Tip or No tip? ...New to American culture

skimo · 12-19-2005, 06:21 PM

I am about to drop my car for repair at the dealership. I just wanted to know if I should tip the supervisor (as courtesy) or not? If so, how much is a reasonable tip? (it is warranty repair so it should cost me $0)

I appologize for my ignorance of the American culture. But where I am from, Egypt, you have to be extremely carfefull who you tip. Tip the wrong person and its an insult, forget to tip the right person an you are an a** . Could not find TIP101 course in my college...

Thanks
Skimo

e90driver · 12-19-2005, 06:24 PM

No tip required! The only time you tip in America is at a restaurant or hairstylist. Some other service workers get tipped but there is no need to tip a car dealer or the service department, they get paid enough as it is.

Nikki · 12-19-2005, 06:24 PM

I don't tip them, and my boyfriend works in the service department of Champion Audi and doesn't receive tips.

icedragon · 12-19-2005, 06:26 PM

I don't think u need to tip, unless they do somethin extraordinary.
Most dealerships in Canada have a service rate of over $100 / hour, so I don't know if they deserve more.

skimo · 12-19-2005, 06:26 PM

Thanks! that was fast !

LEDZEP · 12-19-2005, 06:27 PM

Tipping is not customary at a car dealership. They would no doubt be surprised and not know how to respond if you did try. Save that generosity for the next person that serves you food, parks your car, cuts your hair, or delivers you a pizza... it is customary to tip them.

skimo · 12-19-2005, 06:27 PM

My plan is to try to get an X5 loaner...which is something they normally don't do. This is why I am asking...but it seems that a tip is not the way to go about it.

Atty · 12-19-2005, 06:28 PM

No tips!

If you like the service you get, the best thing to do is to write a letter to management to let them know. Then, the next time you come in for service, they will remember you. You will get the best treatment possible from then on.

e90driver · 12-19-2005, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skimo

My plan is to try to get an X5 loaner...which is something they normally don't do. This is why I am asking...but it seems that a tip is not the way to go about it.

I would tip NOT to get an SUV.

oh well, just ask for the X5 loaner

skimo · 12-19-2005, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Tipping is not customary at a car dealership. They would no doubt be surprised and not know how to respond if you did try. Save that generosity for the next person that serves you food, parks your car, cuts your hair, or delivers you a pizza... it is customary to tip them.

Yeah...all my friends complain how I tip too much at restaurants etc... I always tip $3 regardless of how much my meal costs. Unless the cost exceeds $20 then I start adding more tip. I do that to help track my finances.

skimo

shimshimhada · 12-19-2005, 06:35 PM

I only tip in restaurants and hotels if the service is exceptional.

skimo · 12-19-2005, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90driver

I would tip NOT to get an SUV.

oh well, just ask for the X5 loaner

haha...I got a Z4 loaner last time

I'm looking forward to getting an X5 and thought it would be a good opportunity to try it out...

LEDZEP · 12-19-2005, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

I only tip in restaurants and hotels if the service is exceptional.

Gee, they must LOVE you. So, you don't ever eat at the same place twice - or you don't mind them spitting in your food?

I tend toward the other, I will overtip almost always. If I receive exceptionally poor service then I will make them aware by the size of my gratuity.. otherwise it's 20% plus. These people work their asses off for an incredibly low wage. Tips are essential to their income - not just a nice extra. A good server can make great money in tips, which helps weed out the bad ones - but when they do it is well deserved.

Nikki · 12-19-2005, 06:46 PM

I always give 20% at restaurants unless the service was bad. Then I give between 10%-15%.
At the hair salon, I usually tip 40%.

shimshimhada · 12-19-2005, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Gee, they must LOVE you. So, you don't ever eat at the same place twice - or you don't mind them spitting in your food?

I tend toward the other, I will overtip almost always. If I receive exceptionally poor service then I will make them aware by the size of my gratuity.. otherwise it's 20% plus. These people work their asses off for an incredibly low wage. Tips are essential to their income - not just a nice extra. A good server can make great money in tips, which helps weed out the bad ones - but when they do it is well deserved.

It's not like I get the same server and I rarely eat out. Why should I tip if they don't deserve it? The restaurant should be providing them with an income source, not me.

When I DO tip, it's 30%+. Hell, if they are super awesome, then I'll go 50%+.

noflash · 12-19-2005, 06:48 PM

Just tell them not to eat any yellow snow.

Nikki · 12-19-2005, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

It's not like I get the same server and I rarely eat out. Why should I tip if they don't deserve it? The restaurant should be providing them with an income source, not me.

When I DO tip, it's 30%+. Hell, if they are super awesome, then I'll go 50%+.

Do you realize that many servers only make $4 or $5 an hour without tips?

shimshimhada · 12-19-2005, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

Do you realize that many servers only make $4 or $5 an hour without tips?

I am very aware. When my dad came to the US, he worked his ass off as a waiter to put himself through school. Like I said, if they put in the effort, they'll get tipped. My dad told me that he got a 100% tip once

needashower · 12-19-2005, 06:58 PM

Um, most servers relie almost entirely on tips. This is a tough way to make a living and I usually go over the norm (especially with my bartenders)

. A few dollars goes a long way.

SCA · 12-19-2005, 07:05 PM

No tips, but we do give our service advisor a gift evey Christmas. He's been taking care of our family for 20 years.

Ghunger · 12-19-2005, 07:10 PM

I always just double the tax (8.8% here in Seattle) and go from there. Good service gets more, bad service gets less. I tip at restaurants with wait staff, hairstylists, valets, delivery ppl, and sky caps at the airport. There's probably other places, but I can't think of em right now.

deutschmann59 · 12-19-2005, 07:13 PM

Uh-uh. I don't tip. I don't believe in it. If she don't make enough money, she can quit. I don't tip because society says I have to. I tip when somebody deserves a tip. When somebody really puts forth an effort, they deserve a little something extra. But this tipping automatically, that sh**'s for the birds. As far as I'm concerned, they're just doin their job. Do you know what this is? It's the world's smallest violin, playing just for the waitresses....

No, I tip...actually that's just from Quentin Terrantino's first movie, Reservoir Dogs...kind of a cult movie, but an interesting first 15 minutes with a pretty good tipping debate!

12-19-2005, 06:21 PM	#1
skimo Lieutenant 95 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 2011 335 vert Dinan II Join Date: May 2005 Location: Austin Texas !! iTrader: (1)	Tip or No tip? ...New to American culture I am about to drop my car for repair at the dealership. I just wanted to know if I should tip the supervisor (as courtesy) or not? If so, how much is a reasonable tip? (it is warranty repair so it should cost me $0) I appologize for my ignorance of the American culture. But where I am from, Egypt, you have to be extremely carfefull who you tip. Tip the wrong person and its an insult, forget to tip the right person an you are an a** . Could not find TIP101 course in my college... Thanks Skimo
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12-19-2005, 06:24 PM	#2
e90driver Lieutenant 14 Rep 502 Posts Drives: 06 325i, 08 328xi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	No tip required! The only time you tip in America is at a restaurant or hairstylist. Some other service workers get tipped but there is no need to tip a car dealer or the service department, they get paid enough as it is. __________________ see ya 06 325i. IT'S HERE!- 08 E92 328xi, Premium, Auto, Cold- Montego Blue
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12-19-2005, 06:24 PM	#3
Nikki Major General 1045 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	I don't tip them, and my boyfriend works in the service department of Champion Audi and doesn't receive tips. __________________ Nikki
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12-19-2005, 06:26 PM	#5
skimo Lieutenant 95 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 2011 335 vert Dinan II Join Date: May 2005 Location: Austin Texas !! iTrader: (1)	Thanks! that was fast !
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12-19-2005, 06:27 PM	#6
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 429 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Tipping is not customary at a car dealership. They would no doubt be surprised and not know how to respond if you did try. Save that generosity for the next person that serves you food, parks your car, cuts your hair, or delivers you a pizza... it is customary to tip them. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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12-19-2005, 06:28 PM	#8
Atty Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 239 Posts Drives: 09 X5 48i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 (September bui ... [0.00]	No tips! If you like the service you get, the best thing to do is to write a letter to management to let them know. Then, the next time you come in for service, they will remember you. You will get the best treatment possible from then on. __________________ Attorney E90 330i 6MT \| Black Sapphire \| Terra \| Burl \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| Navi \| Sirius
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12-19-2005, 06:35 PM	#11
shimshimhada Brigadier General 491 Rep 4,838 Posts Drives: Portal Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portal iTrader: (2)	I only tip in restaurants and hotels if the service is exceptional.
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12-19-2005, 06:46 PM	#14
Nikki Major General 1045 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	I always give 20% at restaurants unless the service was bad. Then I give between 10%-15%. At the hair salon, I usually tip 40%. __________________ Nikki
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12-19-2005, 06:48 PM	#16
noflash Captain Caveman 157 Rep 1,715 Posts Drives: '06 325eyeyiyi Join Date: May 2005 Location: midwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Just tell them not to eat any yellow snow.
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12-19-2005, 06:58 PM	#19
needashower Private First Class 6 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 2003 Saab 9-3 Arc Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Um, most servers relie almost entirely on tips. This is a tough way to make a living and I usually go over the norm (especially with my bartenders) . A few dollars goes a long way.
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12-19-2005, 07:05 PM	#20
SCA Brigadier General 576 Rep 3,744 Posts Drives: Multiple BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 🇺🇸 iTrader: (0)	No tips, but we do give our service advisor a gift evey Christmas. He's been taking care of our family for 20 years.
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12-19-2005, 07:10 PM	#21
Ghunger Major 56 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	I always just double the tax (8.8% here in Seattle) and go from there. Good service gets more, bad service gets less. I tip at restaurants with wait staff, hairstylists, valets, delivery ppl, and sky caps at the airport. There's probably other places, but I can't think of em right now.
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12-19-2005, 07:13 PM	#22
deutschmann59 Captain 182 Rep 737 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: e90post.com iTrader: (0)	Uh-uh. I don't tip. I don't believe in it. If she don't make enough money, she can quit. I don't tip because society says I have to. I tip when somebody deserves a tip. When somebody really puts forth an effort, they deserve a little something extra. But this tipping automatically, that sh**'s for the birds. As far as I'm concerned, they're just doin their job. Do you know what this is? It's the world's smallest violin, playing just for the waitresses.... No, I tip...actually that's just from Quentin Terrantino's first movie, Reservoir Dogs...kind of a cult movie, but an interesting first 15 minutes with a pretty good tipping debate!
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