Interstate moves with a moving company

[jane032657]

I see the discussion about pods vs movers but we are using movers. I have two companies coming tomorrow, United and Atlas I think, to give me quotes to move from Seattle to The Villages. Ten years ago I moved from British Columbia to Seattle but that was a three hour distance across the border. This is a much more grandiose move and it is my husband and I, plus some of my moms stuff. What are good questions to ask? What should such a move price be based on? What are good negotiating tools for this type of move? Anything else you can offer, I am all ears!!! Jane

[A-4 Skyhawk]

We just got a quote from United to move a 3BR house (plus mother in laws stuff) from Knoxville, Tennessee to storage in TV for 6 months and the estimate was for $16K. I was thinking in the 10-12 K range so now I'm going to have Allied come in. I hope someone can share some tricks with us to get a good move at a competetive price.

[uujudy]

We just got a quote from United to move a 3BR house (plus mother in laws stuff) from Knoxville, Tennessee to storage in TV for 6 months and the estimate was for $16K. I was thinking in the 10-12 K range so now I'm going to have Allied come in. I hope someone can share some tricks with us to get a good move at a competetive price.

This is what I learned after many interstate moves paid for by the company: Once you hire a commercial mover and cross a state line the ICC or the FAA or the DAR or some federal agency comes into play, and there isn't much negotiating you can do about prices. :ohdear: But maybe you'll get lucky?

And seriously, for $16K you could buy some very nice brand new furniture. I'm just sayin... ;)

[superuke]

Make sure you get a guaranteed price. You do not want an estimate. If they cannot give you a guaranteed price keep shopping. Movers will try and give you an estimate, then they weigh the truck before and after they have loaded and tell you that the weight was more. They will hold your goods at the unloading end until you pay the extra charges.

Get replacement value insurance. The movers will number each and every item. When unloading make sure you personaly check each number or carton off. Any shortages will show up.

Give your local better business a telephone call. They can give you the number of complaints on the each company and if the complaints were settled.

Pack your own Jewellery, coin or cash by yourself, take it with you. Try and be at the house when they are packing and or loading, do not leave the movers unattended.

Finally get a firm load date and a firm unload date. They may wish wash you
stating they need window of a few days, which could land up to be many, many , many days, weeks or month.

All large van lines have a central dispatch system and can tell you exactly
the arrival date.

Re: Replacement value insurance: Make sure you ask and insist the insurance is through the Van Line not the agent. Many agents will try and sell you on their own insurance.

You may pay a little more by following the above rules, but a few dollars will gigive you peace of mind and should something go wrong you will be looked after.

[Bruiser1]

Make sure you get a guaranteed price. You do not want an estimate. If they cannot give you a guaranteed price keep shopping. Movers will try and give you an estimate, then they weigh the truck before and after they have loaded and tell you that the weight was more. They will hold your goods at the unloading end until you pay the extra charges.

Get replacement value insurance. The movers will number each and every item. When unloading make sure you personaly check each number or carton off. Any shortages will show up.

Give your local better business a telephone call. They can give you the number of complaints on the each company and if the complaints were settled.

Pack your own Jewellery, coin or cash by yourself, take it with you. Try and be at the house when they are packing and or loading, do not leave the movers unattended.

Finally get a firm load date and a firm unload date. They may wish wash you
stating they need window of a few days, which could land up to be many, many , many days, weeks or month.

All large van lines have a central dispatch system and can tell you exactly
the arrival date.

Re: Replacement value insurance: Make sure you ask and insist the insurance is through the Van Line not the agent. Many agents will try and sell you on their own insurance.

You may pay a little more by following the above rules, but a few dollars will gigive you peace of mind and should something go wrong you will be looked after.

On the talk of the Villages, I saw an add for Moving? After putting in the parmeters , I started getting phone calls.

Some gave estimates sight unseen. Allied had local rep that gave a sound estimate (guarenteed price) .

If you need a place to store the furniture on a temporary basis Extra Space Storage is a good way to go. (three story climate control secured facility.)

[Roaddog53]

Wow! $16k for a move? I moved a large house 1200 miles and got bids.. NOT estimates.. never get an estimate..from 4 moving companies and the range was from $4300 - $5400 with 3 months of warehouse storage included. I say do not get estimates based on what was said above. They will talk on the phone what you have and give you a price. Than when they weigh your load it is a different price. Some have a maximum overage allowance for this for "your protection" they say. Reputable moving companies never give estimates. They have someone come to your house and go through every item and their hand held computer than calculates the load. During the move, every item is tagged and cross referenced when loading and unloading.
Movers will negotiate. For information, without the storage move and costs, the interstate move was $2,853. Also ask about their claims rate. They will charge for two moves actually if you put it in storage. One for transit/putaway/storage, and one to final destination. That also included $0 deductible insurance. They packed my "valuable" list you decide on what is on it. Flat screen are expensive to pack for instance. I would not send jewelry on a move. The four companies I got a bid from were:
Allied - Wanted to give an estimate on phone. I allowed it for comparison but KNEW I would not use them. They were the 2nd lowest.
Mayflower - Good company
United - My second choice and competitive
Stevens - Went with them. Family owned for decades, most thorough, lots of information provided

Hope this helps

[SukiChu]

Stevens? Never heard of them but guessing I need to give them a call. Do you still have any information - phone number? We are moving from mid-state Illinois. United gave me a quote of $5000 - full coverage insurance. Also contacted Little John's who has not put a quote in writing, but promises it will only be $3000. The insurance coverage is unclear. We are trying to weed our way through this as well.

[Roaddog53]

Their phone is 888-860-4566. or Stevensworldwide dot com

[rtime]

Jane, when we moved from Port Orchard, WA to here we used Wheaton. Used them also on a move from Boise to Lakeland FL. The move here cost around 8K.
We had them do everything. Couldn't have been more satisfied. Good service at both ends and nothing was broken or scratched. We were so glad that we did the full service. Everything was wrapped in a blanket.

[jane032657]

Jane, when we moved from Port Orchard, WA to here we used Wheaton. Used them also on a move from Boise to Lakeland FL. The move here cost around 8K.
We had them do everything. Couldn't have been more satisfied. Good service at both ends and nothing was broken or scratched. We were so glad that we did the full service. Everything was wrapped in a blanket.
Thanks, I will google them and give them a call, can you PM me your name so I can say you referred them if you like? I have two companies coming over in a few hours and I will call Wheaton as well.

[Joaniesmom]

I worked with The Villages. They gave me the names of movers they have worked with. I got three bids and took the one I liked the best. Moving September 10. So far, they have been great to work with. Very upfront. Atlas. A little over $5,000. They do packing. From Ohio to TV. Three BR. No couches. Your bid sounds a little pricey to me. But I really don't know. Call Lauren Arch at TV.