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Do you tip piano movers?

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Member
Dec 4, 2006
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Do you tip piano movers?

Braymore will be moving my piano (5'8" baby grand), I wonder do you tip the movers? There would be 3 of them. If tip is neccessary how much? Some people say that providing drinks and a slice pizza suffices.

Thanks
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Deal Guru
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Mar 23, 2008
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Usually when I've had appliance movers or people of that sort in, I buy a $25 Tim's card and give it to the "senior" guy. Then they can go on their break at their convenience.

C
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Dec 27, 2009
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I normally tip anyone who does heavy lifting for me. For movers we usually provide drinks/food plus a cash tip. For just one item (piano), I would assume a cash tip would be fine.
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Dec 26, 2005
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Tip them if you want, whatever you want. Or play them a nice song.

I did tip mine when they moved my piano... probably $20

bjl
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Sr. Member
Jan 13, 2007
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Toronto, Ontario
Having hired piano movers in the past to move an upright grand, yes they do expect tip. I concur that for a standard move ~$20 would be sufficient.
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Feb 4, 2010
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If you're paying someone for a service they've agreed to do, I don't understand why they need to tipped for doing their job. If it's hard work, they charge appropriately so they're not relying on tips.
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Feb 23, 2015
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hierophant wrote: If you're paying someone for a service they've agreed to do, I don't understand why they need to tipped for doing their job. If it's hard work, they charge appropriately so they're not relying on tips.
I agree with this. However I may still offer to do a timmies run for them and buy them like a coffee each plus timbits.
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hierophant wrote: If you're paying someone for a service they've agreed to do, I don't understand why they need to tipped for doing their job. If it's hard work, they charge appropriately so they're not relying on tips.
The same could be said for any job that gets tips... Server, hairdresser, etc. Feel free to not tip if that's what you want to do, though.

C
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Feb 4, 2010
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CNeufeld wrote: The same could be said for any job that gets tips... Server, hairdresser, etc. Feel free to not tip if that's what you want to do, though.

C
I feel the same way about any job but I feel obligated to tip them even though I don't want to because that's become a cultural norm that's expected and relied upon.
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hierophant wrote: I feel the same way about any job but I feel obligated to tip them even though I don't want to because that's become a cultural norm that's expected and relied upon.
So you'd rather tip a waitress who brings you a beer, vs someone who moves your freaking piano? Makes sense to me...

C
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Feb 4, 2010
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CNeufeld wrote: So you'd rather tip a waitress who brings you a beer, vs someone who moves your freaking piano? Makes sense to me...

C
Ummm no that's not what I said and not sure why you want to derail the thread.
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Jun 26, 2011
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hierophant wrote: If you're paying someone for a service they've agreed to do, I don't understand why they need to tipped for doing their job. If it's hard work, they charge appropriately so they're not relying on tips.
You pay for the services to move, but some days it's just super hot, or the stairs in your house is more angled and the move isn't as easy, etc - that to me deserves something extra. There's always a 'chance' at damage when you move anything at all, so if they've managed to move my piano without damaging anything, that deserves a little extra. Plus some of the guys doing the heavy lifting aren't young guys.

If it's just moving one thing and the guys charge by the hour, see how much they charge. Ie. they spent 2 hours moving but have min. charge 3 hours - no need to tip extra then. If they spent a bit over 2 hours moving but charged 2 hours - tip would be the nice thing to do.
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hierophant wrote: Ummm no that's not what I said and not sure why you want to derail the thread.
You said that you feel obligated to tip a waitress or hairdresser because of cultural norms. But you wouldn't tip a piano mover (the topic of this entire thread) because since "If it's hard work, they charge appropriately so they're not relying on tips." (quoted from your post). Yet everyone in this thread besides you has suggested that they would tip, so apparently it is a cultural norm (within this limited data set) to tip people moving pianos as well.

Not sure why you wanted to derail the thread with comments about how industries should charge enough to not need tips. Sometimes it's not about need... It's about expressing appreciation. The guys getting free coffee or donuts don't (most likely) NEED those donuts. It's a matter of saying "Hey, thanks for this!"

Just my $0.02...

C
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hierophant wrote: If you're paying someone for a service they've agreed to do, I don't understand why they need to tipped for doing their job. If it's hard work, they charge appropriately so they're not relying on tips.
The people actually doing the work aren't getting paid that much for backbreaking work (unless it is the owner of the company). I always tip movers. They do a hard/shitty job I wouldn't want to do and they don't make a load of money.
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Dec 26, 2005
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hierophant wrote: I feel the same way about any job but I feel obligated to tip them even though I don't want to because that's become a cultural norm that's expected and relied upon.
Say that to your boss when the company offers you the annual bonus or Christmas bonus.

bjl
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Deal Guru
Jan 25, 2007
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Paris
Every contractor or mover that enters your home to perform work should be offered at MINIMUM water. Even selling I would say 40-50% offer me a drink. Much more common with older folks and immigrants (Asian, Greek, Irish, doesnt matter. Folks who weren’t born in Canada for whatever reason force water on me :)
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Mar 31, 2008
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Tip $20 and tell them to go buy some coffee. They'll appreciate it. Maybe with the 3 of them, and it's a larger piano, $25 is good. Supplying sugary drinks would probably be appreciated (c-plus or something). Just curious what the cost is to move a baby grand?
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Aug 2, 2004
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Jerico wrote: Folks who weren’t born in Canada for whatever reason force water on me :)
I’m born here and I would offer you a drink, it’s common courtesy.
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Mar 14, 2006
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I always tip delivery ppl eg appliance, home renovation stuff..etc
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Jan 25, 2007
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Gee wrote: I’m born here and I would offer you a drink, it’s common courtesy.
I’m not saying you wouldn’t, I’m saying the pattern I noticed is the most likely too are immigrants and old folks. Not every immigrant does, and not every 30-40 something does not.

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