Tipping protocol for the movers. (moving, rating, reviews)

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by spencgr

Oh did I not mention I also called in Earth, Wind, and Fire to perform for my movers?

Seriously, though, I was just grateful one of them didn't die of heat stroke on my property. It was my way of keeping the fates on my side. And I'll offer a beer to anyone who comes to my house.

Glad to hear that you were concerned about the welfare of the movers during that hot day. There are many people who have different attitudes about movers and don't think about that.

I've offered drinks, sandwiches, and snacks to movers (along with a tip$). No major hoopla of a party though but you guys have some great suggestions!

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by designer-d

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the wages of people who work directly with the public in a service way (food delivery, moving, waitress, haircut) purposely lower than those who work "behind the scenes" doing a similar job because tips are expected to make up the difference?

Sorry but you're wrong. Food service may be this way but not the others. That's great but not tipping should give no one heartburn. I was a mover for a large national company for one year back in the 70's. One thing to keep in mind is that some damage can stay hidden until well after the crew has left. Imagine how mad you'll be tipping them that much money only to find a huge scratch on your baby grand. I appreciated free drinks, lunch and the occasional tip when I did this job but I never went out expecting a tip from someone.

[CapsChick]

Originally Posted by designer-d

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the wages of people who work directly with the public in a service way (food delivery, moving, waitress, haircut) purposely lower than those who work "behind the scenes" doing a similar job because tips are expected to make up the difference?

I'm not sure where the "behind-the-scenes" hairstylists are. Hairstylists who work out of a salon they don't own and are not renting their chair are usually getting about 50% (give or take 10%) of the price of the service. So if your cut is $40, the stylist gets $20 or so of that in his or her paycheck.

[StandBack-DoorsClosing]

Originally Posted by spencgr

Oh did I not mention I also called in Earth, Wind, and Fire to perform for my movers?

Very nice of you! I actually started some small college funds for some of my movers' kids.

[ACWhite]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

Sorry but you're wrong. Food service may be this way but not the others. That's great but not tipping should give no one heartburn. I was a mover for a large national company for one year back in the 70's. One thing to keep in mind is that some damage can stay hidden until well after the crew has left. Imagine how mad you'll be tipping them that much money only to find a huge scratch on your baby grand. I appreciated free drinks, lunch and the occasional tip when I did this job but I never went out expecting a tip from someone.

Laws generally allow minimum wages for waitstaff that are much lower than the min. wage for employees in general (e.g., <$2.50 per hour vs. >$7 per hour) because tips are assumed to make up the difference. I don't believe any of the other examples that the other poster gave are exempted as waitstaff are.

As someone else posted, hair stylists are typically contractors rather than employees (but that is not always the case).

I've never heard that movers are paid less than market wages for the hard work they do, if you go with a reputable company. When we moved the last time (many years ago), the movers were very sloppy with our stuff, were not willing to put boxes where we had labeled them (e.g., "office"), and tried to charge us more than the fixed price that we had agreed upon in advance with the company rep., in writing, which was a reasonable, not cheap figure, with what we thought was a reputable company with insurance, etc. The company had sent (to our surprise) 7 guys to do a maximum 4 person job (not the workers' fault) and they wasted a lot of time having to wait, while two guys carried something down the stairs, for another pair to go upstairs. The co. probably didn't have any other work for the guys that day but shouldn't have over-scheduled our job, and it wasn't our responsibility. Needless to say, we provided water throughout the day but didn't tip, and would never recommend that company. We tip waitstaff, stylists, pizza and other delivery people because that is customary--and carpet cleaners if they do a really good job. We might have tipped the the movers if they also had done a really good job.

[Yankeesfan]

Originally Posted by StandBack-DoorsClosing

I don't know, your guys' tips all seem kind of low to me. One time I was short on cash to tip the movers (there were about 35 of them and I would not give a tip less than $500/per), so I opened up the backyard and hosted a pool party barbecue. I called in the local tv station, hired dancers, fog machine, a monster truck, etc. I gave them all steaks off the grill, top quality beer, and taught them how to dance. At one point I was literally pouring jewelry into their pockets for some reason. It just seemed like the least I could do for these guys. To each their own I guess.

Best post of the day -- maybe of the week !

[cy_flembeck]

America has become one big tip jar.

[smithy77]

Just finished the move. The guys who moved me were some of the hardest working (and fast) guys I've seen in a while---one of the guys was about 5'2" and he carried my desk on his back up 3 flights of stairs (amazing), and since they charged me much less than I was expecting, I tipped them more----40 bucks each. They were well worth it. The bill came to $129; not bad for a Springfield to Centreville move---it took about 2 hours in crappy weather. Thanks to all for the feedback.

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

One thing to keep in mind is that some damage can stay hidden until well after the crew has left. Imagine how mad you'll be tipping them that much money only to find a huge scratch on your baby grand.

That's what insurance is for. And it's the owner's responsibility, not the movers (unless they own the company).

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by ACWhite

I've never heard that movers are paid less than market wages for the hard work they do, if you go with a reputable company. When we moved the last time (many years ago), the movers were very sloppy with our stuff, were not willing to put boxes where we had labeled them (e.g., "office"), and tried to charge us more than the fixed price that we had agreed upon in advance with the company rep., in writing, which was a reasonable, not cheap figure, with what we thought was a reputable company with insurance, etc. The company had sent (to our surprise) 7 guys to do a maximum 4 person job (not the workers' fault) and they wasted a lot of time having to wait, while two guys carried something down the stairs, for another pair to go upstairs. The co. probably didn't have any other work for the guys that day but shouldn't have over-scheduled our job, and it wasn't our responsibility. Needless to say, we provided water throughout the day but didn't tip, and would never recommend that company.

Yikes, what a nightmare move! And you've raised a good point about searching for a reputable mover. Trying to charge for extras on-site, or "winging it" sounds shady to me.

I think stories like these are just as important (if not more) than the successful ones we are sharing.