Tipping Movers?

[Peregrinator]

I looked into PODS when I moved out here but a big Ryder rental pulling a car trailer was still cheaper even w/ the cost of diesel. Now...fuck...it would cost 5-6000 to move across the country.

Yeah, I went with an independent company basically because of the price. Big mistake.

 

[Not Normal]

I lost a mirror, a table top, and a hand-made blanket from Guatemala. Insurance would be a great idea. The laws about moving are not supportive of the customer at all. Additionally, I have a friend who used to work for a moving company, and he says that stealing shit is practically de rigeur in the business. I wish I had done the PODS thing when I moved.

http://www.pods.com/

Load it yourself, lock it, unload it when it arrives. Simple and easy.

I bought private insurance through the movers and then the insurance company referred to the freaking movers as their client even though I paid the premium and had a receipt with my name listed as "name of insured." The insurance company lawyers represented the movers and the suit took about two years before it settled.

I made me really hate the insurance industry and the legal system.

 

[LotusDreamer]

Waitstaff almost always gets 25% from me, unless it was a horrible dining experience, in which case, they get 15%. That hasn't happened in years. Waitstaff know and who do well get 50% generally, or pretty close to it.

Terrible service gets about $4-- I don't care how much the bill is.


I give 'em a tip and refreshments. I also do this with the maintenance guys in my building.

Do you tip the artists at the make-up counter?

 

[Peregrinator]

I bought private insurance through the movers and then the insurance company referred to the freaking movers as their client even though I paid the premium and had a receipt with my name listed as "name of insured." The insurance company lawyers represented the movers and the suit took about two years before it settled.

I made me really hate the insurance industry and the legal system.

It's such an incredible scam. I don't want to start thinking about it, because it's one of those things that can get me so pissed off that I wake up with my teeth gritted.

 

[Not Normal]

It's such an incredible scam. I don't want to start thinking about it, because it's one of those things that can get me so pissed off that I wake up with my teeth gritted.

While it was going on I lost so much sleep I can't even begin to count the hours. Plus the lost hours of not being able to do business because of the broken piece of equipment.

I father in law is an lawyer and law professor and he couldn't even explain how any of the bullshit happened.

I'm still flabergasted (sp?) by the whole experience.

 

[Peregrinator]

While it was going on I lost so much sleep I can't even begin to count the hours. Plus the lost hours of not being able to do business because of the broken piece of equipment.

I father in law is an lawyer and law professor and he couldn't even explain how any of the bullshit happened.

I'm still flabergasted (sp?) by the whole experience.

I met with a lawyer here, my brother's best friend and a very fucking smart guy, and he basically said I was screwed. They can just keep my stuff and get away with it. I was fucking ballistic.

 

[Guest]

These are things you do when you have friends helping you move. Pros need cold hard cash.

Maybe the standard is just different over here. German movers actually get paid a living wage and gratuities are traditionally figured into the total bill on just about everything.

 

[Not Normal]

I met with a lawyer here, my brother's best friend and a very fucking smart guy, and he basically said I was screwed. They can just keep my stuff and get away with it. I was fucking ballistic.

Utterly ridiculous!

I feel your pain.

 

[Peregrinator]

Maybe the standard is just different over here. German movers actually get paid a living wage and gratuities are traditionally figured into the total bill on just about everything.

I'm sure it's different there. Cultural oddities...

Utterly ridiculous!

I feel your pain.

I'm more or less over it at this point, but every now and then it bubbles up in the middle of the night to plague me. I have fantasies of firebombs...

 

[VintagePearls]

I've moved every year, at least once a year, and I have a lot of big crap to haul around, so I tip well. I always go with the same company, and they treat me right. I also always make sure I've got an ice chest full of gatorade, and water, and that the pizza arrives around noon. AND if they know there might be some clevage around they try not to fart in your house!

 

[LotusDreamer]

This reminds of something that happened a buncha years ago. A moving company
must have had a fallin' out with the customer, or the movers had a problem with
their employers, because they parked a truck full of furniture on the street and
flipped up the door and walked away.

Seriously.

 

[Peregrinator]

This reminds of something that happened a buncha years ago. A moving company
must have had a fallin' out with the customer, or the movers had a problem with
their employers, because they parked a truck full of furniture on the street and
flipped up the door and walked away.

Seriously.

Shit. Depending on the neighborhood, that could be a real problem.

 

[Not Normal]

I'm more or less over it at this point, but every now and then it bubbles up in the middle of the night to plague me. I have fantasies of firebombs...

I'm pretty much in the same boat. Then something like this thread pops up and the wound is opened right up!

 

[Peregrinator]

I'm pretty much in the same boat. Then something like this thread pops up and the wound is opened right up!

Exactly. Never again.

 

[LotusDreamer]

Shit. Depending on the neighborhood, that could be a real problem.

The truck was empty in an hour.

 

[TurdFergeson]

Moving tippers?

Either way sounds dangerous

 

[Peregrinator]

The truck was empty in an hour.

Ah, New York. Bless the world's most interesting nuisance.

 

[Sean]

I drove a removal truck for a couple of years. Hard work and shitty pay. Anyone that didn't tip usually found strange smells coming from the carpet in their bathroom later.

 

[Cratchit]

So let me put my two cents in.

I do currently work for a moving company. I would say most people dont know or think to tip us, and thats ok. I still do my job to the best whether i think i will get tipped or not. Also, i wouldnt say there is a standard tip amount. It depends on how well you think i did, and how much i moved. I have gotten $5 tips and well... lets just say over $100 tips. Mind you, those dont happen every week, but if you have a house full of antiques, it could be worth it to you. It comes down to how much does your stuff mean to you and how you felt about me hauling it.

Also, buying us lunch is considered a tip in a sense. We usually have our own drinks, particularly in this summer weather. But i dont consider someone cheap if i dont get a tip. It's everyone's personal decision.

And there are people who do see the cost of the bill and dont tip us cause its expensive. Ok, yes, it is, but thats not my fault. You shouldnt take it out on me.

Mostly, we just want to deal with customers who are easy going and relaxed.

 

[bluntforcemama]

I bought private insurance through the movers and then the insurance company referred to the freaking movers as their client even though I paid the premium and had a receipt with my name listed as "name of insured." The insurance company lawyers represented the movers and the suit took about two years before it settled.

I made me really hate the insurance industry and the legal system.

I think I might be free of that bane since the name on the receipt will be Microsoft itself, and a lot of smaller companies might not want to cross paths with a large corporation. Basically, we tell the company when we want to move and they hire the movers. I imagine it'll be a moving company they've worked with before and frequently. I'll be sure to tip, and I have very little that it breakable. The only pieces that have sentimental value to me are wooden furniture my father built for me and the lad, like the solid cherry wood crib and matching dresser, or the paduke coffee table and matching end tables. I'll be sure to tip and buy them lunch. Hopefully they'll be morally inclined.

 

[Cratchit]

i am sure they will take good care of your stuff, blunt. particularly if you mention upfront that you will buy them lunch

oh, and if you want to make their day, wear a low cut shirt

 

[bluntforcemama]

i am sure they will take good care of your stuff, blunt. particularly if you mention upfront that you will buy them lunch

oh, and if you want to make their day, wear a low cut shirt

If I could, I would hire you. Just because you seem kind and you know I might hurt you if you screw up my furniture. ;-)

 

[Cratchit]

thank you. plus i have many years (almost 8) in the business and i would treat your furniture like it was mine.

may i ask where you are moving from to? if you'd rather not say on here, maybe PM it to

and hurt me, huh? well, if that isnt motivation...

 

[Angeline]

I tipped mine $25. each BEFORE they started, they moved some items that were supposed to be my responsibility so the before thing worked out well. I also had sandwiches, chips and soda waiting at my new place.

They moved a few things around when I didn't know quite where I wanted them placed. They had the better ideas too!

Good luck with the move and in your new place.

This is what I've always done and my parents did too: tip before they start moving your furniture and have food and cold drinks for them at the new place. Nothing fancy, just cold cuts and rolls and sodas. It was always much appreciated and we never had anything lost or broken.

 

[bluntforcemama]

thank you. plus i have many years (almost 8) in the business and i would treat your furniture like it was mine.

may i ask where you are moving from to? if you'd rather not say on here, maybe PM it to

and hurt me, huh? well, if that isnt motivation...

From MT to the Seattle area. About a twelve-hour drive.

I have a water gun and I know how to use it. And a pen that shoots foam darts.