Dear Sugar,
I'm making a long distance move tomorrow and I have hired two guys from a local moving company to load my furniture and boxes from my house onto a truck I've rented. In their fee, I've also included the cost of gas for them to come out to my house.
It'll probably end up costing about $400 total, but I'm not sure of the etiquette on things like this. Should I tip them or not? - And if I do tip them, what's a ballpark amount? Please advise and fast, they arrive EARLY. Making Moves Monique
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Dear Making Moves Monique
I've just written about this same kind of thing on a previous post To Tip Or Not To Tip.
If the movers do a fantabulous job and go above and beyond without breaking too many things (kidding), then definitely give them a tip. I think something around $20 each would be great.
But since you are paying them in cash, and you've negotiated directly with them without having to go through their boss or anything, I think the $400 is fine. A tip is entirely up to how generous you are feeling and how much cash you've got to spare.
Irregular Choice
Naf Naf
Levi's
how about hotels? is it customary to tip as I check out? how much? and do you leave a tip in the room for the maid? I never know how to handle that sort of thing...
1We used to tip $10-$20 per mover. We've moved A LOT because of the military. And, we've tipped movers who stole almost every bit of jewelry I own. We've tipped movers who tossed an alabaster keepsake of my great grandmothers - completely unwrapped - into a box full of books and, of course, broke it. We've tipped movers who stole my husband's weights.
We don't tip movers anymore. Ever. Regardless of how well we think they've done. You never know what you'll find on the other end. I know this sucks for good movers. But, those are few and far between with the companies who contract with the military and we've been burned too many times.
2I should add that the companies that contract with the military are the big guys. FYI, Covan was the biggest nest of thieves.
3yeah, i'd be happy with like a $10-$20 tip..
4You should always tip movers if they were good. If you're worried about things getting broken, check the boxes before you tip them. Or pack the expensive/important things yourself. Sure, there are some movers who aren't trustworthy. So take some responsibility and cover yourself. Maybe you can even ask for references from them before you hire them. Movers (especially good ones) work their butts off and it's not fair when they get screwed out of a tip.
5If you're going to pack things yourself, be sure you know that a.) they will not cover any breakage in those boxes, regardless of how they handle them and b.) they can steal the entire boxes.
Also, if you want to check all the boxes (there were over 300 pieces in our last move), you will need to let them know ahead of time because they seal them as they go.
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