tipping movers

newaroundhere

This question isn't really a Park Slope issue per se but I need some advice and since I'm moving to Park Slope, this is as good as anywhere to ask.

What are the tipping guidelines for movers? If you're generally a 20-percent-tipper, but you have four movers, do you give each of them 20 percent of the total cost of your move? If my move costs $1,000, that means I'm handing out $800 in tips! I just can't do that. But is it appropriate to split just one 20 percent tip among all four, or three, or seven, or however many movers?

I don't know how many movers will show up, but I'm trying to prepare now so that I have all the cash ready.

Any thoughts?

alafairnadia

my last few moves have been in the $300-350 area. usually 3 guys. I generally tip $25/guy.

new2hood

movers get paid pretty well. I agree with $25 per guy.

rachmouse

If they're going up a lot of stairs and/or they're very nice and conscientious of your stuff it might be nice to tip them more... like $40-50/person. But then again, I tend to over-tip.

sterling2000

The last time I moved, I had a 3-bedroom and home office worth of stuff in a 3-floor walk-up...probably 20 boxes of books, a couple hundred LPS, a few thousand comic books...I had three Russian guys working most of the day with a huge truck...at the end, I paid for the move and gave them each a $100 bill as a tip...they kind of looked at each other, and seemed to be mumbling something to each other and rolling their eyes like they were pissed for such a paltry tip

evilbert

sterling2000 wrote: The last time I moved, I had a 3-bedroom and home office worth of stuff in a 3-floor walk-up...probably 20 boxes of books, a couple hundred LPS, a few thousand comic books...I had three Russian guys working most of the day with a huge truck...at the end, I paid for the move and gave them each a $100 bill as a tip...they kind of looked at each other, and seemed to be mumbling something to each other and rolling their eyes like they were pissed for such a paltry tip

I'd say $100 each is pretty generous, more than they're getting in salery for the day. Dunno what they were complaining about.

smallbiz475

It seems to me that movers always grumble no matter how much you tip.

In my last move, I tried something different. I gave each mover a sealed envelope with a tip that I felt was appropriate for their efforts. They all left before opening the envelopes, but seemed genuinely appreciative.

The tips ranged from $20 to $40 per envelope.

My worst experience was with a super aggressive foreman. He tried to explain that a standard tip started at $100 per mover. He expressed great disappointment when my tip did not meet his standards.

SB

arlette

I say it depends. If they have to trek up 4 flights of a brownstone and maneuver the curves around the banister etc. they are getting a good tip, especially if they dont break anything. If they are moving on the garden level, ahhh,here, buy some coffee and donuts.

apollonia666

SmallBiz475 wrote: My worst experience was with a super aggressive foreman. He tried to explain that a standard tip started at $100 per mover. He expressed great disappointment when my tip did not meet his standards.

I had that happen once too. It was the first time I'd ever hired movers and I had no idea that tipping was even customary with them. He started really browbeating me about it and I ended up giving them all the cash I had (which wasn't much -- maybe $20 for each guy) because he was big and intimidating and I was alone with them. He was still bitching about how it wasn't enough as they left.

daver

This enforced tipping is a load of crap. Tipping three guys $100 each, and that not being enough? WTF? They need to raise their prices then. That is ridiculous.

ace

50$ each

alafairnadia

the first time I hired a particular set of movers I also asked the woman on the phone when I was making the reservation how much to tip. she told me no more than $25/mover. so, that's what I paid. since they're the only moving co. I've ever hired, that's all I've ever tipped. I'd ask.

pkon66

I just hired movers - the job cost $300. They worked super fast and didn't break or lose anything.

Two guys and it took about 2 hours.

I gave them $400 total. He seemed happy.

BTW, on advice from this board, I used Wong Movers and was very happy with them

livetotravel

I'm with the $50 or so per person crowd - If my move was estimated at $1000 I might give $200 to the lead guy and let him figure the split.

I will say this - if you are moving valuable items that you cherish - than tipping, even tipping beforehand, assures a much more pleasurable experience. It's never failed for me.

filmlover44

Subject: Re: tipping movers

newaroundhere wrote: This question isn't really a Park Slope issue per se but I need some advice and since I'm moving to Park Slope, this is as good as anywhere to ask.

What are the tipping guidelines for movers? If you're generally a 20-percent-tipper, but you have four movers, do you give each of them 20 percent of the total cost of your move? If my move costs $1,000, that means I'm handing out $800 in tips! I just can't do that. But is it appropriate to split just one 20 percent tip among all four, or three, or seven, or however many movers?

I don't know how many movers will show up, but I'm trying to prepare now so that I have all the cash ready.

Any thoughts?

Last time that I moved, I gave them $50 each. They were more than happy.