Tipping the Mail Carrier

[cordenny]

I was curious to see how many people give to the mail carrier. Do you give money or a small gift?

[golfing eagles]

I was curious to see how many people give to the mail carrier. Do you give money or a small gift?

Money. The last thing the mail carrier needs is 300 or 400 little gifts.

[N44125]

$$$$

[jibuck]

USPS mail carriers are federal employees and as a result are prohibited from accepting any cash or cash equivalent items such as a gift card from any customer. Homemade treats, however, would be an acceptable gift.

[golfing eagles]

USPS mail carriers are federal employees and as a result are prohibited from accepting any cash or cash equivalent items such as a gift card from any customer. Homemade treats, however, would be an acceptable gift.

True, but most of our mail carriers are not direct USPS employees, they are contract agents. I wonder if the rules are different????

[mokey]

I have some trouble with it as they are in that nice cooled and heated building slipping your mail in a slot. On the other hand the trash men are out in rain, heat and cold and no one gives them a thought.

[golfing eagles]

True, but most of our mail carriers are not direct USPS employees, they are contract agents. I wonder if the rules are different????

from the USPS website:

Contract Delivery Service is one of the three delivery types. Mail delivery service is provided by either city carriers, rural carriers, or contract carriers. Contract Delivery Service carriers are not USPS employees but are independent contractors who provide service on specific routes.
The service provided by Contract Delivery Service is equal to that provided by either one of the other delivery types. Contract suppliers not only deliver all classes and types of mail to their customers� mailboxes six days per week, but they can also sell stamps and accept Special Services Mail such as Certified Mail, Registered Mail, and Insured Mail, and sell Postal Money Orders. Customers can also take advantage of Carrier Pickup on Contract Delivery Service routes.

[golfing eagles]

I have some trouble with it as they are in that nice cooled and heated building slipping your mail in a slot. On the other hand the trash men are out in rain, heat and cold and no one gives them a thought.

I tip them as well, both regular trash and recycle pick up. Merry Christmas!. And to anyone offended by that reference and who prefer "Happy Holidays", all I can say is MERRY CHRISTMAS

[ColdNoMore]

$20 for the contract mail people, $20 for Daily Sun delivery, $20 for recycle crew and $40 for the refuse crew.

[pbkmaine]

How do you leave money for the recycle and refuse people?

[golfing eagles]

$20 for the contract mail people, $20 for Daily Sun delivery, $20 for recycle crew and $40 for the refuse crew.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I just give $50 to each of them. IMHO, $1/week is still too little for the service they provide, but fixed incomes suck.

[golfing eagles]

How do you leave money for the recycle and refuse people?

Some people just wait for them to come. I tape an envelope to the bag in a very obvious way. If someone is so low as to steal a Christmas gift, they may need it more than the refuse collectors

[Cedwards38]

We gave ours gift cards to Panera.

[Gpsma]

Call me Scrooge but I never have tipped mail employees or sanitation workers. Unless these workers are going out of their way for me I believe they dont deserve a tip. I have in the past tipped UPS workers who have had to make an exceptional number of deliveries or pickups.

Do you tip police or fireman? They are providing us as valuable a service as sanitiona and postal employees.?

[ColdNoMore]

Some people just wait for them to come. I tape an envelope to the bag in a very obvious way. If someone is so low as to steal a Christmas gift, they may need it more than the refuse collectors
I used to do that, but now just wait and give it to them personally.



Maybe I'm crazy, but I just give $50 to each of them. IMHO, $1/week is still too little for the service they provide, but fixed incomes suck.You make a good point, that I should increase my tips to those locally.

I do consider myself lucky, that a fixed income is not an issue.

Which is why I automatically have $50 a month going to the following charities/organizations.

- Children Aids Society
- MAP International
- American Humanist Association
- Southern Poverty Law Center.

In my mind, it is but a small price to pay for helping the underdogs...and those less fortunate.

I use (and donate to) Charity Navigator...

Charity Navigator - Your Guide To Intelligent Giving | Home (http://www.charitynavigator.org/)

...to review those I'm thinking of giving to.

Which is why I quit donating to the Wounded Warrior Project, as I wasn't too thrilled to learn how much overhead they have...and how little actually gets to those who need it. :mad:

On those rare occasions I go to a casino, I'm also the guy in the minority who tips restroom attendants and those cleaning nasty ashtrays and old drink glasses from around the slot machines.

Just the look on their faces, tells me that it is not something that happens very often. Which if you think about it, is pretty darned weird.

If a person can afford to gamble, surely they can afford to drop a dollar bill here and there...for those with really crappy jobs. :shrug:

[redwitch]

Call me Scrooge but I never have tipped mail employees or sanitation workers. Unless these workers are going out of their way for me I believe they dont deserve a tip. I have in the past tipped UPS workers who have had to make an exceptional number of deliveries or pickups.

Do you tip police or fireman? They are providing us as valuable a service as sanitiona and postal employees.?

Police and fire personnel make a lot more than sanitation workers or our contract mail people. So, no, I don't tip them but I do drop a plate of goodies, which seem to have always been appreciated. The mail people bid on their jobs. Sadly, they usually make below minimum wage. Sanitation workers here actually make a semi-decent wage but not enough for the thankless job they do.

I don't see it so much as a tip but more of a way to thank these people and let them know their appreciated. And don't forget your paper delivery person!

[retiredguy123]

In my opinion, it is totally absurd to tip a federal employee or a federal contractor. I was a federal employee for 35 years, including 15 years as an Inspector General responsible for uncovering Government waste. No problem doing that! I know first hand that federal employees and contractors are grossly overpaid and underworked, and that includes me. The only complaint that my supervisors had of me was that I worked too fast and made my fellow employees look bad.

[dbussone]

In my opinion, it is totally absurd to tip a federal employee or a federal contractor. I was a federal employee for 35 years, including 15 years as an Inspector General responsible for uncovering Government waste. No problem doing that! I know first hand that federal employees and contractors are grossly overpaid and underworked, and that includes me. The only complaint that my supervisors had of me was that I worked too fast and made my fellow employees look bad.



And thank you for your service! I bet your union wasn't happy either.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[JoMar]

$20 for the contract mail people, $20 for Daily Sun delivery, $20 for recycle crew and $40 for the refuse crew.

Agree although we tip the recycle guys the same....seems we end up with more recycle than refuse.

[Madelaine Amee]

At one time in my life, many years ago, I relied on tips to keep body and soul together. Now that I am able to do so, I always thank the people who make my life easier with a monetary gift.

I guess I am a sucker, I cannot walk past anyone needing a helping hand, but don't try to con me!

[ColdNoMore]

I guess I am a sucker, I cannot walk past anyone needing a helping hand, but don't try to con me!

Same here.

If you approach me and ask...you're most likely not getting anything.

If you're off to the side sitting and minding your own business, with a look that says you have had better days, then I am likely to walk a few steps out of my way to put a couple of bills in your hand.

[photo1902]

I have some trouble with it as they are in that nice cooled and heated building slipping your mail in a slot. On the other hand the trash men are out in rain, heat and cold and no one gives them a thought.

Our mail person goes above and beyond to make deliveries, pick up Priority Mail from our front door, and delivers boxes and shipping supplies. As far as the heated and cooled building, the mail doesn't get in there by itself. Our mail persons personal vehicle (minivan) is often packed to the gills with mail and boxes, which she has to unload. Trust me, she's not sitting in their enjoying the cool air. We've given a Starbucks gift card in the past. This year will be Panera.

[outlaw]

I always tip my neighbors' lawn maintenance crews because they make my neighborhood look nice.

[ghoffman]

USPS mail carriers are federal employees and as a result are prohibited from accepting any cash or cash equivalent items such as a gift card from any customer. Homemade treats, however, would be an acceptable gift.

This post is not correct. The mail carriers that service The Villages postal stations are not USPS employees. They are employees of the subcontractor that has the contract to deliver the mail. They get no benefits and must pay for the people who cover them when they take a day off!

[Madelaine Amee]

Call me Scrooge ......
Do you tip fireman? They are providing us as valuable a service as sanitiona and postal employees.?

Have you ever spoken at length to the young people who man our fire stations here in TV? They change my smoke alarm batteries and my other half has stood and talked to them at length. They make diddly, maybe not that much, I do not know how they survive.

So, yes, we do show our appreciation to the youngsters in the Fire Department, not with money because it is not allowed, but we have provided lunch, cookies and other "fattening things" from time to time.

[plrbr1120]

Have a great mail carrier. Give her cash. Also the garbage collectors, recycle pick up and lawn maintenance people. Nothing yet to yard waste collectors as have not put anything out for them to pick up since we've been here. When paying for our newspaper renewal, do add in a tip.

[Abigal]

Yes you can tip highway contractors as they are independent carriers and not considered USPS workers although they do delivery mail and packages to your home when there are not enough parcel
parcel lockers.
The sanitation workers: I wait for the truck to come down the road in the am and hand the envelope to the driver.
Merry Christmas.
When you get an email saying your package has arrived lease do not let it sit in a locker for days. This is a very busy season and the post office delivers thousands of packages in The Villages.

[Harry Gilbert]

From the USPS website:


Employee Tipping and Gift-Receiving Policy

All postal employees, including carriers, must comply with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Exec*utive Branch. Under these federal regulations, carriers are permitted to accept a gift worth $20 or less from a customer per occasion, such as Christmas. However, cash and cash equivalents, such as checks or gift cards that can be exchanged for cash, must never be accepted in any amount. Furthermore, no employee may accept more than $50 worth of gifts from any one customer in any one calendar year period.

[redwitch]

Again, our mail people are NOT federal employees. They are private subcontractors and, as such, are not subject to the federal gratuity rules. The general contractor may make good money, but our mail people do not. Frequently, especially on Mondays and after a holiday, they end up making less than minimum wage for that day. They use their personal vehicles. They lift heavy loads on a daily basis. They will stop what they are doing to answer your questions. And so in and so forth. Personally, I think our mail carriers do exceptional work and deserve every extra dollar we give them.

I wouldn't want to do either the mail carriers' nor the sanitation workers' jobs. Ditto the lawn employees (the owners do make a pretty decent income but their employees are at minimum wage or less). So, for those who want and can afford it, tip away. For those who can't, have no fear, these folks will still take good care of you. For those of you who just won't, well ......

[Bonnevie]

In my opinion, it is totally absurd to tip a federal employee or a federal contractor. I was a federal employee for 35 years, including 15 years as an Inspector General responsible for uncovering Government waste. No problem doing that! I know first hand that federal employees and contractors are grossly overpaid and underworked, and that includes me. The only complaint that my supervisors had of me was that I worked too fast and made my fellow employees look bad.

I take offense at that. While there are bad employees there, there was also plenty of people who worked hard and did more than their share. I used to say if you had a work ethic and a conscience you killed yourself working at the VA. I also said it rewarded mediocrity because certain people were never asked to do more. But to make that sweeping a generalization is unfair.

[jgm3279]

$$$$

[CWGUY]

Again, our mail people are NOT federal employees. They are private subcontractors and, as such, are not subject to the federal gratuity rules. The general contractor may make good money, but our mail people do not. Frequently, especially on Mondays and after a holiday, they end up making less than minimum wage for that day. They use their personal vehicles. They lift heavy loads on a daily basis. They will stop what they are doing to answer your questions. And so in and so forth. Personally, I think our mail carriers do exceptional work and deserve every extra dollar we give them.

I wouldn't want to do either the mail carriers' nor the sanitation workers' jobs. Ditto the lawn employees (the owners do make a pretty decent income but their employees are at minimum wage or less). So, for those who want and can afford it, tip away. For those who can't, have no fear, these folks will still take good care of you. For those of you who just won't, well ......


I would finish that statement with .... " get on TOTV and bitch about it!"

I agree with the rest and would add this has to be the only place I have lived where people care what others are tipping. I almost have enough stories to write a book about tipping in the Villages.

[Bonnevie]

I woke up early 5:30 the other morning because I couldn't sleep. I expected to have to wait to be able to read the paper but was surprised to find it was there already. My carrier sent a card--of her, her husband, and what looked to be a 1 year old child. So my guess is she gets up very early to do this job and get home before her husband leaves. I admire that work ethic and I gifted her accordingly. I also gift the mail carrier. It's their job, but in the spirit of the holidays I like to show them some appreciation. I worked very hard during my life doing all sorts of jobs along the way and finally got into a good career. I value a good work ethic in others and if I can make their holidays a little brighter, I'm glad to do it.

[PaulDenise]

This thread got me to pick up a $50 gift card at Walmart for our Postal Service contractor. She works very hard and cares. As Bonnie above mentions, she has 'a work ethic and a conscience'. You don't see that much anymore.

[retiredguy123]

I take offense at that. While there are bad employees there, there was also plenty of people who worked hard and did more than their share. I used to say if you had a work ethic and a conscience you killed yourself working at the VA. I also said it rewarded mediocrity because certain people were never asked to do more. But to make that sweeping a generalization is unfair.
I'm sorry you take offense at what I said. I was not attacking Government employees, but the federal system that is ripping off the taxpayers and future generations. I was a federal employee for 35 years because the job was too good to be true and the best way to make a living. I was an excellent and efficient worker, but I was grossly overpaid and underworked. I was a teleworker and sometimes spent months watching daytime television while making over $100K per year, because the office was overstaffed and they had no work for me and they would never reduce the staff. This situation is very typical in many federal Government offices. I think people should know how much of their tax money is being wasted by federal spending that is totally out of control.

[Opmoochler]

I have some trouble with it as they are in that nice cooled and heated building slipping your mail in a slot. On the other hand the trash men are out in rain, heat and cold and no one gives them a thought.

If you get a package that's too big for a big mailbox, they'll deliver to the door. Our lab loves our mail carrier and greets her enthusiastically when she delivers his monthly Bark Box! His 45 lb bag of food also comes by mail and is delivered to our door with a smile. She earns her tip!

[CassieInVa]

We always tip our mail guy. He looks out for us and I get quite a few packages. I believe he is a contractor and has no issue accepting a cash tip.

[EdFNJ]

Agreed. They are doing the job they are paid to do and they really aren't that badly compensated. (Have you seen the perks of working for the Feds?). If someone went out of their way (above and beyond) that's another story. I wish someone gave me a tip when I did the job I was paid for. Would you tip a McDonalds, Wendy's or Chick-Fil-A employee? How about a Cop or Fireman? Where I live now the City Sanitation Workers make over $60K a year plus medical. They chose their career knowing full well what it's benefits are.

Give those tips to homes for battered women, the Red Cross and/or organizations that really need the cash.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! (because EVERYONE doesn't celebrate Christmas so why exclude all the others during the holiday season!)



Call me Scrooge but I never have tipped mail employees or sanitation workers. Unless these workers are going out of their way for me I believe they dont deserve a tip. I have in the past tipped UPS workers who have had to make an exceptional number of deliveries or pickups.

Do you tip police or fireman? They are providing us as valuable a service as sanitiona and postal employees.?

[Bonnevie]

I'm sorry you take offense at what I said. I was not attacking Government employees, but the federal system that is ripping off the taxpayers and future generations. I was a federal employee for 35 years because the job was too good to be true and the best way to make a living. I was an excellent and efficient worker, but I was grossly overpaid and underworked. I was a teleworker and sometimes spent months watching daytime television while making over $100K per year, because the office was overstaffed and they had no work for me and they would never reduce the staff. This situation is very typical in many federal Government offices. I think people should know how much of their tax money is being wasted by federal spending that is totally out of control.

well, then you'll be happy to know that there's been a freeze on hiring for years. by the time I left, even if someone got hired it would often be 8 months before they could be brought on. One of the reasons I retired when I did was because I was tired of being denied time off because there wasn't enough staff.

[Jdmiata]

USPS mail carriers are federal employees and as a result are prohibited from accepting any cash or cash equivalent items such as a gift card from any customer. Homemade treats, however, would be an acceptable gift.

As a former postal service employee for 37 years I can tell you that "nominal" gifts are permissible. However this rule has been ignored as long as I can remember.
Give some cash to your carrier.
Merry Christmas.

[tedquick]

I have some trouble with it as they are in that nice cooled and heated building slipping your mail in a slot. On the other hand the trash men are out in rain, heat and cold and no one gives them a thought.

I tip the mail carrier, the paper gal, the garbage men and my yard man (cash to all). I've never seen anyone turn down money.

[RickeyD]

When my ex was still cutting my hair ( when it still existed ) she would say, " what no tip ? "
I would always reply, " Beauregard in the 5th "

[CFrance]

When my ex was still cutting my hair ( when it still existed ) she would say, " what no tip ? "
I would always reply, " Beauregard in the 5th "
Could that possibly be why she's your ex?:shocked: (Sorry... I couldn't help myself!)

[Warren Kiefer]

USPS mail carriers are federal employees and as a result are prohibited from accepting any cash or cash equivalent items such as a gift card from any customer. Homemade treats, however, would be an acceptable gift.

Your answer is not totally correct. The postal station employees here in the Villages are Independent Contractors an as such are not Federal Employees. They get no perks from the Federal Government.

[Bogie Shooter]

It has been posted four times, our station folks are contract employees.

[retiredguy123]

This entire thread is repulsive to me. Apparently, we live in a country where employers expect their customers to pay their employees, and employees who expect the customers to supplement their income with tax avoidable cash income. We should expect and demand that employers pay fair wages and that employees be competent and assertive enough to demand a fair wage. Tipping should never be automatic and should only be done when an employee does something that goes beyond their normal service responsibility. Neither employers nor employees should expect customers to give tips.

[golfing eagles]

This entire thread is repulsive to me. Apparently, we live in a country where employers expect their customers to pay their employees, and employees who expect the customers to supplement their income with tax avoidable cash income. We should expect and demand that employers pay fair wages and that employees be competent and assertive enough to demand a fair wage. Tipping should never be automatic and should only be done when an employee does something that goes beyond their normal service responsibility. Neither employers nor employees should expect customers to give tips.


Are you living in the Village of Fantasyland????:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Shimpy]

I tape an envelope to the bag in a very obvious way. If someone is so low as to steal a Christmas gift, they may need it more than the refuse collectors

Do you know that you have the same people picking up every week or are they constantly changing trucks and routes?
Mail people and paper delivery people stay the same.

[Shimpy]

I especially tip the paper delivery person because it is the best paper delivery I have ever had. Paper always there VERY early, DRY, and in the exact spot in my driveway every day, 7 days a week. You couldn't ask for any more.

[PaPaLarry]

I especially tip the paper delivery person because it is the best paper delivery I have ever had. Paper always there VERY early, DRY, and in the exact spot in my driveway every day, 7 days a week. You couldn't ask for any more.

I agree!!!! They are fantastic when it comes to early.

[Trayderjoe]

Beginning on almost day 1 of owning our home in the Villages, our mail person(s) frequently put some of our mail in our neighbors mailbox, and his mail in ours. We usually end up passing each other the mail that was misfiled. We have had other peoples mail in our mail box, and who knows where else our mail has gone? Every Christmas we get a note from our mail carrier addressed to my wife and my mother-in-law (she comes down as a snow bird and my father in law did the same until his passing), but using her first name and my surname. No mention of me at all-unless they were thinking of ergonomics, so in the spirit of reducing the amount of writing they figured that using both of our names together would count as addressing both of us, which is ok. So, no we don't tip the mail carrier. Most of our important "stuff" is handled electronically so if there are those who would suggest that if we tipped we would get better service, I refer you to the first sentence of this post.

[Bogie Shooter]

Beginning on almost day 1 of owning our home in the Villages, our mail person(s) frequently put some of our mail in our neighbors mailbox, and his mail in ours. We usually end up passing each other the mail that was misfiled. We have had other peoples mail in our mail box, and who knows where else our mail has gone? Every Christmas we get a note from our mail carrier addressed to my wife and my mother-in-law (she comes down as a snow bird and my father in law did the same until his passing), but using her first name and my surname. No mention of me at all-unless they were thinking of ergonomics, so in the spirit of reducing the amount of writing they figured that using both of our names together would count as addressing both of us, which is ok. So, no we don't tip the mail carrier. Most of our important "stuff" is handled electronically so if there are those who would suggest that if we tipped we would get better service, I refer you to the first sentence of this post.
You don't tip to get better service.......maybe a calm discussion of the problems you are having, could lead to better service.
BTW, I have had a few miss sorted pieces of mail in the past 14 years.

[Trayderjoe]

You don't tip to get better service.......maybe a calm discussion of the problems you are having, could lead to better service.
BTW, I have had a few miss sorted pieces of mail in the past 14 years.

Oh I agree about not tipping for better service, I was trying to "head that discussion off at the pass". We've tried to explain but the errors continue to happen. What amazes me is that the names have to be coming off the mail, but it is like a void in space in trying to correct it. Not sure why, and I am sure we all get others mail, however the frequency it what is disconcerting.

[Boomer]

I would finish that statement with .... " get on TOTV and bitch about it!"

I agree with the rest and would add this has to be the only place I have lived where people care what others are tipping. I almost have enough stories to write a book about tipping in the Villages.

I could help you write that book. Sometimes, I think about going undercover as a server in TV.........not for long..........but I bet it would not take long...........

:posting:

.