What’s the SDMB on tipping movers? I’ve read literally 20 different suggestions on 20 different sites.
I wouldn’t.
Some of the info here might be helpful.
FWIW, I’ve never heard of tipping movers, and I live in a very tip-happy area. Last time I moved, I did not tip them, but then I had only a small apartment-full of stuff. (ETA: And it was a local move.)
I used pros for my last move, and we ended up tipping $60 for three guys ($20 each) on top of the ~$300 they charged us for the move itself.
That said, we mostly tipped because they went above and beyond. They had quoted us the rate for two guys and only charged us as if there were two guys, but they ended up bringing the third guy along since he was new and learning the ropes. Given that the extra pair of hands really sped up the process (and we were paying by the hour), it only seemed fair.
It was a hot day and these guys worked their butts off. It was the least we could do, since there weren’t any cold beers in the fridge to offer instead.
We did a local move 5 years ago. We had the movers pack one day (no time to do it ourselves); 3 guys; I think we tipped them 30 dollars apiece. The next day (the actual moving day) we had 4 movers (I don’t recall if the 3 from the day before were all there the second day). We tipped them 40 dollars apiece and bought them lunch and drinks. So, all in all, about 250 total.
IIRC our total moving bill was about 2500 so that wound up being 10% of the total bill. The guys did a decent job and having pros do the work made our move a hell of a lot easier, so it was worth it. In fact in hindsight, the move took less time than the original estimate (and therefore cost less) so I wonder if I should have tipped more!
We tipped the 3 movers that we had for a local move about $30 apiece (IIRC). We were moving from the 3rd floor to a 3-story townhouse and it took them 6 hours to complete the move. We figured that’s $5/hour on top of whatever the moving company gives them, and that seemed reasonable to us, especially since they did a really good job, didn’t break anything, and checked with us on every item to see if it was in the right room and in the right place. I think the total of all 3 tips was somewhere around 15% of the total bill.
Last time I moved, I used guys from the Uhaul find a helper site. I hired them for three or four hours but the move really took four or five (can’t remember) so I gave them an extra hundred. I think after their rate, it was like $20 or $30 extra apiece but it was a father/adorably sullen goth kid duo so I don’t know how the money got split up. Oh, and I gave the kid my extra copy of the Venture Brothers on DVD.
Even without the overage, I figured I’d tip them at least $20 each for being nice and helpful guys.
I tipped $40 each for the 3 guys who moved me in Dec. They did excellent work and went above the call of duty for my damn couch.
The last time we moved was the first time we used professional movers. We tipped $40 per mover. We had 5 movers on a $1600 move. Local, about 8 blocks, three bedroom apartment to 3 bedroom condo. Second floor + basement storage to second & third floors + basement storage. They did a fantastic, careful, courteous and reasonably quick job on a very hot July day.
Two moves ago, I tipped the movers fifty bucks ($25 each) – they did a very good, fast, efficient job.
Last move, I tipped the movers jack shit, and called the moving company the next day and demanded they knock a couple hundred bucks off the bill. The two slackers they sent over wound up taking double the estimated time.
I’ve always tipped movers who’ve done a good job between $20-30 each.
Way back in the day, when I worked for a moving company in the summer, I’d say most of the people tipped us. Sometimes just with a six-pack.
Thanks, guys. I have three movers coming, but it’s a lot of HEAVY stuff (about 30 boxes of books, about 2000 vinyl records in manageable boxes, plus furniture, etc.) and each place is a walk-up (no elevator). I’m planning on having $20 per guy cash on-hand if they do a bang-up job.
When I moved into my current apartment in August 2005, I tipped the movers (four of them) $40. I would have given more if there hadn’t been an unexpected charge for wrapping my TV and my computer monitor (the lead worker insisted that they had to be wrapped in blankets for liability reasons).
I had been planning to donate a desk that wouldn’t fit in my new apartment, but I couldn’t arrange for Goodwill to pick it up before the move date. The lead worker admired it so much that I gave it to him as an extra tip. It saved me an appointment with Goodwill and made me feel a little better about the meager cash tip. 
Oh, just FYI, it’s not a bad idea to have bottled water on hand for the movers. The workers who handled my move were very grateful that I could offer them something to drink.
EUR 100 between 4 movers last year. They did a great job getting a few undismantled IKEA cupboards up the stairs, and into one of the bedrooms. It worked out only just, with millimeters to spare. Saved me an assload of assembly work though, so kudos, tip well earned.
Oh, that’s roughly $150, BTW.
The last time we moved, we tipped $50 per mover (3, IIRC), because there was a lot of heavy furniture and twisty stairs. They were stunned, so perhaps they were accustomed to less.
I was a delivery co-ordinator last year. On a daily basis I talked with my moving boys, delivering with them less frequently.
If you are going to tip moving or delivery (or any home “service”) people, it is most efficient if you do it beforehand. An upfront tip, or an allusion to it, will ensure they take that extra special care with your furniture (or whatever it may be). Delivering furniture really does suck. A simple, “would you like a glass of water” is enough to ensure the delivery boys take a few extra moments maneuvering their way around tight corners. Also, if you ever have to deal with the person/people again, trust me, they remember and will strive to please you - again hoping for that tip.
I only worked as the co-ordinator for a year, but we had several repeat customers in that time. Some customers, the boys, I know, did everything they could to please. Some customers, the boys, I know, did everything they could to piss off.
Ok, thinking it over, new advice. Upon first arrival of delivery/service staff offer something polite - a glass of water or coffee. Chat with them pleasantly, then piss off and let them work. Delivery staff HATE being watched. The only thing you can do to help is get yourself and your stuff out of their way. Once you have inspected their work, tip accordingly. A simple $5 tip is good enough for a simple delivery. For deliveries where the guys are sweating up a storm, $10-$20 will make any delivery lad happy.
(Most my guys ever got was $100 each. It was a two guys and they filled an empty house with solid-wood furniture totaling $32,000 in value. She also cooked them dinner.)
Are the movers black?
You may also want to have cold beverages on hand for them in addition to the tip you have in mind – Gatorade and water (no beer, of course). It might make their day, especially since they’re doing a lot of heavy lifting.
When my daughter moved to another state, we gave the movers $50 (two guys) after they’d packed everything up. I offered them cold water when they first arrived, which they turned down. After a few minutes, I told them I was going to Sonic, could I get them a Slush? Turns out they hadn’t eaten (at 3 PM), and wanted to pay for some food. I wouldn’t let them pay, and got them fries in addition to the burger and hot dogs they wanted. They were quick and careful.