Bill Kapaun

I've got a couple qualms about "tipping" alcohol. Unless you know all the employees pretty well, I wouldn't use it as a gift.
You may have:
1- Underage employees, which kind of puts the owner (and possibly yourself) in a legal quandry.
2-One (or more) of the employees may have just finished their Nth day of sobriety and don't need any temptations.

Money is nice, but seems a bit crass. You don't tip your wife/girlfriend for excellent service do you?

I think even a diabetic employee wouldn't be offended by PIE!

Fredmertz51

I usually just give a couple of bucks for the pizza/beer fund.

v1k1ng1001

hook 'em up with a nice job when they graduate from college

when i worked at a shop I used to appreciate the six pack

food for the shop is always appreciated

blake711

Um hello its called a Joint Checking Account. So yea I tip her very very well..

Feldman

It's a too-common practice for bike store owners to give labor away as advertising/public relations.
This is a major hidden cause of the underpayment of bike mechanics--if store owners want mechanics to be PR officers, then pay 'em like PR officers. Tip good bike mechanics lavishly and often.

skiahh

As an employee for pretty much any company, you get paid the same no matter how hard you work. You either make an hourly wage for your time or a salary for the work you do - regardless of how long you work. I get paid the same amount of money whether I'm at home every night or deployed on an aircraft carrier for 6+ months. It's life.

I agree that tips are never required and that's my issue with feeling beholden to someone you pay to perform a service. You pay the agreed upon rate, they do the agreed upon work. Does showing your appreciation have to be extra money or stuff? How about vocalizing your appreciation. And referring friends and anyone who will listen? How about letting the boss know the mechanic did a great job? Do those count? Or does it have to be cash, a bottle of something or something else?

Do you tip your mail man? (If you do, don't answer because it's not allowed by USPS). Do you tip your cable installer? Do you tip your landlord or home repairman? Lawn guy? etc etc etc.

Where does it stop? Who do you tip and who do you not tip?

Hell, your IRS tax auditor gets the same amount of money no matter what... will you tip him/her for conducting a thorough audit of your file??

Yes, I express appreciation for every job well done and especially going above and beyond. I also work that way simply because that's the way I was raised.

c0urt

i work at a shop in a small town, and it would be a bit weird if someone tipped i think and i would try to turn it down politley, but food is always nice, because i am always hungry

Digital Gee

From time to time but not every time I bring in a six pack of Fat Tire Ale after getting a repair or other service, and I've heard no complaints yet.

old and new

A six-pack sounds in order..

Bill Kapaun

"Hell, your IRS tax auditor gets the same amount of money no matter what... will you tip him/her for conducting a thorough audit of your file??"

I believe that is called a bribe

Bekologist

If I may speak in the collective, most of us at the bike shop are always hungry. please bring food more often. we ride a lot and can't afford food because we've spent our meager paychecks on rent and beer

skiahh

Well... only if you owe the IRS. If he finds you a refund, wouldn't it become a tip then??

M_S

Sure, tip 'em. Or do something nice for them.

My bike shop is pretty incredible. First of all they upgraded my shifters--a 90 dollar value, taking into account that they sold the old ones, but not taking itno account labor--and they simply do a lot of good stuff, and before I bought my bike there was no pressure to sell me anything. They area co-op, which may make some difference, so I am directly rewarding the employees by patronizing them more.

But maybe I should tip next time they install something for free.

donnamb 

Citibikes?

ericgu

I really like the idea of bringing in some food.

I would consider talking to his boss, but you have to be a little careful because sometimes that "extra attention" involves a bending of the rules...

conurejade

My LBS, FatCat Bicycles in Lake Worth FL, is totally incredible! The guys there are really good at what they do and are incredibly patient with a newbie's questions.
I don't actually give monetary tips since I don't exactly have all that much money myself , but I do try to show my appreciation for the great job they do. At the very least, I make sure I verbally express my gratitude for a job well done. I try to support them by buying everything I can from them; I give them a chance to price-match or recommend a similar product that they carry - I can't tell you how many times that has worked in my favor! I'll occasionally pick up lunch or drinks for them if they can't get away from the shop.

Yes, I know they are 'just doing their job' and are getting paid for that job, but I think everyone likes to know that their efforts are appreciated.

Nachoman

My LBS does not do me any favors at all. They are very nice and very professional. And they do a good job. But they don't give me any real discounts and never rush any of my orders. It doesn't seem appropriate for me to tip them or give them a gift at x-mas. I wonder if the LBS owner ever thinks about giving me a gift at x-mas because of the fact that I bought a bike from him, buy stuff there all the time, and bring my bike there for repairs.

capejohn

Pizza and young wrenches match perfectly.

Maelstrom 

If its good work and the mech was actually helpful, then yes I leave a tip.

lima_bean

I think the customary tip for a bike shop employee is a beer or a 6pack, Ive never heard of tipping cash.

As someone who personally doesnt drink, I do find this a bit weird, but when in Rome...

rando

I always tip my mechanics. they take good care of my baby. and I can't do it myself...