General Cycling Discussion - Do you tip your LBS mechanics?

My bike started shifting badly this weekend, so I brought it in this morning to get it worked on. I have mtn. biking class at 12:30, so that gives them less than 2 hours to work on it, and he said they were pretty busy, but he thought he could get it done by then.

Would it be cool if I gave him a tip for squeezing me in and getting it done? I was thinking $5 or something.....

I'm new to all this, so I'm not sure what is 'normal' to do.

- b

Bring 'em a sixer of their prefered beer :D Tip 'em if you feel it is worth it. We used to prefer the beer because it is harder to split 5$ then six beers ;)

:beer:

I tip with beer. Either that (I know one shop well) I would bring in the beer at 5:55pm (closing) and fix my own bike with their help and get drunk with them :)

You trying to turn her into a shop rat Mael? :p

:beer:

My bike started shifting badly this weekend, so I brought it in this morning to get it worked on. I have mtn. biking class at 12:30, so that gives them less than 2 hours to work on it, and he said they were pretty busy, but he thought he could get it done by then.

Would it be cool if I gave him a tip for squeezing me in and getting it done? I was thinking $5 or something.....

I'm new to all this, so I'm not sure what is 'normal' to do.

- b

When I suggested that I would like to bring in beer or cookies to thank the employees at the shop, my favorite LBS owner said he preferred cookies, due to the fact if I brought in beer, no work would get done. . .and no one might get hurt.

Unless they stampeded for the cookies!

tip my eye...! them guys are charging 30$ per hour.

tip my eye...! them guys are charging 30$ per hour.Do you think the mechanic is getting the entire $30?

I tip for special service, not if my bike goes to the end of the line and comes back in several days. And they give special service a lot. Ask a question or say you need something, and they rummage around in parts and fuss with possibilities. One time my cranks were stuck and I was afraid I was going to strip something removing them, and took it to the shop. The wrench took it right in, probably spent 30 minutes easing them off, and wasn't going to charge. Always tip for service like that.

I use cash... they can spend it on beer (or whatever). Don't want to risk getting the guy in trouble with the manager or other customers for doing me a good'un.

I've given most of the wrenches around here a few bottles of beer. My and my wife's bikes have a habit of jumping to the front of the line. I've never had my bike in the shop for more than four hours. :D

I should say I pre-tip. I bring in beer in the hopes of getting my bike bounced ahead of others :D

I should say I pre-tip. I bring in beer in the hopes of getting my bike bounced ahead of others :DI might try that in restaurants too!

I thoguht that was called "slipping a 20"...:D

The wrenches at my LBS don't mess around; they have a tip jar right on the counter.

I almost always pay with my debit card since I dont carry cash, except for 1's...

TBH, I never really thought of tipping... I can't exactly give them beer, since it'd be illegal for me to buy it :P

I'm friends with most of the people at my fave LBS, we go out riding together, etc. So when/if I need something done right away or something I can't do because I don't have the right tool or money to pay them on the spot, they usually do me a favor with no questions asked. Later, I might bring in a 6 or 12 pack of Stella Artois or Spaten or whatever, or some bike-related goodies I can't use. They're a great bunch where I go.

For instance, 2 weeks ago I left an Alpine Scale there for a few days so some of them could weigh their bikes and parts if they wanted to. A week or so before that, I gave my fave wrench some new Veloplugs that wouldn't fit the spoke holes on my Campy wheels.

tip my eye...! them guys are charging 30$ per hour.

How much does your time get billed out at?

How much of that do you see?

The last time the guys fixed my bike for free I went and bought them some pizza. It seemed to go over pretty well.

When I worked at a LBS, on one hot summer day, a customer who was having his bike fixed who worked at a nearby ice cream store brought us a quart of cookie dough ice cream. It was really cool, especially because the shop was poor and couldn't afford air conditioning. Let's just say he got priority service after that. ;)

Oh, man! I almost forgot. I got a new headset installed on the commuter this evening. The wrench stuck my bike right up on the stand and did it right there. Then he replaced the bent dropout on the MTB. No charge for labor. No waiting.

To show my appreciation, I just walked to the garage, got a cold adult beverage and poured it in a frosty mug. Ahhhh. Tastes so good! I'm my favorite customer.

I used to be a mechanic, a cute and sassy one. I got invitations for dates but never a tip!

I don't have to patronize the LBS that much for service... Actually, I've never gotten service done there.. But with the car mechanics I make sure to bring plenty of popsicles and beer. You want your mechanics happy!

peace,
sam

I almost always pay with my debit card since I dont carry cash, except for 1's...

TBH, I never really thought of tipping... I can't exactly give them beer, since it'd be illegal for me to buy it :PYou're under 21 and you listen to Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd? There IS hope for the younger generation afterall!!!! :D Now if we can just get ride of rap music (a very generous term for rap) and Brattney Spears!!

the shop I used to go to always got chinese food at closing time...well I'd usually foot the bill if I had them do any labor.

Nothin wrong with being a shop rat, well unless the shop is too small to rat around in :p

You're under 21 and you listen to Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd? There IS hope for the younger generation afterall!!!! :D Now if we can just get ride of rap music (a very generous term for rap) and Brattney Spears!!


Heh, yeah. Some rap isn't entirely bad.. at least some of the 'old school' songs from like the early 90's, before they started singing about boring crap, competing with each other to see who could use the most curse words in the least amount of time, and not even using good beats for their songs anymore.

Only if if they refill my coffee cup without being asked.

Heh, yeah. Some rap isn't entirely bad.. at least some of the 'old school' songs from like the early 90's, before they started singing about boring crap, competing with each other to see who could use the most curse words in the least amount of time, and not even using good beats for their songs anymore.

Theres a definate revival of the thoughtful, check out stuff like Anticon. A few specific artists to check out though would be Sage Francis, Adeem, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Deltron 3030, doseone, and of course, De La Soul.

Hijack over.

Most of what people think of as 'rap' music is what I call Hip-Pop, which is the illegitamate bastard step-child of hip hop. Hip Pop is Bad, and gives a bad name to the real artists out there.

In addition to seely's recommendations (all good), I'd like to add Handsome Boy Modeling School, classic Jurassic 5, Blackalicious and Atmosphere. There really is great art being made out there, with real musicians and true poets, you just don't hear much of it on corporate radio...

peace,
sam

PS Do you tip your DJs?

I tip 15 to 20 bucks about every 7 weeks are so to the wrenches at my LBS/Ski shop. During the holidays its a 6 pack or a bottle of JD.

Come the winter months. When they are packed with skiers and snowboarders. I say need a quick fix or tube fronted to me. They say just bring inside john. I'm off on my way in minutes. I have yet to pay for a full tune up.

I do try to buy everything I see on-line through them. It's just my way of giving back to my community.

John

Let's add DJ Shadow to that list of good hip-hop.

heck i dont need to bribe them at all i get jumped right up and i get ALOT of free stuff done and very good deals

like for example im getting my road bikes rims trued and replaced spokes for only bout 15 for front and both i bought the bike from salvation army what would you expect for 10 bucks

Would it be cool if I gave him a tip for squeezing me in and getting it done? I was thinking $5 or something...

I tip my mechanic if he does exceptional work, if he gives out of the ordinary service (fast turnaround), or he does exceptionally difficult stuff that I may ask for.

The mechanics don't expect tips, but are really pleased to receive them. In fact, the mechanics don't even expect to be treated as humans, but are really pleased when they are..

Small expense for me - great appreciation from my mechanics. Money well spent!

No, cause, I do my own wrenching.