The packers are here (moving-related, not sports)

[thegooser]

So, I'm moving. I don't want to move. The whole thing is a bummer. We do, however, get a full-service move, including packers and movers. Yay. But these packers are sort of bizarre.

I was going to keep my Rottie mix on a short leash tethered to me in an effort to keep her calm, but the packers (3 women) refused to come inside until the dog was crated. Fine. Not THAT weird, some people are afraid of my dog, so ok. The dog wouldn't stop barking so I ended up sitting in front of the crate door on the floor with my laptop just to calm her down. But they keep knocking her crate with boxes and stuff and it's freaking her out.

Next, one packer complained that my apartment is too small and she has nowhere to work (I guess she meant floor space). Then she looked at me expectantly and just stood there. I said, "well I can't make the room any bigger..." and just looked back at her. I don't really know what she was hoping that I would do. I offered to move something into another room but she was like "yeah but the other ladies are working in there." I was like, "right.... sooo....." and then she moved a lamp off a table and used the table.

A few minutes ago one came in with my husband's blood pressure cuff and asked me to take her blood pressure. Then she and the other woman started talking about how those things are "so expensive" and "as soon as they go on sale I'm going to buy one" and looking over at me repeatedly. I did not offer to give it to them, and now I feel guilty even though objectively I don't think I should have to give the packers my stuff. My H needs it!

A few other weird randoms: Asking to keep something in my freezer, and then insisting that it's not alcohol. Asking repeatedly if things in a certain room are coming with us after I say "everything in there is coming with us." And just now, telling me she can't reach something in my kitchen cupboard on the floor level and asking me to get it. I'm not sure why she thought she couldn't get it, but I just kinda reached in and handed it to her.

I'd be annoyed if it weren't such a good distraction from my sadness about moving in the first place.

So ladies, should I tip? If so, how much? They appear to be getting my stuff into boxes taking what I assume would be an average amount of care.

[bliss]

I was like OMG!! The packers!! LOL.

I'd tip but I'm not sure how much either. Maybe $20-50. Or is that still not enough? I'm not entirely sure.

[thegooser]

Keep in mind, they will not be moving my stuff. The movers come Wednesday.

[Pom]

$20 each. You will want to tip movers too. They seem sort of odd too.

Sorry you are bummed about the move. Hopefully it will all turn out better than you anticipate.

[yellowbrkrd]

Wow, they seem very odd...

[Awkward]

That all seems really unprofessional. I'd be weirded out enough having strangers go through and pack up my stuff. Listening to them comment on it might send me over the edge.

Sorry you're not happy about the move.

[Jinx]

I agree, they're acting pretty unprofessional. Especially asking to use your husband's blood pressure cuff. I wouldn't tip at all, they are being paid for their services.

[BravoBravo]

That is weird behavior. In the past we have tipped and bought lunch/drinks. I would not tip them if they were complaining or trying to get me to give them stuff. We had great packers this last move, they did our whole house in one day (9-9pm). We did end up boarding our dog because he get nervous.

[Deleted]

I would buy lunch and drinks and call it a day. Esp with their weird behavior.

Tip the movers though.

[ssmjlm]

You must be doing some sort of PCS move. I swear I hear the most bizarre stories from military people about packers, movers, etc.

[dexteroni]

I probably wouldn't tip them very much, if at all, because they're being so unprofessional. I am certain that using your things and commenting on them are against their rules. Are they all doing stuff like this, or all of this coming from one person?

[Roc A Bee]

$0

[thegooser]

I am a sucker. I tipped $20 each. I felt guilty... I mean, my stuff got packed alright. They were just weird. I also planned to buy them lunch but I didn't go that far. Assuming the movers are normal I will do lunch + tip.

[audette]

I wouldn't have tipped. I would have bought lunch and drinks, though.

Also, I might have considered calling TMO for some of the unprofessional conduct. It's borderline not worth calling, but with the blood pressure cuff part of the story, I'd be tempted.


We've generally had great packers for our moves. We'd get comments on some of the items, but it was always on the things that were a bit exceptional - my yarn collection, the spice collection, some of the more bizarre things picked up on business trips, etc...