Post # 1
Member
1546 posts
Bumble bee
I’ve been a member of AAA for a few years now which has come in handy when I lock myself out of my car about 2-3 times per year. I also just used to it have FI’s truck towed to Meineke since the water pump went and AAA provides free towing. I didn’t realize at first that I only had $5 in my wallet when the tow guy arrived, so I sheepishly gave him the $5. I normally would have given $10. When I told my co-worker she said that I shouldn’t tip anything. I didn’t realize that some people don’t tip and it made me wonder how many do/don’t. What is the etiquette these days for such a thing?
Post # 3
Member
3942 posts
Honey bee
Ive been a member for close to 10 years and Ive never tipped them. I never even thought about it to be honest.
Post # 4
Member
3768 posts
Honey bee
- Wedding: August 2013 - Brookfield Zoo
That’s interesting, the last time I got got service I didn’t tip, but I was in high school and didn’t know any better… I think now I would (if i remembered to…)
Post # 5
Member
1794 posts
Buzzing bee
It’s never occured to me to tip them. AAA pays them for responding to members’ calls, so I don’t think it’s necessary
Post # 6
Member
10283 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
I’ve never thought to tip. I almost never have cash on me anyway so even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t be able to.
Post # 7
Member
1546 posts
Bumble bee
This is very interesting. I remember when using AAA for the first time my dad told me to make sure I tip them. He also told me when I got my license to tip whoever pumps my gas for me at a full service station, thoughI can’t even recall seeing a full service gas station around haha.
Well now I don’t feel too bad about tipping just $5 =)
Post # 8
Member
2853 posts
Sugar bee
I never thought to tip when I was a member… but Fiance had a problem with his motorcycle several years ago and got stuck on the way back from the shop. An AAA truck stopped and tried to help him out. We tried to pay him extra, but he wouldn’t take it.
I thought that was really standup of the guy, since he didn’t have to stop at all. We weren’t active members at the time.
ETA @nickels – I do tip for full service, a few dollars, more if the weather is crummy.. There’s only a few stations around here that offer the option, but I see it in NJ. 🙂
Post # 9
Member
2695 posts
Sugar bee
There really needs to be a rule book about these things! I’ve never thought about tipping AAA and I don’t think you should. But full service gas stations, I’ve always wondered!
Post # 10
Member
3175 posts
Sugar bee
Honestly, it never even occured to me to tip, and I’m one of those people who tips for, like, everything lol.
Post # 11
Member
10283 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@nickels: Tipping for full service is a must, IMO. Where I grew up (Queens), nearly all gas stations were full service and my parents always tipped a few bucks. Where I live now (Upstate) there are very few full service stations around and none that I ever use.
Post # 13
Member
13094 posts
Honey Beekeeper
I’ve never thought to tip them. I’m paying AAA for the service (whether I use it or not).
Post # 14
Member
672 posts
Busy bee
I don’t think tipping for full service in NJ is appropriate because it’s the law that they pump your gas. As in, you’re not getting a special service for it, you and the pump attendent are complying with state law.
As for AAA, I’ve only had to use them a few times. For me, it depends on who responds. My battery died and I needed a jump, and some guy from AAA in a AAA branded car wearing AAA gear came out and did it. At that point, our memebership covers that expense. The only other time I used them was for being locked out of my car, and they sent a local company (contracted out) to solve the issue, and I gave him a couple of bucks. I did that mostly because he got there very quickly since I needed to get to the airport to catch a plane and a couple of bucks was all I had as a college student.
Post # 15
Member
3313 posts
Sugar bee
I worked for AAA for years (not as a tow person though) and as an employee, we weren’t allowed to take tips. So honestly, because of that, I’ve never even thought of tipping them.
