There isn't an obligation to tip movers, but Apartment Guide found that almost three-fourths of people tip the teams that help them move. Tipping is usually a straightforward exercise, but it becomes a little trickier when multiple teams of individuals are assisting you -- and they're in different locations. If you're moving across the country, or at least a few states, here are five tips on tipping long distance movers.
Consider Non-Cash Compensation
When tipping long-distance movers, you don't need to think in only monetary terms. Most people who tip provide money, but food and drinks are also often appreciated. After all, movers aren't working in a facility where there's lots of foods and beverages, like waiters and waitresses do. Instead, movers are doing manual labor, often in cold or hot weather. A cool lemonade on a hot day or a nice cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day is both appreciated and an inexpensive way to show you're thankful.
Give Monetary Tips in Cash
If you're one of the many people who want to provide a monetary tip, give your tip in cash. Cash isn't used as often as it used to be, but it remains the perfect way to give someone a little extra money for their work.
When tipping in cash, you don't have to worry about calculating the amount you'll tip beforehand, and your movers don't have to worry about going to the bank to deposit a check. Just keep a variety of bills on your person the day of your move, and give the tip that you believe is appropriate when the work is done.
Tips Each Crew That Helps You
Long distance moves are different from local moves, because long distance moves involve two moving crews. One crew loads your stuff into the moving truck, and another crew unloads it once the truck arrives at your new home. Thus, there are two crews to tip.
Once you decide how much to tip in total, divide that amount by two so that each crew receives their share of the tip. You'll have to give each crew their portion separately, because the crew that loads your stuff likely won't know the people who unload it (and visa-versa). Thus, you can't give the entire tip to the first crew and ask them to send half of it to the second. They won't know where to send it.
Vary Tips Based on Service
If the two crews who help you provide different levels of service, don't be afraid to tip them differently. This is the purpose of a tip -- to show gratuity based on the level of service provided. If one team does a much better job taking care of your stuff than the other, the team that did a good job deserves to get a little extra.
Importantly, you can tip each team a different amount without worrying about people finding out. Because the two teams don't know each other, they won't know they received different amounts.
Don't Tip the Truck Driver
You don't need to worry about tipping the truck driver who transports your belongings from your current residence to your new one. They aren't part of either moving crew, and they don't personally handle your belongings. They simply drive the cab that's connected to the trailer holding your belongings. It's the moving crews that are actually handling your possessions.
Moreover, truck drivers' salaries aren't set up with tipping in mind. Truck drivers are paid good wages. Long haul truck drivers -- the ones who take loads across states and might be moving your belongings -- can earn up to $75,000 annually.
When you're ready for your move, reach out to someone at a place like Midwest Moving & Storage, Inc.
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