Who to tip at dealer

[BMWbab1]

We all know that keeping the guys at the dealer is key. I am trying to figure out who is the decision maker at the dealer when it comes to something that is questionable under warranty and who talks with BMW to discuss your case and try to get it covered. I have heard that tips go a long way for future issues and I am just not sure who I should be tipping at the dealer. Thanks!

[oldmarco]

No amount of tipping will have someone at the dealer risk their job / career for questionable warranty work. Also warranty work shouldn't be questionable anyways unless the car was abused or an aftermarket part led to the failure of the OEM part.

[one 35i]

The person who washes it!

[BMWbab1]

I by no means am meaning form someone to do something dishonest for a tip, yes that would be stupid to risk your job over. I am posting this question for friend who has a newer 135i and asked me about this. I am kind of curious too as I will be buying a new BMW soon. I have heard many times that it pays to tip/take care of your service people because lets say in an instance where a part is close to needing repair, rather than making you wait a few months and have to spend time to bring it back into the dealer they will just repair it for you then and if they need to talk to BMW NA about it they will try to get them in your favor to replace the part now. I have heard from 10+ people that this is not only common courtesy but is also smart to make sure the people at the dealer will be on your side and not just BMW NA's side.

[ken1137]

I would recommend getting to know your SA and find out what he/she likes or is into and treat them with respect. Show up with a nice cigar if he is into them...as an example, but do it discretely.

[awns729]

I have never heard of tipping anyone at a dealeship. Does anyone here do this? How much and how often?

[SHFT]

A gift from time to time is a nice gesture and usually helps with your relationship to your SA and your cars outcome with certain unspoken of warranty work that is on the line. If you only knew how many clients they go through on a daily basis saying a thank you with a token of your appreciation usually is rewarded with more of a fiduciary relationship.

[Ammonia]

I've been working at a car dealership for over a year now, never heard of tipping a SA. Just be nice, courteous, and see them specifically when you go in. They'll appreciate the repeat business more than anything. Or, if you REALLY wanna earn kudos: bring some treats from home for the service lane, like homemade cookies, etc, but I'd reserve that until later when your car is being more problematic.

[JSILVER135I]

My SA and service manager have been awesome so I treated then each to a $10 tim hortons coffee card! Not a big tip by any means but it's the gesture that counts! Something like that should be sufficient!

[SHFT]

Originally Posted by JSILVER135I

My SA and service manager have been awesome so I treated then each to a $10 tim hortons coffee card! Not a big tip by any means but it's the gesture that counts! Something like that should be sufficient!

there you go!

[BBBluey]

I would show up with large pizzas, box of donuts or cookies for everyone to partake as a thanks for the great service they've provided you...everyone there will get to know you and it's more casual friendly.

[Section147]

A hand-written (& mailed) Thank You card goes a long way. People in business who are
service providers appreciate manners, grown-ups and a heartfelt pat on the back.

[ElCoqui]

Originally Posted by one 35i

The person who washes it!

[135Pats]

I've always felt being polite is the best "tip" you can give, an actual monetary tip to an SA would strike me as a bit odd to be honest. Be polite, casual, and understanding; don't talk down to the people there, just basic courtesy that too many people often forgo in these types of transactions.

[Qbrozen]

I had never heard of it, either, but my father kept telling me I should tip my SA who kept going above and beyond in getting parts/services covered for me that normally aren't. So last time I was in, I dropped $40 on his desk. He was very appreciative. That's the day he got the valve blasting done for me free of charge.

Don't get me wrong, there is NOTHING dishonest about what he did for me. But, as folks here who paid for this same service know, nothing is a given when taking your car in for service/repairs.

[jkoral]

I knew a guy that used to bring coffee and donuts to his early morning appts for the SA and techs. He said they were always very appreciative.

[dtwyim]

Originally Posted by Qbrozen

. So last time I was in, I dropped $40 on his desk. He was very appreciative. That's the day he got the valve blasting done for me free of charge.

The question is, will you get the blasting for free if you did not drop the $40?

If you are going to get it anyways, then the SA deserves it. If you were not going to get it, then it is definitely $40 well spent!

[SteveAZ]

I don't ever tip cash in situations like that as it seems awkward. I'll usually go get a gift card and simply tell them "lunch is on me". Last time I did it for the SA and the mechanic. They went the distance to make it a good day for me with a job well done and good communication, figured it was the least I could do.

[Bleufiend]

I work as a BMW tech at south BMW in Miami. Above all else if you want to be taken care of at a dealer 2 things I will tell you to do and it will have your service advisor and the tech working on your car taking care of you every single time.

1. Please be patient when we're working on your car, especially if it's something oddball( squeak/rattle, water leak, electrical problem) they take time to solve and correctly fix.

2. Give 100% csi on all questions, even if it's a question that doesn't look like itd relate to what your advisor or your tech did. You do that Everytime you bring your car in and you'll find quite quickly that you will be taken care of as best we can provide. Also when something does happen to your car that might be a gray area for warranty, if you've given good csi for awhile it can help grease the wheels with management to get it goodwilled for you.


Now is what I'm saying 100% going to work all the time? No, absolutely not. However, I've been working on cars in dealers since 2006, BMW since June of 2008. Out of all the cars I've worked on it will come down to what your relation with the dealer is as to how well you get treated. Giving good csi is an easy albeit slow to earn favor so that you get what you want when you need it. My .02