Do I tip the removal men ? and if so how much ?

9ja4life

I didn't tip them.

However, on day 1, I made a hearty breakfast and lunch for both of them before I left the house with abundant supplies of tea, coffee and biscuits.
On day 2, they had breakfast, lunch and dinner with tea and the works all day. They worked very hard I agree but I also paid lots.

It's not as if I had to shop specially to feed them. I always have a freezer full of food and a very handy slow cooker.

I and OH were at work on both days too.

Ulfar

I tip them, always use the same company who are a small local firm. I always get excellent service for what is a very tough job.

PasturesNew

I'm as tight as R Soles, but would still tip £20 or so.

I don't tip most people.... e.g. taxis, meals.... just removals men and hairdressers.

DRP

pacific4130 wrote: »

They weren't comparisons, they were examples.

Many people in supermarkets do work hard for minimum wage yet no-one tips them. My (uninformed) opinion would be that a shelf stacker and a removals man are pretty much in the same socio-economic group.

The staff in my local co-op probably work the same casual part-time hours as a waitress and hence earn around the same and have the same holiday and pension etc. So should I feel duty bound to tip them too?

I'm just always amazed by the demand for tips from people in certain jobs. I think it's just an extension of the fe*kless something for nothing culture. The UK is a land of great opportunity (although some lazy beggers will disagree) if people don't like their hourly wage they can work hard to get a better job. Don't complain about a sh*te job and then hold your hand out for more!

I haven't worked hard all my life so that I can subsidise someones lack of drive and ambition to get a better job. They know the pay when they took the job... If they didn't want to do menial tasks for minimum pay they should've worked harder at school!

If we all worked hard and did well at school, would we all have highly paid jobs and loads of money? Doesn't matter how narrow your 'bell-shaped curve' is , there will always be tails to it.

Tipping someone who has worked hard for you (especially when it is physically hard work) is just a decent thing to do.

sinbad182

pacific4130 wrote: »

They weren't comparisons, they were examples.

Many people in supermarkets do work hard for minimum wage yet no-one tips them. My (uninformed) opinion would be that a shelf stacker and a removals man are pretty much in the same socio-economic group.

The staff in my local co-op probably work the same casual part-time hours as a waitress and hence earn around the same and have the same holiday and pension etc. So should I feel duty bound to tip them too?

I'm just always amazed by the demand for tips from people in certain jobs. I think it's just an extension of the fe*kless something for nothing culture. The UK is a land of great opportunity (although some lazy beggers will disagree) if people don't like their hourly wage they can work hard to get a better job. Don't complain about a sh*te job and then hold your hand out for more!

I haven't worked hard all my life so that I can subsidise someones lack of drive and ambition to get a better job. They know the pay when they took the job... If they didn't want to do menial tasks for minimum pay they should've worked harder at school!

You must be going to the wrong places if people are demanding tips from you, I can't say I've ever experienced that.

You're entitled to your view on things and don't have to explain yourself. However, your examples of people who earn a steady contracted salary in completely different job spheres, and performing day to day services are completely disingenuous and irrelevent in a discussion regarding the tipping of casual labour performing a high pressure or physical task on an occasional basis.

pollyzanna

We recently moved several times within a short time period and used the same company. During the day, the kettle's always on and we bought them soft drinks, crisps, biccies etc and fish 'n' chips for lunch and I've also done sausage sarnies for them. We also tipped them about £20 each, each time. We consider that if you keep them sweet they'll look after your stuff!

I would tend to say though, so long as you're providing cups of tea and biscuits as a minimum, they're grateful.

J_i_m

Have you ever tipped a care assistant? That can be a very demanding occupation...

To be honest, I don't I'd leave a financial tip for removal staff.. Afterall I'd be paying for a service that pays their wages.

But I would be happy to provide provision for refreshment, lunch etc during the job.

sinbad182

pacific4130 wrote: »

Sorry, removals man - high pressure?!? Raise box, lower box?

Hmmm... physically demanding task. Do you tip the road workers? They contribute to your life by keeping the roads in good condition. They work damn hard in a physical role.

So, have you ever tipped a road worker?

You seem to have trouble with comprehending the difference between receiving a direct occasional service and someone who performs a routine daily task as part of their contracted employment - of course you wouldn't tip a road worker. And I was actually referring to waiting staff, who were just discussing, when I said high pressure, and removal men when referring to physical. Actually quite odd I've had to spell this out to you, it's fairly simple logic.

Like I said, there's nothing wrong with not agreeing with tipping, but your arguments and examples for not doing it make no sense.

easy

The OP said that the removal men are coming to pack it all up, as well as just moving boxes from one place to another. That is a chuffing rotten job (I know, we did it all ourselves last time).

Yes, If the guys are polite, helpful and seem to take care over how they do the job, you should tip.
If they turn out to be rude from the start, demand tea breaks at frequent intervals, and chuck your possessions about like rubbish, then don't.

When me moved - years ago - the manager utterly under-estimated the job, and sent just 2 blokes with one lorry for our stuff. The guys worked REALLY hard from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., once their lorry was full they helped to load the overflow into our two cars (and showed their experience, no way could we have fitted it all in), and dealt calmly but firmly with our buyer who turned up early and shouty.

They had suggested knocking off at 6:00 p.m., and bringing the rest of our stuff the following morning. But as our beds and bedding had gone in the truck first (so would be last out, so we had nothing to sleep on), they stayed until well after dark (december), and got the job done for us.

£10 each was a cheap additional cost for that great service, I can tell you.

scooter_chick

I tipped mine - 3 of them £20 each. Gave it all to the head one (3x£20 notes). Seemed easier than running up to each of them. He made a point of telling the others in front of me.

And lots of cold drinks all day (it was summer. no one needed the kettle on).

And they certainly earned it all.