do you tip movers ?
 

My wife and I will soon be moving to our retirement home . We have signed a contract with a moving company and we were wondering is it standard protocol to tip the movers ? And what is considered a " standard " tip ? If they pack our stuff well and get it there in good shape I have no problem showing the appreciation I just don't know how much is considered good . What do you think ?

Ues


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As having moved 4 times in the last 2 years (all locally thankfully) yes, I'm happy to tip if they do a good job and are careful. I have tipped 20-50 per mover depending on time to load/unload and attitude. Congrats on the new 'season'!

I do. In the late 60s and early 70s, I worked for a moving company. It was hard work but paid allot better the most part time jobs that paid slightly above the minimum wage of $1.70/hr. I got paid over $3/hr. I worked summers and on Saturdays - it funded my college expenses. It was a great experience: Everyday was different, I met all kinds of people - I even went on out of town jobs because I got a daily stipend and millage money. It was about making money and saving it for college.

I got tips, but not everyone tipped. They usually came from average families and those who, I thought, couldn't afford it. The wealthier families had an edge, a feeling of I'm better than you. I was always appreciative of tips.

As an adult, I still tip movers. I remember those days when I was younger. Companies may have policies of not accepting tips. " I insist - I did this along time ago, it is hard work - have a beer on me. "

If you do tip, tip each member of the crew - don't give it just to the driver. I worked with guys that didn't always share. Some kept it totally, others would not share equitably.


The amount is up to you - it depends on the size of the job.

Exactly.

My best friends family growing up owned an appliance store. I was part of the delivery crew at 13 and later the driver and my friends helper on repair jobs when we could drive. I think I made a dollar an hour under the table, which I was happy to make, especially in 1969/70 when I started.

Tips were found money and so appreciated it is hard to put into words. I remember a $10 dollar tip that we split like it was yesterday.

We giggled all the way to the van.

I haven't moved in over 23 years but always tip helpers and folks that delivery large items.

We have moved twice in last 5 years.
We have too much stuff! Although we have been reducing continually as a result of handling everything we own recently.

We usually buy the movers lunch - I try to let them decide what and from where.
Also typically tip about $50 each.

Those guys bust their tail end. Not an easy job.

They all seem to appreciate and I hope I have made a little difference for them.

I not only tip them I get a box of coffee in the morning and bring in either pizza or a bucket of KFC and sides for lunch as well as provide water throughout the day.

Once you read the horror stories about how far south a moving experience can go due to a dishonest moving company, getting everything moved safely warrants a sigh of relief. Along that line, rewarding the guys in the trenches is warranted, IMO, and the posts above reflect just that sentiment--especially from those of us who were movers in our youth. It's greatly appreciated and not necessarily expected--at least it wasn't back in the day.

Though we haven't moved and don't expect to soon (we've lived in the same house for over 40 years,) I did tip in a related situation--the tow driver from AAA who brought my daughter and her car home, late at night, from over 70 miles away. Not many things more valuable than your own daughter.

I would have no trouble pulling out a twenty for each mover. If they went above and beyond being careful with your stuff, and took their time, I can see a $50 bill for each....but I would have to be impressed to the point of reccomending them to my friends for that much.

And not just movers, we live at the top of a rather long stairway. Whenever we get 'free delivery' of a major appliance I tip each guy $10-20.

If my construction crew neighbors help moving furniture in/out I toss a 18 pack in their fridge.

I like to tip good service...just about all the time.
I'm having a new garage attached to my old double garage and I bought a case of Gatorade at Costco...give the boys an ice cold jug half way thru the 105 degrees Arizona heat.
That's my tip to them.

We moved six weeks ago and I tipped them $40 each for two days of loading and unloading.

Yep, never miss an opportunity to thank someone who has done a good job.

Sounds like we over tipped our last movers. We had 3 guys and a 26' truck. Our move was from a 5 bdrm home into a 3 - but we sold a bunch of furniture prior to move. Total disaster. It took two trips and I was still working all night after the movers were done. Driving distance between homes is 18 miles. Our "new" home is on a flag lot with a tight 400' driveway that the truck didn't fit into. They had to hump everything up the driveway and into our garage. I had demo people showing up the next morning. Movers started at noon and ended at 2 AM. I tipped each of them $125.

I would not go more than $20 a head unless they do an outstanding job, then 50 tops. It will not hurt to tell them that you will tip them if they do a good job AHEAD of time.

My moving experiences (4 times with a family household) were largely horrible. The best experience I had was with a one-stop-shopping company for a local move. The truck, driver, workers, all from the same family company and workers were employed long term. Not an option across state or across country. There you are usually dealing with a large company subbing out each component to the lowest bidders. The movers (the guys lugging your stuff) are generally one step up from convicted felons and the homeless. They are paid little and the job is brutal. Often picked up at day labor places. With a move like that, you'll be glad if all your stuff is still there and in one piece when done. Make sure the company has good insurance. And yes, if those poor schmucks do a good job, tip them 20-50 a head.

Cheers,

George

I am hoping for a good moving experience we are moving locally aprox. 71 miles . My wife and I have moved a fair amount of stuff ourselves but we still have a lot of stuff . And I got tools !!! We'll see how it goes and will tip accordingly . As always thanks guys .

Moving furniture is one of the hardest jobs I've ever had. (And I'm not a convicted felon. This was summer work between college semesters.)
And here's the best part! (Other than the obscenely low pay.) Generally, the really heavy, super bulky shlt goes in the front of the trailer. So when you've worked ten hours in the heat and you're exhausted and cranky and you still have more to go, it's the big stuff, like entertainment centers or washer / dryers or even pianos that still need to get into the house. (And the clients want all their stuff out of that trailer that day. No quitting until it's empty.)

I do if they do a goog job. Hans each worker a $20. I made the mistake of giving the crew leader $60 to share between the three of them and pocketed it all for himself.

If they do a good job, then yes.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/31/books/review-long-haul-trucker-memoir-finn-murphy.html

I read this book while vacationing last February. It's about the moving biz and it's funny and informative. Some great stories and an insiders view into how the moving business works. I recommend it.