iternabe My first impression is @ShiroKuro's tuner basically means he'd do this simple job for next to nothing, and "gas money" is just a metaphor of any small amount. No need to really factor in the actual mileage he'd drive. 'Cause if the tuner really come to do this as a single job trip, he'd ask for a real amount to cover cost.
This makes a lot of sense!
ShiroKuro Anyway, for this move, the moving company specializes in pianos and they are also a regular moving company, so the same company is doing our whole move (piano and furniture etc.). I was assuming I would tip them each $20 again, but maybe that’s not enough? There will be three of them.
That's how much I would plan to tip as well.
I tipped each of the 2 piano movers $40 but they came all the way from California and did a really great job getting my big piano into my house. The guy had incredible spatial awareness and at one point the end of my piano was just an inch off the ground as they maneuvered it up the step (cue heart attack).
Actually a good reason to keep my piano and house for the rest of my life, because I don't think I can handle that again 
Wow that’s a long way! We will have three guys, and it’s a local move. And my piano is smaller (lighter) than yours.
So you can see that I’m grasping at straws here to justify the tip.. 
I guess I’ll prep extra bills and will see how the whole thing goes…
ShiroKuro Wow that’s a long way!
It was an inexpensive move from a highly recommended guy (I think he was also a rebuilder) but I also had to wait a while for them to fill the truck before they made the trip!
Gombessa I think I did about the same. It was a total guess in end whether that was appropriate. They seemed appreciative!
I would probably tip a little more (maybe $50 each) now, post-pandemic. But it's so stressful to have to decide how much and what's appropriate!! I'm sure that some people don't tip at all and some are incredibly generous and we're probably somewhere in the middle and it's all ok!
@ShiroKuro I still think $20/each for local movers is appropriate 
ShiroKuro I think $20 seems appropriate in this case, more as a token of appreciation than tipping.
My tech always tells me that there is no need of tipping for his tuning service. So I find other ways to thank him such as wines and opera tickets. We are like friends now 
Here is what I found from googling—
The Tipping Dilemma: To Tip or Not to Tip
When it comes to tipping your piano tuner, the general consensus is no, it is not customary. Unlike some service industries where tipping is a standard practice, piano tuning operates on a different etiquette. Piano tuners typically charge a fee for their services, reflecting the expertise and time invested in ensuring your piano sounds its best.
Why Tipping Your Piano Tuner Isn’t Customary:
Piano tuning is a professional service that is compensated through a predetermined fee. Unlike waitstaff or delivery drivers who rely on tips as a significant part of their income, piano tuners set their rates to encompass the full value of their service. Tipping is not expected, and most piano tuners do not factor it into their pricing structure.
I generally follow the idea of not tipping someone who’s in business for themselves or the business owner, and piano tuners fit that description. (Not counting this visit since it’s not a standard tuning)
I agree wholeheartedly, @ShiroKuro. If someone is an employee, you can assume that they are either on a salary, or receive a certain percentage of income earned. But if they're in business for themselves, I assume they are pricing their services accordingly. The one exception I make is if, for instance, an appliance mover arrives, and it's the boss and two employees. I can't exactly tip the employees and not the boss, so everybody gets something.
ShiroKuro
I would ask the tuner to quote a fee when done. If s/he refuses, hand him or her the $20 you have planned. If more is expected, you will have given him or her ample opportunity to state an amount.
