Tipping removal men

Ithaca

We moved on the hottest day of last year, and with various delays they were still going at 9pm in the evening, so we provided a few six packs of coca cola and bought a few extra pizzas from Dominos for them when we got our own tea. I think my missus also gave then £25 between five for a couple of beers each at the end of the day.

PasturesNew

LittleMax wrote: »

You and I differ on our definitions of what constitutes easy. I think you mean straightforward rather than easy. But I would even quibble with whether it's that. Having moved myself and used professional removal men, they just make it look easy!

The job is self-selecting. A weak one-armed dwarf wouldn't get through the interviews.... having got through the interviews people would at least be strong, reasonably fit and possibly tallish.

Starting with the correct attributes, after 3 months all the muscles used in the job will have been exercised and worked through the pain barrier. After that it's just lifting/carrying - and as stuff got into the house it's usually a given that it'll be able to be removed 99% of the time.

So, for anybody getting through the interview and having survived 3 months, it's then easy

If you have the strength/stamina, it's just a question of keeping going until the end of the day!

HappyMJ

littlegreenfrog wrote: »

Actually this practice is illegal.

It's illegal to not pay NMW that is correct but an employer can rely on service charges which most of us would consider another word for tips to ensure the employee gets NMW. They don't have to pay the service charges to the employee on top of NMW.

Would you pay a 10-20% service charge on a bill thinking it's a tip and going to be distributed on top of their wages and only to the waiting staff (it's actually distributed amongst all restaurant staff including the manager and makes up NMW) and then pay another 10-20% cash tip to your server as well? I certainly wouldn't.

It's poor practice and the media is exposing as many companies as they can and forcing them to change their practices.

greensalad

When we moved I "tipped" them with as much cup of tea as they wanted and bacon sarnies when they were done.

LittleMax

PasturesNew wrote: »

The job is self-selecting. A weak one-armed dwarf wouldn't get through the interviews.... having got through the interviews people would at least be strong, reasonably fit and possibly tallish.

Starting with the correct attributes, after 3 months all the muscles used in the job will have been exercised and worked through the pain barrier. After that it's just lifting/carrying - and as stuff got into the house it's usually a given that it'll be able to be removed 99% of the time.

So, for anybody getting through the interview and having survived 3 months, it's then easy

If you have the strength/stamina, it's just a question of keeping going until the end of the day!

There are plenty would disagree http://www.ajstephensonremovals.co.uk/news-blog/item/can-you-deliver-a-quality-removal-service-with-unskilled-removal-men

AndyBSG

PasturesNew wrote: »

Generally, they do all right. They get paid well, the work's easy to do.

I did a spot of removal work a few years ago.

I got paid peanuts, barely above minimum wage so if they're doing well for themselves nowadays I was either being ripped off or things have improved in that industry

The work was back breaking. I was physically exhausted at the end of most days, working 6 days a week and although I managed short term I can't see it being good for you in the long run.

When I moved last year I had two removal men and I provided them with a decent lunch and a tenner each.

hazyjo

God yeah, I always tip them. They do an amazing job. It's not new Americanisms - it's old fashioned British. My dear ol' (now gone) dad would have done the same thing back in the '70s - 'here, have a drink, gov'nor'. It was always the done thing with any tradespeople.


I think I gave around £40-50 for 3 of them.


And yes, they did go above and beyond (and their quote had been much lower than others). My sofa wouldn't fit in my new house. They cut the lining at the bottom, unbolted it all, and sealed it back up, and dismantled and reassembled my slatted bedframe. I've used them a few times before and have always been very pleased.


Jx

dc197

If the guys do a good job on something that you could not do yourself (e.g. bad back so can't lift), why not tip? If the guys do a good job and you are pleased with the result, or they go the extra mile, why not tip?


I tipped the John Lewis man who delivered my new mattress because he took away the old one without demanding that I phone head office to book and pay for its collection. I gave £10.

I tipped the man who delivered some furniture because he carried it upstairs for me when he was only supposed to deliver to the ground floor. I gave £5.

I tipped the carpet fitters because they did a smart job and finished quickly. I gave 2 x £10.