Comments on: Bike Mechanic Tipping Etiquette for Dummies

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 19:08:20 +0000

I appreciate that you are offering a solution for an immediate need. It is just that I don’t believe it will stop the bleeding, but it may slow the bleeding. It is part of “game theory”.

The mechanics mostly don’t have control of their work environment. They don’t determine what bikes and products are sold. They don’t make repair policy and so on. They have to live with decisions made by the shop owner, including how much they are paid. It is some what demeaning to have to relay on tips because you can not negotiate a fair price directly with the customer.

Perhaps in more established cycling areas, clubs could help fund cycling co-ops. Help a group of mechanics develop business skills and provide capital. There are a lot of details, but it could be done. People would have to really be able to cooperate with each other.

What do the mechanics have to say about a long term solution?

By: Barry

Barry — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 19:32:20 +0000

The reality is that most people only look after their own economic situation.

That may be true for the world in general, but it’s not true here. Look at how much good Friends of Fatty have done, how much they’ve donated, for good causes. Around here, I think we’re practical idealists. – FC

By: Barry

Barry — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 19:17:04 +0000

Essentially, this article is asking individuals to compensate for a broken geopolitical-political economic system.

The mechanics don’t make much money for a valuable skill. Many bicycle shops are struggling. What about the factory workers actually making bicycles, components, etc.? So who is making money in the bicycle industry?

How about thinking about solutions to the underlying problems?

I agree, but — and I am not kidding here — I’m a pretty small thinker, and recognize that I’m best at small solutions. This is what I can do while I hope for big thinkers (like you maybe) to do the heavy mental lifting. When a big thinker comes up with a far-reaching and permanent solution, I’ll be happy to get behind that solution and make some noise about supporting it. Meanwhile, I think helping the guys who do a good job for not enough money right now is better than doing nothing. – FC

By: L'Hippo

L'Hippo — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 15:54:27 +0000

Why embroil another commercial transaction with some sort of gratuity? We have too many of those now. I think that doing a good job is to be expected. If they do a great job, or a poor job, tell them and/or their boss and let them handle the instant bonus/variable compensation.

Because they’re skilled workers, doing something we need to have done. But they’re getting paid far too little, working for people who can’t afford to pay them more. If we don’t help, they won’t get helped. There’s no “embroiling;” this isn’t a complicated, fraught transaction. It’s doing a little thing to improve the life of someone who has improved yours. – FC

By: Ez

Ez — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 06:35:11 +0000

And clean your bike b4 you drop it off. Don’t come fresh from the trail with a covered in mud bike asking to fix this or that.

A good point! – FC

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 10:44:58 +0000

I disagree with tipping for anything other than the “above and beyond” tier of service. I don’t like the idea that a 20 percent tip over and above the shop labor charge becomes the norm and then, if I don’t tip, I’m seen as a cheap dirtbag. I don’t want to have to always factor in the cost of the tip over and above the listed/quoted price. The restaurant industry in the US has already painted themselves into this corner. Charge me the appropriate labor rate for the technical complexity, skills and time required for the work that I’m having done and pay the mechanic an appropriate wage for his/her time, training, technical skills, and contribution. DO NOT try to make a tip on top of that the norm where if I don’t tip that I’m ripping off the mechanic.

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:17:04 +0000

…and if your father is a multimillionaire you can just work the night shift.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/jobs/trek-bicycles-chief-on-lessons-of-the-night-shift.html?referer=&_r=0

By: Doug (Way Upstate NY)

Doug (Way Upstate NY) — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 16:44:31 +0000

One important case you left out. The emergency “it broke right before a race and I need it now or I can’t race” case.

This is also a true test of how service oriented your mechanic is.

By: Barry

Barry — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 21:32:42 +0000

Tipping in any profession IS weird.

Maybe bike shops should just charge customers what is needed to pay employees a livable wage. If a shop owner can’t make a living without paying his employees adequately, they shouldn’t be running a business.

By: LT

LT — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 19:11:29 +0000

I believe in trying to have the same tech always work on my bike. If that tech leaves I bluntly ask who he would trust to wrench on his personal equipment.

I don’t tip my tech in cash, but when we ride bikes together, drinks and food is always on me. Sometimes I bring him back cool swag from bike adventures. For major repairs/wheel builds I get him a 6 of good beer. For a full custom build it is a bottle of scotch. Randomly I will swing by the shop and drop off a 12 pack to load up the shop fridge.

Basically I try to treat them like a friend doing me a favor.