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Wondering if anyone has experience with either or both of these movers and which one you like better. I have narrowed it down to these 2 -moving from Chicago area tio Bella Vista, AR.
I used Allied in 2000 (yeah, a LONG time ago) to move from Purdue's campus to Chicago. The Allied contractor was a total jerk that showed up at 6:30am in the morning and wanted to knock on my neighbors' doors to cheaply find someone to help him haul my couch up 3 flights of stairs. I told him no, this was not how I wanted to meet my new neighbors. He then drug the couch up himself and ripped it. My company paid a LOT of money for him to move me (fortune 500 company) and he took advantage because I was a 23 year old single female. At least, that's my take. AND when he picked up the goods on the other end he also asked my 65 year old aunt if she would mind helping him lift the couch in the truck. When she said no, he again drug it in.
I will never use Allied again, but I'm aware it's probably just that this one driver was a total jack*****!
*Sigh* I'm also trying to decide on a company for a cross country move. I am willing to pay quite a bit, but I'm nervous no matter what I pay it will all come down to who the person contracts out on each end to actually do the moving. Fortunately I'm not naive and 23 anymore, so hopefully that will help.
It depends on the local agent. We went with Allied Van Lines and loved the local agent. They were ranked very highly by the BBB, were professional and a cut above some of the others who were bottom feeding scumbags.
I actually had United Van Lines call me and try to give me a phone quote for our move. I was not impressed with the person I spoke with. The Allied guy came out to the house professionally dressed, was courteous and gave us a detailed quote right on the spot. They were a bit more expensive but our move went without a hitch. In fact we were 2,000 lbs over their estimate and THEY had to eat the cost.
So how do you find a good local agent? Did you go through the national site and let them just point you at one? Or is it better to do your own research and find a good local agent? I'm sure there are multiple in some areas that can help you, right?
Personally, I will never use a moving company again. Either I will figure out a way to get some manual labor through Craigslist to load/unload a truck or it just won't happen.
There is a thread somewhere on C-D about moving companies.
I'd suggest Upack-- you have the best of both worlds-- you can hire (through them) skilled labor to pack up and unload the truck, you only pay for the space you use and they're FAR, FAR cheaper, not to mention faster, than the full service guys.
Moving the contents of my 5 bedroom home from FL to MN (1800 miles) will cost me roughly $3300 (plus loading/unloading) with Upack-- and I only pay for the space I use, an additional linear foot of space in the truck will only run me $72 (also if I need less space, I'll save $72 per linear foot). Conversely, a full scale move will run me $8000 or so plus there's uncertainty of what I'll be charged due to weight.
In fact, the price is not much more than renting a truck and doing it yourself when you include the gas and hotels. To wit, to rent a 26' truck from FL to MN (1800 miles) will cost me $1200, gas will run around $800 plus hotels are another $200. So, a total of $2200 (and three days of my life consumed by driving a behemoth). Plus I'd likely hire people at either end for another $200-$300 for loading/unloading. So for $1000 more than a DIY move, I get all of the benefits of a full service move without the downsides-- and while saving $4000-$5000 vs a full service move.
I've read some horrible things about Upack, too. :/ It seems every moving company has some HORRIBLE reviews and you have to just pick the best you can find. I was moved professionally by Mayflower last time from midwest to west coast and it went great. My company hired the movers so I didn't think twice about it. Now I'm trying to find a moving company and I feel like it's so hit or miss and so difficult. :/
I don't want to drive myself from west coast to east. I have a 4 and 1 year old. The 1 year old won't travel well in a car for that long and I don't want to split up the family for a week because the 4 year old is struggling with the move emotionally.
Likewise to all these people that say dump everything you have and just fly there -- not the best way to handle the move with a preschooler that doesn't understand why all their things are gone.
I don't mind spending $10k as my company gave me $20k to move. I just don't want to get ripped off/stressed out by/troubled by drama from the move. Not looking to do it cheaply, looking to do it hassle free and the reviews are so depressing.
Thanks guys, for the suggestions, btw. Sorry to be so negative. We're going to hire someone from one of the national chains I guess and just hope it goes well. If not, we will just deal with it.
Wondering if anyone has experience with either or both of these movers and which one you like better. I have narrowed it down to these 2 -moving from Chicago area tio Bella Vista, AR.
Thanks!
Allied is a terrible company! Their packers and movers are very unprofessional in both skills and demeanor. In some cities, they use ex-cons. Some show up for the job with alcohol on their breath (at 9 a.m.). And beware going with another big company, like United. Some of them contract out to Allied. Call and check before you sign on.
Allied is a terrible company! Their packers and movers are very unprofessional in both skills and demeanor. In some cities, they use ex-cons. Some show up for the job with alcohol on their breath (at 9 a.m.). And beware going with another big company, like United. Some of them contract out to Allied. Call and check before you sign on.
But who is better!? Some of the smaller companies are so shady, you look and they used to be listed under a different name and then changed their name to escape their old rep.
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Not looking to do it cheaply, looking to do it hassle free and the reviews are so depressing.
