Tipping Amounts
 

I was wondering if you tip the the Daily Sun Carrier for the year round delivery of your newspaper, and what amount is proper. I was thinking about $10, as they do an excellent job.

I was also thinking of tipping the P.O. mail delivery person $5, as I know they make adecent wage as they are federal employees.

All opinions, are welcomed!

I think $10 is appropriate for the newspaper deliverer. As far as the mailbox person, I don't know because I don't think they are Federal employees - I think they are just subcontractors, it's not a post office where they work, so they probably make next to nothing

$20 to both.

Z

One works for you 365 days a year and the other about 300. Perhaps you should consider $20-$25 each.

Agree, $20.00 to each of them. Both do a very good job for very little money.

$20 to each one.

In regard to the newspaper carrier who delivers 365 days a year and begins their day in what I consider the middle of the night, it looks like the posted suggestions range from 3 - 5 1/2 cents a day (fractionally less).

I appreciate being able to start the coffee and then walk out the front door and know the Daily Sun will be there (and double wrapped when it's raining or there's been a forecast of rain). I'm able to gift a bit more than the above amounts, but I know it's still not enough thanks for the service provided.

Happy Holidays to all the Carriers.

$20 or $25 to newspaper carrier would seem reasonable for their services.

Our mail carrier up north is a US Postal worker and we place a gift certificate to Dunkin Donuts in our mail box addressed to the Postal person.

The folks who sort the mail in our mail stations are sub-subcontractors. Since they have to bid on their jobs (they bid for the year, are paid by the month), they frequently end up making well below minimum wage. Federal employees are not allowed to take tips (yes, I know, postal delivery folks do but are not supposed to and can be terminated if caught).

Just do give the tip as early as possible (I do it on the day after Thanksgiving) -- it gives these people a chance to use the tips for Christmas.

Hi there! I am a long time lurker who is still living up North and many years from retirement. But I wanted to add some comments from a newspaper carrier's perspective. This is not meant to inflame or incite, just inform; I think that many people do not know how paper carriers are paid - I did not until my teen son started a paper route. Carriers are paid a very small sum for delivery (here it is 12 cents, per paper, per day, but that may vary by region). From that fee, your carrier has to buy all supplies for the route - elastics, plastic bags, envelopes, and other supplies -- these basic tools are not supplied by the newspaper. Not to mention the cost of gas and wear and tear on a car, and the fact that there are virtually no days "off". We delivered my son's papers on Thanksgiving and other holidays, and have returned home early from family vacations to be certain that papers are delivered on time.

A paper route appealed to me for my son since I am trying to instill a strong work ethic, encourage him to buy some of his "wants" (I supply the needs of course), and this was a good opportunity for him to learn about money management while he is too young for a part time job. I also had a paper route as a child and relished the experience. In my humble opinion, a paper route is a fine arrangement for a child with no expenses, but a very difficult way to make extra income as an adult.

Again, my intent is not to incite, but I thought this information would be helpful when you are considering a holiday tip for your carrier (assuming that you are happy with the service). They are very much appreciated! Thanks for the soapbox, and I wish you all Happy Holidays!

Newspapers come to your driveway 52 weeks a year so a $1 a week seems appropriate.

Question: If a cleaning service company cleans your home on an occasional basis, and you pay the cleaning company directly, is it appropriate to tip the girls each time? (It might be a different crew each time).

I remember my mom always tipping the paper boy when he collected every week. Now you don't even know who is delivering that paper; however I have to say our carrier never fails and usually has it in the driveway by 5 - maybe earlier but I wouldn't know about that. Will probably tip $25.

For the mail person do you just put it in an envelope in your mailbox and they see it when they stick mail in there just like back home for an individual home mailbox ?

I deal with some savy folks. The two papers I have delivered, each contained a nice Christmas card last week. The guy that sorts the mail put a Christmas card with my mail as well.
All had return address labels.