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Original poster

Quick advice pls - do you tip removal men???

14 replies

MawkishHawk · 02/12/2020 10:09

Moving today - now! - and DP has sod off to work the devil. Just me supervising 2 removal men and I have some health issues so can’t really do much.

When they arrived they were expecting furniture only no boxes - communication error on the video call I think - I had meant furniture MUST go and then could we fill up the van with some boxes but don’t worry if not all boxes fit in smaller van (as we haven’t got to hand the keys back here for a while so can do car trips for boxes as needed). Guy said he’d need to charge extra for boxes, I said fair enough let me know. Now 1.5h in to loading and about half way through I think, he said, no he won’t charge extra for boxes, as I am already paying £200 more + street parking as they couldn’t fit the van down the alley behind our flat - this does mean they have extra far to walk from flat to van tho. BUT he hinted heavily I could tip if I want!

Do you tip in these circumstances? Never had removal men before!

OP posts:
YellowandGreenToBeSeen · 02/12/2020 10:13

I did when I moved last year. £100 tip between 4 of them but gave it to the Boss to divvy up. Also provides lunch of sandwiches and crisps, drinks ans bought them a beer each. It was a long day and they worked bloody hard. They also put open wardrobes up / remade the bed at my now home so it was worth it.

edwinbear · 02/12/2020 10:15

I've always tipped removal men, but I've used the same firm for the last 3 moves, they do a fantastic job and work very hard. I think it's expected and if there has been a misunderstanding over the quote, that's not down to the people doing the work. If you're not happy with the service though, you're not obliged to. Maybe see how the rest of the move goes before deciding?

LikeSilentRaindrops · 02/12/2020 10:19

I gave lunch, on tap tea, loads of biscuits and then a pack of beer each at the end of the day - they seemed happy!

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Vargas · 02/12/2020 10:26

Yes but can't remember how much, £20 each?

dubyalass · 02/12/2020 10:27

I didn't tip but I am using the same company for storage (originally intended to be just a few months, has turned into nearly two years because of a change in my circs). However, I did make them teas and coffees, bought lunch and snacks and had everything ready to go. I will also use them when I buy my next place, and will remember to tip then.

They said they'd done a job a few days before where the family had just gone out - nothing was packed, washing up still in the sink - and expected the removal men to do everything, despite them not having paid for that service. Apparently it happens quite often.

Mariebarrone · 02/12/2020 10:29

Tipped £20 each, provided subway platter lunch and endless teas and coffees. They did a fantastic job - this was Britannia Removals.

BringMeThatHorizon · 02/12/2020 10:29

I didn't. I offered tea and biscuits but they refused and were so quick - they just came in and cleared the house in about half an hour and were gone. Same at the other end - swooped in, unloaded quicker and more efficiently than I thought was possible and were gone.

Timeforabiscuit · 02/12/2020 10:30

I tipped (£20 each I think) and got them a Gregg's lunch.

Chottie · 02/12/2020 10:30

@YellowandGreenToBeSeen

I did when I moved last year. £100 tip between 4 of them but gave it to the Boss to divvy up. Also provides lunch of sandwiches and crisps, drinks ans bought them a beer each. It was a long day and they worked bloody hard. They also put open wardrobes up / remade the bed at my now home so it was worth it.
^

I would do this too. It certainly helps move day go smoothly :)

Original poster
MawkishHawk · 02/12/2020 10:31

We had everything ready to go and labelled what is what etc

Ok I’ve found our emergency cash so have got £25 each for them, I’ll give them that at the end. Can’t offer food & drink unfortunately but I’ll offer to buy them something from Greggs before we set off if they like, only place by here! They have their own drinks anyway. Covid innit.

Thanks vipers!

OP posts:
chipsandpeas · 02/12/2020 10:33

i dont think i did, it was a very short move and took about 1 hr to pack the van then unload it at my new house and think they only took my bed upstairs

Original poster
MawkishHawk · 02/12/2020 10:47

They said they'd done a job a few days before where the family had just gone out - nothing was packed, washing up still in the sink - and expected the removal men to do everything, despite them not having paid for that service. Apparently it happens quite often.
Bloody hell @dubyalass just clocked what you meant, they hadn’t even packed and not ordered packing service??? And they left them to it? Did the removal men not just turn around keep the deposit and refuse?!?

OP posts:
dubyalass · 02/12/2020 10:59

Exactly that! They were really shocked. No packing service ordered, just a house in total disarray to deal with.

I can't remember if he said they just got on with it, or if they refused. But it came up because they were pleased by the fact that all my stuff was packed and ready to go - I expressed surprise that it would be any other way - and that's when they told me about all the times when they've had situations like the one above, or people who only start packing when the removal men turn up, that sort of thing.

The company owner is the type of bloke to just roll up his sleeves and get on with it, but I don't know if he would have told them he was charging them for it - I hope so, and I hope they would have paid.

Original poster
MawkishHawk · 02/12/2020 11:23

That is proper cheeky fuckery.

Well nearly 3 hours in and think we’re nearly there. There’s only 2 of them and it’s a walk to the van so taking longer than it should I guess.

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