Home Swimming Pools: A Care and Maintenance Guide

Is Tipping Your Movers A Good Move?

4 August 2015

Ruben Franklin

When you go out to eat, chances are you'd think nothing of tipping the wait staff for exceptional service. If you take a cab to the airport, you may even tip the driver for getting there safely and on time. So it's no surprise that you'd want to tip your movers for job well done. The following goes in-depth about how and when you should tip your movers, as well as other alternatives you can use.

It's Not Mandatory, But It's Always Welcome

Tipping is such a prevalent part of today's society that it becomes second nature. Many people even assume that tipping is mandatory. However, tipping your movers is completely voluntary - it's up to you to decide whether or not you want to reward the moving crew for packing and moving your valuables in the most efficient manner possible.

The decision to tip relies on a number of factors, including the crew's overall performance, your own personal satisfaction with how they performed and whether or not you're footing the bill for the move. If the move is coming out of your own pocket, then it's a good idea to include a tip. If another party is paying for the move, then you have no obligation to tip, as all expenses have already been taken care of.

The most important thing to remember about tipping movers is that you're never obligated to do so if you don't want to. After all, tips are a reward for hard work - not something that should be automatically expected. If you're ever pressured into giving a tip, you may want to report the moving company to your local Better Business Bureau and consider using a different company for all future moves.

The Percentage is Up to You

According to iTipping, a tip of 5 percent is considered the industry standard. That means you'll end up tipping $25 total for a $500 move. The tips should be split among the moving crew, which usually consists of 2 to 4 movers. Of course, you can always choose to tip at a higher percentage if you want to reward your movers for doing a spectacular job.

In short, it's up to you to decide how much you want to tip your movers. The 5-percent standard should be treated as a baseline for an ideal tipping amount. If the moving crew goes above and beyond when it comes to their services, you can up the tip to 10 percent. You could even tip as much as 20 percent if you're feeling particularly generous. If you are less than satisfied with the job, or the movers prove to be unprofessional, you can always withhold your tip.

Other Alternatives

Money isn't the only way you can tip your movers for a job well done, and some companies may even prohibit their movers from receiving monetary tips. Instead, you can provide a refreshing tip in the form of ice-cold drinks, chips and sandwiches. At the end of a hard day of work, your movers are sure to appreciate this thoughtful gesture.

In some cases, you can go above and beyond the usual tips by giving away any appliances, electronics or furniture you'd otherwise dispose of. It'll save you the time, money and effort spent searching for an official disposal site, plus your movers have an opportunity to receive an unexpected gift for their trouble.

Keep in mind that while the drinks, snacks and even an unexpected free sofa or TV is always appreciated, most movers prefer to be tipped in cash. It's a good idea to ask whether they're willing to receive tips for their hard work just in case there have to be restrictions on how they can receive them.

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