Microsoft and Relo (Seattle, Kent: moving, transport, housing)

[Tulkas]

Anyone out there have any info on what they typically offer for a senior level? This would be a cross country Relo.

[Tulkas]

Anybody out there done this?

[Xanathos]

They're typically pretty generous with relo. They've got a dedicated contract with Graebel Van Lines (based out of Kent), and will pay for all of your moving expenses on that end without you even seeing a bill. Corporate housing for senior level talent used to be 90 days in property that they owned, but I don't know if that's the case anymore. Any transport fees regarding automobiles, pets, family etc. will similarly be covered without you seeing a bill.

The one piece of advice I'll give you is to keep EVERYTHING Graebel gives you, take lots of pictures of what your furniture and art looks like before it's packed and the like. Reason? Because Graebel is horrible. Your stuff is going to get beat to hell in transit, and when you try to submit a claim against the damage, they'll claim it was either already like that or else that it somehow wasn't their fault and will deny your claim. Or will try to pay you 40 cents a pound for that $6,000 television they shattered, which only weighs 20 pounds. There's also the issue that some of your stuff has a very good chance of not actually making it to "point B", so don't let them haul any family heirlooms. If your experience is anything like the myriad of people I know that have had to deal with this, you'll ultimately have to go to Microsoft itself and get their administrative team to deal with it for you, at which point the van line will back down and pay for all the dents, broken glass, busted electronics etc. that they subject your stuff to.

And if you think I'm being extreme in how I describe this situation, do a search for Graebel Van Lines Seattle Microsoft relocation and you'll see plenty of reviews.