How much do you tip auto movers?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Aliso Viejo California
How much do you tip auto movers?
I'm having an enclosed carrier move my C-6 from NC to Southern CA.
The cost is approx. $1,800 and I figured a $200 tip would be a good amount.
Anyone else had experience recently or know what to give the driver for good service, which I expect from this company?
The cost is approx. $1,800 and I figured a $200 tip would be a good amount.
Anyone else had experience recently or know what to give the driver for good service, which I expect from this company?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Aliso Viejo California
Have you had experience in having your car transported or are you just sharing your opinion?
My experience is the same driver travels from start to finish and I'm not cheap enough to not tip good service since these guys work hard to haul their goods from coast to coast.
I would definitely feel like a cheapskate if I tipped nothing for the driver, almost in the same way I would if I didn't tip a waiter. ...
My experience is the same driver travels from start to finish and I'm not cheap enough to not tip good service since these guys work hard to haul their goods from coast to coast.
I would definitely feel like a cheapskate if I tipped nothing for the driver, almost in the same way I would if I didn't tip a waiter. ...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 10,788
Likes: 199
Originally Posted by redfrc
Doesn't the company he works with keep the bulk of the fee?
What you are doing is like paying the maitre de to get a preferred table in a restaurant, not tipping for good service. You don't know if your service will be good or not and you may have wasted your money.
If you must, maybe it would be better to tip on the other end when (if) the car arrives on time and in good shape.
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Do people tip you for doing your job? (Assuming you're not a waiter... 
)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
From: Helotes Texas
Lets see, $1800.00, six cars (at the very least, maybe more) inside an enclosed trailer. Thats over $10,000 dollars for a 4 day work week and you know there are cars going the other way, not a bad way to make a living. Some carriers hold up to 14 cars. Alot of these drivers are independents.
Tip? No. You'll never see him again unless you move alot.
JMHO
Tip? No. You'll never see him again unless you move alot.
JMHO
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 1
From: Sugar Land TX
For an $1800 transportation fee, they should supply champagne and horderves upon delivery.
Otherwise, I would tip the driver if he is on time and your car is perfect. I am a good tipper and was prepared to tip my driver but there were several things that caused me not to. He was a nice fellow and I had no major issues, but enough things happened that I kept my money in my pocket.
1) He was a day later than I was told he would be.
2) The car had been on top of the truck (non-enclosed) so it was covered (I mean covered) with bugs. There was a Saturn Sky on the bottom of the truck that looked pristine. This bothered me more than anything.
3) The car had been wheel strapped and the straps left dark brown areas on my (polished) wheels where the straps rubbed. We tried some rubbing compound which helped, but it would not all come off. I figured it would come off with a buffing wheel (which it did), but I was not sure at the time.
Good luck with your delivery.
Otherwise, I would tip the driver if he is on time and your car is perfect. I am a good tipper and was prepared to tip my driver but there were several things that caused me not to. He was a nice fellow and I had no major issues, but enough things happened that I kept my money in my pocket.
1) He was a day later than I was told he would be.
2) The car had been on top of the truck (non-enclosed) so it was covered (I mean covered) with bugs. There was a Saturn Sky on the bottom of the truck that looked pristine. This bothered me more than anything.
3) The car had been wheel strapped and the straps left dark brown areas on my (polished) wheels where the straps rubbed. We tried some rubbing compound which helped, but it would not all come off. I figured it would come off with a buffing wheel (which it did), but I was not sure at the time.
Good luck with your delivery.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 533
Likes: 0
From: Mtns of north Georgia - Hey Kids, I'm spending your inheritance!
Originally Posted by txjeep
......The car had been on top of the truck (non-enclosed) so it was covered (I mean covered) with bugs. There was a Saturn Sky on the bottom of the truck that looked pristine. This bothered me more than anything.....
Just one man's experience and opinions.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Assuming it will be the same driver start to finish...giving a tip couldn't hurt. It's no guaranty your car will arrive in any better condition or that there won't be a problem but it might help insure a little 'kid-glove' treatment.
If you're so-inclined, I'd give him $100 to start and tell him there's another C Note (if the car's in great shape) on the other end.
Once the car's loaded and secured (as long as it doesn't interfere with checking and adjusting the load in transit) why couldn't you cover the car as well? You'd certainly have to secure the car cover well if it's in an open trailer but I think this would help tremendously.
If you're so-inclined, I'd give him $100 to start and tell him there's another C Note (if the car's in great shape) on the other end.
Once the car's loaded and secured (as long as it doesn't interfere with checking and adjusting the load in transit) why couldn't you cover the car as well? You'd certainly have to secure the car cover well if it's in an open trailer but I think this would help tremendously.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 672
Likes: 1
From: Sapulpa Oklahoma
Pretty sure they load the trucks in the reverse order of delivery. Last on, first off. Has nothing to do with what you think its worth or where "you" think it should go. We all keep harping about our "$50k" car like that's something....... my mid-year Corvette was delivered in a hauler with a $450k GT-40 and a McClaren Merc...... lofty company 
humble mid-year. The driver was careful and the hauler was pristine. The other cars were headed West. Oh, the Vette was on top, behind the Mercedes (over the GT-40). The hauler had a solid floor (even on top) so no fluids got to the lower deck.
humble mid-year. The driver was careful and the hauler was pristine. The other cars were headed West. Oh, the Vette was on top, behind the Mercedes (over the GT-40). The hauler had a solid floor (even on top) so no fluids got to the lower deck.