ToadmanHypnotoad join:2001-11-28 Mystery |
Toadman
Member
2010-May-18 10:19 pm
How much to tip a professional mover & driverHello all, Moving next week and have a professional set of Mayflower movers doing the job. I have heard from a few people that you should tip the movers themselves and also the driver of the truck. If you have done this before, how much have you tipped in general?
Thanks! |
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BKayrac Premium Member join:2001-09-29 |
BKayrac
Premium Member
2010-May-18 10:21 pm
ever moved yourself? tip reasonable i'd say |
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ChiTang MVM join:2002-08-23 Alhambra, CA |
to Toadman
15% |
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The PigI know you want to be me Premium Member join:2009-09-11 |
to Toadman
I gave them all $20 each. There was 4 of them driver and 3 movers. |
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Rojo31 join:2009-04-14 New York, NY |
Rojo31
Member
2010-May-19 4:21 am
said by The Pig:I gave them all $20 each. There was 4 of them driver and 3 movers. Yep, $20 each. They seemed pleased. |
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Eyeballs Premium Member join:2000-04-25 Worcester, MA |
to Toadman
I tipped the 3 man crew who moved me $300. |
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1 recommendation |
to Toadman
At least $20 per person, $50 if they were exceptionally good.
I've found being kind anyone working at your house always pays dividends well beyond the expense of being generous.
Even if you can't afford to tip them well, you can buy them some pizza, leave a cooler of soft drinks out for them...do something. Once I gave some gutter & siding guys two cases of beer, after the work was done and they were leaving of course.
mocycler |
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Dodge Premium Member join:2002-11-27 |
to Toadman
Last time I was moving it was mid summer, 90+ degrees outside. 3 movers total. I had a cooler with ice and water bottles. I bought them pizza for lunch and still gave them an extra 100 (so 33.33 each). Granted I had a several pieces of furniture that would not fit into elevators, took all 3 of them to lift and had to be carried up and down 10 flights of stairs. |
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Msradell Premium Member join:2008-12-25 Louisville, KY |
Msradell
Premium Member
2010-May-19 9:36 am
said by Dodge:Last time I was moving it was mid summer, 90+ degrees outside. 3 movers total. I had a cooler with ice and water bottles. I bought them pizza for lunch and still gave them an extra 100 (so 33.33 each). Granted I had a several pieces of furniture that would not fit into elevators, took all 3 of them to lift and had to be carried up and down 10 flights of stairs. and you only gave them $100? |
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timcuthBraves Fan Premium Member join:2000-09-18 Pelham, AL |
to Toadman
The last time I moved was 1993 and I tipped $20, each. So, maybe $25 each would be more appropriate, now. Those guys work hard!
Tim |
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thegeek Premium Member join:2008-02-21 right here 1 edit
2 recommendations |
to Toadman
I worked for a moving company in college. It seemed the richer people were the less they tipped. I received larger tips from the people who could afford it less.
You should give each person $20 to $50. Keep in mind that the people who come to pack all the boxes aren't necessarily going to be the same people who come to load everything. Depending on how much junk you have they could pack and load everything in one day or it could take 2-3 days to pack and 1-2 days to load. Ask Mayflower asap what the expected time frame is and if it will be different people packing and loading. If it is different people make sure you tip the packers before they leave. If the job will take multiple days tip everyone each day, just break up you total tip by the number of days. Movers like to have beer/weed money each night!
If you are just moving across town or close by it could be the same people to unload as load. Just because it is the same people doesn't mean it is ok to only tip say $20 for the whole job. In the mover's world it is two separate jobs. Be nice and give two separate tips.
Everyone that buys the movers lunch gets pizza. DON'T get pizza! Tell the workers that you are going to buy them lunch. They will most likely be polite and say that it is not necessary. Still, buy them lunch. Ask them what they would like for lunch. Offer a few suggestions but don't offer pizza. If they actually want pizza they will request it. Ask the driver (most likely the one in charge) what time they would like lunch to arrive. Keep in mind that some crews don't like to stop for lunch, especially if you got a lot of heavy shit. They just want to get the job done. You may want to ask if they would like lunch or if they would prefer a larger tip. Some crews like to leave the site for lunch. If this is the case give them cash to pay for their lunch. Figure $10 per person even though that is more than their lunch will likely cost.
Get a big cooler (one you don't mind not getting back) and stock it with water bottles and Gatorade. Get several different flavors. You can put it some soda in but they will probably avoid the soda. Whatever is left in the cooler when the job is done insist that they take it with them. The next job may not be as generous. And if its hot-as-hell day offer them each a beer when they are done. Don't just say, "You want a cold one?" Come out with them in your hands. Make sure you have one for yourself.
If you have any pets have a neighbor, friend, relative take them. Take the pets to a kennel for the day if you have to. Just don't leave them at home. Same goes for kids of all ages.
If you are physically able to, then by all means offer to help. But don't expect them to take you up on the offer. Stay out of the way and don't remind them how valuable an item is. If they are good they will treat every item, even an old beat up folding chair, as if it were a faberge egg. But keep an eye on your shit cause not all movers are careful. They have some pretty nasty tricks for hiding damage.
Are you military? I used to love moving military people. They are so used to getting orders I could walk in the house and start directing them on what to do. We'd make the military guys carry all the heavy shit.
Make sure they put guards around doorways. The guards look like the moving blankets that have horseshoe shaped clips inside them to attach to the doorway. Make sure they are using the blankets on all your furniture. Make sure they shrink-wrap your sofas. It may sound funny but it is the best way to keep from losing cushions and it will protect the sofa. They should shrink-wrap it while it is still in the house. Many items like small TVs and lamps they should wrap in the blankets while they are still in the house. They will wrap it and use tape to hold the blanket on. They may even wrap desks and dressers in the house as well. Make sure mirrors and hanging artwork are packed in special flat boxes that have grooved cardboard all around the edges. These boxes provide a few inches on each side of the item.
Clean your house top to bottom before they arrive. Air the place out. Make sure they house doesn't stink and furnature isn't covered with dust. Park all your vehicles down the street out of the way.
If I happen to think of more tips I'll add them. Enjoy your move!
Edit for spelling. |
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r81984Fair and Balanced Premium Member join:2001-11-14 Katy, TX |
to Toadman
I never heard of tipping movers.
I think tipping is getting out of hand in society. The only time I ever tip is in restaurants. I only do that because servers unfairly get paid less than minimum wage. |
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The PigI know you want to be me Premium Member join:2009-09-11 1 edit |
The Pig
Premium Member
2010-May-19 11:00 am
said by r81984:I never heard of tipping movers. I think tipping is getting out of hand in society. The only time I ever tip is in restaurants. I only do that because servers unfairly get paid less than minimum wage. Servers unfairly get paid because the boss knows you are going to tip them. Now knock it off! I tip my barber, taxi drivers, restaurant workers, bartenders, movers, all delivery people, laborers working on my house, etc. At Christmas time I tip the garbagemen and mail carrier! |
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r81984Fair and Balanced Premium Member join:2001-11-14 Katy, TX 3 edits |
r81984
Premium Member
2010-May-19 11:03 am
How are people supposed to know who should get a tip and who should not????
You listed taxi's and I never once thought I had to tip a taxi driver. I did not grow up using taxis so how was I supposed to know? I never heard of tipping movers or a bunch of other things some people tip for.
If the OP is paying these people to move his things then what is the tip for?? |
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psafux Premium Member join:2005-11-10 |
psafux
Premium Member
2010-May-19 11:22 am
said by r81984:then what is the tip for?? a job well done. said by thegeek:It seemed the richer people were the less they tipped. I received larger tips from the people who could afford it less. "Oh, I didn't get rich by writing a lot of checks" (Bill Gates as portrayed on "The Simpsons". ) . |
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margaf join:2000-12-22 Las Vegas, NV |
to Toadman
$20 a man if the service was good. |
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2 edits |
to Toadman
I tip anybody that does their job well and goes above and beyond. All industries included, where I have the chance and they directly serve me. Come to think of it, I tip black jack dealers the most. When I win, they win. :P For movers, I'd probably tip $100 in $50 increments. One prior to their work (to insure prompt service ) and one when they finish. |
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Omega Premium Member join:2002-07-30 Golden, CO 1 edit |
to Toadman
I've never tipped movers - isn't that what they are getting paid for to do?
In the three times I have moved, I have offered them water bottles to drink. I would offer food but they were usually done in a few hours.
Though I have yet to actually have to pay a moving company, so I am unsure of what the standard rate is. |
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The PigI know you want to be me Premium Member join:2009-09-11 |
to r81984
You tip people that mainly do physical labor for you, drive you around, serve you food, and cut your hair (if you value your hair at all ). |
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NOCManMadMacHatter Premium Member join:2004-09-30 Colorado Springs, CO |
to thegeek
said by thegeek:Are you military? I used to love moving military people. They are so used to getting orders I could walk in the house and start directing them on what to do. We'd make the military guys carry all the heavy shit. That's real messed up, these guys are doing YOU a service and you take advantage of them. |
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TzaleProud Libertarian Conservative Premium Member join:2004-01-06 NYC Metro |
to mocycler
said by mocycler:At least $20 per person, $50 if they were exceptionally good. I've found being kind anyone working at your house always pays dividends well beyond the expense of being generous. Even if you can't afford to tip them well, you can buy them some pizza, leave a cooler of soft drinks out for them...do something. Once I gave some gutter & siding guys two cases of beer, after the work was done and they were leaving of course. mocycler For blue collar guys, there is nothing better than two cases of beer I'm sure they were heading to get some anyways. |
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to Toadman
I've never tipped movers. I have friends A couple of pizza pies and some beer will do. |
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TzaleProud Libertarian Conservative Premium Member join:2004-01-06 NYC Metro |
to r81984
said by r81984:How are people supposed to know who should get a tip and who should not???? You listed taxi's and I never once thought I had to tip a taxi driver. I did not grow up using taxis so how was I supposed to know? I never heard of tipping movers or a bunch of other things some people tip for. If the OP is paying these people to move his things then what is the tip for?? It's a cultural thing. In the United States, you're expected to tip a wide range of people... In Europe, Sweden in particular, you're not expected to tip the taxi driver, bartender or anyone for that matter. However, I'm all for tipping in America because most of these people don't get paid anything for their work... They expect a tip. Rich people don't tip as well because they're elitists and think that anyone working a menial job is stupid. Little do they know that not everyone is rich. -Tzale |
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Tzale |
to NOCMan
said by NOCMan:said by thegeek:Are you military? I used to love moving military people. They are so used to getting orders I could walk in the house and start directing them on what to do. We'd make the military guys carry all the heavy shit. That's real messed up, these guys are doing YOU a service and you take advantage of them. ] Oh come on... The military is not full of pussies. Just because someone serves in the military doesn't mean that we're all their indentured servants. He wasn't taking advantage of them.. And I doubt they were that stupid to listen to him... They probably just didn't mind helping out because they were in shape. -Tzale |
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Omega Premium Member join:2002-07-30 Golden, CO |
to thegeek
quote: Are you military? I used to love moving military people. They are so used to getting orders I could walk in the house and start directing them on what to do. We'd make the military guys carry all the heavy shit.
Are you kidding me? I for one wouldn't stand for that. The minute any moving guy tried giving me orders, I would be on the phone to your bosses in a second. Would I help out if needed? Of course, but it is your job to move all my stuff. It's bad enough I have to watch every move of the movers to make sure shit is done correctly. The only service I don't use in military moves is their offer to unpack the boxes when I have moved into my new place. I prefer doing it myself...but I do have them move all the furniture into the rooms that they need to go into. |
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thegeek Premium Member join:2008-02-21 right here |
to NOCMan
said by NOCMan:said by thegeek:Are you military? I used to love moving military people. They are so used to getting orders I could walk in the house and start directing them on what to do. We'd make the military guys carry all the heavy shit. That's real messed up, these guys are doing YOU a service and you take advantage of them. Yah in hindsight it probably wasn't the best thing to do. But that was when I was 20-21 years old. I didn't know any better. What is funny is the wives (if the husband was the military person) seemed to encourage it. We got the idea watching these wives constantly give their husbands orders and the husbands following without question. |
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to thegeek
said by thegeek:It seemed the richer people were the less they tipped. You don't get rich by spending money. |
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to Toadman
Rich people are actually expected to draw much from their pockets. In reality, however, what is happening is otherwise. |
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to Toadman
Wow! People are good tippers. I couldn't afford to tip over $30 for all and don't remember how many. (this was quite a few years ago now) |
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The PigI know you want to be me Premium Member join:2009-09-11 |
The Pig
Premium Member
2010-May-19 5:32 pm
said by dandelion:Wow! People are good tippers. I couldn't afford to tip over $30 for all and don't remember how many. (this was quite a few years ago now) When I tipped my movers it didn't hurt! The estimator said it would cost $1125 to move me and the movers moved me so fast it only cost me $585 so giving them the tip was no problem, they saved me $540 minus the $80 I gave them I came out ahead $460. |
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