Tipping Delivery Specialist

[Vip]

I am out of town and my car is ready. The DS stated that he is willing to deliver the car to me on Sunday night when I get back into town even though the service center is closed. Will meet him at the service center which is less than 10 miles away from me. The brief search turned up that people did not tip the DS. Given my situation I feel like I should. What do you guys think? Since you guys know how extensive the delivery process is what amount would be good?
Thanks in advance!!
These next two days are going to be hell!!

 

[guellis]

I am out of town and my car is ready. The DS stated that he is willing to deliver the car to me on Sunday night when I get back into town even though the service center is closed. Will meet him at the service center which is less than 10 miles away from me. The brief search turned up that people did not tip the DS. Given my situation I feel like I should. What do you guys think? Since you guys know how extensive the delivery process is what amount would be good?
Thanks in advance!!
These next two days are going to be hell!!

I would not necessarily tip, but perhaps buy a starbucks card and include with a thank you note or something like that. I would also send an email to his boss or headquarters commending the great service.

 

[texex91]

I am out of town and my car is ready. The DS stated that he is willing to deliver the car to me on Sunday night when I get back into town even though the service center is closed. Will meet him at the service center which is less than 10 miles away from me. The brief search turned up that people did not tip the DS. Given my situation I feel like I should. What do you guys think? Since you guys know how extensive the delivery process is what amount would be good?
Thanks in advance!!
These next two days are going to be hell!!

Fine tip him--give him $50-$100. No big deal. Or just wait until Monday and don't tip him.

PS - CONGRATS!

 

[GasDoc]

I gave my first DS a twenty.

When it came time that I got my car replaced after an accident I was able to order on Friday and pick up on Monday. I gave that guy a nice bottle of wine, as well as a bottle of Scotch for the crash reconstruction manager.

 

[Krugerrand]

Do what you want. Nobody ever complains about being appreciated.

 

[Luder94]

I tried tipping my DS....he refused. He went out of his way to take care of a 'high maintenance' customer like myself. He took all the sh!t I gave him and kept a smile on his face without becoming dismissive...and in fact helping move the delivery process along.

He picked my wife and me up from the train station and because our car wasn't ready (still being prepped at the detail shop), we took him to a nice lunch at a Thai restaurant in downtown Chicago (one of my favorite places for Thai food). We got to know him, he got to understand how much of a car guy I really am and ended up comp-ing both my wife and me some Tesla jackets.

I've yet to get up off my a$$ and comp him back some Chicago Bulls/Blackhawks box tickets we have for United stadium. I will though, I my comp the hole box to a group of Chicago Tesla associates. It was truly one of the best buying experiences I've had for anything. They made me feel good parting with $100+k.....how often does anyone state that?

Tesla has definitely hired quite a few Freds

 

[texex91]

They made me feel good parting with $100+k.....how often does anyone state that?

Never did when I purchased my Porsche's. Looking forward to my P85+ soon!

 

[Luder94]

Never did when I purchased my Porsche's. Looking forward to my P85+ soon!

Tex,

I hope you have either as good of an experience as I did or better....mind you, I'm quite critical; I happen to be a Customer Relationship Manager consultant....and have been for the last 14 years. I know customer service and customer experience, both good and bad. I promise you, I'm a stickler for great customer experience. If an American company that sells American cars can make me feel good about buying and proud about owning, there's some winning formula here.

BTW, LOVE your build. Great taste! (check out my signature). I wanted cf trim too, but wife chose gloss obeche....which is ok, I have a roll of 3M CF vinyl that'll cover up the obeche trim easily and nicely once our yet-to-be ordered Model X gets delivered.

 

[TylerCA]

If the service is good, I don't see why not.

 

[Smallfootprint]

This question has come up several times over the past year on this board. When our car was delivered I inquired about tips policies and was specifically told not to tip the delivery experience specialist. If you thought he or she went above the call of duty I was told the best way to reward them was to write a nice e-mail about a job well done to their supervisor, which goes into their file and factors into their performance review and bonus decision.

 

[HHHH]

I got my DS a gift card to a nice restaurant near his office, that way he can enjoy a nice meal and a drink with someone he wants to share it with, actually got the idea from another TMC board member.

 

[EarlyAdopter]

Handle it as you would any other professional. A tip is really not appropriate. A "great experience" email to them and their manager will be far more valuable and lucrative when it comes time for their bonus and stock award decisions.

 

[Saphire]

+1 Thank you goes a long ways and even better when they're acknowledge by managers.

 

[texex91]

Cold hard cash goes a long way to getting great service the next time you are in--much better than a handshake and thank you.

So what did you do?? It's Monday...

 

[strider]

Depending on local custom I like offering alcohol (wine, beer, scotch, bourbon, tequila, etc) or the aforementioned Starbucks or Peet's card. I'm about to get myself in trouble here but cash feels a bit as if they're being treated like a bartender or bellman. I'm not demeaning those professions my point is that tipping is an integral part of their compensation and an ingrained custom (in this country anyway). Tipping a DS IMO would be like tipping your Accountant. They are professionals and are paid a salary to do their jobs to the best of their ability.

That's why I like non-cash gifts to show appreciation. Also as someone else said an e-mail into corporate giving them kudos helps too as there are often recognition bonuses and such and/or will help when it comes to annual review time.

 

[AmpedRealtor]

I think tipping your Tesla service advisor and/or technician is inappropriate. Tesla service should exceed expectations for every customer, not just the better tipping ones. I would hope that any service advisor worth his salt would decline to accept a tip. I understand the spirit in which it's given - as a gratuity - but you should not need to be financially grateful for a superior service experience that is expected anyway.

 

[PeterK]

I agree - a thank you note and a small gift is better than tipping cash.

Recently the service guys took care of an Ecohitch install for me and fixed a couple of minor issues during a very busy week, wrapping up at 7pm on a Friday. I sent a thank you email with a photo of my kids' bikes on the car that weekend. Didn't think about it until too late but next time I'm there in the morning I will take them a box of donuts or the like.

 

[bareyb]

People always remember customers who write notes to their Supervisor for a job well done. Best ten minutes you can spend and it definitely assures they will be happy to see you the next time you need them.

 

[Vip]

Cold hard cash goes a long way to getting great service the next time you are in--much better than a handshake and thank you.

So what did you do?? It's Monday...

Sorry I have been busy driving!!!
Well the delivery was great. In the end I thanked him and told him that I will take his crew out for lunch or drinks after work sometime in the next couple of weeks. He was cool with that. I will also send an email to his manager.

 

[texex91]

Sorry I have been busy driving!!!
Well the delivery was great. In the end I thanked him and told him that I will take his crew out for lunch or drinks after work sometime in the next couple of weeks. He was cool with that. I will also send an email to his manager.

Glad it all worked out--don't forget the lunch :wink: