Tipping movers for long-distance move question

[hmp2z]

Hi! I have a question about tipping movers for a long-distance move. We read that, if there are several people moving our things, we should tip from $15-40 per person. Do we need to tip this amount after they pick up our things, and then again when they deliver & unpack our things? Because it's a long distance move (we're using Suddath, if that helps), I didn't know whether it would be the same people picking up as unloading. Any thoughts?
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[hmp2z]

Anyone?

 

[pixiepower1971]

In all our moves we usually have a team of packers, driver and his team for loading, and then the driver and another team for unloading. If your things go into storage before being delivered you will have a different driver and team deliver.

I have only tipped once and that was on my last move. I ALWAYS provide cold drinks and lunch/dinner.

This last move was really strange and some things were really messed up. I tipped the driver to keep him happy(since he has my stuff on a truck for DAYS!) and a couple of the packers that did a great job and cleaned up some messes the others made. I do not tip on the delivery end.

I have seen no difference in the amount of damage when I tip or not.

I really dislike the idea of tipping movers...they are already getting paid enough.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

We've used a moving company twice for long distance moves. The first time the company paid for everything so we did tip. We honestly didn't have that much stuff back then and it didn't take all that long. We tipped $100 for the 2 men that delivered.
Our last big move like that, once they got all of our belongings on the truck, they gave us a bill for twice what we were told (over $5000 by the time it was all said and done and we did our own packing). We didn't tip a dime. When we complained and threatened to sue, they laughed and told us to go ahead...they would only keep our belongings for 30 days and then it would be sold and he said there wasn't a thing we could do. They held our stuff hostage.
Good luck and be careful. Moving is one of the biggest scams out there.

 

[mickeysgal]

We've done one local move and two long distance moves. For the long distance moves, we've tipped on both the packing/loading end and the unloading end. In both cases we had a driver and helper plus local help. We tipped the local help when they completed their jobs on the packing end and then the local help on the unload end. We tipped the driver and his helper for the entire job upon completionn on the unload end. We provided food and drinks on both ends. In both cases, the company was picking up the cost of the move, but if you're picking up the tab yourself, I would consider having water and gatorade on hand for them. Food is discretionary, but drinks, in my opinion, are a must.

Just make sure you pick a widely-recognized trucking line. Although that doesn't guarantee anything, it may eliminate some of the fly-by-night approaches that are out there.

 

[hmp2z]

Wow, this is helpful; I had considered drinks but hadn't even thought about food!

My DH's company is paying for the move, and they're going to be packing up our things and then driving them for us. The company they picked is Suddath, so I guess I should ask my contact there about how many people to expect. It sounds like the driver will be the same one for pickup & delivery, but there may be some local people helping on each end. We live in an apartment, so our only appliances are a washer/dryer; it shouldn't be a very big job. Any advice, as far as amounts to tip each person for a job like this?

Thank you for your advice, and any more tips for what exactly we should do would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[lil mermaid]

Heather -

We have done two long distance moves using Suddath (both corporate relocations, fully paid by the company.) It will likely be the same driver, but the movers themselves on will be local, so you will have two crews.

The people who pack you will also probably be a different crew. You will probably also have someone who comes out to disconnect your washer and dryer and prepare them for the move.

We always bought lunch (pizzas or subway, something like that) and had a cooler out with water. We also tipped on both ends, $15 - $20 per person depending on how many there were. If it was hot, I probably would have tipped extra, but both of our moves were in cooler weather.

Hope this helps, good luck with your move! It sounds exciting.

 

[mickeysgal]

Since the company is picking up the cost of the move, you may want to ask if they'll pick up the extra expenses like food, drinks, and reasonable amount for tips. I've even heard of getting the moving estimate modified by the moving company to include these items since you may need it written into the estimate for reimbursement purposes.

 

[geetey]

We have been moved long distance several times (corporate relocations as well) but haven't tipped the driver or the helpers. We do provide food and drink though. My DH has had to drive the driver into town for items as well. (better to take a car versus an 18 wheeler) Another time, a driver brought his young son with him and expected me to watch him while they were working. Nope - no tip from us.

Good luck with your move!