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I'm having a new oven and hanging microwave delivered today. I bought them at a big chain store, paid almost $250 for delivery and installation. The store does not do the actual delivery and installation, they contract that out.

So....do I tip the delivery men, and if so, how much? We have about 8 stairs in front of the house that they're going to have to drag stuff up and, as I already mentioned, they will be installing the equipment (hanging the microwave and setting up the gas stove).

TIA!

Well, I have never done it. It would be like tipping the plumber or the HVAC guy.

The delivery man doesn't use his own vehical or gas, and he's getting paid for his time.

I'd say no way, they are getting paid and you have paid for what they are doing but I'm in the UK, we don't tip as often.

You know, I was wondering this just the other day. My new big-box-store range won't be delivered till Wednesday but first I had to get a couple electricians out to cap my gas line and put in a 220 outlet because I'm switching from gas to electric (see my thread on the cats trying to kill me). Anyway, every time I've had the service guys out or have taken a big-box item delivery, I've wondered if I should tip. I never have because I'm already paying so much (and I write these service guys a check for their work on the spot). But I'm glad to have this confirmed because I might just be too cheap to realize I'm supposed to tip as well as pay.

Tipping is out of hand. I wish all workers were paid what would be considered a fair wage and then nobody tippped. I know of many people who might make $6 or $7 an hour at some place where there is no option to tip them, and those same people will tip their hair dresser, who makes at least $10 to $15 an hour (around here anyway) 20%. We all work hard for our money.

I definitely believe in tipping anyone whose employer is allowed to pay under min. wage since their servers expect tips (mostly eating establishments) but I still wish even those places paid their workers fairly and there was no tipping expected.

I tip for special delivery/install similar to yours.

I'd say minimum $20 total (not each person)

Especially since they are the sub-contractors, not employed by same company where it was purchased

If someone is doing regular maintenance after installation of an appliance/furnace/etc. then I don't tip.

Well it seems the popular opinion is no tip.

I was leaning this way, but I always feel guilty about not tipping.

However last time I had a delivery it was for a trundle bed for my son's room. The delivery guys hauled everything upstairs and then assembled it. I gave it a once over, it looked good, so I tipped them $30 ($15 for each). Later that night I discovered that they did it wrong, and hid some pieces of the bed that they didn't put on correctly. And $45 was missing fro my son's room. So I'm less inclined to tip, even though I know the actions of two people really shouldn't change my opinion of an entire group.

I tipped some guys for delivering and installing our washing machine a couple of years ago. They had to take apart part of the door jamb to fit it through the laundry room door, and then put the door jamb back together. They were able to do this without leaving any visible damage to the door, so I gave them each a few dollars for a tip.

That night I was doing laundry, and then had a sudden epiphany. Got out my measuring tape, and yep, all they had to do was turn the washer sideways to get it through with an inch to spare on each side without removing part of the door jamb!

I think I'll be more cautious and sparing if I ever tip a delivery guy again. Or, I'll just do it myself, and float myself the tip.

ETA: But anyway, to answer your original question, dameia, I don't know of any tipping etiquette when it comes to delivery/installation people. As far as I know, these folks should be compensated properly, unlike someone in a wait staff type position, who depend on tips as part of their income.

[This message edited by LosferWords at 9:51 AM, February 28th (Friday)]

Just wanted to add that many times certain delivery items are "to the curb"....meaning the contract states the item gets delivered to your driveway/curb/sidewalk.

This is not the same as to delivering it to the inside of your house, garage, backyard, basement, shed, hauling up your apartment stairs and then removing the boxes/container it came in.

So if a contract says to the curb, and the delivery men bring it elsewhere and set it up/remove boxes then they've technically gone beyond what the contract entails. A tip acknowledging this is appreciated.

Of course, delivery/install is a bit different since its expected the item makes inside your house to get installed but I still tip regardless.

Perhaps I'm a bit biased but I know someone who has been in that line of business for 25+ years. His expected salary isn't as great as might be expected.

If you paid for it you do not tip. Period.

Now I have been known to give a bottle of honey, or some food to workmen but I do not tip monetarily.

In that type of scenario, I usually give each guy $10.

When we had furniture delivered I gave $20. There were two of them. They were very nice and assembled a few (easy) pieces.

The same guys came back a week later when we decided to order something else and I gave them another $20. If they work hard, I like to tip them. You know they're not making a ton of money and doing manual labor. That's just how I look at it.

I think you are already paying $250 for delivery and install. That seems way high. But, if they go above and beyond in some way, or make you dinner in that oven, then $20 for two.

I usually make sure I have cold drinks on hand... especially if they're delivering/installing in the summer... it's freaking hot in Florida in the summer.

I will offer them a drink... that's it.

If they work hard, I like to tip them. You know they're not making a ton of money and doing manual labor. That's just how I look at it.

Same here.

Unless they're like a pizza delivery driver or server and their income is dependent on tips, I don't tip. An appliance or furniture delivery person is paid to deliver and sometimes install things. Of course its a nice gesture to tip if they went above and beyond for you, but also keep in mind that some companies have policies where employees are not allowed to accept tips.

http://www.itipping.com/tip-appliance-delivery.htm

I found this link interesting. Apparently if you ask a department store manager they say don't tip. But the guys who deliver talk about working 12-18 hour days, and they really appreciate tips, even $5/person tips.

Tips are always appreciated even if they are not required.

What did you decide to do? Whatever if it was I hope you got good service and feel good about whether you did or did not. It was thoughtful of you to ask around.

[This message edited by InnerLight at 11:13 AM, March 2nd (Sunday)]

A tip is a matter of opinion, always. The acronym means To Insure Promptness. My dad was a HVAC guy (back before that acronym was used! lol) and if he did a really good job and cleaned up some of the homeowners would tip him. Not always money however, he often came home with produce or booze! lol

IMHO if the delivery guys go out of their way they may be deserving of a tip. One thing you could do (probably too late for this time) is to have a couple $5 - $10 gift cards to a local convenience store (7-11 type .. so they can get drinks or snacks).

Thanks for all the opinions!

The delivery guy ended up coming late, so I wasn't here when he delivered and installed. My H said he was really nice and very professional. However H didn't tip him.

I feel bad, since H said he did a great job. Had I been home I probably would have tipped, if he really was as good as my H said he was.

Since I wasn't able to tip I'm going to call the company and tell them how impressed we were with their employee. Hopefully that will help him a bit....maybe it will go in his file and help him out down the road.