I am about to bring my MINI to the dealers for an annual service. Wondering how it is performed. By one mechanic or several? Do you guys tip them? If yes how? If appropriate how much? Would appreciate any hints.

 

I would only tip them if they ended up saving me money on something by doing it pro bono. At $100+ per hour, who can afford to tip them?

If it is under warranty, MINI pays for all of the service, so they are being paid either way. If you are friends with them, tip them. If not, I'd say forget it.

 

No tipping in this part of the world. I may bring some liquid refreshment for and independent mechanic, but not the dealer.

 

Well NYC/NJ is a different part of the USA, and tipping is a way of life there so I don't know wether or not you would tip at a dealership or not. My own inclination would be NO, unless happen to be watching the tech or knew that he went above and beyond the required service and did a freebie of importance. But once again it never ceased to amaze me when I lived there how many unexpected hands were out and the number who ponied up.

 

No, you do not tip service people/mechanics. They do however, very much appreciate gifts of food/beverages and the like.

Get on your advisers good side and you'll be singing the praises of MINI.

Be a jerk to them and you'll start hating your service department (and them you).


Amazes me how some people don't understand that last part.

 

Yes, Beer (and Wine for the married Techs) goes a very long way...
They will be much inclined to save you money and use their "extra" new parts from their stash at no charge to you
Yes, every mechanic has a stash

 

Funny you say it like that. Experiences at one of our local dealerships are mixed. Personally, I've had good results. Others, not so much. Perhaps it's not their argument, it's their approach. I've tried to help those who get the runaround. Guess I just don't know what all happens since I'm not actually there.