Movers - JC (insurance, homes, price)

[donsabi]

Has anyone any experience with local moving companies, good or bad? One company that was recommended was Mighty Movers but they are not listed not listed by the BBB. Has anyone used Mighty Movers, if so, what are your thoughts? Thanks.

[bkjonesborough]

I'm not familiar with Mighty Movers, but I have used Roys and All Seasons. Both did a great job.

[GingerSue]

I've heard great things about Roys, but they seem to stay booked up and I've never used them.

I've used All Seasons to move two homes and two businesses and was very satisfied with their work.

[tdatl]

I have no experience with any movers in the tri-cities, but I can tell you to be very careful with any movers. It has to be the most crooked industry in this country.

see Moving: How to avoid Moving Company Scams

There's also a good current thread on the FatWallet finance forums from some guy who got taken. I've moved a number of times, both local and long-distance, and I've always rented and driven the truck myself and hired local movers to pack and unpack. Given the lack of consumer rights in this area, no way would I allow someone to take possession of my property...

[Ted Bear]

My experience has been in contrast to what has been mentioned above.

I have two major moves under my belt, and am about to begin a third.

I usually call two or three of the major companies (Mayflower, United, etc.) as recommended by others locally and have them independently come out and give me an estimate. I point out the things which are likely to skew the 'normal' quote such as hot tub or piano or heavy tools, etc. They give me a price which is estimated based on their 'formula' of rooms and number of miles to travel. They typically add on anything, such as super heavy stuff, which is 'extra' relative to their average formula, and they give me a quote. Usually the quotes are quite close together....not more than a few hundred dollars apart for a $5,000 move.

In my experience, the drivers and the laborers who come to do the work are extremely careful with my things....they can tell when they are moving a 'caring' household just by the condition of your furniture, and they behave accordingly....blankets on the floors, no shoes inside the house, everything wrapped in blankets or bubble wrap, etc. Offer them a coffee or a soft drink or lunch, and you would be surprised by how helpful they can be.

They weigh the truck before they pick up your stuff, and they weigh it after they load it--and show you/include the stamps inthe invoice. You pay the weight times a per mile fee. The loading and unloading comes in the price. Of course they can fudge the weight, but reliable companies have no reason to do this. You get a fair service for a fair price, exactly what you would want for yourself, isn't it?

In the end you pay the bill...usually with a CC or Certified Check (most are reluctant to take personal checks because too many consumers have stiffed them (two sides to every coin, isn't there?) plus you tip the crew for a job well done. I have gone so far as to pay the estimate to the moving company before hand, and have them send me a check for the difference when the move is done. Typically they estimate a little high, just to be sure. Paying up front is easy, and when you are dealing with a good company which has been around for 50 or more years, they aren't going away based on your move.

Bottom line: do some homewrok, get a weight/miles estimate, pay a fair price, and you will get what you want...and what you paid for. There are plenty of people aorund who can tell you what they paid for a move, and you can figure out what is reasonable for your move. Too cheap and you will get poor service; too expensive and you move on to the next 'in line' estimate from the movers you have asked to quote the job.

[bkjonesborough]

My uncle had a long distance move a few years ago, and he was robbed blind. His wife had died a few months prior, and they helped themselves to some of her carvings and paintings, plus jewelry and furniture. My aunt was an artist, and most of the items taken were irreplaceable. He was grieving when he packed, and he should have taken a better inventory. It can happen, even with who seems to be reputable.

[dreamofmonterey]

Never had a problem with Allied, they have insurance, and I moved 2 times, full house....