tips

[alfredauto]

What do you guys do about technician cash tips? My policy is if I give away a service to a customer to gain their business, like no charge for popping in a bulb or checking their fluids or shoveling snow out of their bumper I don't expect them to pay and I refuse any offering. The customer usually will go out and thank the tech, and based on body language i can assume they are throwing the tech some cash at that point. Should the tech put that into the general fund? Should he be allowed to just keep it? I kind of ignore it. After all I refused the money, and I gained the P.R. benefits. On the other hand I pay the rent. Just trying to see what you guys do.

[Mario]

It was given to him, not you

[John Pearson]

Let the tech keep it, I ask mine to refuse it once but most people that want to tip enjoy doing it.

[Joe Marconi]

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[phynny]

I ALWAYS tip a tech if I'm having something done, even if it's just a couple bucks to get a drink and I'd be pissed if I found out he didn't get to keep it.

[skm]

This brings up the question of junk metal. Does the shop get the money or the tech who did the work? Well in my case when I sell scrap metal and converters I actually split the money with the service writer. I am the only one in the shop that does this, the other guys keep it to them selves. At one point the owner was taking the money, but I made the point to him that he has made the money off of the labor and parts already. This is just a added bonus for us doing all the physical labor he agreed and we now get to keep the money, but as I said I split it with the service writer since he did have a part to play in estimating and selling the job.

[John Pearson]

Scrap metal and parts go to the shop fun account, when there is enough fun money we will do BBQ's, 4 wheeling trips, or gift cards to the crew.

[skm]

Scrap metal and parts go to the shop fun account, when there is enough fun money we will do BBQ's, 4 wheeling trips, or gift cards to the crew.

About 7 years ago we started getting a different type of owner, I won't go into detail but 8 years ago or so something like the way you do it would of worked. You must be a great owner to work for. Now a days I can't do it that way since I would be pretty much paying for the whole thing. some weeks I get 100+ in tips. I have been there 20 years longer than the next longest guy. I am top money maker and all work off of a 50% commission even the 21 year old kid with no training and knows nothing and rips people and the total rip off king who also knows nothing (nether have any schooling training or certification or any other licenses). so I just spit my junk metal money with the service writer who has been there longer than myself and just keep my tips. The other guys keep all their money.

[PAPShop]

Scrap metal and parts go to the shop fun account, when there is enough fun money we will do BBQ's, 4 wheeling trips, or gift cards to the crew.

Scrap metal and recycling funds go to the shop Christmas Party fund. Tips are given to the tech, with the exception of large tips that are given to the shop to "buy everyone lunch". Any spifs from suppliers (coolers, gift cards etc) are saved for Christmas Party. We have a big Christmas Party in January, and part of it we give a run down on highlights of the previous year, give recognition and play stupid games. Everyone leaves with a nice gift.