Tipping?

[comsnark]

Ok. . .after being a power boat owner for about one year, I am a bit curious about "tipping ettiquite".

I have read a few posts where people "tip" mechanics who work on their boat. Seems to make a fair bit of sense. But what if your mechanic is an independent (working out of a truck)?

Just curious. . .which is why I am posting.

Last year, my boat was serviced by a dealer, and I only ever spoke to the Estimate Writer. Sometimes, the call was put in Monday morning, and the boat was fixed by Friday, with a reciept mailed to me. Not even a chance to MEET the actual mechanic.

This year, I am having the boat serviced by an independent mechanic. Still work on the "call Monday, Fixed by Friday" method, although I have been present once or twice due to issues.

I am wondering about tipping etiquitte in this case.

My gut tells me "No, this is an OWNER. He is setting his price. The best tip is repeat buisness, no tip is required. Just prompt payment."

Thoughts?

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BTW: Billing is a whole different world dealing with an independent. I was just handed a bill today for work covering May 21st to August 10th! While not small, I see no evidence of "padding" or "nickle and diming" that I was seeing with the dealer. Very refreshing!

 

[Turtlesboat]

As an independent contractor myself, tipping is frowned upon. I set my price for the work. The best tip I can get is to get a call back.

 

[Arizona240DA]

For what it is worth, we have had our boat worked on by both the dealer and an independent. Neither of which I tipped for their services, although they both did a great job and I was/am grateful to an extent. However, we did have an impeller go bad on a Sunday and had some emergency work done by the local marina mechanic and I felt compelled to tip him for obvious reasons. My two cents is that more conventional work, such as that done by a dealer or independent mechanic does not necessarily warrant a tip, but I think that emergency, or more on the spot work, perhaps does. Those are my thoughts anyway.

 

[ANYTIME]

Tipping for Dealer Service Work --- R U Nuts???

My Sea Ray dealer charges $140 per hour for service work and their technicians are always swamped with work. After paying that rate for service, I don't exactly feel charitable enough to favor them with a gratuity.

I have to admit though, the last time I purchased gas at a local marina, I was so impressed with the service I offered a NICE tip to the helpful person. He was very appreciative and refused it stating that the service was his job.

 

[Asureyez]

TIP

I suspect this topic is really a Holding Tank issue, but since it's here.

The "TIP" is alleged to have emanated from medieval England where a small boxes were placed on tables with the words "To Insure Promptness" and these boxes were the property of the servants.

Table servers were often family, indentures or independents who sought to sustain themselves by fetching food and drink for patrons of establishments. The only income these servants would have would be from the appreciation of their efforts by those they served, the patron.

In the U.S. the modern connotation of a TIP has evolved from such discretionary payments based upon perceived satisfaction of the recipient for services received. This evolved mindset is no longer based on prompt and pleasant service, but rather a entitlement of the server AND the establishment. There is no longer any relationship to the quality of service actually received by patrons and the expectation for a TIP to be earned. Such payments have become the expectation on all three parties part. In some cases the sense of obligation on the part of the recipient of a service to pay extra for service irrespective of it actually being received borders on guilt to "get it right." Hence, I suspect the need for this post.

IMHO, Tipping has become so institutionalized that restaurateurs have the gall to add tips to our bills irrespective of our actually having received service that merits such extra consideration. These crafty rascals actually charge us stiff prices for their food and drink, then make us pay their hired help to serve it to us! In fact the TIP is so ingrained in the patronizing publics mindset that a person refusing to tip over poor service is considered RUDE and will probably be confronted by management! Often "Tipping Guides" are printed on boards or small cards placed conspicously around cash registers.

With that back light, should mechanics, boat washers & waxers etc. be tipped? IMHO, no.

With hourly rates now soaring for such work, there is ample funds for the service providers, independents or employees of contractors, to receive good incomes. Those fees and rates charged should be sufficient to provide incentive for workers to come to work sober, to work industriously and to complete their tasks in a workmanlike manner and to make good on poor work. Now, if such a person is asked to do something with significance beyond the agreed work and they do it cheerfully and well, then of course something extra should be in order.

In boating I believe TIPPING is in order is, as with eating establishments for good service, the front line servants dock boys/girls. When these marian employees actually help you get docked, get your lines on correctly, power cords on, run and fetch ice and take the time to provide you details on the facilities ... then a TIP maybe justified. Fuel Dock assistants would be included in this thought.

We don't tip attorney's, doctors, chef's and we don't tip dock masters. We bribe seating hostesses but thats is another post.

But, for the marina servants who do little more than wave and flail their arms, bark orders like they know what they are doing and then pace impatiently at the foot of the dock while you get settled so they can instruct you on marina rules and where to go pay ... I leave their income in the hands of the employer for who they so well serve.

 

[chuck1]

In boating I believe TIPPING is in order is, as with eating establishments for good service, the front line servants dock boys/girls. When these marian employees actually help you get docked, get your lines on correctly, power cords on, run and fetch ice and take the time to provide you details on the facilities ... then a TIP maybe justified. Fuel Dock assistants would be included in this thought.

Big ditto, sums it up for me :thumbsup: Also pump out assistants would be included.

 

[fragmag]

My Sea Ray dealer charges $140 per hour for service work and their technicians are always swamped with work.

My Sea Ray dealership charges $95 per hour. I wonder why there is such a big difference is price. :huh: Is it at a Marine Max? That is who my local Sea Ray dealer is.

 

[ANYTIME]

My Sea Ray dealer charges $140 per hour for service work and their technicians are always swamped with work.

My Sea Ray dealership charges $95 per hour. I wonder why there is such a big difference is price. :huh: Is it at a Marine Max? That is who my local Sea Ray dealer is.

Our dealer is Prince William Marine. They are located in Woodbridge, VA

 

[comsnark]

$140 an hour????

That is simply crazy talk. . .isn't it? I mean. . how much are the actual mechanics making?

But I guess if your dealer is like others that actually TURN AWAY customers if they don't buy from the dealer. . .

 

[fc3]

You mean to say that people don't do their own service work when the boat's out of warranty?

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Asureyez]

Sea Ray Labor Rates

$140 an hour ...OMG!~ I'm stinging over $105 and griping directly to yard owners as they see the nape of my neck take work elsewhere ...

At $140 I'd open a business, those are huge margins!

Don't know about you guys but at thsoe rates they wouldn't get anything from me but warrnatee work. Period!

 

[fragmag]

Ok, so I'm not the only one that thought $140 was high. Hopefully you can find something less expensive or at least take what you hear here and ask them to cut back a bit.

 

[comsnark]

Which is back to my original question.

My Mechanic charges $90-$100/hr. . which is about what the dealer charges for labor.

BUT -> The bill from my dealer includes things like "environmental surcharge" and "masking tape", whereas my mechanic (if anything) underscopes charges.

 

[KIMO]

$140? Out here in Southern California we pay $150 to the dealer, generally have to beg for service, and then seem to pay "book" rates as opposed to actual hours. Sometimes get a AAA discount ...but usually don't get the discount and getting it corrected is almost impossible. If the work isn't done right the first time, the dealer bills his time again when they come out to do the fix.

Why not go elsewhere you ask. Very few other local mechanics and the few local boatyards usually don't answer their phones.

Anybody know a good mechanic in Marina del Rey?

 

[comsnark]

$140? Out here in Southern California we pay $150 to the dealer, generally have to beg for service, and then seem to pay "book" rates as opposed to actual hours. Sometimes get a AAA discount ...but usually don't get the discount and getting it corrected is almost impossible. If the work isn't done right the first time, the dealer bills his time again when they come out to do the fix.

Why not go elsewhere you ask. Very few other local mechanics and the few local boatyards usually don't answer their phones.

Anybody know a good mechanic in Marina del Rey?

You know. . .I have no problem paying BOOK RATES vs ACTUAL HOURS for repairs. Paying book rates encourages good work. His incentive is to "get it right the first time". Also, there are no surprises when the bill comes.

If he makes a mistake, then it is corrected on HIS DIME. Also, if someone NEW is on the job, they can take their time to finish the job correct without the customer getting irrate. But if the mechanic gets the job done with extra time left over, that implies the mechanic has a decent competency level and good work habits. I don't mind rewarding good performance.