Moving companies from AZ to Mass (Tucson: insurance, mover, house)

[Saguarogirl507]

We are planning a move from Tucson AZ to Massachusetts. Can anyone on here recommend a mover here that they have used and was happy with who could make that long distance move.

[Mike from back east]

In my civilian career with the Army I was in the business of moving and storing Household Goods (HHG) on a worldwide basis. During the 1970s and 1980s when we had a huge DoD we were spending over $1B per year on the HHG programs. There are a few things I recommend.

1. Get a Binding Estimate (BE) before signing any contract or hiring a mover. Call a reputable Van Line (VL), one of the main ones with names we all know (National VL, North American VL, United VL, Aero Mayflower VL, Paul Arpin VL, Interstate VL, Bekins VL, etc). The major VLs will be glad to give you a BE. With a BE you know, up front, exactly what you'll pay. They visit your house and look at everything you need to pack, ship and/or store. They will give you a firm fixed price that is binding on their part, the price will not change. If you pick a low bid carrier and do not get a BE there is a high risk that at the end of the move they will demand you pay $$$$ extra because of some nonsense. They will hold your HHG hostage until you pay. The Federal DOT has tons of complaints on file from people who've been scammed by these fly by night carriers; we always referred to such creeps as rag-bag carriers.

2. Pay a bit extra for full value insurance (FVI). Federal transportation law only requires them to pay $1.25 per pound for your lost or damaged goods. Your 80-pound grandfather clock, worth $3500.00 will only gain you $1.25 x 80 ($100.00) if it's lost or destroyed. FVI is not expensive and can save you a ton of grief.

Check out these threads for more info:

- https://www.city-data.com/forum/gene...ving-some.html

- https://www.city-data.com/forum/gene...nce-mover.html


Hoping you have a smooth move.

[hikernut]

Can't rep you at this point, Mike, but thanks for the useful info!

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by hikernut

Can't rep you at this point, Mike, but thanks for the useful info!

I repped them in your stead. That was a extremely thorough answer. Hey OP, if you don't mind me asking, where in Massachusetts will you be moving? I'm from there.

[thatdesertdude]

Not a Van line moving company, but if money is a concern, there's always u-haul pods.

[ejisme]

Originally Posted by thatdesertdude

Not a Van line moving company, but if money is a concern, there's always u-haul pods.

OP - On your other thread I gave you my experience with U-Haul pods.