How to tip movers?

I've only used a mover once, and the company paid for it when I relocated. This is my first time using movers.

But I was told, and have read elsewhere, that tipping is expected. Who knows?

 

Well, you tip when they're done. Not like they move the last thing in, you say "here's the check, have a nice day" and, upon seeing you're a miserly bastard, they come back inside and break everything.

Maybe if you go with a big company, like Frank and JR did, you don't have to tip much. But we found our guys on Craigslist. There was no salary involved. They split what we paid them three ways. They were very good, worked hard and fast (hey-o!!!) and I had no problem tipping 25%. They made what could have been a hellish day much easier and smoother.

As for food, that was never an issue. They had a lunch time built in. After they unloaded the old apartment, they said they were stopping for food at the corner deli. No problem. Forty-five minutes later, they were at the new place.

Feel free to buy food and drink, of course, but I'd bet they'll fend for themselves in the middle of the move.

 

OK, here's the breakdown:

It was a father-son duo (the kid was 15...um, shouldn't he have been in school?). VERY nice people, very polite, great great people. Moved all my stuff out of the old place, down the stairs. I was starving, said I was running out for lunch and I'd pick them something up. Did that, they thanked me roughly 8900 times. We get to the new place, they move everything in, it all fits, we take the other stuff to storage, I pay them. Good people. I tip well, as always.

Get back to my room, and the ONLY piece I didn't doublecheck before they left was the last one in. We were a little behind schedule, and I just wanted to get going...well, they scratched the FUCK out of my grandmother's vanity. It's the only thing I have of hers..it's not in perfect shape (I took off a little finish by spilling some perfume, my cats have clawed the material on the bench) but now there are gouges in the top. I need to have it refinished anyway, and it's not like they could fix it...but grrrr.

 

they didh't find the box did they?

 

Sorry to dig this topic up, but I have movers coming today. It's quite a big move, distance wise, and the bill is a little steeper than IJAG's. Do you tip when they arrive with your stuff or when they pick it up? I won't be at the place they are delivering it. How much should I tip on a larger bill?

 

If you won't be there when it arrives, find out who will. Usually just the driver, maybe one other. The others are locals. Give them $10 or $20 each, then find the driver out of sight of the others and give him $50.

 

Ha! I just re-read this thread...good to know I hated Mayfly even back in April.

 

Did you hate me back in April, too? Or do you just hate me now?

 

You know, Norm, I'll just say this: My feelings for you have never wavered.

 

To make everyone feel better, IJAG's always hated me, that whore. [/fucking dickhead]

 

Oh, wick, I used to love you. [/johnlegend]

 

That's cool. An equal-opportunity hater.

Now I'm off to do some body sculpting.