OT: Tipping etiquette for Movers

[Robbiero67]

I was just curious, is there a certain percentage that movers (individually) should receive as tip? I have only paid to move to locations within the same town (at most 45 min. away) and have always given an extra 30-50 per mover (usually just two people.). Now, however, I am moving 7 hours away...and am not quite sure what I should tip. The move itself should cost right under 1000, does that mean I give 20%/10/ or less? Any help/insight would be greatly appreciated.

[Dutch]

Well, from what I understand, movers are supposed to be real jobs (not parttime jobs) and therefore the companies would insist that their workers get paid enough to not need tips.

But being in the Military and have moved quite a bit, I always fork over enough to cover drinks and snacks while they are working in my house and send them away with enough at the end of the job to make sure they can all eat a good meal in a restaraunt.

So it doesn't seem like a real tip I just say, "Here's some cash so you guys can have dinner on me tonight...thanks"

It comes up to about 20 bucks per mover and they have never beat me up for doing business this way. :)

[rkmsuf]

More importantly how much do you tip a chamber maid?

[nilodor]

Originally posted by rkmsuf
More importantly how much do you tip a chamber maid?

You mean what they get isn't tip enough?

[rkmsuf]

Originally posted by nilodor
You mean what they get isn't tip enough?

Tuck or no tuck can be a big deal...

[Castlerock]

Are you moving from one state to another? If so, beware. A good friend of mine moved from Boston to San Francisco last year. To make a long story short - they simply never showed up in SF. It has been more than a year and he has never recieved his stuff. Nor has he recieved any compensation. Nor is there any government or police agancy who can help him.

In 1995, Congress eliminated the Interstate Commerce Commission, which, among other things, had regulated interstate movers. Today, there are no regulations. The police say it's a contract dispute and there is no government agency to turn to. He's hosed.

My advice is to use a well known company which has been in business for several years.

[Castlerock]

If the move does not cross state-lines, then you are much better protected. The State Attorney General would be able to help.

[Robbiero67]

Castlerock, thanks for the heads up. We are moving in-state, but I will be wary of this.

[kcchief19]

Tipping movers is generally considered to be the correct ettiquette.

Kind of depends on the move, how good a job they did, how many men there are, etc. The last few times I moved it cost around $300 and I tipped about $25 each for two guys.

Here's a link I found: [/QUOTE] Tipping Etiquette (http://www.findalink.net/tippingetiquette.php)

[QUOTE] Tipping Movers
There are many things to consider in a move. A professional mover is going to be careful to protect your floors, walls, doorways, and belongings. That said, it is unlikely that your move will go perfectly, whether you are moving yourself or paying someone else to do it. Something will get broken. The question that matters is were they being careless, or was it a genuine accident? Every time I have moved furniture myself, I have caused more damage to my home than movers ever had. I take this into consideration when I look at accidents.

Tipping occurs at the completion of the job. Consider providing lunch if the move extends over lunch, and always provide beverages for the movers.

One mover - limited move - 1-10 items and nothing over 20 pounds - $10-20
One mover - difficult move - The degree of difficulty changes based upon stairs, narrow passages, small elevators, large or heavy items, appliances, etc. - $20-50.
Multiple movers - Basically tip each mover the same as above, but lower it by $5-10 for each mover. Feel free to pool the tip and give it to the supervisor for distribution, but don't lower the amount because you combined it. The problem with combining the tip is that you cannot reward people based upon their individual performances.
Car Shipping - There is not much information available about tipping the truck drivers. $20-25 is probably appropriate.

[kcchief19]

Originally posted by Dutch
Well, from what I understand, movers are supposed to be real jobs (not parttime jobs) and therefore the companies would insist that their workers get paid enough to not need tips.
Dola -- it's not the parttime part that makes a job worthy of a tip -- there are plenty of full-time waiters, taxi drivers, hair stylists, etc. It's usually anyone who provides you a personal service. I had people try to tip me when I worked in retail, but most retailers prohibit employees from accepting tips.

[Dutch]

Dola -- it's not the parttime part that makes a job worthy of a tip -- there are plenty of full-time waiters, taxi drivers, hair stylists, etc. It's usually anyone who provides you a personal service. I had people try to tip me when I worked in retail, but most retailers prohibit employees from accepting tips.

Oops, bad wording. Part-time jobs are real jobs. I think salary vs. paid by the hour is better. So a mover who is paid a salary and works a standard 5 day 40 hour week would be who I was targetting. And I think that's how the big companies work it....but I'm not the expert. :)

[Swaggs]

We recently moved and went through this process. We moved two states away and had several rooms worth of furniture to relocate.

We gave the movers (four of them) $25.00 when they finished packing up their truck. Two of them unloaded the truck, and we gave each of them $40.00 when they completed the job, plus we ordered them some pizza.

[Philliesfan980]

Originally posted by rkmsuf
Tuck or no tuck can be a big deal...

Ann Landers doesn't know crap.