What to Consider When Selecting a Mover
The most important task you will face in the beginning stages of your move is selecting a mover. If you are nervous about this process – don’t worry, you’re not alone! Most people get stressed out about selecting a mover because of all the horror stories that have hovered over the moving industry throughout the years.
If you already have your heart set on a certain mover, go for it. Some people have movers that they or family members have dealt with for years and feel comfortable with. This trust factor is extremely important as it can help lower stress levels during your move.
If you don’t have a trustworthy mover or want several estimates, grab the yellow pages or go online. Pick three movers and go from there. You don’t need 5-8 movers tramping through your house for the physical estimate. Unless your brain can hold as much information as the newest Pentium chip, you don't want to go through all that.
Before you make the calls and line up dates for meeting with sales representatives, however, make sure you have all of your information in order. You need to know exactly what goes, what stays, what's to be packed and have identified any concerns.
Three estimates are usually enough to give you a fair idea of the costs. When you have too many movers trying to get your business, you cause an internal struggle from the salesman's point of view. You may find that they will offer large discounts, maybe some free packing materials, and all kinds of "promises" as to what they or the driver will perform. Do not let these promises sway your decision on whom to use. You should listen to the way each sales person presents his/her estimates and "read" between their lines (would you buy a used car from this guy?). If too many "perks" are being offered to you for little or no charge, be careful and make sure to get it in writing.
Typically it is best not to go with the cheapest estimate, but with the best value after all comparisons are made. Check with the Better Business Bureau to find out if there have been any complaints against them. In addition, take a ride by the mover's facility. Check out the location. What do the trucks and buildings look like? Do you see any of the crews around? What do the workers look like, and are they in uniform? In other words, does the company look professional? It all comes down to this: do you like what you see? Evaluate the various movers you selected in this manner and you will come up with a "pick of the litter." If by chance they all turn out to be dogs, start over!
When you meet with the sales representative, take care to note his/her overall appearance. Are they dressed as though they are going to some gala, or are they dressed in such a way that they can check out the attic, storage crawl space, and under the eaves? Some estimators come to the house wearing spike heels and all kinds of dangling jewelry. An estimator should be able to survey the entire contents of your house and figure packing, crating, and any potential problems. Also, make sure that the information that you give to each of the moving companies is an exact carbon copy to help guarantee an equal comparison of the companies.
Lastly, a common trick to be wary of…make sure that the truck can get down your street without any complications. During estimation, one sales representative may assess that it is "no problem," or "don't worry," etc. Another representative (who used to be a driver) may say "no way!" Another representative may reveal that they will need to shuttle your goods from the house to the big truck, but that they "won't charge you" (just to get the job).
Basically, know this: today's trucks are huge, and unless you have a wide open street or development, you could very easily be looking at a "shuttle". This is a smaller van that will make trips back and forth to the road truck from your house. This service can get very pricey, so be prepared, as you may have to fit it into your budget. Shuttle service may also be necessary at your new destination, and the smaller van will take your goods from the road truck and deliver them to your new residence. Worst case scenario: both addresses will need shuttles.
Author Harry Lipsky has been active in the moving industry for over 40 years. For more information on moving services in your area, visit www.uship.com/ship/moves/.