Successful moving overseas is practically impossible without the help of a skilled and experienced relocation team – but are you supposed to tip movers for the job well done, or is paying billed costs enough? If you’re moving internationally soon, this blog will help you learn everything you need to know about proper tipping etiquette.
You are supposed to tip movers, but only when you’re satisfied with their work. International moves are the hardest, and it is always nice to show appetition when workers show high levels of effort and competence. Since overseas relocation implies working with two teams, keep in mind that you’ll have to provide bonuses on both ends. As for the sum, it’s always best to choose a flat-rate solution and provide bonuses regarding hours worked.
Great Distance, Long Hours, Difficult Logistics – Reasons Why Getting Professionals Is Necessary
While hiring professionals is optional during the local and even cross-country move, it is often inevitable when it comes to international ones. Complex logistics, dealing with excise and customs, or shipping a car overseas are far from simple tasks and can be a lot to handle, even if you’re not moving out for the first time and already have some relocation experience.
Not only that, but sometimes foreign customs will demand an international moving company to vouch for the items packed, so they must be the ones handling your goods – that’s when getting packing services will be mandatory. Therefore, if you plan to live in another country, count that you’ll need movers’ assistance to make that plan come to life.
Do You Tip Moving Companies at All, or Should You Solely Pay Relocation Costs?
Aside from being unavoidable, movers’ assistance can positively impact your anxiety levels and help you reduce the amount of relocation stress you’re feeling before the move – if they do their job right. With countless benefits of hiring an international relocation team, it’s only natural to consider tips as a way of showing gratitude.
However, it is no secret that a move across the world can get pretty expensive, even if you opt for the more affordable move by sea. Those relocating on a low budget often look left and right for ways to save money for necessary services, supplies, and travel expenses, leaving the tipping out of their relocation to-do list. It’s understandable reasoning. However, if you’re relocating on limited resources and can’t afford to tip each mover separately, find other ways to show them their assistance is recognized and appreciated.
How to Determine if the Service Provided Is Worth Tipping?
How can you differentiate a good service from a lousy one? Workers that deserve bonuses for their effort will:
- Show utmost professionalism,
- Be punctual and efficient,
- Show effort to bring your move to success,
- Start the job as soon as possible and not take breaks one after another,
- Be prepared to face any unpredictable difficulties (bad weather, for example),
- Be kind and respectful,
- Answer all of your questions and provide you with all the necessary information, including which items movers won’t move,
- Know all the relocation hacks concerning the most challenging tasks, like packing fragile items or even relocating a piano, if it is required,
- Communicate well with you and one another,
- Know how to pack all of the belongings, so they don’t get damaged at customs examination,
- Be transparent when it comes to pricing,
- Work well under pressure.
Additionally, remember that the more complex the move is, the more the team deserves bonuses. Therefore, when deciding about bonuses and their amounts, consider weather conditions, working hours, type of items on your inventory list, and stair levels alongside the quality of the service provided.
Are Tips Billable, or Do You Must Use Cash When Tipping Movers and Packers?
As in any other service industry, the most common way of providing bonuses when relocating to another country is with cash. However, some companies can provide you with other payment possibilities, like checks or adding the gratuity on the final relocation bill.
If your reasons for relocating are job-related, one of the most important questions to ask the employer is if the relocation cost can be reimbursed. Keep in mind that many companies do provide their employees with relocation packages. Therefore, make sure you ask the representatives from your overseas shipping company if bonuses can be added to the final bill – and get your refund afterward.
Deciding Who Should Be in Charge of Mover Tipping
When you decide to provide bonuses and determine how to do so, you also must consider whether you should be in charge of giving tips away or you’ll leave that job for the team’s foreman. Although the second option may be more convenient for you, know that sometimes it’s not the best solution.
Remember that those are the people you only met, so you have no way of knowing the crew’s dynamics, and you can’t ever be entirely sure how the foreman will handle the given money afterward. Therefore, it’s always the better solution to provide bonuses by yourself and ensure everybody has gotten the part they deserve.
What Is a Standard Tip for Movers?
If you decide to add gratuity to the bill, you probably want to know how to determine the right amount. So, is $20 enough to tip movers, or should the bonus be calculated as the percentage of relocation costs? If so, is 10% a good tip for movers? It is not always easy to answer what is the average tip for movers when relocating to a new city abroad.
When it comes to local moves, the bonus is usually based on the final cost of the move and amounts between 5% and 20% based on the move’s complexity. However, forming gratuity based on percentage is not a good solution when you want to move overseas since these relocations are pretty expensive to start with. Considering that the average relocation price is around $5,000, you would have to set aside $1,000 just for tips – and not many can do so.
Since international moves function similarly to long-distance ones, they follow similar tipping etiquette. For them, basing the bonus amount on the hours worked is a much better option. So, is $100 a good tip for movers then? It depends on how many hours they spend helping you and how many members are in their team. Consider providing $3-$5 per mover, per hour or:
- $10-$20 for a half-day of work (around four hours),
- $20-$40 for a full-day work,
- $60 or more for the most complex moves that last more than 10 hours.
Do You Tip Movers When They Load or Unload? The Difference Between Local, Long-Distance, and International Move
When it comes to a local move, you don’t have to think about splitting the bonus amount because the same team will be handling both loading and unloading. And because you’ll meet the same people on both ends, it doesn’t matter when you decide to give them bonuses. With long-distance and international moves, it is not the case.
So, do you tip movers on both ends when relocating overseas? The answer is yes because two different teams will be responsible for your belongings. Of course, if you’re unsure how many workers will be designated for your move, contact your relocation company to get the information.
Are You Supposed to Tip Movers if You’re Not Satisfied With the Help Provided?
Is it OK not to tip movers? Of course, especially if you don’t like how the job’s done. If the crew doesn’t help you move efficiently but makes already challenging times more difficult, there is no reason to award them. Don’t feel obligated to provide bonuses if you start noticing some of the following signs:
Unnecessary delays can impact your plans significantly, and true professionals know so. You’ll need to organize the relocation day to the fullest, which is why movers’ punctuality is essential. If they don’t show up on time and have no reasonable explanation for doing so, they don’t deserve your gratuity.
Unprofessional behavior towards you and your family is a huge red flag. If you’re feeling disrespected in their company, insulted, or even unsafe, not only should you not provide tips, but you should contact customer support and place your complaint.
Packing glasses or other delicate items demands the utmost care. If the crew is not putting their effort into protecting your items once you specifically hire them to do so, you should not feel obliged to add bonuses to the bill.
With the complexity of an international move, it is only natural that you’ll have many questions about shipping overseas. You have full right to feel aggravated if workers don’t know the answer or don’t want to provide you with them.
Sadly, not all relocation companies are reliable and trustworthy. Many moving scams use hidden costs as the base – you’ll agree on one price, only to be billed with another, much larger one. If that happens to you, make sure you file a complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration – and exclude bonuses, of course.
When Tipping a Moving Company, Consider the Individual Effort
Don’t feel compelled to provide the same bonuses to all crew members. If some of them showed exceptional devotion on the day of the move, feel free to show your appreciation by providing them with the biggest bonus amount. At the same time, those that are slacking don’t deserve to be awarded the same as those who do their best to provide you with the greatest relocation experience.
There Are Many Additional Ways to Show Appreciation
Adding gratuity to the bill is not the only way of treating workers for their effort and help. There are many other ways of doing so. You can decide to go with them instead of bonuses (if you’re financially limited) or combine them together.
Either way, when preparing for movers, you should ensure that you provide enough food and beverages. Relocation can be a physically very challenging process, so ensure crew members have enough energy to handle it. Of course, you should always be kind, respectful, and helpful whenever possible.
Additionally, consider writing a positive review on the company’s website, as well as some other relevant third-party sites. In most cases, your efforts to praise the crew or its individuals won’t go unnoticed – there is a high chance their employer will award them for their efforts. If you’re not sure how to write the company recommendation, find some helpful guidelines in the video below:
Professionals Will Provide You With the Best Moving Experience – It Is up to You How You’ll Show Gratitude
When you decide where to live abroad, research the international moving companies near you and choose the one you find the best. With a competent and skilled crew, you’ll be able to focus solely on the relocation benefits and not worry about anything else. They’ll work hard with or without the promise of bonuses – but keep in mind that additional profit always serves as a good motivation.
