Moving companies, are they ALL horrendous? (Sacramento, Chico: movers, buy, live)

[Tantalust]

Hi folks,
Can anyone point to a reliable listing or website for real ratings for moving companies? We know there are a lot of really bad ones.

It can be kind of hard to determine which customer comments are coming from actual customers.

We're getting ready for a move from NJ to the Sacramento area, probably near Chico, very excited..

Some of your personal experience/advice would be appreciated very much, too. thanks.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Tantalust

Hi folks,
Can anyone point to a reliable listing or website for real ratings for moving companies? We know there are a lot of really bad ones.

It can be kind of hard to determine which customer comments are coming from actual customers.

We're getting ready for a move from NJ to the Sacramento area, probably near Chico, very excited..

Some of your personal experience/advice would be appreciated very much, too. thanks.

You could try "A Nice Jewish Boy Moving & Storage Incorporated"

A Nice Jewish Boy Moving - Home

or "Starving Students"

Starving Students - Local movers, long distance moving services, relocation services

Here are the "starving students" who show up at your front door:

[Tantalust]

Cool!

Do the "Starving Students" have a Chapter in North Jersey?

[Tantalust]

I did see an ad for an outfit called the "Spastic Colon Autistic Moving Company", but they don't return my calls.

[LASam]

I used Graebel when I moved from Columbus, OH to LA and they were absolutely fantastic. Highly recommend them.

[Tantalust]

Thanks, I'll put them on the list.

[Guevera]

I used Wheaton for two moves over two years -- From Missouri to Wisconsin, then from Wisconsin to Sacramento. In both cases they moved whole household worth of stuff plus a car and did a great job. I was on the company's dime both times -- but the second time I had to do the shopping and they were cheapest.

They totally worked with me -- The first time they dropped off before I arrived, the second time I had them pack and move everything after I left. The only thing they missed was one drawer of kitchen stuff.

In my business people move all the time, and I've heard all the moving company horror stories -- which is why I'm thrilled to give a positive review for them.

That said -- Wheaton, like all the big van lines, uses local agents to arrange stuff. Those guys are quasi-independent and I think your experience will depend in large part on how good the local agent is. If you're moving for work ask co-workers.

Good luck!

[LASam]

Originally Posted by Guevera

That said -- Wheaton, like all the big van lines, uses local agents to arrange stuff. Those guys are quasi-independent and I think your experience will depend in large part on how good the local agent is. If you're moving for work ask co-workers.

That's another great thing about Graebel... all run by the same company. No local agents.

[Judy & Randy]

With the cost of fuel now, unless someone else pays for your move, it's easier, far cheaper to sell all your stuff before you leave and buy new stuff at your new residence. Or you can check out Pods where you fill the containers yourself on your schedule and they pick it up and deliver them to your new address. That way no one has access to your stuff in between locations.

[Tantalust]

I had actually planned on the PODS idea, but my NJ town has very strict bylaws regarding them, specifically allowing them to be placed on the property for 2 days maximum. It's a shame, we loved the idea of loading our stuff at our leisure.

PODS pricing seemed very high, too.