Should I Have Tipped??

I usually ask when I schedule things like that if a tip expected. The person scheduling with me will tell me honestly if they are allowed to receive tips or not. Most places like Home Depot do not allow their delivery staff to accept tips.

Ladies always get away with it. You can call the store and compliment the worker to his manager, it will be beneficial for the next review and a raise.

I've never tipped anyone who did "work" like that. However, I have offered bottles of water and asked if they needed to use the restroom since they just go from house to house to house.

Never heard of tipping a delivery guy for appliances or furniture. Usually you have to pay a delivery fee of $50+ for them to bring the items to your home. That's my thought anyway.

They are not like waiters or waitresses or the bus boy at a hotel.

I would only tip the delivery guy if he did something exceptional for me. That would be more than set up and delivery and removal of the old washing machine.

Don't feel bad. Good luck to you and yours.

I don't know the right answer to that but I have never tipped in that case. Never even crossed my mind. Hmmmm....

Nope, unless they guy made me a few margaritas while he was there, I would not have tipped. :0)

No way... not a delivery from Home Depot. More than likely you ended up paying a delivery charge anyways.

Enjoy your new washing machine! How exciting :-)

Typically they cannot accept tips. That's not to say that they won't pocket it if offered! ;-)

Yes, you should tip!

I looked this up in my etiquette book once and the answer is yes. You definitely tip. Around $5-10/person, depending on how much work they're doing.

I wouldn't stress about it, though. I think most people don't tip.

I agree with 8kidsdad. They get paid the average wage, so I don't tip unless it's beyond or something. The furniture delivery guys a lot of times aren't allowed to accept them. Plus a lot of times you pay for the delivery anyways.
I never heard of tipping delivery guys.

We always tip for home deliveries..but don't beat yourself up I didn't know this at first either. You could find out who delivered it and drop by a tip..they would really appericate it.

I used to work at an appliance store and they generally did not get tips, although they happily took them. I never tip if I paid for delivery already.

I believe the rule is if they just drop it at your door or in your garage, no. But if they bring it to your laundry area and set it up for you, yes.

When I've lived in "awful" places (lots of stairs, etc.), or if they've gone above and beyond, I've tipped. Even if it's just a sixpack for them to have after work.

Nope. I don't tip in that case either. You already pay for the delivery, and pay well for it. I don't even believe they are allowed to take tips.

Err no! I do offer them water or a soda, especially when it is this hot. Sorry but when I pay a couple hundred to have the darn things delivered no way I am tipping on top of that.

I haven't tipped for this before......the responses are interesting to read though.

I would not have tipped. You usually have a delivery fee associated with it, that is their job. Now if they loaded it and washed your clothes, then I would of tipped ;-)

I tipped delivery guys 2 times.
I bought furniture and paid the delivery fee. It came, and the next day I decided I didnt like it at all. They came and got it the next day. I ordered it in a different fabric and when it came, I didnt have to pay a delivery fee since it was part of the return policy from the first purchase. So when the men came with the 2nd set of furniture, I tipped them both. They were being paid for working, but the company was doing this for free so I just felt it was right for me to tip.
We tipped the medivan guys who picked up and delivered my M. to the care center when we had her transfered 2 hours from her assisted living place to the town where I live. My sister rode with them the 2 hour ride up, and then back with M.. With gurney and power chair. We had requested 2 guys with a sense of humor, and asked what their favorite cookies were. They enjoyed chocolate chip cookies and had a great time those 4+hours. We gave them gift cards for Olive Garden. It made us feel like we did a good thing. So those are the only times I have tipped delivery guys.

Yes, always. We just always have, but I don't think there is a right or wrong way on this. Don't feel bad.

I have only tipped a delivery man for our appliances once - it was same day service and the guys did a WONDERFUL job delivering, taking away and hooking up my new stove...it wasn't with Home Depot as my stove wasn't over $400....so I had to contact someone on the side...

Other than that? I've not tipped appliance delivery guys.

No. They get an hourly wage. That's part of their job. I'm sure the charge is hidden in the price of whatever you bought anyway.

I've only tipped delivery once when we had living room furniture delivered and they had to carry a sofa up a back porch and through a tight room.

We usually don't because we have a ranch and delivering anything here isn't that difficult. My mom owns an apt. house and lives on 3rd floor........she usually tips. If they go above and beyond doing something than yes it is nice. Offering a drink is nice if they are there awhile, otherwise I don't think they expect it. Also some aren't allowed to accept tips. We had a swing set delivered in a bunch of boxes. Delivery guy could have left them on curb. He helped my husband bring them into our garage. My husband offered a tip and he refused it.

My hubbys does deliveries for a job, he sets up party rental tents/dance floors etc. Let me tell you, tips are APPRECIATED :) Even if it's a few dollars, its enough for them to stop and grab some drinks/snacks etc :) Some of you said...you pay a delivery fee, well when you get pizza delivered, you pay a fee...do you not tip the pizza guy??

I have not read all the responses so I am probably repeating.

I used to work at HD and the associates (even delivery people) are not allowed to take tips. If they do they are breaking store policy and could lose their jobs for it.

And I am pretty sure you paid a delivery fee even if you live across the street from the store.

You did the right thing.

Once when we had a stove delivered a few years ago, the two delivery men said they didn't realize they were going to have to lift it - a couple inches or so - to get it to fit in the right way. They pretty much told us they would have to come back and deliver it later, or we could give $20 and they'd do it when they were there. I told them to come back; my husband forked over the money. I then called the car - a major appliance selling store - to complain. It's free delivery. Not maybe free delivery. So, no, I don't tip.

It is a personal opinion. So many people don't carry cash, so it is so hard to say what people are doing today. If I have cash on me, I like to tip them something so they can get a cold drink. If I don't have cash, I like to offer a cold water or soda. It is all good, don't feel bad.

Guess I'm in the minority, but I usually tip, especially if there is an installation / set-up or removal of old appliance or furniture that's required. Then again, my house can be a little tricky to navigate (very steep hill, some nasty stairs, not an easy flow room to room and soft wide pine wood floors -- not to mention dogs who are total pussycats but sound like they'd like to have you for lunch. I, too, offer water or soft drink and a restroom break.

Didn't read others responses, so if I repeat- sorry. They are probably not allowed to accept tips. It probably saved then them the awkwardness of having to politely decline.

I've tipped my movers when we moved, and I've tipped the propane delivery guy, but if you PAY a delivery fee, I don't think you owe them a tip on top of that!

You don't tip them. They're not allowed to accept the tips and if they do, they could get in trouble if they're found out. My husband used to work for Home Depot.

I have never tipped before.

I feel awkward with stuff like that also... You do pay a delivery fee though~ It's all a personal choice on this question.

It's a personal decision but we always tip the delivery guys IF the delivery iinvolves more than knocking on my door! Not much- usually $5 but I have learned that some of these guys have the same "route"- if they deliver to you again they will remember!

No big deal- just think about it the next time you have something heavy delivered!

If I am getting a single item delivered that really isn't an over the top job, then no. But if I am getting a roomful of furniture delivered and put together and placed in the room, then yes. The delivery fee isn't usually a "per item" charge..it is a flat fee. So if they bring in a sofa and plop it down in my living room.... not planning to tip on that. But if they bring in the sofa, a loveseat, a chair, ottoman and matching tables and rearrange it all for me, then I think a tip is in order. Nothing huge... $5 bucks a guy---it'll cover a cold drink and a burger later. :)

When we paid a moving service to move our townhouse of stuff into our new home, we paid by the hour. They were very efficient and did a good job. Moved furniture around for me, assembled the beds, etc. I tipped each of them $10, even though they were being paid by me for the time the assembly took.

Honestly, it has never even occurred to me to tip for a delivery like that - considering the delivery fees are astronomical these days. Now, I think the best thing to do would be to ask a store manager what the store policy is - well before the delivery date (just so you know).

-L.