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Member since 4/19/11
Posts: 676
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Posted on: 9/2/20 2:40 PM ET
We are moving and the deal is that 3 strong men will come in and load a truck with our belongings. They'll keep the goods overnight and deliver on the following morning. They estimate 4 1/2 hours work total.

How much do we tip per man? And when?
  
Member since 4/6/16
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Posted on: 9/2/20 3:09 PM ET
Why would you tip them? Are you not paying for removal and storage?
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Member since 4/4/07
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Posted on: 9/2/20 3:12 PM ET
If you are going through a company, then the men should be tipped. You can assume they are making minimum wage, and it's really hard work. DH usually gives something between $50 and $100, to the supervisor at the end of the job, who will distribute it proportionally to the others. How much depends on your feeling as to how well they did the work and how much stuff you had them move.

If you are hiring the 3 strong men directly, I wouldn't think there is any need to tip them.
-- Edited on 9/2/20 at 3:18 PM --
  
Member since 4/25/19
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Posted on: 9/2/20 3:22 PM ET
To add to Tanager’s good advice, we tend to give them half upfront and tell them they’ll get it he rest if we’re happy at the end. In that way folks are very careful not to ding walls or furniture and will usually enquire halfway through whether they are on the right track. Happy moving. Kira
  
Member since 6/4/15
Posts: 6787
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Posted on: 9/2/20 3:22 PM ET
In reply to Kippysan
It depends ... we've used casual movers (guys who stand around by the U-Haul place and pick up same day hauling work) and I'll tip them about $25 each.

For professional movers, I tip more, and the amount depends on how hard the job was and how respectful they were of my home and belongings. We moved in May and I tipped the packers/loaders separately from the unpackers (two different crews). In every case I tipped at the VERY END of the job - so for the load out it was after the house was completely empty and their truck was locked and loaded. For the load-in, it was after everything was in the house and we had done the walkthrough with the driver. The unloaders were wandering around with their hands out saying thank you every 5 minutes once they figured the job was done but they had to wait until we had done the walkthrough.

We had two different crews which meant I had to tip twice - I tipped the loaders at the old house $50 each (it was miserably hot and they had to move our belongings twice because the road in front of our house was so narrow - from the house to a little truck, then from the little truck to the van), and the unloaders got $40 each. If I trust the driver, I give him the cash and let him divvy it up.

If you're using the same crew for both ends then I'd just tip them once, after everything is unloaded and placed where you want it - and tip them enough to buy dinner at Outback or a bag of groceries on the way home. That's sort of my standard amount.

Good luck with your move!
  
Member since 6/4/15
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Posted on: 9/2/20 3:24 PM ET
In reply to Victoria Line
Many movers are paid a very low wage in the US, maybe only $5 an hour. Tips are absolutely appreciated.
  
Member since 11/13/04
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Posted on: 9/2/20 3:46 PM ET
In reply to LifeofJanine
Quote: LifeofJanine
Many movers are paid a very low wage in the US, maybe only $5 an hour. Tips are absolutely appreciated.

To me that is absolutely terrible pay. Even when paid under the table. My U.S. nephew told me the other day many people work for less $$ when paid in cash. I don't know of anyone here who does hat.

DS's friend works part time for a moving company, he gets paid double B.C.'s minmim wages, $ 14.60 per hour since June 2020.

Tips depend on who the movers work for. On a good moving day friend gets a $ 100.00 tip. Other days people are stingy and don't tip.
-- Edited on 9/2/20 at 3:51 PM --
  
Member since 10/16/17
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Posted on: 9/2/20 3:49 PM ET
In reply to Kippysan
I've moved multiple times and always tip the men (never had a woman mover). I tend to go overboard because I would absolutely die without these folks. The way I see it, if I'm sitting in an air-conditioned restaurant and buy dinner for a group of 4, and tip 20%, that could easily come to what, $20-25? And all the waiter did was write down the orders and bring it out and refill drinks. These guys were lugging book boxes up and down stairs in the heat and humidity for hours. If they do a decent job I tip $50 each. I had such a great crew once, I gave them $100 each. My moves have been in the 6 hour range so you may choose to go less. I give it to them after I sign the papers at the very end saying that everything has been done.
  
Member since 6/4/15
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Posted on: 9/2/20 4:36 PM ET
In reply to TeeGee
It really depends on who they work for. When we do a corporate move with one of the big moving companies I believe the movers are paid at least $15 an hour. In some cases, the drivers kick in extra to get a really great crew. The driver who managed our move in May was absolutely the best we've had in 9 corporate moves. He uses the same crew in Atlanta every time he had a move there (he does all long-haul moves) and I know he gives part of his pay as tips for those crews, in addition to the cash we gave them.

Then there are the day labourers who hang around outside of UHaul hoping to pick up any work that they can. Those are the guys who aren't paid much.

  
Member since 4/1/08
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Posted on: 9/2/20 4:51 PM ET
In reply to Victoria Line
A thorough discussion would become political but here, bottom line, there are folks who are not paid fully or fairly for what they do. Aside from the unfairness to the service worker at the bottom rung, it also greatly affects the work performed. It isn't necessarily a matter of the movers/workers being disinterested or careless. It is, sometimes a matter of being pushed and over scheduled.

-- Edited on 9/3/20 at 1:02 AM --
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and nurtured by The Master Gardener.
  
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