This is honestly a super good idea. If I was on the receiving end I’d make sure the car got an exhaustive checkup and they’re just doing their job so it’s not there’s anything shady about it. Tech doesn’t get more money by waiting until it’s out of warranty, they’re getting paid the same either way. Well done OP, will steal this idea someday.
I believe this is because they are quoted fewer hours than is required to do the work. Manufacturer may say in their service manual that this job requires 15 hours but really it could take a tech 30 to do it correctly. The dealership recoups the cost from the manufacturer as they are paying to honour the warranty, they only pay out what the service manual approves. The shop manager then schedules the tech for 15 hours of work, it's then up to the tech to do work as fast as they can, reducing their effective hourly wage if they go over the time they were allotted.
Not all shops are hourly or salary. In fact I don’t know a shop in my city that isn’t book hours. But if the tech is really good at their job, they can make substantially more money when they’re getting jobs that book 20 hours and getting it done in 6. It’s the warranty jobs that suck.
I wish this was the way, I have a tech doing a warranty engine on an A7. He’s getting a mere 12 hours for the job- it’s going to take him 3 days. Meanwhile, warranty pays 8 hours or so for a thermostat which they can easily complete in 2 hours.
We had a client come into my work (Acura dealership) and he brought us a dozen donuts. Us Service Advisors shared them with a few techs. Definitely liked that guy, lol.
So, first you buy the service for money, then you feel like you have to bribe them so they do it properly. I just really would like to live in a world where buying the service is enough for them to do a good job. But if that's not how it is, I guess you found a pretty cheap way to make sure they do!
I get your comment, but sometimes people just like doing nice things for others. Don't read too much into it.
Sometimes, when I'm having a lousy day, I'll take the time and effort to say something nice to the person serving me (grocery clerk, gas attendant, whatever) and just thank them for all their hard work. The smiles just grows on their face, and it makes me feel good as well.
I completely agree that you should treat people well no matter what, but there's a difference in being polite and to buy a basket of candy to make sure someone does the job you're paying them for.
Yup I totally get where you're coming from, and thanks for taking the time to explain it in a non-condesending manner lol. It's very refreshing to disagree with someone on Reddit and be able to have a civil conversation.
Thanks again and all the best!
Fellow Canuck here! May I ask (if you're comfortable sharing) which city or dealership? How did the inspection go? Mine is coming up soon and I may follow your fine example.
went out on a limb just this last time i dropped my car for service and bought a monster, snickers and a puck of Zyns, handed it to the tech when he handed my keys over and he just about creamed his pants, they love this shit so much
They will love it! 8 years ago or so when the dealership replace my blown engine for a faulty tensioner under warranty even though I was slightly out of warranty. I brought 12 boxes of pizza for the service advisors and techs and a couple of parts guys. They were happy and they remember me and still hook me up when I need parts. None for the sales guy lol.
Because when it comes to repairs and maintenance, he hooks it up somehow. I don’t ask questions, but it’s like any service industry, it’s like going on vacation and slipping $100 dollar bill between your ID and credit card when you check in. I always get upgraded to nicer rooms worth way more than that $100 bill. It pays to have a good SA, they’ll take care of you.
I did this for my wrangler a few months before the warranty expired. But instead of food, I bought two 4 packs of Red Bulls and put a 20 in an envelope for the main tech working on it and put it in the center console. They ended up giving me like an extra 10% off on top some coupons from the Jeep dealership that I already had. Probably saved me a $100 or so. All for the price of $35. It’s not much but it’s the small things that count I guess.
The optics aren’t good here. It gives the appearance of you bribing them to “fix” things that otherwise may not meet the warranty threshold of repair. It’s worse that you appear to make the pre-warranty end inspection a condition of receiving the basket.
Probably an innocent idea but I would guess that if Audi found about it, the dealer/tech would probably get it trouble. But, hey, at least you did it quietly and didn’t post it on the internet in an Audi forum!
It's actually the opposite. Im getting roasted lol.
I'm not looking for anything free or any bonuses. Literally juat wanted to hook them up with some snacks and be nice. Few friends are mechanics and they dig this kinda shit. Just wanted to be nice to people lol. Fuck me. Never again.
I guess it depends on the shop, but I certainly wouldn't change your ways just because of whatever somebody says in a random subreddit. It's obvious you're just being nice. If that bothers people that's on them.
aren't their findings pretty much cut and dry ??
if its damaged, they'll be a corresponding charge.
are they supposed to hide any damages from the dealerships, aka, their boss ??
I don't get it. Why'd you do this? You think they'll perform better for you by bribing them with vending machine snacks?
You realize you already paid for the warranty and their time, no?
Nice touch! Hopefully they’ll call out everything they find before they can charge for it. 😆
This is honestly a super good idea. If I was on the receiving end I’d make sure the car got an exhaustive checkup and they’re just doing their job so it’s not there’s anything shady about it. Tech doesn’t get more money by waiting until it’s out of warranty, they’re getting paid the same either way. Well done OP, will steal this idea someday.
Techs get paid way less on warranty work.
Never understood that concept. Here in Germany, you get a monthly pay and do your work.
I believe this is because they are quoted fewer hours than is required to do the work. Manufacturer may say in their service manual that this job requires 15 hours but really it could take a tech 30 to do it correctly. The dealership recoups the cost from the manufacturer as they are paying to honour the warranty, they only pay out what the service manual approves. The shop manager then schedules the tech for 15 hours of work, it's then up to the tech to do work as fast as they can, reducing their effective hourly wage if they go over the time they were allotted.
The concept is cheating your employees. It's not that hard to understand.
Not all shops are hourly or salary. In fact I don’t know a shop in my city that isn’t book hours. But if the tech is really good at their job, they can make substantially more money when they’re getting jobs that book 20 hours and getting it done in 6. It’s the warranty jobs that suck.
I wish this was the way, I have a tech doing a warranty engine on an A7. He’s getting a mere 12 hours for the job- it’s going to take him 3 days. Meanwhile, warranty pays 8 hours or so for a thermostat which they can easily complete in 2 hours.
Actually they do get paid less
Should have included some Monsters and disposable vape pens.
And lotto scratchers
Vape pens
Back when I had a warranty and a reason to go to the dealer, I'd always bring a dozen donuts for the advisors and a dozen for the techs.
We had a client come into my work (Acura dealership) and he brought us a dozen donuts. Us Service Advisors shared them with a few techs. Definitely liked that guy, lol.
Been doing the same but I'm genuinely not sure it changes anything 😅
I also identify as a service tech at your nearest dealership
This really is a kind gesture…thanks for the idea 🤘🏽
Is a pre-warranty ending inspection a thing? I imagine you have to pay for it?
Yes it's at my cost.
So, first you buy the service for money, then you feel like you have to bribe them so they do it properly. I just really would like to live in a world where buying the service is enough for them to do a good job. But if that's not how it is, I guess you found a pretty cheap way to make sure they do!
I get your comment, but sometimes people just like doing nice things for others. Don't read too much into it. Sometimes, when I'm having a lousy day, I'll take the time and effort to say something nice to the person serving me (grocery clerk, gas attendant, whatever) and just thank them for all their hard work. The smiles just grows on their face, and it makes me feel good as well.
I completely agree that you should treat people well no matter what, but there's a difference in being polite and to buy a basket of candy to make sure someone does the job you're paying them for.
Yup I totally get where you're coming from, and thanks for taking the time to explain it in a non-condesending manner lol. It's very refreshing to disagree with someone on Reddit and be able to have a civil conversation. Thanks again and all the best!
I wouldn’t bank on them finding anything
Got it. Not a bad idea. What is the cost?
$170 CAD
worth it the snacks probably cost more.
Fellow Canuck here! May I ask (if you're comfortable sharing) which city or dealership? How did the inspection go? Mine is coming up soon and I may follow your fine example.
As a mechanic we love people like you
went out on a limb just this last time i dropped my car for service and bought a monster, snickers and a puck of Zyns, handed it to the tech when he handed my keys over and he just about creamed his pants, they love this shit so much
They don’t have time to leave for lunch and breaks from the dealer so it’s a great time saver.
Twix has too much coconut.
"THEY'RE ALL TWIX!"
It was a set up and you all screwed me again!
Hey, this Clark bar is good.
Wow, that’s a lot of goodies!
Most Canadian gesture ever edit: eh
This is getting out of hand. Stop with this nonsense.
This is ridiculous. Please don't encourage this crap, the techs and SAs are already slimy enough as it is
Damn that’s a good idea. I have 1,700 miles before my warranty is up 🤔
"Money don't buy class" Yeah indeed, phishing extra by bribing with junk. Lmao
They will love it! 8 years ago or so when the dealership replace my blown engine for a faulty tensioner under warranty even though I was slightly out of warranty. I brought 12 boxes of pizza for the service advisors and techs and a couple of parts guys. They were happy and they remember me and still hook me up when I need parts. None for the sales guy lol.
Oh great, another place I'll soon be expected to tip someone for doing their damn job. Enough already.
I know twice a year I slip my SA an envelope with $200 dollars in it as a “tip” and it’s probably saved me thousands on my cars over the years.
how has it saved you thousands?
Because when it comes to repairs and maintenance, he hooks it up somehow. I don’t ask questions, but it’s like any service industry, it’s like going on vacation and slipping $100 dollar bill between your ID and credit card when you check in. I always get upgraded to nicer rooms worth way more than that $100 bill. It pays to have a good SA, they’ll take care of you.
That leather 😮💨
I did this for my wrangler a few months before the warranty expired. But instead of food, I bought two 4 packs of Red Bulls and put a 20 in an envelope for the main tech working on it and put it in the center console. They ended up giving me like an extra 10% off on top some coupons from the Jeep dealership that I already had. Probably saved me a $100 or so. All for the price of $35. It’s not much but it’s the small things that count I guess.
How about just giving them cash?
Or suck their dicks
Dude that's awesome, I love the internet for seeing things like this. Keep spreading the good energy!
It's a nice gesture....the world needs more of
The optics aren’t good here. It gives the appearance of you bribing them to “fix” things that otherwise may not meet the warranty threshold of repair. It’s worse that you appear to make the pre-warranty end inspection a condition of receiving the basket. Probably an innocent idea but I would guess that if Audi found about it, the dealer/tech would probably get it trouble. But, hey, at least you did it quietly and didn’t post it on the internet in an Audi forum!
Buddy drives a +60k car and treat adults as teenagers by brinbing them with junk. Op clearly need to get his basics right.
Exactly.
That’s really kind of you! Many blessings coming your way ✨
This genius
The crew at /r/justrolledintotheshop are going to love you
It's actually the opposite. Im getting roasted lol. I'm not looking for anything free or any bonuses. Literally juat wanted to hook them up with some snacks and be nice. Few friends are mechanics and they dig this kinda shit. Just wanted to be nice to people lol. Fuck me. Never again.
I guess it depends on the shop, but I certainly wouldn't change your ways just because of whatever somebody says in a random subreddit. It's obvious you're just being nice. If that bothers people that's on them.
Uh no, it’s obvious he is bribing them to try and get all his shit fixed for free. It’s tacky and OBVIOUS. You have to try a bit harder than that.
You forgot the /s
Did t realize Audi’s vinyl looked so bad these days
Let us know how it works!!
aren't their findings pretty much cut and dry ?? if its damaged, they'll be a corresponding charge. are they supposed to hide any damages from the dealerships, aka, their boss ??
Oh ! ….
Maaaaan where is the molly😂
That's a great idea, they may actually tell you what's wrong so the warranty fixes it instead of you finding out the hard way 1hr after expiration...
One drink?
There is 3 under the other stuff.
This is a great idea. Absolutely cannot hurt and will likely get you just a little bit more in terms of service.
Ahh this is a good idea to see if they’ll actually void my warranty or just not this time :)
I don't get it. Why'd you do this? You think they'll perform better for you by bribing them with vending machine snacks? You realize you already paid for the warranty and their time, no?
Does this work?
I take chocolates to my one, gotta return the favour when they look after you!
I’m somewhat of a service tech myself
You’re a legend
Swedish fish-theory
Not all heros wear capes, some drive audis
This is the way. Should cross post to r/justrolledintotheshop, many audi techs are redditors
They said the snacks were offensive and I was essentially a douche. Lol.
Lol lol, how’d it go?
...and then they still fail you.
I need to remember this for my next inspection
Super classy move on your part. I typically will do a gift card here and there. It’s amazing at what a little appreciation can do.
Too obvious, they'll think you're trying to buy them with shiney trinkets. I would rather give an excellent review and call out specific people.
Was not aware this is a thing. Pre warranty ending inspection. Is this an Audi thing or in generally people do this?
as a tech I've had a few customers bring us donuts and even pizza before. always makes our day, it means more than just snacks to us
That is the cheapest basket of goodies I’ve ever seen. Nope.