What would it take to pick my moving company? (Kirkland: movers, home)

[MovingBusiness]

Hi everyone!

I am part of a focus group trying to build and grow my business, and I have a question I need to ask. If you were looking to hire movers, what would it take for you to choose my moving company?

Thank you for reading and I appreciate all answers your willing to give!

[Diana Holbrook]

What kind of moving service do you offer? I know one hole in the service in the rural parts of Washington is, services like PODS say they serve this area but they actually don't... you have to go get your stuff at a central location over an hour away...

[MovingBusiness]

We offer full service residential and commercial moving and packing services. We provide the movers to do the labor and the truck. We also offer labor only services, where we can load or unload a pod or truck that you rent.

[Hemlock140]

These days, it’s all about the reviews on social media, especially Yelp, but also Facebook, BBB, and recommendations from local forums such as the city forums here on CD. People google the name of any service, such as movers, and click on any review links for them, or google “mover reviews.” One bad one can make a huge difference, so if all are good people are very likely to select them. If you are brand new, best to offer some kind of discounts in exchange for reviewing, then make sure your service is top notch. No reviews at all make it look like you are inexperienced and people shy away.

[MovingBusiness]

That’s good to know, thank you!

[MJ5150]

Everyone on your crew who handles my stuff will need to speak, read, write, hear, and understand English fluently.
No one on your staff handling my stuff can smoke cigarettes or other items that get smoked.
The vehicles that arrive to transport my stuff will need to be newer model equipment in excellent to like new condition.
I will need cell phone access to anyone driving a vehicle with my stuff in it, and web based/mobile app GPS tracking so I can know where my stuff is at any given moment.

-Mike

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by MovingBusiness

Hi everyone!

I am part of a focus group trying to build and grow my business, and I have a question I need to ask. If you were looking to hire movers, what would it take for you to choose my moving company?

Thank you for reading and I appreciate all answers your willing to give!

Hope it works out.

1. Good reputation on certain social media

After a few moves, encourage those customers to post impressions on (the social media biggies, three I can think of for-sure). You say "growing," not "startup", so you already have a track record I suppose.

Several positives reviews is better than none.

2. Next few customers, discount heavily and be high-touch for customer sat. If you can get them to fill out surveys (use a carrot of some kind), you can later advertise "...95% of customers were 'satisfied to very satisfied!" or some other statistical mumbo jumbo. I've seen whole businesses built around that.

3. Whatever your niche, do it well: white glove to goons tossing things around willy-nilly.

a. We have a local mover, based in Kirkland that receives a *ton* of business via referrals. They do great local moves. They are medium touch, but not white glove. Meaning, they sent over some friendly goons who could deadlift pianos who very efficiently move things from home A to truck, then truck to home B. They don't really do the packing thing or help with that, and didn't like doing a little disassembly on a metal bed. There is theoretically a "project manager" available to guide the process, though I've seen him/her. Good to know someone is accountable, though.

b. But they got it done, right, with no breakage and at competitive prices: last move was $600 when I was anticipating $1,000, so I gave $150 tip.

c. Their trucks are about the ugliest thing you've ever seen. Were I them, I'd re-do the fleet with vinyl wrap and logos, but then again: why would they if business is booming (their location is sort of accidentally awesome)?

That's how they are for everyone: accountable, fast, efficient, cost-effective, tons of references.

4. Follow up on problems, and solve them. Never ghost on problems or fail to face the conflict. Respond to every negative comment with a reasonable explanation, if the situation is "reasonable" or not (some customers are not reasonable, it happens).

5. I'm assuming(?) Millennial's do a lot of moves, less-so for middle age people. Millennials are also broke which is part of the antique business is collapsing, among others, and IKEA soaring. If I'm right, target your advertisements to that crowd (see social media). Whatever demographic you're after, go to where they are, create ads featuring those kind of people. If your primary demographic is poor, you'd best be the top-rated budget mover.