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Do you tip a bike mechanic?

Old 05-29-15, 02:12 PM
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Do you tip a bike mechanic?

I apologize if this seems completely daft, but do you tip your LBS mechanic for repairs?
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Old 05-29-15, 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Orange Gato
I apologize if this seems completely daft, but do you tip your LBS mechanic for repairs?
I do, and quite well, and I receive excellent service. For me, it's not a quid pro quo, but a genuine appreciation. My cycling is very important to me, and I need it to be reliable. They free me from a lot of time-consuming work I could not do as well. Admittedly though, they do put out a tip jar.

I do recall at least one thread on this topic, and a lot of replies suggested food, beer, etc, but I think "money talks." (I frequently bring in donuts and such where I work, and one technologist asked me in friendly way, "Why?." I kiddingly replied "to buy your love and respect," to which she replied, "Well, cash works for me.")

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Old 05-29-15, 02:33 PM
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No. My LBS has even refused money for a variety of spare goods and quick services that I've offered to pay for.
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Old 05-29-15, 02:36 PM
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thanks
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Old 05-29-15, 05:01 PM
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Seems to very, i've been into a few places here in portland, seen tip jars, and haven't seen them. Depends on the people at the shop i would guess.
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Old 05-29-15, 06:47 PM
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No ... we don't tip anyone here in Australia.
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Old 05-29-15, 07:04 PM
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Yup - and they love it. They make a point of thanking me and add the tip to their "lunch fund." I'm quite sure they're not one-percenters, and my well-tuned bike gives me hour-after-hour of pleasure, so I enjoy the attention they give me.
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Old 05-29-15, 08:07 PM
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Of course, it's a service being performed by a low paid employee, I don't tip auto mechanics though not when they charge over $100 an hour and just replace parts. I usually tip about 20 to 50% of the bill depending on the amount of the bill, I'm not going to tip 50% for a $100 plus job but I will tip that high for a $10 or $20 job.
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Old 05-29-15, 08:28 PM
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1/2 rack occasionally, doughnuts, a bike for consignment, lots of thanks, wear their jersey on condos, etc. owners pretty clear they can't compete on Internet prices.
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Old 05-30-15, 01:52 AM
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Do you tip a bike mechanic?

Does a six pack of exotic hipster beers count as tipping? If so, yeah when he goes the extra mile, which he is prone to do

Otherwise, here in sweden we only tip waiters (though it's ok not to), and taxi drivers (less and less so as taxis are horribly expensive)
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Old 05-30-15, 06:01 AM
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I'm going to start tipping with meat. Nobody would turn down a plate of bacon.

I hate tipping. I don't even tip the pizza guy, unless it's a "free delivery" pizza place.

The only time I tip is if it's above and beyond the regular job. I had drywall delivered to my house and was expecting them to stack it on my driveway. Nope, they made 30 trips into my basement with it. At 70lbs per sheet, I'd say they earned a tip.

Last edited by m_bisson; 05-30-15 at 06:04 AM.
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Old 05-30-15, 06:31 AM
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Thanks everyone. All these differences in opinion and practices reminds me of the Tipping Debate opening scene of Reservoir Dogs…..
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Old 05-30-15, 06:41 AM
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Take a look around inside the shop. Usually, you will see one of two things. A tip jar, or a mini fridge.....
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Old 05-30-15, 06:47 AM
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Yes..... I like to pick my bicycle up at closing time. I give a six pack of beer and I get to help them drink it.
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Old 05-30-15, 09:23 AM
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Absolutely you should!

You should also tip the wonderful folks who give you advice over the internet.
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Old 05-30-15, 09:55 AM
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Offer them Affordable Health, Dental care..
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Old 05-30-15, 10:37 AM
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Sure do, whenever I finish a repair I go get myself a beer.
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Old 05-30-15, 12:44 PM
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I tip everyone

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Old 05-30-15, 04:26 PM
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Tis better to tip your mechanic than not tip your pizza boy.
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Old 06-01-15, 08:22 PM
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I did in my earlier life, when I was younger and had more $.
When the mechanic/s I had -- I was more proud of them.
But when they raise their prices, as I been a longtime customer. Why shall I further do what I been doing/tip.
As my expenses for Me to afford my 1 hobby be 1st priority. Without my request to have that labor done, the 'mechanic' lose occupation.
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Old 06-01-15, 09:18 PM
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Whats a bike mechanic?
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Old 06-01-15, 09:54 PM
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I almost always tip when there is wrenching involved. And I ALWAYS tip if they've fix/adjust something for free or otherwise done me a solid. If I am just picking up a part, I don't tip until I screw up the repair and bring my bike back in and have them set it right again!
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Old 06-01-15, 10:20 PM
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My LBS just put a tip jar in. Perhaps because they now have a couple young guys working there, whereas the main mechanic and co-owner used to do everything. I expect at his age he's contemplating scaling back on his own workload. It's a small shop geared toward the lower of the market, so the paid employees may not be making a great deal. Seeing the jar, I tipped, but otherwise I'd have felt odd trying to tip the owner.
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Old 06-02-15, 12:51 PM
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Nope I buy him cold beer ,n mow his lawn when he's got other things going on ,heck he's also my neighbor ,but I always pay for my service to the lbs ,and I also let him know I'm thankful for his expediting my bike when it alows
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Old 06-02-15, 03:49 PM
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8 day waiting time at my local shop, no way in hell I'd tip for that kind of service. Do yourself a favour and learn to fix your own bike. Most jobs end up being cheaper even after buying the necessary tool.
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