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Do you tip you mechanic?

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Comments

  • #32
    Nissan doctor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,223 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    I think its a great idea:P

    Seriously though, in my experience I/we would rarely get tips but regular customers would usually give bottles of stuff/hampers etc at Christmas time.

    The truth is though that very few people want to spend money on their car, so they are never going to pay and more then they absolutly have to.


  • #33
    pred racer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,384 ✭✭✭pred racer


    Nissan doctor wrote: »
    I think its a great idea:P

    Seriously though, in my experience I/we would rarely get tips but regular customers would usually give bottles of stuff/hampers etc at Christmas time.

    The truth is though that very few people want to spend money on their car, so they are never going to pay and more then they absolutly have to.

    What size is the garage you work in ND?
    The reason i ask is that if you drop your car in a car park in front of a garage and return ,get a bill and go to a desk and pay its not really condusive to tipping, whereas if you drop your car to a bloke, then pick it up off the same bloke who tells you what he did and how much it is, then pay the same bloke its alot easier to say " buy yourself a pint/ fags with the change" imo.


  • #34
    MrDerp
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 999 ✭✭✭MrDerp


    Nissan doctor wrote: »
    I think its a great idea:P

    Seriously though, in my experience I/we would rarely get tips but regular customers would usually give bottles of stuff/hampers etc at Christmas time.

    The truth is though that very few people want to spend money on their car, so they are never going to pay and more then they absolutly have to.

    While I don't want, as you say, to spend money on the car, I'm religious about keeping it in good nick. Sadly, my own abilities go no further than the odd self-valet, keeping an eye on tyres, watching the oil level and changing all bulbs.

    But if it makes you feel better I don't tip my doctor or dentist either. You're in that bracket. Necessary pain.


  • #35
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,685 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    Tipped only 2 times in my life - once when the repair was free, and another time when we put three cars into my trusted mechanic and he only charged us 55E (two exhausts welded, and some skillfull handbrake job). It makes sense only when mechanic goes out of his way and fixes your car straight away for few quids. If- however - the job is big enough (timing belt etc), and quoted in advance, i don't tip (as i don't have any money left anyway...).
    Have to add that since i have trusted, independent lad, my wallet is mechanic-friendly. This guy under-charges sometimes(in my view), but makes it up quickly from returning customers. He is quick too, and makes a call when the car is ready. Took me 3 years to find the place (Nissan Doctor is too far away from me...)


  • #36
    cdublin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 67 ✭✭cdublin


    I give a tip to my mechanic every visit, last time out it was "bend your knees it'll save your back"........................okay, I'll get me coat...


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  • #37
    Our man in Havana
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,472 ✭✭✭✭Our man in Havana


    In Bulgaria, people (foreigners) tipping mechanics has ruined it for everyone. It has forced up prices as they now expect it every time.


  • #38
    MugMugs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,875 ✭✭✭✭MugMugs


    I'd tip a back street Mechanic but not a main stream one.

    Why? I don't carry cash most of the time.... If they take laser it's generally their loss.

    I'd also only tip if I've been dug out of a massive pickle by them. Not for standard servicing.


  • #39
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,685 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    Our man in Havana wrote: »
    In Bulgaria, people (foreigners) tipping mechanics has ruined it for everyone. It has forced up prices as they now expect it every time.

    I bet those foreigners were too happy with the quote. How much is full service there after conversion? 50, 40 euro? Locals have to hate all of you now...


  • #40
    -Corkie-
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,025 ✭✭✭✭-Corkie-


    I never even thought about tipping them allthough I would buy him a pint if I met him in the Boozer..


  • #41
    dodderangler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,203 ✭✭✭dodderangler


    When I was workin in Toyota I'd get tips for doing little small jobs like not talkin about gettin tips for doin clutches or gearbox that's what labour covers and wouldn't take a tip for that
    I'd often get oul lads givin me a few euro for puttin in new bulbs or just doin a quick pre NCT check and taking off hub caps and when it passes I put them back on sometimes it could be a euro or a tenner
    I'd be handed a score sometimes but always try givin it back it's way too much got a phone number aswell before that was weird she was at least 50
    But what people don't get is mechanics are one of the worst paid trades out there if u don't have your own garage or do nixers you come out with nothing so tips are welcomed sight


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  • #42
    Our man in Havana
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,472 ✭✭✭✭Our man in Havana


    wonski wrote: »
    I bet those foreigners were too happy with the quote. How much is full service there after conversion? 50, 40 euro? Locals have to hate all of you now...
    Indeed they do. Full service is around €50.


  • #43
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,685 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    -Corkie- wrote: »
    I never even thought about tipping them allthough I would buy him a pint if I met him in the Boozer..

    My usual tipping strategy was to give extra fiver for a pint, nothing more really. Like i said, only if the job was priced below expectations, or when it took more time than money went in really. In normal, quote-based circumstances, no need to.
    Have you met him in the Boozer???


  • #44
    Gary ITR
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,801 ✭✭✭✭Gary ITR


    dodderangler wrote: »
     got a phone number aswell before that was weird she was at least 50
    Chancey aul ones can be good in the sack.... So im told


  • #45
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,685 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    Our man in Havana wrote: »
    Indeed they do. Full service is around €50.

    Very cheap for someone coming from Ireland (179E full service last time), not so cheap for Bulgarians, i believe.
    I feel tempted to drive to home in the summer only to do suspension rebuild, and some extras. 500E would buy me a new car over there, but since i already spent 600E in last month, it doesn't make sense anymore...
    Do you mind me asking what usual prices are for jobs like timing belt, and how much for example are proper tires? I know the prices in Poland (good prices), imagine Bulgarian prices are even lower.


  • #46
    Our man in Havana
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,472 ✭✭✭✭Our man in Havana


    Last time I bought a tyre (VW Polo) I paid €30 new fitted and balanced.

    I had a full front suspension rebuild, (2 new shocks and bushings etc) and a full service and paid €200 approx. That was a VW stealer too.

    They generally charge €30 a day for labour. Parts can be as dear as Ireland.


  • #47
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,685 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    Our man in Havana wrote: »
    Last time I bought a tyre (VW Polo) I paid €30 new fitted and balanced.

    I had a full front suspension rebuild, (2 new shocks and bushings etc) and a full service and paid €200 approx. That was a VW stealer too.

    They generally charge €30 a day for labour. Parts can be as dear as Ireland.

    Paradise...30E/day!
    Wish I was there...


  • #48
    -Corkie-
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,025 ✭✭✭✭-Corkie-


    wonski wrote: »
    My usual tipping strategy was to give extra fiver for a pint, nothing more really. Like i said, only if the job was priced below expectations, or when it took more time than money went in really. In normal, quote-based circumstances, no need to.
    Have you met him in the Boozer???

    I have surley too often unfortunatley...:o


  • #49
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,685 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    -Corkie- wrote: »
    I have surley too often unfortunatley...:o

    Wasn't it don't mix business with pleasures, or something along the lines...
    I am glad my guy is 10 miles away, i would have to do the same...


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