First time moving interstate (WI to VA), need advice!! (movers, Allied, truck)

[iphoneeee]

Moving from Milwaukee, WI to Fairfax, VA. Got a quote from 3 interstate movers (name of the local Milwaukee mover in parenthesis):

Mayflower (Boulevard): 3400 lbs $3000 BOUND estimate

NA van lines (Beltman group) : 2800 lbs $2100 not bound

Allied (Behrens): 2900 lbs $2100 not bound

Here are my questions:

1. Any experience with these Milwaukee movers? For what its worth, I checked the BBB ratings for these companies and they were A+.

2. The NA van lines and Allied couldn’t provide a bound estimate? Is that a problem? Or should I be able to trust their word that the estimate is legitimate? (granted the size in lbs doesn’t change)

3. They all said to expect a transit time of 4-12 days. Worse case scenario if it doesn’t get to me within 12 days, what’s my legal recourse? I heard that I have to give them upto 30 days and can then report theft to the police?

4. If I go above the weight estimate, I was told that charges would be minimal (100 lbs would be like 70 bucks)? Does that sound right? I'm just afraid they might do a bait and switch where they might charge exorbitant rates if i go above their lb estimate (the non-bound ones).

5. Anything else I should be aware of and should consider?

[RikkiTikki]

All three companies are well-established, reputable agents of top five van lines. No bait and switch worries in this bunch.

Although the FMCSA allows movers to provide both binding (fixed price) and non-binding (actual weight) estimates, it does not require that they provide both. A company has the option of only providing one or the other.

The transit time you were quoted is normal for the size of your shipment and the traffic channel you're moving in.

If you're planning you move between now and the end of August, however, be advised that the entire HHG moving industry is currently experiencing a backlog because of a shortage in both driver and equipment capacity. This is further complicated by double digit growth during the peak summer moving season.

The closer you move to the beginning or end the month, the more likely you'll experience a delay on your delivery. As far as involving the police, that's a moving scam myth. Suggest you read FMCSA's consumer protection handbook, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move

The cheaper your negotiated price, the longer it will sit unassigned. That's probably why Boulevard's estimate is so much higher.

[brianjb]

Just another option to consider. Look at The Best Moving & Storage Idea Ever for Self Storage, Portable Moving and Storage Solutions | PODS They drop a container off at your house, and you load it up. You can probably hire some cheap help or get friends to help. When it is loaded, they deliver it to your new place and drop it off when you schedule it. Then you empty it, and they pick it up.

[texanne]

Be careful loading a POD. You want it packed just like the movers would load their truck. If you go that way, hire some local movers to load the POD so that all of your furniture and boxes are secure and won't shift on moving. Don't know that you'd really save any money using a POD.

Be sure to add "Valuation Coverage". It will cost you a few hundred dollars depending on what value you select, but it's worth it if something large were to get damaged. Basic coverage from movers only offers you $0.60/lb. Imagine if your flat screen TV were broken. If it weighs 25 lbs, you'd only get $15.

And yes, this summer all of the movers are VERY busy.