Also, instead of using u-haul or the like it’s very nice using storage pods. They can be sent, stored and then delivered when convenient.
I’ve used them for my last two moves.
Anyone who has EVER been in the military is a specialist and deal with movers.
#9. More likely than not at some point between old house and new house, one or more of the movers will be smoking crack.
Have a yard sale/garage sale...
Try to sell the stove/refrigerator/washer/dryer/lawnmower with the house.
My biggest issue is how I will move all those wines/liquors without breaking them. I may just have to make presents of some, and have a 'clean out the liquor cabinet' party.
It can be awkward asking the mover about his finances/internal practices but the sad truth is that many of these firms keep the field personnel at arm’s length i.e. the truck drivers/estimators/foremen may be W-2 employees or they may be 1099 contractors. The roustabouts that physically moved us were being paid under the table. No harm done to us but if there had been a liability or theft issue I’m sure we would have had a hard slog.
Rule #1 if you live in the NY/NJ area:
Avoid all Russians. Period.
If you have to, hire your own truck and go down to where the Spanish-speakers hang around waiting for day-jobs.
Or don’t move.
But do not — repeat NOT — ever deal with anyone with a Russian accent (or even the HINT of a Russian accent) on a moving job.
They are THIEVES.
We have moved 14 times in the last 20 years, so I do have a little experience with this.
Just have to use your brain and not allow yourself to be intimidated by these guys...which I have not always done.
We lost an entire shipment of lawn care, trampoline, swingset and stuff in our outbuilding, because we listened to the packer who was running late and ran out of stickers. He “promised” to label them and said he was driving straight to our new house (across country)...so we could yell at him, if he didn’t have the stuff..well he passed our shipment off of course..and we lost it all.
Live and learn.
Last move was overseas. The papers they have you sign, says that they do not insure nor pay for the replacement of antiques.
The packer for the airshipment kept asking me what I was going to have put into storage...it was none of his business. But, he asked if my antique wagon wheels were gonna be in storage—several times. I didn’t answer. Then the dolt went on to tell me that I would love his house, because he has a ton of antiques which he had gotten from “his job”!!! He wasn’t too smart now was he?! He tried to correct himself and say that people had GIVEN HIM their antiques! Sure. I complained to the company and they were furious! They stated that they trusted the man so much that he even had a key to their storage area....imagine that.
Your stuff is one of their benefits.
I have no idea about Angie’s List, but the Better Business Bureau is kind of a scam. I had a friend that owned a moving company and he was a member of the BBB. During his membership he had a good relationship with them. He chose to not renew his membership at one point and later there was a complaint about one of the moves his guys did. The BBB guy called him and said that if he signed back up with them and paid some kind of additional “fee” they’d wipe the complaint off their website and he’d be pristine again. If he didn’t, they’d leave the complaint on there indefinitely. He said he doesn’t pay extortion money and the BBB they could go to hell.
Then there’s those who decide to take a 150 mile side trip to share a few beers with their cousins and forget to show up with your stuff until hours later.