt delivered when it is supposed to be - and yes I tipped them a few times!) The mail carrier who does the same and screws up my mail delivery EVERY fricken time I do a vacation stop! 

 
at least your husband can't blame the mail man 

Strippers........Hire about 30 of them and send them over to entertain the detailers.  Make sure your Hummer is done first.

LOL Azz..NOR the newspaper boy!

quote:

ORIGINAL: LawWyfe

LOL Azz..NOR the newspaper boy!

 
AH HA so it must be the UPS guy