Greg00Coupe

I've bought 4 corvettes from my favorite dealer in Ohio, Dave Gill. When I go to pick up my cars I always bring 3 dozen Bagels from Panera for their break room and take my favorite salesman out to lunch.

Dan Hintz

Got a bottle of 12-yr Pappy from my agent when we bought our current home. We were joking around about the scene(s) in The Internship where they were always talking about making a big sale and getting the Pappy.

MKC8

I'd wait to decide what to get until I picked up the car.
I'm a bit jaded (will never use them again) on the local POS (point of sale) dealership after their Service Department couldn't complete the 2024 PDI Checklist without screwing up the "which brake cooling ducts get installed during the PDI, and which don't" even though I gave their Service Manager a copy of it, and it's spelled out in English, one of our official languages.
He's still got time to disappoint you, is my point.
If all goes well, and some will say it's tacky, but the idea of giving him/her some sort of gift card or prepaid card so they can get something they actually want/need/like would be my probable choice. Unless you know they like a drink, then go with the aged Bourbon/Single Malt Scotch/Irish Whiskey option.

Car Junkie 24

Hate to break it to you, but everything he did is within his job description. He is nothing more than a high performer at his job, and his compensation should reflect that- but that is between him and the employer.

I didn't say to not show appreciation- in fact I suggested other ways to do so.

If everyone starts tipping for stuff like this, then it becomes expected- that is the problem. As we have seen time and time again over the years/decades in this country (in sharp contrast to other first world countries).

20% tip expected now at restaurants whereas in any European country you leave pocket change as an optional tip. Self-service kiosks are also asking for tips now, and someone handing you a coffee or a beer at a counter expects a tip here. /end rant.

The Former

The fact the OP is even speaking to the service advisor and knows him by his name is cause for concern. I agree with rewarding good service with a gift but what?! I dealt with my Ford dealer for decades. I knew the salesman. I didn't know the service folks. Says a lot.

papillion

Your advisor was the front man for a host of folks that made the experience five stars. Since you seem motivated to memorialize your visit, an email to the service manager, general manager, owner, or all is appropriate. Most dealer websites list emails for key execs. This really should be plenty without seeming like a Pollyanna.

Vetteman Jack

Gift card to use as he wishes or one to a specific nice restaurant.

Dan Hintz

Apples to oranges comparison.

European waiters get paid a living wage... ~10-14 euro/hour (compared to as low as $2/hr in some states, like Delaware). In the US, the expectation is tips will make up the difference... though the states are finally raising the minimums to "reasonable" levels, so tipping should cut back appropriately

BlindSpot

Same as many - gift card Visa; or Gift card to Ruths' Chris; or a crisp 100 bill. All would do.

Problem with a gift like alcohol or other, you have to present it to him, assuming in the dealership. Probably a whole lotta others will feel "jilted" when they witness a gift exchange and they think - What about me? I helped too!

drwoof

Agreed on the note-- I'd write an old-fashioned letter, with a cc (do people even use that term any longer?) to the advisor. People have done so for me a couple of times over the years, and it has meant more to me than any gift. Someone wrote such a letter about me at my first professional job. When opportunity knocked a bit later, and I was asked for an example of my work, I submitted that letter. I got the job. (But a gift is nice too!)

drwoof

Agreed-- as when with a "to go" item, and paying with a card. They flip the screen around, and there it is: effectively a request for a 'tip'. Awkward. I mean, heck, all they did was take my payment!

qwazipsycho

Everybody likes a good hooker.

pltmgr

$100 bill. Seems like more than it is. Im a believer in tipping the working man (woman).

Carvin

Carton of cigarettes.

tadda

BlindSpot

Why don't ya just give him poison to drink!

Jeffer

SLOW DOWN

a lot of dealerships don’t like the going above and beyond as it CAN AND DOES stretch the relationship with the mother ship

think before you become a dink with your actions

THE LAW OF U INTENDED CONSEQUENCES

just sayin don’t be tooooooo glowing

sowega

Welppppp, apparently the dude doesn’t work there any longer so no carton of Marlboros for him!