Tipping delivery men?
By bounce58
@bounce58 (17387)
Canada
May 26, 2011 4:09pm CST
I could never remember if I should tip delivery men or not.
Today, I had some furniture delivered at home. I had a friend waiting for them there, so when they’ve finished off, my friend called me to ask if he should tip them.
I said NO, because I already paid for the delivery charge. My friend said that they should get something ‘extra’ because it was very difficult to carry the furniture up the stairs. And the guy-in-charge got his fingers pinched on the corners a couple of times.
I was not there personally, so still said NO. I didn’t have to face their grumblings.
So, can you all enlighten me again if I should tip delivery men? Or if your work involves making deliveries, do you expect a tip if the stuff you delivered was a bit difficult?
Should I have just carried it myself (with the help of my friend, of course)?
1 person likes this
11 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
27 May 11
My husband is actually (sort of) in this line of work. He works at a rent to own store where he started off as a delivery guy, but worked his way up so he doesn't often deliver anymore. He did frequently receive tips, though not always.
Personally I think if you can afford to tip, you should. These guys generally make minimum wage, but their work is gruelling. It's absolute torture on their bodies, and they're saving you from having to do it yourself. A tip for them does not need to be much.. $5 each would be good I think.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
29 May 11
I appreciate this response! I'm glad to see the view from the other side. Making minimum wage does seem to be a bit unfair, for the kind of work that they do. Specially in my case where they had to manuever the furniture through a flight of stairs.
This is definitely something to consider, the next time I have something delivered. Thanks.
@adnileb (5276)
• Philippines
29 May 11
They're already paid for their work and that's their job,
to deliver and carry the things right into your home. Giving them a tip is an option and it's up to you if you will.
In my case, when we want a pizza delivered and the customer service said there's a service charge, we don't give the delivery boy any tip, otherwise, we will give him some. Same with restaurants and furniture deliveries. But at times we are courteous enough, we give them all the change (but COINS only)
to deliver and carry the things right into your home. Giving them a tip is an option and it's up to you if you will. In my case, when we want a pizza delivered and the customer service said there's a service charge, we don't give the delivery boy any tip, otherwise, we will give him some. Same with restaurants and furniture deliveries. But at times we are courteous enough, we give them all the change (but COINS only)
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
28 May 11
The only delivery men I have ever really used have been Sears and Pizza guys. Now I do tip the pizza guys..but come to think of it I have never thought about tipping the sears guys.
My grandmother was teaching me etiquitte when I was little and I remember her saying that I should tip anyone that does me a service...even if it's a little..lol. I guess that would apply to delivery guys too. Maybe just if they set everything up when they get there. I don't know. I tip grocery baggers if they take my groceries out, hairdressers, pizza guys, waitresses, and hmm...I think that's about it.
@bdance22 (86)
• Philippines
27 May 11
I think one of the reply is correct. Tipping will depend on the type of svice you are getting. If its the waiter on a resto that you often go tO then tippong would be ok sonce in the future they might give you better service and might even return favors for you.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
28 May 11
I could certainly understand it for regular service like for waiters. You see them regularly, then a little tip would surely go along way in making the service or the experience better.
But I don't think it applies to delivery men. Specially if you already paid for the service.
Thanks.
@lou_is (665)
• India
28 May 11
Friend i do give tip when any delivery guys done my work and which should gives me satisfactory note. Because some delivery guys are like they won't so nice but still they want tip on that moment i won't give it to them. I will give to the person who is good in service and the work has to be done within time without any mistakes.
@BalthasarTheRat (656)
• United States
27 May 11
I would say never tip unless services were rendered for which they are not already being paid.
Giggidity.
@latriciajones (846)
• United States
26 May 11
I agree that is there job to deliver no matter how hard a time they have with the item. And plus they have already gotten a delivery charge out of you. So I wouldnt have paid them either. Now if your friend wanted to pay them let her but make sure it was her money.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
26 May 11
If it involved a lot of heavy work and difficulty then I would have tipped them or given them a drink of rum I am too old to carry anything in myself so yes, I would have tipped
I am too old to carry anything in myself so yes, I would have tipped
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
26 May 11
Hi bounce 
I was always a good tipper but depending on what the service was. For furniture, no I would not tip at all because this is their job and it is part of the delivery charge. Most furniture delivery guys here do not expect it and if offered they will appreciate it but normally not something we do here for such service.
I also remember some will say it is not allowed to be tipped.
I was always a good tipper but depending on what the service was. For furniture, no I would not tip at all because this is their job and it is part of the delivery charge. Most furniture delivery guys here do not expect it and if offered they will appreciate it but normally not something we do here for such service.
I also remember some will say it is not allowed to be tipped. 
@angelmoonlyt (103)
• Pasig, Philippines
26 May 11
Whenever I order gas and water, I don't give tip to those who deliver it for me. I gave a tip one time when my closet was delivered to our place that the men didn't just deliver it, but they assemble the closet to our place. It took them time to finish it. Instead of giving them tips because I know that their employers are paying them, I prepared sandwiches and juice for them. I gave it for their effort and patience.
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
27 May 11
I usually don't tip furniture delivery men, although I often wonder if they expect it. The exception is when they do something extra, like assemble something, or move my old TV to its new spot, or whatever. I usually offer them something to drink and a snack, if they want it.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
28 May 11
I think they expect it! Even if you already paid for the delivery charge, at the back of their minds, they still expect to be tipped.
If I was a delivery person, I would do the same. And expect something extra after every delivery. I think it just comes with the job.
Thanks.
