Is it customary to tip the semi-truck driver?

[Jazzman]

I'm working on getting cash in the right pockets so that I can easily pay for everything when it arrives. I have to call Stewart Trucking tomorrow to get a current quote on what it will cost to ship a complete kit to Arizona. However, I got to wondering whether it is customary to tip the semi-truck driver that delivers the kit? For those of you on the left side of the US that have received a kit in the past 6 months or so, what was your shipping cost? Did you tip the driver? How much?

Thanks!

[myjones]

Depends on their attitude, since they get paid to drive you tip only for good service IMO
Mine came on the FF hauler and Honeybadger went above and beyond just delivering freight. The driver must bring the body and all parts to their tailgate but from there it's up to you. If the driver goes to a lot of trouble to get the rig in a tight spot and helps bring all the boxes into your garage, helps put the frame on jackstands etc. then I think he deserves a tip. How much you tip depends on your circumstances and somewhat on cost of living where you are. I would buy a friend a meal if he helped me with something, the meal would range from a burger to a steak depending on the task at hand. Honeybadger got enough for a good steak dinner here and he earned it with the quality of service he provided. HTH
DB Hemi33

[pcww]

I tipped the Stewart driver who went above and beyond the call of duty in my delivery. He had to park about half a block away from my home since I live on a fairly busy rural street and he had to park his rig in a church parking lot. We had to roll it down the street to my driveway and down the driveway to my garage. A far piece. He never hesitated. Glad to give him a fair tip. So yes. Henry

[jlfernan]

I had heard about this and what I did, is that they sometimes like baked goods. My girlfriend makes some killer desserts and the driver was very appreciative.

[DaleG]

My driver helped a lot; helped with inventory, unloading, carting the boxes up the driveway and getting the chassis on jackstands. Tipped him enough for him and the missus to have a "night out" on me when he returned to Phoenix from the West Coast, where he had 3 other cars to drop off.

[Pylons]

I tipped mine. My house is not all that easy to get to in a big rig and my driveway is a challenge as well. They also had messed up the way the truck was loaded that caused some extra work. Guy had an awesome attitude the whole time and went above and beyond what he *had* to do...like helping us get the frame into my shop and onto my scissor lift.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Depends on the situation, I did. My driveway is pretty steep so we loaded all the boxes from the tail gate into my Ranger & drove them up to the garage. This took a number of trips. He helped load/unload the pickup & stage the boxes in assembly sequence. We then hooked the little car dolly he had for the body to the 4X4 & I went up slow in low range & he guided the dolly. We then put the car onto my jack stands.

Driver was competent, courteous, very helpful & deserved something extra. Amount of a tip, if any, is up to you.

[Bhhughes]

I like myjones' take on the issue for above and beyond service. In my mind, thinking about the issue in terms of what you would do to thank a friend for their help with the task really helps to determine an appropriate tip.