It was just some offhand remark but the way he paused at the end. He was telling me about the perks of the job and that included "driving well-to-do and well educated-they're good conversationalists and they usually..." then he dropped the sentence. I probably misunderstood what he was going to say.

The split on most of the forums I read was about 60-40 for NOT tipping. I do tip airport shuttle staff, and Uber & taxi drivers. I've never tipped rental car shuttle drivers though.

In light of your above post, neetsie, I would say that others DO tip.

I might have done so, had I known. Now I do. It IS a convenience as you would have, otherwise, had to find a ride or get an Uber. So, yes...definitely tip next time.

Last week the shuttle at my dealership drove me home because I was leaving my car there for a few days for service while I was out of town. I live about 7 miles from the dealership. I left $5 in the cup holder and he thanked me. It was such a convenience for me not having to arrange a ride from DH or a friend that the $5 seemed appropriate.

Did you see a cup in the vehicle? Most of the time when I have taken one of these in the past there has been one with what I call ‘seed money’ in it to prompt a tip. If none was there, I would think it wasn’t expected. I’m sure it’s a nice gesture, but maybe not necessary.

I literally was confronted with this very thought this morning when I took my car to the dealership. I gave the driver $5.00. The gentleman was so kind and we had a great conversation. I tip on the level of the service. When I am using Uber or Lyft I know that the tip is included in the price I have already paid. If the driver is considerate of my luggage, asks me if I have a favorite radio station, or makes pleasant conversation I will give him a tip. If the driver plays his music at a volume that I feel is too loud, if the car in not as clean as I prefer or complains about his job, etc. I will not leave an additional tip. Again, I tip on the level of service.

When I tip, I tip well, but I sometimes overlook situations that warrant tipping. I would have considered this driver an employee of the dealership, and I would not have thought to tip him any more than I would have thought to tip the technician fixing my car.

I've been using the 'Courtesy Ride' for years and never thought about tipping. I'm entitled to a loaner vehicle every time I service my car but I'm more comfortable driving my own vehicle. I've never seen a tip cup in the vehicle and I'll bet my dealership wouldn't allow it. However I'm sure the drivers would take a tip if offered.

I've never used that type of service, so not sure what I would have done. But I recently wondered if you're supposed to tip tow truck drivers?

It seems we are increasingly becoming a "tip" society for everything. It's confusing sometimes.

We were on a cruise last week and had paid the cruise line for a transfer from the post-cruise hotel to the airport. It was just the two of us as passengers (as opposed to a bus load) and we were riding in a very nice Mercedes sedan. I tipped the driver and he looked surprised, but appreciative. I don't know if he doesn't usually get tips or if ten pounds for over an hour ride was a huge tip. :)

Donna

Now I'm wondering if I've slighted someone ;0) I think I tend to tip fairly to generously, but do admit there are occasions where it just may not occur to me. DH will typically arrange for any auto service, retired now but worked 4 days a week for a few years, had a week day free and he would just walk across the street to Starbucks and wait - or have one of his coffee drinking friends pick him up.

The last time I had a free ride from a dealer, I had dropped off my trade-in at one office of their ownership but my new car with papers yet to sign were at another about 8 miles away. They sent me to the second office in one of their cars with a 'boy', a lot boy I think - a teen, I'm sure not older. One who washes/details cars etc. It didn't occur to me to tip him. Now I'm thinking I should have.

Ugh, tipping!

Just this week we purchased a vehicle in which one of the benefits the dealership boasted was pick-up of our car at the house, take in for maintenance or whatever, and return it to our home. I feel as though it is a service we have contracted for, not a favor they are performing for us; that the dealership employee is paid a fair wage which is mutually beneficial to both parties and the customer shouldn't feel the need to supplement it.

Just one more reason to love international travel. Tipping is often (generally?) not expected so there are no questions as to when, who, how much, etc. We've created a tipping monster in the U.S.

Wow, I never even thought about tipping the dealership courtesy van.

I'm one of those that thinks tipping is waaay out of control. Gosh, it seems like nowadays, you're expected to tip everyone! So, in answer to your question, I would not have tipped as I would expect he is paid a fair wage by the company.

I used to use a van where I lived before now, and I don't recall anyone tipping him. There were usually other people in the van with me. It was a college town, so most people were going to campus and it was about a 10 min ride.

Yeah, really miss this service.

"perks of the job and that included "driving well-to-do and well educated-they're good conversationalists and they usually."

Sounds like he was intentionally suggesting a tip without saying so directly, perhaps due to company policy.

Sorry, I find his above comment a bit offensive. One of the perks of my job is being able to HELP those who often are NOT well-to-do, or well educated, and frequently have difficulty with language, especially medical jargon.

The dealership calls it a "courtesy van." I would not have tipped.

IDK....this is a post retirement job to this guy. A lot of us won't be able to travel, or buy second homes...and some of us won't have the luxuries that I see a lot of you have on this forum. Nobody's fault, but you do have to take certain things into considerations when choosing to tip.

Yeah, I think I agree with mdln. The driver was intentionally fishing - out of greed? Need? Or simply an entrepreneur polishing his skills? Who knows?

I wouldn’t like it.

I have my car serviced at the dealer and use the shuttle service. I tip the driver. He comes to get me whenever my car is ready vs. waiting for some unspecified time later in the day. He remembered my name a couple of weeks ago, and I hadn't been in for months. Works well for me.

I also tip tow truck drivers.