A good move hinges upon communication, preparation, planning and teamwork.  However, it can be difficult to sort through the available information, in order to identify these qualities in the companies that are competing for your business.

Following are some tips for separating the best from the rest.

1. Did the sales representative arrive on time for your in-home appointment, or were you getting excuses right off the bat?
2. Did the sales representative dress in a respectful manner indicative of the fact that he/she was being invited into your personal domain?  In case there was any doubt, a tank-top does not qualify as respectful.
3. Were all of your questions answered to your satisfaction?  By the end of the appointment, do you feel that you understood the process?
4. Once the appointment is finished (but before you commit), try calling the main number and asking for “customer service.”  This can be quite revealing in terms of the level of service you can expect going forward.
5. Assume that there is a wide degree of variation between movers, and let the company’s representative explain to you what the salient differences are.
6. Disregard any company that is not interested in reviewing an itemized inventory  list over the phone or in-person.  It is imperative that the moving company understand the scope of the job before accepting your business.  To send 3 movers and a truck to a client’s residence without a detailed understanding of the requirements is a recipe for failure.
7. If at all possible, make a surprise visit to the company’s warehouse/offices.  Out of all of the suggestions listed above, this will likely be the most illuminating.  Moving is about the details and “getting it right,” and it is amazing the more people do not take the time to properly investigate who will be handling their personal possessions.  A messy warehouse, parking lot or office is a strongly negative indication of performance.  If you feel, in any way, that you are not welcome at the facility, then you should not consider using the services of that company.

The moving industry has, over time, developed a vernacular that is exclusive in nature.  It takes years to become fully acquainted with the terminology and the surplus of unnecessary acronyms. 

The practical manifestation of this reality is that moving estimates can be extremely difficult to comprehend.  This is especially true on interstate shipments, where many of the movers themselves would be hard-pressed to define all of the specific line items referenced on a given quotation.

Having said this, ultimately you need to relocate your personal property from point A to point B, and therefore you should focus on the following common elements/questions in evaluating a potential service provider.

1. Weight: How much weight is being estimated? If you are comparing quotes, ask the competing companies to provide you with a quote based upon the highest estimated weight.  If you rececive any quotations based upon cubic footage, simply eliminate those companies (while there are some subtle workarounds, it is technically illegal to provide interstate pricing based upon anything other than weight).
2. Packing: How much packing and how many containers are included in your estimate?
3. Services: Nobody likes surprises when it comes to moving.  What (if any) are the potential additional charges?  Make sure to ask about “shuttle charges” at the delivery residence.
4. Estimate Type: Is this a non-binding, binding, or not-to-exceed estimate?
5. Who is conducting the move?  Will the company that you are speaking with actually transport your shipment directly, or is the salesperson that you are working with representing a larger van line?

In the interest of helping prospects and clients to navigate the industry terminology, Olympia has included a glossary of terms on our website.

The bottom-line is that, while all interstate carriers are required to have some “legalese” in their document, if your representative is not able to fully explain the estimate, or you have concerns that the estimate is intentionally nebulous, simply cross that company off your list.

Although you could probably write a dissertation on this topic, there are a few basic conditions that have factored into the largely negative reputation that the moving industry currently maintains.

1. In 1980 the moving industry was deregulated and has suffered from a lack of leadership, performance standards, and self-policing ever since.  There are very few barriers to entry, and enforcement of state and federal regulations has been lax.  This has created a scenario in which the companies that are striving to deliver an exceptional service (like Olympia) are forced to compete against “rogue movers” who do not carry the requisite insurance, have no infrastructure or training protocols, and are simply trying to make as much money as possible before they are eventually shut-down by the authorities.
2. In the 90’s, the Yellow Pages allowed business owners to delay payment on advertising.  This gave dishonest movers an opportunity to place a full-page advertisement, which they had no intention of ever paying for…but which gave the impression of legitimacy. These same companies would only accept cash, did not carry insurance, and had a lifespan of approximately 18 months.  Essentially these were criminal enterprises masquerading as moving companies.
3. Despite the plethora of really bad movers, the industry has not been able to effectively communicate what distinguishes a good mover from a bad mover.  If prospective clients are not armed with the information that they need to make an informed decision, then cost becomes the decisive criteria by default.  This scenario creates downward pressure on pricing which, in turn, further impacts service levels.
4. Moving is an inherently invasive process that makes people anxious.  If expectations are not properly set, or there is poor communication, this anxiety can quickly escalate into panic.  The negative reputation of the industry is, at some level, a self-fulfilling prophesy.  When a mover arrives at a client’s home, trust is not granted on the front-end, but rather must be earned.

The takeaway from the above is that, when selecting a mover, do your homework.  What company you choose to move your personal property is an important decision that should not be taken lightly.  Visit the Moving Resources page on our website to learn more information about choosing a moving company and/or preparing for your upcoming move.

Cynthia Manke

Despite current economic conditions, Olympia Moving & Storage has grown over the last couple of years.  To help facilitate this growth, the company has just hired two new team members.

Cynthia Manke joins Olympia with a background in client services, and was hired for the position of Quality Manager.  In this capacity, Ms. Manke’s primary focus will be on optimizing the client experience and helping to consistently deliver the “wow factor.”

Frank Landino

Olympia is also proud to announce the hiring of Frank Landino; an industry veteran who joins the company in the role of Sales Manager.  Mr. Landino’s record of consistently delivering on behalf of his clients strongly reflects Olympia’s values and culture.  We believe he will be a great addition to the team.

The hiring of Mr. Landino also represents an operational expansion, as Olympia is in the process of establishing a satellite office in New Hampshire.  This office will service both Northern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.

Based upon the numerous questions Olympia Moving has received since the release of this blog, we felt that we should address some of the most frequently asked questions relating to tipping protocols.

Tipping Movers at Your Discretion

Is tipping mandatory? Tipping is not mandatory and you should never be made to feel otherwise. Tipping is at your discretion and should be considered a reward for an exceptional performance. If you feel the movers provided a superior service, a tip is certainly appreciated. If you feel that your movers did not live up to your standards, then no tip is required.

How Much to Tip Movers

How much should we tip? There is no hard and fast rule on this and tips generally range anywhere from $20 to $100 per crew member; contingent upon the size and scope of the job. Typically, the larger the project, the larger the tip; however any tip is always appreciated.

Which Moving Crew to Tip

Do we just tip the driver, or the whole crew? Most people just tip the driver, and then the driver distributes the money to the rest of the crew. Some clients prefer to tip each individual crew member (which is also fine). Occasionally, clients will tip each crew member a different amount; however given that the crews work together as a team; this approach is not advisable.

Who gets the tip? The crew retains 100% of the tip.

Finally, if you do choose to tip the crew, we suggest that you take the opportunity to tell the crew what they did to deserve a tip and provide some constructive criticism. Any professional mover will relish an opportunity to receive feedback directly from their client.

So much time, energy and resources go into moving, that people often forget about all the hard work required to settle into your new home. In addition to unpacking, there are often a range of service providers that need to be contracted.

Finding Service Providers

Following are some tips for identifying quality service providers in your area:

1) If possible, schedule a day or two off of work after your move, so that you can begin the unpacking process.
2) Create a list of the service providers you used at your old residence (cleaning person, contractor etc).
3) Talk to new neighbors to get recommendations for service providers in your area.
4) Use online vetting resources such as: Angies List, Service Magic, and Checkbook.
5) Identify local resources for your area, such as: MA services.
6) Talk to your realtor to obtain a list of trusted service providers.
7) Start with your most pressing needs and work your way towards the least pressing needs.

Remember, if you need assistance settling into your new home, Olympia Moving offers an economical and comprehensive unpacking service.

Although most people do not have the luxury of being able to determine when they are moving, there are, in fact, better and worse times to relocate.

Northeast Best Times to Move

If you live in the Northeast, or anywhere where inclement weather is potentially an issue, it is preferable to avoid the middle of the winter. Moving companies operate regardless of weather conditions (unless there are safety concerns); however moving in the middle of a snow storm invariably creates additional stress and may add extra time to the move. The one positive aspect of moving during the winter is that you are likely to get the best quality movers. This is because moving companies expand their labor force during the summer months to account for demand. Therefore during the winter months you are usually working exclusively with the most experienced full-time movers.

Avoid Peak Moving Times

If possible, avoid the end of the month. Moving coincides with lease dates, and therefore the end of the month is always the busiest time (especially in the summer season). Movers with a positive reputation are usually at or near capacity during this time and often they charge a small premium during the end of the month.

Best Times to Move Interstate

If you are moving interstate, June through August represents the single busiest time where capacity issues become a factor. If it is possible to move outside of these months it is preferable and, if not, we suggest scheduling your move as far in advance as possible.

So you have contracted a mover and have a scheduled moving date…what next?

Moving Supplies Delivery

If you have not already done so, setup a moving supplies delivery through your moving company. Deliveries are free (provided you are within a certain radius of the office), and obtaining materials from a moving company is usually less expensive than one of the “big box stores”. Most moving companies will also be willing to deliver materials to your residence; even if you are moving yourself. 

Ordering Moving Supplies

When ordering materials, consider the following:

1) People always underestimate the number of boxes required to complete their packing. Be conservative in your estimation.
2) Find moving supplies here to help you determine what kinds of boxes you will need. The basic rule of thumb is that heavier items (books, canned goods) should be placed in smaller boxes.
3) Order one role of tape for every 8-10 boxes.
4) Order one “ream” of paper for every 10-15 boxes (the more fragile items you have, the more paper will be required).
5) Ask whether the moving company has any used or recycled packing supplies that they could provide at a discounted rate. This is an environmentally friendly way to save money.

Organize Your Moving Boxes

Once you receive your packing supplies, keep them organized in a specific area to avoid unwanted clutter. Label each box carefully and stack the boxes in tiers against the wall so that the movers have access to all of your goods.

Small shipments are sometimes difficult for moving companies to accommodate. On a local move, most companies maintain a minimum number of hours, and on an interstate move, a minimum weight. As logic would suggest, this is simply because many of the underlying costs are fixed; whether you are transporting 300lbs or 1500lbs.

Small Shipment Options

So what are your options if you have only a small shipment?

a) Small Shipment Local Move: On a local move, identify a company (like Olympia Moving) that does not maintain a “minimum” number of hours.
b) Small Shipment on Interstate Move: On an interstate move, generally speaking, the more flexibility that you have in terms of timing, the easier it is for a moving company to make adjustments. The justification is that, if you are able to provide a 2 week window for pickup and a 3 week window for delivery, it will be easier to consolidate your shipment with other comparable loads.
c) Small Shipment Rental Truck: Consider moving these items on your own with a rental truck. Although a big time commitment, this is sometimes the most economical approach.
d) Small Load Specialist: If your shipment is not time sensitive, consider working with a small load specialist. These are companies that have carved out a market niche working exclusively with small shipments. The basic business model is that they pickup your goods and store them until such time as they have enough volume to warrant sending a truck into your market. Provided that there are no firm delivery dates, this is a good option to explore.

If your car represents just one portion of the total move, then your moving company should be able to assist you with the transportation of your car. If you are only moving a car; then it is usually more economical to work directly through an auto transport service.

Four Methods for Transporting a Car

There are four different methods for transporting a car as outlined below. What option is best for you depends entirely upon your specific needs, the condition of your vehicle, and how much you are willing to pay. 

Transporting Your Car: Moving Truck

A moving trailer is equipped to be able to transport up to two cars (plus household goods). The benefits of this approach are that your car arrives at the same time as the rest of your property. The drawback is that you are paying for the weight of the car and that sometimes this approach can be the most expensive option.

Transporting Your Car: Enclosed Care Carrier

This is a specialized car carrier service provided by companies such as Horseless Carriage or Plycar. Cars are covered for the duration of the trip and are never exposed to the elements. This option is typically used for higher-end or antique vehicles, and is more expensive than a traditional car carrier.

Transporting Your Car: Open Carrier Transport

This is how most new and used cars are shipped in the US and entails an exposed trailer that holds anywhere from 1 to 10 vehicles. Out of the three options listed above, this is the most economical approach; however the drawbacks are that the vehicle is exposed to the elements. Furthermore, it is imperative that you clarify exactly what is and what is not covered from an insurance standpoint; as sometimes non-factory components are not covered. If you are interested in getting a quote for this service, we suggest American Auto Transport.

Transporting Your Car: Driveaway

This is the least expensive option and entails paying someone to drive your car to the new destination. From an insurance perspective, you are better served to set this up through an agency than to post an ad on Craig’s List. One such agency that offers these services is Auto Driveaway. The drawbacks are that you are adding miles to the car, and that you have no control over how the car is handled during the journey.