Exactly

That's good to know. Last week i had my bike washed & next day it was 'ghost shiftin', brough it back and this mechanic took him time to clean it again, check everything and fix the issue which was i had a 10 spd cassette instead of 11 spd cassette. I ended up giving him the 10 speed to keep it as a tip

Did somebody sneak into your garage and install that without you knowing??

We get tipped a few times a week at my shop (that's our beer fund). It's generally random customers who we gave quick service to or the repair was a lot less than they thought it was. Had a lady come in today with her son's bmx bike, the other LBS couldn't remove the pegs (supposedly didn't have the right tool!!?) Anyway, we got it off in about 30 seconds, replaced a tube and she was all set in about 10 minutes. She ended up giving us a $20 on top of the tube change charge and was talking out the door about how she'll never go back to the other place lol.


Most of the regulars we have will give us gift cards or drop off some beer after some service work.

Yep I tip them on the rare occasions I use them. But I also tip all the people that provide use services - car mechanic, hair cutter, etc.

It does make things nice and simple. You just pay the person whatever is owed and you don't have to worry about how much extra someone thinks you should hand over to remain in their good books.

This is a little ot but I many years ago my wife and I were friends with a couple who didn't tip at restaurants. It made an otherwise pleasant experience uncomfortable.
It was uncomfortable untill we just decided to pay separately rather than split the bill. We would tip, they would not, but it was no longer an issue.
Ps. No I did tip more to compensate for there lack thereof

Yeah, I have certain relatives that, while they don't not tip, can be very stingy with the tip. Got upset last weekend thinking that $10 on a $50 bill was overly generous when the time came to pay.

I've tried to tip several times when someone has gone above and beyond for me for no charge, but I must be doing it wrong because they turned the tip down, so I just tend to only tip waitstaff.

I don't tip in money, I do spend money there, several custom bikes, accessories. I like to take bags of homemade potato chips, woopie pies, half moon pies, apples, produce and other things that I get from Amish farms and market for EVERYONE at the shop, they LOVE It! When I need something small they usually just give it to me, if I need something looked at they drop what there doing and help me out right away.

They will give me discounts on parts and usually sell things at prices lower than the I-net. To me it is worth giving a little to get prompt service when I need it which isn't often as I do most of my own wrenching. I don't go in often but I know how it feels when someone gives you something making them feel special, goes a long way!

Tipping is just in my nature. I tip many of the people I come into contact with every week, delivery drivers, trades people etc. not much, sort of a token 5 towards lunch. Amazing what that small investment pays back to me all the time. People I work with remember me, help me with access and scheduling , help me lift or move things to make my life easier, whatever.

I tip at my local co-op. There have been several times when a mechanic has gone above and beyond to help me, or stayed late to finish an install. I don't think the mechanics expect it, or think they are owed it. I do it because it they treat me and my bikes with respect and I value that. I've baked them treats, bought them beer, and tipped in cash. The result is great service and a good relationship. Worth it.

break out this page

I have bunch of cassettes in my garage and din't see anywhere written 11 or 10...but then i was mad coz the first bike mechanic did not realize that

Waiters and waitresses are exempt from minimum wage laws in the US and get a low salary which is supposed to make up for it.The best waiters in the best restaurants make a good living from a low salary and good tips. It's wrong not to leave a tip in an American restaurant, unless it is one of the rare places that pays its employees properly.

In European countries where the wait staff is salaried, tipping isn't common but one can leave small change or a pourboire.

A good bike shop should pay its' mechanics a decent wage. If you want to give something extra, go ahead, but you shouldn't feel obliged to do so.

I do nearly all of my own work, but the one guy I trust more than myself (Dano at Revolution in Solana Beach--aka the Derailleur Whisperer) gets $20 every time he touches my bike--more if he shows me how. He's taught me some excellent fine-tuning tips and tricks over the years--worth every penny. More, actually.
He gave me a new pair of NOS lenses for my 80's Oakley eyeshades last month. He's not only got the magic touch, he's also kind and empathetic to humans too.

I agree, but as you might know, bike mechanics get lower wages than just about any other semi-skilled manual worker. Tips can't possibly make up for it, but mechanics appreciate them anyway. No obligation, I agree, but just because it's not necessary doesn't mean it's a bad idea. (Not that you said it is.)

A good bike shop should pay its mechanics well, but in many cases, the profit margins don't allow it.

I take them Beer and soda.

Tip for my LBS: don't try to balance that brand new Cannondale Slice frame on the workshop bench instead of securing it in a stand, because it's going to fall 4 feet and clatter on bare concrete. Oh, too late. Sucks for that customer.

My family shops at the local LBS,[wife, two sons and myself]. Wife and I will run in a pizza for their lunch and bags of some M&Ms the owner likes. I get allot from that shop. So I just try to return a little.
BillMc