do you tip movers?

[Zoemakes5]

The moving company is delivering our stuff on Monday. Have never had movers. DH company is taking care of the bill.....are we expected to tip them?
Thanks!

 

[java]

I did.

 

[ICF]

I never heard of it, but I'm guessing some do and some don't.

 

[tonilea]

IMO tipping is a practice that has gotten way out of control. Next thing you know the tellers at the bank will be expecting a tip!!!

 

[Jacksmom99]

We've had movers two times and tipped both times. They aren't just moving boxes and furniture, they set up the beds, disassembled and reassembled the crib (w/o directions!) and didn't break anything!!! Some movers even do the packing for you. I know they get paid a pretty good wage, but man they work hard! I have no problem giving them a little cash for a job well done. I mean, this is all my wordly belongings that they are taking care of. If they treat my things with respect and care, then I feel they should get a tip.

 

[Belle5]

I have been watching tipping debates on the DIS for years. I think the bottom line is that tipping is optional and not to be expected if someone makes at least minimum wage. The professions that pay less because they are tip-based (such as waiting tables)are the only ones where you must feel obligation. However, there are always times you want to show extra appreciation with a tip. For example, my son works at Starbuck's. Because he makes more than minimum wage he never expects tips for providing his service. He is already paid to do what he does. He has the occasional customer who does hand him a tip to show appreciation for a drink well made.

 

[JuneChickie]

The moving company is delivering our stuff on Monday. Have never had movers. DH company is taking care of the bill.....are we expected to tip them?
Thanks!

Well,, I really don't know ,,

but we wouldn't just because we never heard of "tipping movers".

Up to personal preference I think.

 

[easleygrls]

I moved last month. After the movers were done, they all sat down and told me BTW, we accept "courtesy tips". I felt somewhat guilted into it. I said, uh, OK, should I just add it to the check I am writing for the move? One of the guys actually handed me his driver's license so I could get the spelling right when I made the tip check out to him!

I was worried if I didn't tip them they might stay a while till I softened up...picture 3 sweaty men sitting on your furniture

 

[Tabetha]

My fiance used to work as a mover. Heavy, hard work and the pay was "ok".
He never expected a tip, but always really appreciated it - especially on the tough jobs.

Sometimes people bought them lunch, too. The guys were always really grateful for that, even just a bag of burgers from McD's, or a pizza.

 

[Lisa_M]

We used local movers last year and while they did a great job, I paid $400 for 1.5 hrs worth of work (it was an apt move). I assume they were paid more than appropriately (2 guys). I did not have them pack anything up and they did not set anything up either in the new place. We did not tip them and did not even think to. When we move in the spring we are hoping to use them to load up our pod. Hopefully, they are willing to do this. If not, it's probably a sign I should have tipped.

 

[Muushka]

I moved last month. After the movers were done, they all sat down and told me BTW, we accept "courtesy tips". I felt somewhat guilted into it. I said, uh, OK, should I just add it to the check I am writing for the move? One of the guys actually handed me his driver's license so I could get the spelling right when I made the tip check out to him!

I was worried if I didn't tip them they might stay a while till I softened up...picture 3 sweaty men sitting on your furniture

Boy that would irritate me. I probably would have done what you did, but I also would have called the company and complain. That is just tacky!

On a somewhat related subject, we recently had our basement waterproofed. The men were here for 3 days doing the job. The first day I offered my restrooms to them any time they needed to use them. We started out with juice, coffee and muffins on the deck. Then I asked them what they would like for lunch. We had KFC. I was not there for lunch the next day and we missed each other the third day for lunch.

This cost me maybe $30. What was it worth in terms of our relationship and the job they did for me? Priceless. I won't bore you with the details, but they went over and above what they could have done for our basement.

And I tipped them too, $20 extra for each of the 4 men.
I am not one to tip in excess. But when someone goes over and above what is expected, they need to be rewarded! But just doing their job? No, no tip from me.

 

[Chuck n' Keith]

We used local movers last year and while they did a great job, I paid $400 for 1.5 hrs worth of work (it was an apt move). I assume they were paid more than appropriately (2 guys). I did not have them pack anything up and they did not set anything up either in the new place. We did not tip them and did not even think to. When we move in the spring we are hoping to use them to load up our pod. Hopefully, they are willing to do this. If not, it's probably a sign I should have tipped.

$400 for an hour and a half is a lot!! out here in Vegas its like $70 an hour for 2 guys an a truck.

Anyway, we have used movers twice, and tipped them both times, only like $20 each. Its something, because they work hard and there doing something I DO NOT WANT TO DO! So they deserve a little something extra.

I usually tell them lunch is on me!

 

[abbeshops]

Mu husband used to be a mover & the pay while considered OK by most is not enough for the back-breaking work they do. I have moved several times and always tip according to how much was moved & quality. If they scratch walls or floors with heavy pieces I tip around $5-10 per guy. If they do a really exceptional job I tip $20-30 per guy.

 

[vasusan]

We have never tipped movers. We have given them food and drinks, but no cash. We also had several things broken, furniture ruined and our things stolen.

 

[aeryn]

I have had 5 interstate moves in a period of 7 years and I have tipped each and every time. Nothing broken and nothing missing. The guys work really hard and I have *way* too much stuff Just me and kitties and I have a little over 11,000 pounds of stuff, not much in the way of furniture. Typically I will also buy the guys who do the unloading lunch (loading is usually done way before lunch).

 

[CEDmom]

We moved last year and our movers were wonderful. They took great care with our stuff and were fast plus they helped with the placement of stuff and moved things when I didn't like where they were. There were 4 guys and we tipped them each $50. Our move was estimated at $1400 but the actual cost was just under $1000 so we felt even with the tip we made out on the deal.

We also tip furniture delivery men. With that I'll give them about $20 in total - figure it'll cover their lunch or a few beers after work. We use a local company and one of the delivery guys is a childhood friend.

 

[winjos]

We moved cross country two years ago and we tipped the guys who packed up the truck and the guys who unloaded the truck. I think we tipped $20 each guy to pack and $30 each guy to unload. The guys who unloaded spent 8 hours going up and down stairs (we have a two story house plus a finished basement) in the humidity plus they set up all the furniture.

In addition to tips, we also provided donuts & juice, a meal, drinks, toilets, cookies, some laughs, etc.

We try to provide food, etc. to all the folks we hire for household duties too. I have found that by giving just a little, you get priceless service in return!

 

[Muushka]

We moved cross country two years ago and we tipped the guys who packed up the truck and the guys who unloaded the truck. I think we tipped $20 each guy to pack and $30 each guy to unload. The guys who unloaded spent 8 hours going up and down stairs (we have a two story house plus a finished basement) in the humidity plus they set up all the furniture.

In addition to tips, we also provided donuts & juice, a meal, drinks, toilets, cookies, some laughs, etc.

We try to provide food, etc. to all the folks we hire for household duties too. I have found that by giving just a little, you get priceless service in return!

So true! Hey, we are neighbors! Fellow Caryite here

 

[JB2K]

IMO tipping is a practice that has gotten way out of control. Next thing you know the tellers at the bank will be expecting a tip!!!

Don't give 'em any ideas -- for a "Budget Board", it seems that if we're not tipping everyone and their brother...................

 

[JB2K]

It depends on how long the move takes, how much per hour they charge you. For Vancouver movers the average moving rate is $100 per hour, so giving %20 of the hourly is a guideline.

Vincent Moving Company #3 1222 Melville Street, Vancouver,
BC V6E 2Y1 (778) 300-6592

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