Tipping Delivery Drivers

ThemeOne

Over the coming months, I'll be having some heavy items (white goods etc) delivered to a third floor flat with no lift.

I know some retailers (ao.com for example) ask how high up you are and whether there's a lift when you place the order, so at least they'll be aware of having to carry items up three floors.

Is it usual or expected to offer the delivery men a tip for their efforts in this situation?

sarah1972

ThemeOne wrote: »

Over the coming months, I'll be having some heavy items (white goods etc) delivered to a third floor flat with no lift.

I know some retailers (ao.com for example) ask how high up you are and whether there's a lift when you place the order, so at least they'll be aware of having to carry items up three floors.

Is it usual or expected to offer the delivery men a tip for their efforts in this situation?

I would be aware that some companies don’t ask before hand and will only do kerb side delivery. My friend lives in a house and wanted her new fridge carrying through the front door along her corridor to the kitchen and they refused saying that they could only do kerb side delivery as they are not insured to go into properties! (currys)
I had a barbecue delivered in the summer from Homebase and I asked them if they could just pop it into the garage door and they refused saying it’s to the front door only.

Sorry that doesn’t answer your question about tipping but just a heads up 😜

sleepymans

My OH worked for 10 years as a delivery driver. He wasn't well paid and tried hard to ensure customer satisfaction. On the very rare occasions that customers tipped hm or offered him a cup of coffee or bar of chocolate, it made his day.
Small gestures mean a lot.

Nick_C

I don't think it's expected anymore. And HGV drivers are very well paid.

I moved house three years ago, and the removal men looked surprised when I tipped them

no1catman

Depends what you paid for, if you paid for installation as well as delivery. Then Currys etc would bring the appliance into the kitchen (take away the old one if required) plug it in, give you a quick run through of what to do, and take away the packageing.
If you just paid for delivery - that's what they would do - it's all factored in with their time allowance for each job.

jenniewb

My dad did a short stint for a delivery service, it was tied to a retailer rather than a courier service but he was banned from taking tips and apparently if he took a tip and it was found out, he'd risk his job and would have a disciplinary mark against his name. Be aware that not all staff who have those rules in their contract will remember and could end up getting themselves in trouble if they tell someone else and unwittingly sign their own P45. Check with the company themselves first!

pinkladyvenus

.....offered him a cup of coffee or bar of chocolate, it made his day.
Small gestures mean a lot. posted by sleepymans

I agree with sleepymans, my friends OH always said it was the small gestures of coffee and cake that made him feel appreciated for what he had done, rather than a money tip (he was a removal man)

DCFC79

Some employers ask that the employees refuse any money and suggest its donated to a charity but if you go with a coffee/tea and cake you will be fine.