o you tip movers and if so how much? (salary, live in)

[SelfReflector]

Our air freight is being dropped off this week, do you tip the movers here? How much. Air freight is just 11 boxes ... sea freight will be a container load,

[cocaseco]

For movers taking boxes inside, $20/person adjusted for service, distance, stairs etc. Thats based on an all day move so pro rated accordingly.

[JonasW]

They are paid a fair salary and the moving is certainly not cheap, so nothing. Tipping is ridiculous for such services.

[cocaseco]

Originally Posted by JonasW

They are paid a fair salary and the moving is certainly not cheap, so nothing. Tipping is ridiculous for such services.

Maybe it's the word "fair" that we will have to agree to disagree on.

[Gabbythecat]

Originally Posted by cocaseco

Maybe it's the word "fair" that we will have to agree to disagree on.

If they consider themselves underpaid, then they have every right to charge more, don't they?

At any rate, I have always thought that the movers I've used have been adequately paid. If they do a good job, I do spread the word about them - helping them stay in business seems quite adequate. I also provide all of the drinks (cold pop, etc) that they want.

[Kayela]

I tip $20 a mover, but I live in cramped urban spaces with horrible parking and lots of steep, narrow stairs. So far I've had some really good ones, and I like to express my appreciation in a concrete way. If they still have a good attitude at the end of the day plus my stuff is all in good shape - they've earned it.

[kyled]

Tipping is becoming too common in too many services. I'm all for tipping that server that was really nice and treated me exceptionally well - I just gave a 50% tip at a mexican restaurant the other day because I was so impressed with the service - but I'd like to reserve that for special occasions, I don't see how in society we've come to expect extra money from customers for simply doing our job correctly, heck, you're even supposed to tip bad servers these days because many states have allowed restaurants to underpay their employees (due to the prevalence of tipping and the introduction of pooled tips).

Personally I'd only tip movers if I felt they went the extra mile to assure my property was well taken care of in difficult circumstances, otherwise they should be properly compensated by their employer for doing their job. The number cocoesco gave seems reasonable. In these sort of circumstances my smalltalk includes asking how much one makes in their position so if I feel they're underpaid I might bump it up a bit.

And like Gabby said, provide cold water/soda, maybe some doughnuts or bagels (or whatever is appropriate for the time of day)...that's certainly the least you can and should do.

[cocaseco]

Originally Posted by Gabbythecat

If they consider themselves underpaid, then they have every right to charge more, don't they?

Yes they do. But it is only because of the tips that stop them from being underpaid. I am even more certain to tip on the load up as if you dont, you can pretty much plan on some of your stuff not making it. Not a concern on the unload, just do it because its right.

[MJ5150]

We gave the movers who loaded our stuff in WA $150. When we met the same crew in NH, we gave them another $150. We also provided meals and beverages since all of us were working together loading and unloading. We are about to move back to WA, and we will do the same. Especially since we are getting the same driver to haul our load.

I didn't treat these guys and gals like hired labor, I treated them like friends. After all, I was entrusting 99% of my personal belongings to them.

-Mike

[skidamarink]

If it's a private person being paid cash who quoted you a certain amount (like, someone you found off Craigslist), I would not tip. The tip is implied that case.

If it's someone who is part of a professional company who is sent out to move the stuff, I don't see any harm is calling their customer service and asking if people normally tip. Not like the customer service agent is getting the tip themself, so they will likely give an honest answer.