Mover recommendations?

So, if things work out, I'll be moving to Ohio sometime later this year. (Cuyahoga Falls, I think)

Go Buckeyes!  grin

Hello Josh Mandel.  LOL

I have never hired a mover so I'd like some advice on what to look out for.

I got some online estimates, but I figure those aren't worth much without a full inventory of what I'm moving, which I just started working on.

Anyway - any thoughts?


I’m sorry, I don’t have a rec, or advice.

But Cuyahoga Falls got my attention

Ay, oh, way to go, Ohio


I think you are right about online estimates.  They are kind of meaningless, you have to get an estimator in to look at the stuff in person.

We used Whalen in NY a number of years ago when we moved to MAPSO from down South.  They were excellent, super professional, on time and almost no breakage.  When we moved from SO to Edmonton, we used Armstrong.  They were an absolute nightmare. Their estimate was 4,000 pounds  lower than the actual weight, as a result it took them two days instead of one to pack and the second day they were using guys that we suspect they just picked up from the side of the road.  A LOT of our stuff was broken when it finally arrived and getting them to pay for it was a huge pain.

All of which gets back to the importance of the estimate. We got three estimates.  Two of them were pretty much in line with the actual weight but the guy from Armstrong's estimate was 4,000 pounds lower and their estimate was lower as well.  Because my wife's employer was paying for the move and because they are a public agency, we had to go with the lowest bid.  In the end, the final bill was well over the amount  estimated by the two losing companies with the accurate bids.


It's been a while since we did an interstate move, but my recollection is that it's pretty heavily regulated.  So, as Slugs' experience indicates, the reputation/reviews of the company, not to mention the experience and accuracy of the guy who writes the estimate, are really important.  Hopefully, someone(s) here will have good info for you.

Other than that, i'll just say from experience, **don't sign off on the delivery** till you've at least eyeballed everything they brought in.  Not even if the nice lady says, let's just sit down and do this paperwork while they unload.  The truck was down the street in a flash when they were "finished," and a number of things were left damaged or unassembled.  Took forever to get the local franchisee(?) at the destination to make it good.

Breathe deeply and expect "adventure in moving" even though you're not using U-Haul.  Happy landings, and stay with MOL!


drummerboy: No. I’ve never been to Ohio. I did hear of Cuyahoga Falls once: Pretenders’ “My city was gone”.

Something like “ replaced by shopping malls from Seneca to Cuyahoga Falls”



drummerboy said:

do you know the area?

Yep. Proud graduate of Kent State University. C Falls is a lovely town. 


Heynj said:

drummerboy said:

do you know the area?

Yep. Proud graduate of Kent State University. C Falls is a lovely town. 

That was weird. I did a right click/Google search on Kent State University and it sent me to 39th St. in Manhattan.  smirk


drummerboy said:

That was weird. I did a right click/Google search on Kent State University and it sent me to 39th St. in Manhattan.
smirk

https://www.kent.edu/fashion/NYCFashion


regardless, it's a google bug.

Fix it Alphabet!


I used University Van Lines in Rahway (affiliated with Atlas Van Lines) for a move from SO to South Florida about 6 years ago. They came and did a thorough inventory ("you're taking ALL of these books?") and the final cost of the move (including car) was actually a bit less than the estimate. (and they were the only ones who would actually come estimate in person; other companies wanted me to do the online inventory.)

The move went very smoothly on both ends. They literally drove my compact car onto the moving van, then packed everything around it. One box somehow went astray, but I was so relieved after hearing so many horror stories about long-distance moves that I didn't even care.

Good luck!


ril said:

I used University Van Lines in Rahway (affiliated with Atlas Van Lines) for a move from SO to South Florida about 6 years ago. They came and did a thorough inventory ("you're taking ALL of these books?") and the final cost of the move (including car) was actually a bit less than the estimate. (and they were the only ones who would actually come estimate in person; other companies wanted me to do the online inventory.)

The move went very smoothly on both ends. They literally drove my compact car onto the moving van, then packed everything around it. One box somehow went astray, but I was so relieved after hearing so many horror stories about long-distance moves that I didn't even care.

Good luck!

thanks! that's useful.

I'm still trying to figure out things like who does the packing. My plan is to box everything myself. (the mere thought gives me the willies)


drummerboy said:

thanks! that's useful.

I'm still trying to figure out things like who does the packing. My plan is to box everything myself. (the mere thought gives me the willies)

You can't get insurance on it if you pack it yourself.  Packing possessions really is an art.  If you have good professionals, it is better to leave it to them (says a man who lost his wife's precious crystal bowls when he packed the move from California to NYC).


drummerboy said:

thanks! that's useful.

I'm still trying to figure out things like who does the packing. My plan is to box everything myself. (the mere thought gives me the willies)

It can be partial. I did most of the packing myself, but when I realized I was running out of time, University sent over two guys who packed up the kitchen and artwork in a day. It didn't add much to the cost and was COMPLETELY worth it. They did a much better job than I would have (all that glassware).

Even if you have movers pack everything for you, you still have to cull the stuff you want to get rid of. For me, that meant I might as well start packing, since I had to go thru it all. turns out I'd accumulated a lot of stuff I didn't need. Loving the new uncluttered life.


GoSlugs said:

drummerboy said:

thanks! that's useful.

I'm still trying to figure out things like who does the packing. My plan is to box everything myself. (the mere thought gives me the willies)

You can't get insurance on it if you pack it yourself.  Packing possessions really is an art.  If you have good professionals, it is better to leave it to them (says a man who lost his wife's precious crystal bowls when he packed the move from California to NYC).

I don't really have anything valuable to pack. other than some musical instruments and my computers I couldn't care less. But it's an important question to ask them about.

thanks


ril said:

drummerboy said:

thanks! that's useful.

I'm still trying to figure out things like who does the packing. My plan is to box everything myself. (the mere thought gives me the willies)

It can be partial. I did most of the packing myself, but when I realized I was running out of time, University sent over two guys who packed up the kitchen and artwork in a day. It didn't add much to the cost and was COMPLETELY worth it. They did a much better job than I would have (all that glassware.) 

Even if you have movers pack everything for you, you still have to cull the stuff you want to get rid of. For me, that mean I might as well start packing, since I had to go thru it all. turns out I'd accumulated a lot of stuff I didn't need. Loving the new uncluttered life.

partial sounds like a good option. I might like them to pack my kitchen and pantry to avoid breakage.

this thread is proving very informational.

thanks everyone!

keep it coming!


drummerboy said:

partial sounds like a good option. I might like them to pack my kitchen and pantry to avoid breakage.

this thread is proving very informational.

thanks everyone!

keep it com     


As you know, I've moved 7 times in the last 14 years ... mostly local,. But back & forth to Poscataway/New Brunswick a few of those times ... Can^t say enough good about General Movers in  Maplewood.!  They always come to do an on-site estimate; You can pack or pay them to pack for you.  They're incredibly reliable & more often than not come in under esrimate.  Don't know if they do this new ;"Pod-sryle" of packing I've been seeing & hearing a lot about.  Mover drops off "pods" which atre like U-Haul trailers.  You pack at your own pace, if you want, then they  truck it all out to where the Indians used to play ... & IUn-pack, I' you want to pay them to, I'm sure.

General shoul definitely be on your list.  We'll talk  more.  And I typed this on my phone WITHOUT MY GLASSES, so I hope you can decipher it.

A move!  Big life changes ... exciting!  & you beat me to it -- again!!



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