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Original poster

Do you tip the removals guys who also do a whole day packing - and how much?

35 replies

beaglesaresweet · 21/06/2014 19:29

I think I should do, lots of stuff to pack, and then they move but no unpacking next day, also some furniture assembly.
There's for of them on day one and fewer next day. I've read on here that people give 20 pounds to each guy - but when it's four, it does add up a bit! I'm paying very high cost for the 2 day move, long-ish distance, so I hope they aer getting a lot from that (not juts the boss).

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Original poster
beaglesaresweet · 21/06/2014 19:30

there's FOUR of them

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TarkaTheOtter · 21/06/2014 19:31

We tipped £20/€20 a head. Ended up having a lot of people to tip because was a complicated international move. Difference was, it was a corporate move so we weren't paying except for the tip.

jaynebxl · 21/06/2014 19:31

I'm sure a tenner each and a constant supplybof tea and cake or ice lollies would be fine.

TarkaTheOtter · 21/06/2014 19:33

Yes make sure you have tea/coffee/biscuits available at both ends. They were unimpressed that we weren't able to make tea before they had unpacked kettle and cups.

dietcokeandcadburys · 21/06/2014 19:41

Beer?

SaltySeaBird · 21/06/2014 19:47

No packing / unassenbly of furniture and we tipped three guys £10 each plus they had lots of tea / coffee / cake / bottles of water. They arrived at 9 am and left the new house at 2pm so half a days work.

Found out afterwards they had broken a couple of things and a couple of bits of furniture were badly scratched. Spoke to the company and they asked for proof the stuff wasn't in that condition prior to move. We didn't pursue it but I did begrudge the tip that evening partly as had no spare cash or money for a much needed takeaway and had to eat pot noodles unearthed in the move instead

nottheparrot · 21/06/2014 21:01

We'd read that it's best to tip them before they start! So we did - there were 5 of them, packing and moving. We gave them £20 each (plus the usual tea, biscuits etc). The whole thing went like a dream - nothing damaged and they were so cheerful and accommodating. (It probably helped that it was a Friday and we were moving to a bungalow!)

Lucylouby · 21/06/2014 21:25

DH tipped the removal men when we moved. DH had been at work all day and I had sorted the move myself. I was livid when I found out. They had flooded the kitchen, walked on all the cream carpets at the old house with muddy, wet boots and generally were very slow. There was a hold up getting into the new house as the removal company (they were using the sAme firm) turned up three hours late and then walked wet muddy boots through that house too.

As they brought our stuff into the new house they put floor protectors down. Why couldn't they have done that to start with in the old house.

I would have willingly tipped them for good service, maybe about £10 each, but was annoyed they were paid extra for causing me so many problems.

Original poster
beaglesaresweet · 21/06/2014 23:39

thank you for all replies!
Yes, will have plenty of tea, must get bisquits, but I hope water from tap will be fine - can face carrying all the bottles in when I have a mountain of things to do before they arrive.
Yes, I do wonder, whether tipping in advance is wise, parrot. I was thinking of 10 each - not sure if that will cheer them up, or will seem too little..
Tarka - I can't do that! how do they expect htis to happen if I get the keys same day as they take the lorry to the new place, and they will be there before me going by train! I def wouldn't have the time to shop for tea there before 2-3pm - any later start, and they will charge waiver for late start. I will ask them to remember where they put the kettle and tea and to unpack that first.
Beer - haha, not to drink while working, I hope!

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Original poster
beaglesaresweet · 21/06/2014 23:52

Lucy, they don't sound like a good company - were they very cheap?

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MrsMaturin · 21/06/2014 23:52

You need a lot of sugar for the tea too. We gave ours beer at the end. They seemed happy enough.

Original poster
beaglesaresweet · 22/06/2014 00:16

Mrs, do you mean a beer bottle each? I have a couple of bottles of cider Grin

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Original poster
beaglesaresweet · 22/06/2014 00:16

yes, must remember sugar (I rarely use it).

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wonkylegs · 22/06/2014 09:40

We bought ours a small crate of beer each to take home, tea/water all day long.
It was a hot 2 day move, 3 lorries, 3 guys, the only damage sustained was to their own van when they caught a wing mirror on a gatepost.
I couldn't watch them move the piano I was so worried but it was all good.

JassyRadlett · 22/06/2014 09:46

Don't pack the tea making stuff!! Put it in a bag or basket (we used laundry basket) in the car along with other Day 1 things (cleaning products, change of clothes, bedding, pyjamas, can't-live-without toys). That way you can shove the kettle on as soon as you arrive at the new place.

We tipped our 3 blokes £20 each, they were brilliant and did pack/un assemble/move/reassemble and were generally cheerful, friendly and efficient.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 22/06/2014 15:45

One thing we did that was really appreciated was to get our removers fish and chips if they were there at lunchtime. We did tip them too - £20 each, I think, but I might be wrong.

Original poster
beaglesaresweet · 22/06/2014 17:32

thanks all - will use the various tips.

I'm now dreading that they won't be able to pack in one day - there is a lot of stuff! It's 4 guys but they also need to take two wardrobes apart and do some carrying of boxes to lorry. On day two they wqill only have 1.5hrs before they need to leave to new destination, and they will have to pack the very heavy bed (some un-assembly) and remaining stuff, and I assume the furniture (not too much, but some heavy).

What happens if htey run out of time? Did this happen to anyone? would they carry on on day three then without charging extra? As I mentioned, I am paying a lot for the two days (incl driving for 2.5-3hrs). They said the waiver will only apply after 2-3pm if I can't get the keys - but if the delauy on their side, what happens?

sorry for rambling, getting stressed! Confused

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TarkaTheOtter · 22/06/2014 19:07

They are so fast, I doubt it will be an issue. I think they quite for the amount of stuff, not the time it will take so if it takes too long that's their problem.

Original poster
beaglesaresweet · 22/06/2014 19:48

I hope so, Tarka, but I can't imagine how they will have hte energy, never mind time, to pack lots of stuff, pack and carry many books (heavy), to load some awkward/heavy furniture, dismantling - all in one day and just an hour or so next day!?! I mean these guys either have unbelievable stamina, or they will run late..But good to know that it's 'their problem' in this case, no extra charges. I wouldn't mind if they finish the move on day three of course.

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VeryPunny · 22/06/2014 20:40

We tipped £20/head, and gave it to the foreman at the end of the first day to distribute as there were some blokes who only did one of the two days. Keeps them sweet for day two (ours packed one day and moved the next) and you know by then if they are any good or not.

Original poster
beaglesaresweet · 22/06/2014 20:48

yes, Very, that's what I'm thinking of doing - also moving on day two. I wonder when did they arrive in your new place on moving day? presumable still doing some work in the old house in the morning.

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Hanginggardenofboobylon · 22/06/2014 21:07

Yet again MN tells me I ought to be doing something it never occurred to me to! I will add it to the list of Christmas tips for the post/bin man and not having a loo brush

RainbowsStars · 22/06/2014 21:19

We have never tipped them because they are doing their job that they are paid for. Yes, they are offering a service but so is your GP/child's teacher etc etc and you don't tip them £20 a day do you?

IKnowaMouse · 22/06/2014 21:24

We went over time and I am pretty sure the reason they didn't charge us more was because we tipped them.

NotCitrus · 22/06/2014 21:28

Our guys refused to accept cash but as they had worked 3 hours extra and generally been wonderful we persuaded them to take a crate of beer between them (4 guys and a fifth who had helped pack and load then gone elsewhere). Started at 7am, left at 8pm!

We kept out the kettle, old mugs, tea, sugar, milk, and a couple packets of biscuits.

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