Tipping mechanic

When I saw the title of the thread I thought it had something to do with finding a mechanic asleep, like cow tipping.

 

Was coming on here to check how many of you tip these mechanics, the last 2 mechanics at Loves and Petro seemed like they were pissed I didnt tip them. It was a hefty bill for changing two front shocks, and a trailer protection valve. Granted my trucks old and rusted from years up north. Im normally a really good tipper, but paying over $300 labor for both of them jobs is as much as I want to pay. If it wasnt otr I woulda done it myself at home. Changing parts on my truck otr is ridiculous, every bolt needs heat, pb blaster, takes forever. Would a mechanic be expecting extra money on top of that? My normal mechanic is the best and hardly charges me anything so I always tip him. Every other mechanic that works on my truck takes forever, and fks stuff up.

 

For the most part we're paid hourly in the HD repair industry. Yes we can get a little annoyed when quick jobs take more time due to complications but we're still getting paid for it.

 

So what would be an appropriate tip that would make you satisfied? They normally have to put heat to anything they repair on my truck, and I'd like to make the good mechanics I find otr happy so I can return to them. $20? My truck is a pain in the ### to work on. I thread lock everything I take apart now.

 

I would feel kinda weird about taking tips. Donuts are typically what we see customers drop off.

 

Love's, TA's and Petros don't really have "mechanics"...they have a guy that was looking for a job and may have turned a wrench a time or 2 in his life. Those companies are in the business of being travel centers, not repair centers.

 

I like to tip anyone but especially a waiter or waitress who does a good job. Me and the wife recently ate at Longhorns and a black guy was our waiter. He was the nicest waiter I’ve ever had and super friendly. I’m not totally sure how much he made off tips from us but we both left a good wad of cash for him. To me that’s almost as enjoyable as eating the ribeye was.

 

Thread lock? Surely you mean anti seize.

 

I'm supposed to pay the 2.5k bill and leave a tip? lol

 

A tip? No. A box or two of donuts maybe a couple of pizzas once in awhile for my local main repair shop? Certainly! They appreciate my business and I appreciate the effort they put into keeping my business running down the road. Also I rarely hear "sorry we can't look after that today"