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Q: How to Tip Long Distance Movers ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: How to Tip Long Distance Movers
Category: Miscellaneous
Asked by: freakfarm-ga
List Price: $50.00
Posted: 03 Jan 2005 17:01 PST
Expires: 02 Feb 2005 17:01 PST
Question ID: 451321
Moving 2700 lbs (an apartment) from Los Angeles to New York.  Estimated at $2500

Hired a long distance moving company and need to know how I should tip
them.  How much is customary?  Should I tip on the front end and the
back end?

Need to know within the next 10 hours.

Thank you
Answer  
Subject: Re: How to Tip Long Distance Movers
Answered By: pinkfreud-ga on 03 Jan 2005 18:19 PST
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
I have gathered some information that I hope you'll find useful. As is
the case with many service occupations, tipping the movers is not
absolutely required, but it is certainly appreciated (and sometimes
expected).

There are many ways to go about tipping; some sources suggest a flat
rate of $20 to $50 for each worker, and $40 to $100 for the crew
chief, depending on the length of the move. Several sources suggest
tipping the crew $3 to $5 an hour. On a long-distance move, tips
should be offered at both the origin and the destination. Obviously,
the hourly tip doesn't make much sense before the truck hits the road,
but you'll probably have a rough idea of how long the crew will be
working for you, and you can portion out your tips accordingly. Keep
in mind that the crew loading your furniture and the crew unloading it
may be entirely different guys. The driver may be the only constant.

There doesn't seem to be any consensus on whether to give each worker
a tip individually, or whether to give the entire amount to the crew
chief to divide among the workers. Personally, I would prefer the
former method, but the latter is undoubtedly a time-saver, and may be
more businesslike.

A friend of mine who has moved cross-country several times has told me
about the importance of a gratuity at the front end. It can serve as a
motivator for good service (and sometimes its absence might result in
carelessness, if not actual sabotage, of your belongings).

Some online information on the subject:

"TIPPING 
The general consensus is that one tips about $50/man and $75-$100 for
the leader. It's also nice to buy them lunch and drinks throughout the
move as well."

Expat Village: MOVING COMPANY TIPS 
http://www.expatvillage.com/started/ready/standard_page_R.cfm?ObjectId=85#6

"Tipping. For local moves, tip your movers 7 percent to 12 percent of
the total bill. For long-distance hauls, movers should be tipped $3 to
$5 per hour."

BizWomen: Extra research makes for a smooth move
http://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/consultants/savvy_business_shopper/2001/05/21/column240.html

"Do I Tip The Movers? 
Like all over service businesses, tipping is not required. A tip is a
reward for a job well done. Do not feel obligated to give a tip if you
feel it was not deserved. If you are satisfied with your movers, a tip
is very much appreciated. An average tip for the crew is approximately
$15.00 for every 1000lbs of goods you are moving, or 15% of the
transportation charges. You may feel inclined to give the foreman of
the job a little more because he is the one who orchestrates the move
and is ultimately responsible for your relocation. For ex. If your
move were 4000lbs, at $15 per 1000lbs, the total tip would be $60.00.
Divide that amount amongst the amount of workers on the job. On a long
distance move, tipping is usually performed at both origin and
destination."

AAAMove: Do I Tip The Movers?  
http://www.aaamove.com/faq/help/detail.cfm?faqid=33

"These Guys Work Hard.

They have a difficult, backbreaking job, and they perform it with
professionalism and good humor - they're your movers.

Although tipping is optional, it is recognized as a reward for a job
well done. If your movers did a good job, a tip is very much
appreciated. On average, a tip is approximately $15.00 for every 1000
pounds of goods being moved, or 15% of the transportation charges. The
foreman orchestrates the move, so you may want to consider giving him
a little something extra for his performance.

Remember to divide the amount of the total tip amongst all the
workers. When moving long distance, tipping usually takes place at
both origin and destination."

Metro Van Lines: Tipping the Crew
http://www.metrovanlines.com/tipping.cfm

"How much should you tip?
Tips differ depending on the size and difficulty of the move as well
as the efforts put forth by the movers. An honest day's job should not
go unnoticed. The average tip for local moves is 7-12% of the total
bill. The average tip for long distance moves is $3-5 per hour based
on the labor. It is best that you compensate each mover separately to
acknowledge the hard work by everyone involved in the relocation."

Moving.com: Essential Moving Tips 
http://www.moving.com/guide/moving/tips.asp

"A survey of moving company owners yields some answers you might not
expect. To begin with, they tell us they don't look favorably on crews
that ASK for tips. As a matter of fact, one mover told us he'd fire an
employee that came right out and asked for one. Others said that they
paid their crews well, and didn't feel that they needed to supplement
their incomes with tips.

Interestingly, what seemed more important to them was how customers
treated their crews during the loading and unloading process. Some
customers, sad to say, treat moving crews as though they're a lower
life form, not only by their attitudes but also by such picky things
as refusing to let them use bathroom facilities or not providing them
a place to eat lunch.

Another moving company owner observed that, while his crews know
better than to come right out and ask for tips, he's aware that it's
common for them to suggest broadly that it would be appreciated,
especially if it's a large move, or weather conditions are
challenging, for example.

One thing everyone agrees on: A moving crew, or crew chief, should
never even hint that your move won't go well unless a tip is
forthcoming, or suggest a specific amount. If you experience either
one, call the moving company immediately and let them know. If your
schedule permits, tell the movers to stop the process until you have
this issue straightened out.

If the moving crew does a good job, if they're efficient, careful and
courteous, you may very well want to tip them. How much? There are
absolutely no guidelines to give you, unfortunately, but $20.00 for
each crew member and maybe $30.00 for the crew chief would probably be
about right. Give all of the money to the crew chief: he'll know
better than you which of his people deserve a little more than others.

Also, if your move is of some distance, the crew that unloads your
belongings won't be the same people who served you at origin, even
though the driver will probably be the same. So, the destination crew
may deserve a tip as well, again at your discretion.

As we noted earlier, how you treat the crew is every bit as important
as handing them cash at the end of the job. If it's a hot day, offer
them lemonade or iced tea; if it's the dead of winter, coffee or hot
chocolate. While it's not necessary to buy them lunch, it's nice
gesture to offer them sandwiches if they haven't brought lunch with
them. They'll get back to work sooner, too!"

Software for Moving: Should You Tip the Movers?
http://www.softwareformoving.com/sfmmoving_tips/tip.asp

Advice from The Tipping Discussion Forum:

"Q: 
I'm moving from a 1 bedroom 3rd floor (stairs) 
apartment in Florida (suburbs) to a 1 bedroom in Baltimore (city) by a
major moving company for $1625. What is the appropriate amount to tip
each mover and when do they get the tip at the end of the move? Any
suggestions would be appreciated.

 A:
I would say ..... offer cold drinks while they are working and point
out the bathroom they can use right when they show up

if you are really happy with the way they move yer stuff in and feel
they did you right ..... n the job takes less than 4 hours .. I would
fork over 25-35 a mover while they are all standing together

I am picturing a 2-3 man crew"

Tipping Discussions Forum: When & how much to tip movers
http://www.tipping.org/discus4/messages/9/1582.html?1090050564

"When I was moving from SC to VA, I tipped each guy $50. In addition,
I had an old bedroom set that I was going to donate to Goodwill. One
of the movers asked if it was to be moved. I told him no and why. I
then asked if any of them wanted it. He said his mom sure would like
it...so I told him to load it up and say 'Happy Mother's Day' to her.
When the same three guys arrived a week later in VA with my stuff,
they helped me unpack and take away boxes. They were a big help to a
single female!

Few years later, I made a move 10 miles up the road. Tipped $50 each
upon arrival at new location and they knocked off the charge for the
piano (they had to move it down a flight of stairs) and helped me to
shovel the snow that had fallen overnight!"

Tipping Discussions Forum: I DIDN'T TIP MY MOVER
http://www.tipping.org/discus4/messages/9/1657.html?1098100585

My Google search strategy:

Google Web Search: movers tip OR tipping "cross-country" OR "long distance
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=movers+tip+OR+tipping+%22cross-country%22+OR+%22long+distance

Google Web Search: "tip OR tipping the movers"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22tip+OR+tipping+the+movers%22

I hope this will be helpful. If anything is unclear, or if a link
doesn't work for you, please request clarification; I'll be glad to
offer further assistance before you rate my answer.

Best regards,
pinkfreud
freakfarm-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars
Great, thanks!

Comments  
Subject: Re: How to Tip Long Distance Movers
From: ziki-ga on 10 Mar 2005 09:53 PST
 
If u gave a tip on the local job to other driver give 6% if u are
happy with the service. if it the same driver the total tip should be
10%.
http://www.newyorkmovers.org/Moving_Insurance.html

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