How much to tip Super, Doorman when moving in

Condo buildings if you care about your experience there for the long term as an owner, tip more. Rental buildings definitely more a short-term consideration for you and also the staff is prone to turnover

Maybe you should have come to Streeteasy and listened to us before, instead of getting yourself into this mess. Now you own a sinking asset. Tip well I guess.

jpisaris, what a nasty comment. You guys need to get a grip!

Thanks, i was thinking 200 for super, 100 for doormen and porter. How does that sound?

Are you refering to the end of the year tips, or moving-in tip?

Moving in tip.

$200 is extremely generous and will buy much good will. $100 would be fine. Anything about $100 just makes it more generous. If the super does other things for you as you get settled, a little extra ($20) is nice since these favors are likely related to the move and not everyday stuff. I'd make a comment when giving it to him (or write a note card if giving him an envelope) specifically referencing his help in making the stressful move and settling in easier and how you didn't want to wait until the holidays for him to know how much you appreciated his help during the move. I say this because I personally don't tip during the year for every little thing and just tip at x-mas. I would want to adjust expectations so that the super might realize every encounter with me won't result in cash changing hands.

and jpisaris, I don't know who you are (I haven't seen your posts on here before), but your comment is unconstructive, bizarre on this particular thread and perhaps you might exercise greater discretion and though before hitting the "reply" button in the future. There are plenty of "don't buy" threads on here for you to "contribute" your wisdom to.

Kylewest, thanks, think ill adjust my tips to 100 for super and 50 for all the others.

I think $200 for a super move-in tip is way too much. Seventy-five seems reasonable. Aren't you paying a move-in fee to the mgmt. co. for the 'nuisance' you are causing? I think kylewest is right --- you cannot tip for every service the super provides; s/he does get a salary. Twenty-five for the drman & porter if they are involved in the move.

thanks, i appreciate everyones input. still thinking bout it.

Having just moved in myself to my first condo, I didn't even consider tipping. Not because I wouldn't, I just had no idea that was customary. Is it? Should I make amends now, two weeks after the move?

no need to tip, not customary, sets a bad tone and expectations. Xmass is the only time.

when i moved into a doorman bldg, i tipped $10-50 depending on what the people were doing. remember that there are usually 4-5 doorman, 1-3 porters and a super. tip the ones that you are working with and tip all at end of yr.

Absolutely no NEED to tip. 100% correct. It is just the nice thing to do. You've spend a zillion dollars on the RE and move. $100 won't make any difference to you and will mean a world to the super.

And the tip comes back to make your life more happy, too. Chairs delivery in two week? And they are usually stuck in a lobby closet if you can't be there? Well, the super is more likely to find himself available to get the chairs into you apartment if you tip him. Box or two in the garbage chute room that you ought to have brought to the basement? Super more likely to let it slide if it doesn't happen again. Old air conditioners can't be taken by guys who bring the new one? Well, the super may suddenly find way to dispose of them himself for you.

Happy people are helpful people. This isn't a debate about should it be this way or not. It's just the way the world is. So I tip. And smile. And say thank you, a lot.

"Happy people are helpful people. This isn't a debate about should it be this way or not. It's just the way the world is. So I tip. And smile. And say thank you, a lot."

Same here. I hear complaints from time to time in my building that the super, while good at problem solving, sometimes takes a while to get back to them. Not me. Usually a five to ten minute turnaround time from when I call. Yes, I've tipped well for that, and I'm cool with it.

So I take it we're all in favor it this legalized form of shakedown to get service people to actually do jobs for which they are already being paid a salary?

NYCMatt, I refer you to opening restaurant scene in Resevoir Dogs. Guess you would be from the Mr. Pink school of thought. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-qV9wVGb38

Kyle, we're not talking about people wait staff making LESS than minimum wage (whom I happily tip AT LEAST 25%). We're talking about tipping unionized, salaried workers making over $60K.

You definitely want to tip well. Your super is your lifeline in the building, take good care of him, as well as doorman, porters, etc. If you are renovating or having any work done on your place prior to move in, be very generous with the super. He can make or break you renovation. I recommnend $200-$300 upon move in.

Maryann, why stop at $300? Why not $700? Or $1000? What price a good "lifeline" in a building?

After all, it's not like he's already making a good salary (complete with union pension and health benefits) ...

NYCMatt, I hear you. And your advice is don't tip. got it.

maryann, the way I dealt with purchase-to-move-in was: $100 at beginning of renovation explaining to the super that "I appreciate any extra work my renovation creates for you;" then $100 upon moving in and renovation being completed. I also checked with him constantly throughout renovations to ask if there were any problems with my crew that I needed to address to make his job easier.
The benefit of handling it this way--whether or not the super is 'unionized' or paid $60K as Matt says above, was that he actually helped me solve problems and didn't exacerbate them, the super looked the other way when the job rain over by 14 work days despite fines that could have been imposed, he told my crew how happy he was with them and that he'd recommend them to other people which made my crew happy and motivated them to do great work. After moving in, despite his union contract not including such favors, he let in delivery men and the a/c guys while I was at work and watched them, he provided my cleaning lady with the key even though I forgot to sign the proper forms, he repainted my door, ...

Prove a point and withhold tips. Or tip and just make everyone's life easier. Frankly, the $200 in the scheme of the mountains of money all this RE stuff cost me was a ridiculously small sum that bought a ton of good will.

Kind of like the "good will" and even "protection" that one buys from Tony Soprano types and their associates, yes?

NYCMatt, I think you've made your point. However misguided it may be. My super is paid hourly - it's a joke, and I go out of my way to maintain a good relationship with him (which included tipping him more than others at xmas time). Case in point - when our garage door broke down on Friday night and I needed to get to Boston for the weekend, he shimmied the door open - manually - just to let me out, even though that meant he'd have to wait there until the repairmen got there, since he couldn't close it again.

T I P stands for - to insure promptness. No wonder Matt hates his super.

Matt is on the board, so he thinks that every super will be jumping to do work without tip. Only board members get good treatment without a tip, because the super does not want headaches from them.

This being New York, the help is not stupid - they'll help you right away if they've been greased properly. They remember quite clearly who tipped what last Xmas. bjw2103's experience is typical and I have been told by various supers over the years who gets priority service and who is told that the super is "busy".

maryann: I'm not sure I understand your $2-300 tip for the super for a move-in. For what? S/he is not carting in the furniture plus boxes; S/he has an hourly salary plus; The buyer must show proof of $1M in insurance from the mover; The buyer usually hss a non-refundable move-in fee (plus a refundable deposit in case of damage). So one had to over pay the super because s/he is running a fiefdom?

I live in a co-op and I tip the super for over and above the call of duty, which is not often as I take care of the maintenance within the walls of my unit.

We are in a down cycle and not everyone has an extra $300 to insure proper service.

"jpisaris, what a nasty comment. You guys need to get a grip!"

A nasty comment, indeed, but an accurate one. Sorry!

In my experience and practice, I strongly recommend tipping as you move into a building. First of all, it sets a tone that you value their services (and regardless what you think about their union wages, these guys work in coops and condos for the tips which can easily double their annual income). Second, you'll probably need more help from the building staff when moving in and getting settled as you will at any other time (except when you move out). When we moved recently we tipped the super $100 just as a "thank you" and gave about $30 to any of the doormen, etc. who helped with the move, e.g., taking out all the moving trash/boxes, etc. And since we've lived here and we need something? We get immediate and friendly attention (without additional tipping).

Be a mensch and let them know that you're appreciative. You'll get the kindness back in multiples and after all the $$ you just spent buying and moving into your condo, it will help ensure some grace and comfort to the actual experience of finally being home.

The OP, being civilized and not some tight-wad whining about staff wages, already knew he should tip upon moving in. The question was "how much?"

Im a doorman/concierge at a coop building that has approxiamately 130 units. I have to say it is wise to tip when you are moving in. I would say about 50 to 70 percent of the staff will treat you better based on what you give them. Its unfortunate but the truth. Just the other day a new family moved in and gave the doorman 100 dollars and he was almost doing flips for them. He literally runs for them now. I was also given 100 dollars and I acted like I always do (professionally). I thanked them and told them if there is anything I can do to make thngs easier just let me know. The super/building manager is anxiously waiting for his and if he doesnt get he will not be happy. The tipping early will set good will and possibly allow for something like a sat. move which is usually not allowed.

As for how much one should tip I guess it would vary on how many employees there are and what type of building you are moving into. I would say a minimum of 50 dollars for the people who work upstairs. Doorman,concierge,hallman. I would say at least 100 for the building manager but the more you give the better.

How about tipping what you can afford to tip? I've been laid off, now have to move to an even smaller apartment. I can't afford to give what I used to. So, my finances are tight, but I will still tip. If the super or someone else feels "slighted" by the amount I tip, will they give me less service?

You know it all depends on the individual. We have one lady that hasnt tipped us ever. I still treat her with the utmost respect and always help her. Others dont make the same effort. I find it disgusting. We have a policy about tenants not being allowed guests unless the tenant is in residence. Close family members are allowed though. This lady was going on a weeeknd getaway and was having a distant relative come to stay while she left. Once the other concierge found out she was leaving he went to the building manager who then told her she was not allowed unless she got the ok for the managing agent. If she had been good with tipping the concierge might have let it slide and the manager probably would have too. She had to cancel her trip and stay in the apt.

There you have it, owning an apartment means that YOU work for the managing agent, the building managers, and the doormen.

You don't have that problem if you rent.

or you can just be on the board and get whatever you want lol. most of the time

Chimpwolf, I actually think the gesture counts as much as the amount.

I remember a gazillion years ago when I was first in NYC and at Christmas could only tip the staff (in a rental building) $5 each. One of the men came to me and said how much it meant that I had given what I could and that his family was grateful. If you're cynical you'll make obnoxious comments about this. But to me his sincerity was unforgettable and from that point forward, as a young, struggling, living-alone New Yorker, I knew that doorman always had my back.

Hey Matt where do you get that we make 60k plus??? Im not saying that some cant make that but i would say most dont. The hourly wage is approxiamately 19 hr and if your new its much less.

I'm sorry all you sensitive flowers. What was really wrong with my comment? All of you know buying is stupid right now. Just listen to yourselves rant on about it elsewhere. Are you trying to be nice to this guy? This guy is part of the responsibility for why the market isn't falling faster. Yes, and that affects you. Higher prices are only for the entrenched which includes realtwhores.

kevin5, he might be thinking of supers who aren't in the union.

Now I know why the super in my condo was a jerk to me for 9 months until Christmas

I had no idea that there was the "option" of tipping when moving into a building. I do know that the super made my moving company return to Boston with my belongings since they arrived too late (2 pm) to complete my move into my NY condo. Moving in/out hours are restricted between 9-5. The moving company subsequently stole valuable items and refused to process my insurance claim.

I'm probably not the best tipper in my building (only at Christmas) but I do "non-cash" tipping. I give relevant articles and information to the staff and more importantly, I treat them the way I would like to be treated--like a human being.

jpisaris, saying that it's unequivocally "stupid to buy right now" is a very gross generalization. That's just not a true statement for everybody. The kicker is this though: "This guy is part of the responsibility for why the market isn't falling faster." Don't blame others when your wishful thinking doesn't come to fruition; it's pretty ridiculous.

wd---did you try to grease the super to prevent the 2pm sendaway? if you tried and failed there--i'd ignore this dbag at christmas and ongoing

i tip em all at christmas--with a big spread between those that just function and those who are cheerful and look out for me and my daughters