Tipping AAA? (for flat change)

[ctinct]

My tire went flat in my driveway, and AAA is sending someone within an hour to put my spare on. Should I tip? How much?

 

[tiggersbombed2]

Tip if you like. If the service was timely, the guy did a good job and was a pleasant individual, sure I'd tip. If he was a grouchy jerk, nope. I'd give him $10 or so.

 

[JCJRSmith]

I always have. $10-$20 should do it.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

It has never occurred to me to tip the AAA guy. They are mechanics. Do people tip their mechanics?

 

[LuvOrlando]

I tip $10.

 

[tiggersbombed2]

It has never occurred to me to tip the AAA guy. They are mechanics. Do people tip their mechanics?

Only if they want them to continue being good mechanics .

 

[AKL_Megs]

So it's right to tip a AAA mechanic (for doing his job) but not to tip a contractor (for doing his job)?

I'm confused. Why? I'm just curious!

 

[okeydokey]

So it's right to tip a AAA mechanic (for doing his job) but not to tip a contractor (for doing his job)?

I'm confused. Why? I'm just curious!

Don't get it either.

 

[stsomewhere]

I would of never thought to tip AAA driver/mechanic.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I thought it's good etiquette to tip employees but not business owners who, presumably, get all the profits in the first place. Contractors would be business owners.

 

[NAB]

I would tip him $5 or what every you think. A few bucks for a coffee sometimes is nice.

My first husband worked for CAA and they are not mechanics they are people that know how to change tires, un lock car doors and some do know how to fix small problems or just tow you to a mechanic.

I think of them as a delivery service. They sit and wait for a call to come in to go out and do it. Even if it is in the middle of the night or a busy highway.

He never expected tips....the drivers usually like the long tows because they get paid more. For flats in the mud and rain or just a boost etc. they get the same weekly pay.

 

[aprilgail2]

I always tip the AAA guy---between 5.00-10.00 depending on how much I have on me.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

I've never thought to tip them either... and since I NEVER carry cash and wouldn't *plan* on getting a flat I would never be prepared to tip.

Something new to think about, I guess

 

[ctinct]

Well, he just left about half an hour ago. I'm sure he wasn't expecting a tip, because he did seem genuinely surprised and pleased. I gave him $5.00. I had a five in one pocket and a ten in the other. It literally took him five minutes, and the car was in my driveway, so not in a bad spot at all. If he had had a hard time with it , I was prepared to go with the ten. I bet they don't get tips often, because who always has money with them when you break down on the side of the road? I rarely carry a whole lot of cash with me.

Anyhow, I think he was happy. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[mrspaha]

Oh, no. Now another one I never thought to tip. Thinking about this, I'm kind of surprised so many of you do tip the AAA guy. After all, we're paying for the service with our dues.

Now, on the other hand; if I was on the side of a road and a good samaritan came along and changed my tire, I would definitely give him money for helping out (hopefully, I'd have some cash; I generally don't carry much, if any).

 

[Art 1]

Sure, why not.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Funny...I was going to ask this same question a couple of weeks ago.

It never occurred to me to tip. Although, it's not like I actually USE AAA very much. Until...two weeks ago. Car broke down, and it was supposed to take 2 hours for someone to come and tow it, but it was actually the woman on the phone who said she'd hurry things along for me (took about 45 minutes) and I couldn't tip HER. But DH came to sit with me, and HE tipped the guy who towed my car. ($10)

Turns out, that was the end of my car. Had to get a new one, and had to get the old one towed to the dealership for the trade-in. (Surprised they even took it!) Again, it was supposed to take two hours to get to my house...took 3 (but at least I was home and warm)...and then I had a lovely scared1 20 mile ride to the dealership, with my car on the flatbed. We bonded. lol I tipped him $10.

 

[NAB]

Oh, no. Now another one I never thought to tip. Thinking about this, I'm kind of surprised so many of you do tip the AAA guy. After all, we're paying for the service with our dues.

Now, on the other hand; if I was on the side of a road and a good samaritan came along and changed my tire, I would definitely give him money for helping out (hopefully, I'd have some cash; I generally don't carry much, if any).

Like I said they don't expect it but it is nice. You pay for pizza delivery and you still tip the guy don't you.

 

[NAB]

Funny...I was going to ask this same question a couple of weeks ago.

It never occurred to me to tip. Although, it's not like I actually USE AAA very much. Until...two weeks ago. Car broke down, and it was supposed to take 2 hours for someone to come and tow it, but it was actually the woman on the phone who said she'd hurry things along for me (took about 45 minutes) and I couldn't tip HER. But DH came to sit with me, and HE tipped the guy who towed my car. ($10)

Turns out, that was the end of my car. Had to get a new one, and had to get the old one towed to the dealership for the trade-in. (Surprised they even took it!) Again, it was supposed to take two hours to get to my house...took 3 (but at least I was home and warm)...and then I had a lovely scared1 20 mile ride to the dealership, with my car on the flatbed. We bonded. lol I tipped him $10.

My husband drove a student home with his dead car just to get him home for the summer. He didn't have to take a bus because he got towed home with his stuff in the car. It was a long tow too.

 

[njmom47]

I always tip the AAA guy---between 5.00-10.00 depending on how much I have on me.

Same for us.