Silly etiquitte question | FerrariChat

Silly etiquitte question

Discussion in '308/328' started by GeoMetry, Jun 25, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. GeoMetry

    GeoMetry Formula Junior

    Apr 14, 2008
    471
    Virginia
    Full Name:
    Richard
    When having my Ferrari serviced is is customary to tip the mechanic or anyone else? I only ask because they do seem to go out of their way to be nice.

    Obviously at McDonalds I don't tip the server but I do tip at Olive Garden. Along the same lines the server at McDonalds does not introduce themselves before taking my order but at Olive Garden they do introduce themselves. At the Ferrari dealer they made a point of introducing me to the mechanic that will be working on my car.

    I hope you don't tell me that 15% is customary.
     
  2. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,406
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    No, I generally just turn my paycheck over, endorse the back of it over to him, and assure him I'll return next Friday with another one......:)

    Man, I always just tell my Tech how much I appreciate his efforts and knowledge.
     
  3. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    32,336
    Seattle Area
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Probably not necessary, no. But hey - if you like the guy, why not? He's
    going to be your 'family doctor' hopefully for your entire F-car experience.

    I gave my F-wrench Carlo and his brother Lino each a bottle of Enzo Wine
    (www.enzowines.com) - what better gift for an F-wrench? We've since
    become very friendly and visit every time we bump into each other around
    town. And whadya know - I get LOTS of little freebies when I do have to
    pay him the 'big bux'

    Just my $.02

    Jedi
     
  4. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 23, 2006
    11,999
    GMT -5 & GMT +1
    Full Name:
    Dave
  5. Max4HD

    Max4HD Formula 3

    Jun 20, 2006
    1,042
    Florida
    I think a bottle of wine (Texas or not) is an appropriate "tip".

    Especially, if they are as cordial and do as good a job as you say.

    I'm sure your thoughtfulness will be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers
     
  6. Kevinwi

    Kevinwi Karting

    Nov 21, 2006
    241
    The labor charge for many mechanics (e.g. the Ferrari dealership) is $100.00/hr. That's more than I make.

    Personally, I think they should give ME a tip for bringing them business. :)
     
  7. Argento839

    Argento839 F1 Veteran

    Oct 21, 2005
    9,103
    LOL!
     
  8. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    32,336
    Seattle Area
    Full Name:
    Dave
    To each his own I guess. I don't get too worked up over the cost of repairs - can't do them myself, and I
    CHOSE to own a Ferrari. I knew the costs going in... Carlo treats me right, and I'm very happy with him so
    I 'tip' him. Either way, he loved the wine (as did Lino) whether it was from Texas or not :D

    Jedi
     
  9. gil308

    gil308 Formula 3

    Jun 22, 2004
    1,975
    Charleston, SC
    Full Name:
    Gil
    That's pretty cool. Too bad I didn't see this in time for Father's Day. And I don't have enough time before my Father's B-Day either - TOMORROW!!

    But I will keep this in mind for Holidays for sure...and thank you gifts. How are the wines packed for shipping? Once I get it, how can I ship it out (SC to PA)...can I just use whatever packaging you use?
     
  10. Argento839

    Argento839 F1 Veteran

    Oct 21, 2005
    9,103
    Be good to the guys that are good to your car.
     
  11. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 28, 2003
    43,689
    Hell's waiting room
    Full Name:
    John
  12. Tony K

    Tony K Formula 3

    Jun 7, 2006
    1,779
    USA
    Full Name:
    Tony K.
    I think a bottle of wine is a very nice gesture of appreciation.


    I have a friend who runs a shop servicing exotic cars and certain highline imports. One of his regular customers who has several vehicles maintained by him came by one day, said he had a "rattle in the trunk."

    "Well, let's take a look at it," replied my friend.

    The customer opened the trunk and produced a 12-pack of an excellent imported beer: "Oh, here it is! I found the rattle! Here you go! Thanks again, and enjoy!" . . . and handed him the beer.

    A kind gesture like that -- or even just a simple Thank You card -- goes a long way in many ways. :)
     
  13. Vito

    Vito Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Apr 29, 2004
    487
    Dutchess County, NY
    My wife enjoys baking so periodically she will make something for the guys at the shop where my car is serviced & I'll stop by there to drop it off & chat with the crew. We do this not only when the car is serviced but at other times too just to maintain a postive connection. I think that showing you're a real person is more important than anything else.
     
  14. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 23, 2006
    11,999
    GMT -5 & GMT +1
    Full Name:
    Dave
    We ship in FedEx and UPS approved containers. They are cardboard boxes with styrofoam clamshells inside, they have spots for bottles of wine molded in. Easy to re-use.
     
  15. 308tr6

    308tr6 Formula Junior

    Dec 23, 2003
    466
    SDakota
    Full Name:
    Rico
    Ahhhh, my pet peeve. I HATE TIPPING, particularly in the food, and hotel, taxi world, etc. It puts the tippee and tipper at unease, the beggar and the cheapskate, and the constant shuffling of cash. Having traveled in Japan a few times, it is a wonderful freedom to not have to constantly dig for some spare cash, how much, not enough, blah blah, what a waste of time. Don't get me wrong I am all for fair pay to workers in the service industry, just feel there employers should pay it and price their goods/service accordingly, not via 20 digs to the pocket.

    Having said that if you truly get stand-out customer service from someone (a rarity), a gesture of goodwill, a bottle of vino, whatever, is very appropriate.
     
  16. M.James

    M.James F1 Rookie

    Jun 6, 2003
    2,721
    Worcester, MA
    Full Name:
    Michael.C.James
    How 'fast' can you ship?
     
  17. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 23, 2006
    11,999
    GMT -5 & GMT +1
    Full Name:
    Dave
    You know how it goes, if you can afford it I can have it delivered tomorrow.
    Shipping to a house instead of a business...
    Tomorrow $79.26
    Monday $50.46
    Tuesday $38.74
     
  18. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 23, 2006
    11,999
    GMT -5 & GMT +1
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Thats 2 bottles delivered to Wocester, MA
    The overnight or rush shipping is crazy expensive. Its much cheaper if you can wait for ground shipping, about 4 business days.
     
  19. johng

    johng Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2004
    2,298
    northern va
    Full Name:
    john g
    i've never heard of tipping the shop. i once sent the service team at FOW a case of nice italian wine after they covered the rather large service bill of a 550 i had recently purchased there.
     
  20. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,758
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    Agreed!
     

Share This Page