Mailman and Holiday tipping

[C.Ann]

Never, ever cash - wouldn't want someone to lose their job because they accepted it..

Dunkin' Donuts gift cards seem to be a big hit..

 

[wdw4us2]

I have been on both sides of this question - I was a Letter Carrier for 15 years and am now a civilian.

Although you are not "supposed" to accept cash gifts at Christmas, it was my experience that everyone did - myself included. Many carriers go above and beyond the job description and never get any recognition from management - who do receive end of the year bonuses based on the performance of the clerks and carriers.

When I was a carrier, I didn't expect tips and gifts and didn't treat any of my customers badly if I didn't receive anything from them. I appreciated those who did recognize my efforts.

We tip our carrier because of the excellent service he provides. Because I ship and receive a lot of parcels, he frequently has to come to the door and is always pleasant to deal with.

 

[Trentmom]

No one here has said you should. We are saying what we do and to each their own.

I do give my DDs teachers Christmas presents as well as our mailman. No, it's not rocket science but neither is a waitressing job but we tip them as well. I don't give the mailman a gift because it's a difficult job, I give him a gift because I want to.

Do whatever you want to but please don't try and make those of us who choose to give the mailman a gift feel bad for doing so.

Very well Put

I started this thread to see what everyone else does, not to argue.

Just for fun

 

[Disneymommom]

Well, let me be the first to tell you that the benefits are not as great as people think that they are and neither the pay. I think that general statements like this are pretty ignorant.

It is NOT a general statement Jr. if you read the beginning of my post it said my neighbor made very good money as a postman and I know that because he told us! We were all very close neighbors, had lots of parties and lots of fun in our neighborhood, probably unlike you with that attitude. I also have another good friend in the post office and they too make good money and have good benefits. They have more time off than any other profession as do all government employees and I can attest to that also as my DH is a federal employee and has more time off than almost anyone I know and we have decent medical benefits, in fact it is the same plan as the postal workers so I am talking first hand information. I'm sure there are better benefits out there, there are always, but any benefit you didn't have and now do is a good benefit! As there are people out there who can not afford benefits and can't pay for their medications so I am blessed to have that plan as are the postal workers!

 

[Disneymommom]

My DH is a full time postal worker (not a carrier) and the benefits are EXCELLENT. I have a BIL who works for the state, a sister who works for the largest hospital system in the area as a nurse, and neither of them come close to the benefits we have.

Medical is cheap, dental through the union is even cheaper...additional life insurance for family is rock bottom. It cost me less to get my life insurance through DH at the USPS than it would have to get it from my own employer, who has decent benefits.

DH is a PS5. He makes just under $50,000 base full time after 12 years. Carriers are level 6, which make more, so carriers top out higher than 50. And topping out does not include cost of living raises. That does not include overtime. Many carriers work 6 days and get overtime. There are some level 4's at our main PO that make six figures working OT.

The cost for their benefits is going down in 2008, too. By 20%.

We just don't tip our carrier money because we know she is not supposed to get it, and being an employee, DH really should not be giving it to her. She actually was very touched that I remembered her mentioning the chocolate we get her. I don't care if people do tip their carriers. Tis the season. I am not going to begrudge a carrier making a little extra at this time of year. Who couldn't use some extra cash?

I just don't want people who don't tip to think they are obligated to. In all actuality, carriers are not supposed to accept cash, whether you call it a tip, gift, etc or not.

And the one who actually solicited tips? I don't know what to say about that, except that unless the postmaster at his station likes him ALOT, that was a very risky move. One complaint from someone on his route and he could be terminated.

Thanks 2princess, I didn' tt hink what I had said was ignorant as I know first hand also about the benefits so I appreciate you stepping up to the plate and giving the actual information! Happy Holidays!

 

[Beth76]

I receive a bonus from my employer, not my clients.

That's a very interesting way to put it. I never know what to do in these situations. We've had the same carrier since we moved in over 6 years ago. He's very friendly and I do see him a lot while he's on his route (he also delivers to my parents, my friend and my son's school). He always says 'hi' and knows my name. But I do feel weird tipping him cash (and I guess we're not supposed to anyway.)

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Thanks 2princess, I didn' tt hink what I had said was ignorant as I know first hand also about the benefits so I appreciate you stepping up to the plate and giving the actual information! Happy Holidays!

To you too! And while you were right that we have the same benefits as your DH who works for the govt, we also pay less for them. I was shocked when I saw that in the "big book of govt benefits" that we get every year and DH makes ME go through.

Honestly, the postal service is a good gig if you can get it. A lot of politics to deal with sometimes with the union and such, but great pay, benefits, and as you said Disneymommom, the 5 weeks vacation per year is nice, too.

 

[Disneymommom]

I do not tip the mailman, he is paid to provide a service, just as I am in my position. I receive a bonus from my employer, not my clients. I barely know who my mailman is, I think in three years I have seen him a handful of times. If I see him I will be sure to wish him a happy holiday, but there will not be a tip from me. My mailman (and my paper person) send out Christmas cards with their name and address, to me that is just begging for a tip and I find it offensive. I do tip my mail person every 6 months when I renew my subscription, just not at the holidays.

On a side note, my FIL was a mail carrier for over 25 years and several of his clients would give him money, food, liquor and other fun things. On average, I think he brought home around $500 or more per holiday season.

Congratulations on your weight loss! I saw that in your siggie! Good for you. I wish I had your will power, need to lose about 40 lbs myself and just can't make myself do it. Great job!

 

[Disneymommom]

To you too! And while you were right that we have the same benefits as your DH who works for the govt, we also pay less for them. I was shocked when I saw that in the "big book of govt benefits" that we get every year and DH makes ME go through.

Honestly, the postal service is a good gig if you can get it. A lot of politics to deal with sometimes with the union and such, but great pay, benefits, and as you said Disneymommom, the 5 weeks vacation per year is nice, too.

You are right, we do pay quite a bit for his benefits but I still feel lucky to have them, when so many others do not even have that option. That's great that postal workers get them so much cheaper. I need to look into becoming a postal worker!!! Yes the vacation and sick time is great!!!

Thanks!

 

[JVL1018]

Thats what all the teachers I know do also-they all said they thank the child and tell them that they are their favorite kind but at the end of the day they all go in the garbage since they don't know how clean the kitchens or the people that made them are at home. I never send in anything homemade to the teachers.

I worked as a bank teller for yeras and we used to get gifts-mostly food and we ate everything, home made or not. I don't turn down cookies.
They were all from regulars so we had a sense if they had any cleanliness issues.

I have made homemade treats in the past for the kids preschool teachers, DD's 1st grade teacher and her dance teacher, as well as made treats for each class party and I have never had a teacher not eat something I've made.
Of course, these are people I have come to know rather well, either from years at the school, or from knowing them from when we were teenagers.

I don't think I am going to make any homemade treats this year for either of my kids teachers, I really don't think they'd throw them out, because I know they ate the cupcakes I made for birthdays and H'ween parties, but I tend to only do it for teachers I know well.

That said, I do tip my mail carrier, cash $20, and when I worked at the bank, we all threw $10 in, so he got a $100 tip from us.

 

[Trentmom]

I worked as a bank teller for yeras and we used to get gifts-mostly food and we ate everything, home made or not. I don't turn down cookies.
They were all from regulars so we had a sense if they had any cleanliness issues.

I have made homemade treats in the past for the kids preschool teachers, DD's 1st grade teacher and her dance teacher, as well as made treats for each class party and I have never had a teacher not eat something I've made.
Of course, these are people I have come to know rather well, either from years at the school, or from knowing them from when we were teenagers.

I don't think I am going to make any homemade treats this year for either of my kids teachers, I really don't think they'd throw them out, because I know they ate the cupcakes I made for birthdays and H'ween parties, but I tend to only do it for teachers I know well.

That said, I do tip my mail carrier, cash $20, and when I worked at the bank, we all threw $10 in, so he got a $100 tip from us.

I hear ya.I could never turn down a plate of cookies..

Sounds like the postal worker at your bank made out quite nicely

 

[Stacerita]

We don't have one mailman on our route. It differs all the time. Sometimes we get the same one for a while, but we probably have like 5 or 6 thorugh out the year. We will have one for a few weeks, then not see him again for a few months, then will have him for a while. So its not like we have one mail person through out the year. That said, we don't tip. Not sure if I would even if it was the same one all year long.

 

[aprilgail2]

The cost for their benefits is going down in 2008, too. By 20%.

.

wow that stinks! We just signed a new contract at my job and the big thing was we did not want to pay for benefits and the new contract has us getting a 4 percent raise this year and 3 for each ofthe 3 years after that and NO paying anything for medical so it really is a great contract for us! All I need to do is squeek by one more contract after this and I can retire. All the retirees gets comapny paid benefits!

 

[Camicar]

When I lived in a small rural community, the only friendly person in that hellhole of incestuous relationships was the post office lady and if it weren't for her, I could have gone months without conversing with a soul other than my dh. She was always very good to me and even delivered super large packages that wouldn't fit in my car to my house, which wasn't her problem to do (you had to pick up your mail in this town). So for her, I always made a big batch of good cookies at the holidays to thank her for her extra help and for being a friendly face. IOW, she went above the call of duty and I felt like we had something of a relationship.

I have no idea what my mail person looks like, if it's a man or a woman, or if there are different ones, etc. They have never done anything special for me in 6.5 years. They deliver mail during the day and I work. So I guess I feel no particular relationship with the mailperson any more than the garbageman and I feel no need to tip them for doing their well-paid job.

As a rule, I only tip people who rely on them to make their income.

 

[Disneymommom]

I just found this tip guide on aol and I haven't even read it myself yet but thought I would share it!

http://money.aol.com/top5/general/holiday-tipping

 

[Disneydad99]

Well, let me be the first to tell you that the benefits are not as great as people think that they are and neither the pay. I think that general statements like this are pretty ignorant.

wow talk about ignorant!!!!

My DH is a full time postal worker (not a carrier) and the benefits are EXCELLENT. I have a BIL who works for the state, a sister who works for the largest hospital system in the area as a nurse, and neither of them come close to the benefits we have.

Medical is cheap, dental through the union is even cheaper...additional life insurance for family is rock bottom. It cost me less to get my life insurance through DH at the USPS than it would have to get it from my own employer, who has decent benefits.

DH is a PS5. He makes just under $50,000 base full time after 12 years. Carriers are level 6, which make more, so carriers top out higher than 50. And topping out does not include cost of living raises. That does not include overtime. Many carriers work 6 days and get overtime. There are some level 4's at our main PO that make six figures working OT.

The cost for their benefits is going down in 2008, too. By 20%.

We just don't tip our carrier money because we know she is not supposed to get it, and being an employee, DH really should not be giving it to her. She actually was very touched that I remembered her mentioning the chocolate we get her. I don't care if people do tip their carriers. Tis the season. I am not going to begrudge a carrier making a little extra at this time of year. Who couldn't use some extra cash?

I just don't want people who don't tip to think they are obligated to. In all actuality, carriers are not supposed to accept cash, whether you call it a tip, gift, etc or not.

And the one who actually solicited tips? I don't know what to say about that, except that unless the postmaster at his station likes him ALOT, that was a very risky move. One complaint from someone on his route and he could be terminated.

yep pretty much what I thought!!! Thank You...one of my best friends works as a postal Carrier...Loves his job!!!!...I asked him one time "should I tip My Mailman...He said Nope...Illegal to take it anyway...He said give um some cookies or such if ya want!!!

It is NOT a general statement Jr. if you read the beginning of my post it said my neighbor made very good money as a postman and I know that because he told us! We were all very close neighbors, had lots of parties and lots of fun in our neighborhood, probably unlike you with that attitude. I also have another good friend in the post office and they too make good money and have good benefits. They have more time off than any other profession as do all government employees and I can attest to that also as my DH is a federal employee and has more time off than almost anyone I know and we have decent medical benefits, in fact it is the same plan as the postal workers so I am talking first hand information. I'm sure there are better benefits out there, there are always, but any benefit you didn't have and now do is a good benefit! As there are people out there who can not afford benefits and can't pay for their medications so I am blessed to have that plan as are the postal workers!

I work in the Health Insurance Industry...& Federal Employees are very Fortunate to have the Benefits they do...as 38% of all companies last year stopped Benefits completly!!!

I just found this tip guide on aol and I haven't even read it myself yet but thought I would share it!

http://money.aol.com/top5/general/holiday-tipping

As I said in the Beginning of this thread...I would never tip someone who does not earn there Living on tips....although I do give Cookies & the Like to some folks ,,,,Like My yard Boy....& I get jams & such from some of My Clients...

But dang to...JrsMom....Just Dang!!!!

 

[judi]

As the wife of a letter carrier I need to add a few things. oops finger slipped. The new contract for the carriers (worked a year without one) includes a raise of 1.4 %, not a heck of a lot. At most they get 1.9%. We also get social security when he retires, from about 1986 or so on they no longer received a gov't pension. My husband walks his routes each day, in northeast Ohio we get lots and lots of snow,some rain and once in awhile some sun. Talk about being hard on the body. Our benefits under the new contract were less, we now pay more for insurance and will continue to pay more each year of the contract. There are good and bad carriers out there, just as there are good and bad people in each job. Walk a mile in my husbands shoes and then let me know how easy it is. Thanks for the vent.

 

[Disneymommom]

wow talk about ignorant!!!!



yep pretty much what I thought!!! Thank You...one of my best friends works as a postal Carrier...Loves his job!!!!...I asked him one time "should I tip My Mailman...He said Nope...Illegal to take it anyway...He said give um some cookies or such if ya want!!!



I work in the Health Insurance Industry...& Federal Employees are very Fortunate to have the Benefits they do...as 38% of all companies last year stopped Benefits completly!!!



As I said in the Beginning of this thread...I would never tip someone who does not earn there Living on tips....although I do give Cookies & the Like to some folks ,,,,Like My yard Boy....& I get jams & such from some of My Clients...

But dang to...JrsMom....Just Dang!!!!

Thanks DDad, that was great as working in that industry you could give us some real numbers about what percentage of employers no longer offer benefits. And I know personally that my DH's contribution towards our medical has gone up every year and he pays about $200 a month for our benefits now and yet our co pays increased and some things were taken away. So it's hard on everyone in one way or another. I personally am still glad to have benefits of any kind.

 

[Disneydad99]

Thanks DDad, that was great as working in that industry you could give us some real numbers about what percentage of employers no longer offer benefits. And I know personally that my DH's contribution towards our medical has gone up every year and he pays about $200 a month for our benefits now and yet our co pays increased and some things were taken away. So it's hard on everyone in one way or another. I personally am still glad to have benefits of any kind.

Well to put that in Perspective....My Coverage...& remember...I bought it from myself...costs well over $600 per month...No Drs office visits.....I pay out of pocket....& my Deductible is $5000 so the visits do go toward Ded....& for those who may say well you could get it cheaper...Nope....I am a Diabetic...& am stuck with what I got!!!...so there ya have it....I change customers everyday who are paying upwards of a $1000 per month for coverage....so $200 is very good....Feel fortunate....

Love ya QM

 

[Disneymommom]

Well to put that in Perspective....My Coverage...& remember...I bought it from myself...costs well over $600 per month...No Drs office visits.....I pay out of pocket....& my Deductible is $5000 so the visits do go toward Ded....& for those who may say well you could get it cheaper...Nope....I am a Diabetic...& am stuck with what I got!!!...so there ya have it....I change customers everyday who are paying upwards of a $1000 per month for coverage....so $200 is very good....Feel fortunate....

Love ya QM

Thanks DDad, I do feel fortunate as I said above, I am happy to have any coverage as so many others do not have it or pay much more than we do. DH complains all the time but don't think he realizes how much others may be paying. I have a friend who pays $700 out of pocket every month just for herself, single person! So ours, $200 a month is good and we only have a $500 deductible, $15 co pays for Dr's visits, no co-pays for specialist visits and blood work, and things like mammograms and and $15.00 for generic prescriptions and $35 for brand names, so that's good comopared to so many other's!
Love ya too DDAD!