Tag Archives: long distance movers

Interstate Moving

Not So Quick Tips for Long Distance Moving and Storage

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Long Distance Moving and Storage

My top tips for long distance and moving and storage – this is a complete list of what you need to consider during your long distance move that requires storage.  If you don’t need storage – you are in the wrong place – try this

long distance moving and storage
Long Distance Moving and Storage

Long distance moving when you need storage sucks.  Sorry, but anyone who tells you different is most likely an extreme optimist ( do those still exist? ) or fibbing you so they don’t have to help you.  Okay, so now that you understand that LDMandS is a pain, here are some tips to help you get through it:

  1. There is greater chance that your things will be missing/damaged when you need long distance moving and storage in the interim.  Here is why – most movers buy/sell/transfer your move and there are so many hands that touch your shipment.  Let me put it this way – it would be really hard to prove where your things ended up missing/damaged. What can you do to protect your items?  Hire a long distance mover who doesn’t sell/trade/buy shipments. Also the best long distance movers will make sure the same crew that loaded your shipment delivers after storage.
  2. Do your research.  I really hate this cliche – like you don’t already know – check reviews blah blah blah…  Here is the insight I can provide about long distance moving and storage research.  You have to feel comfortable with them.  A nice voice on the phone isn’t the only reason to book with your mover.  And a FYI – BBB, Yelp, HomeAdvisor, Angie’s List are all PAID services.  I suggest finding long distance moving company reviews that are from third -party, verified sites like customer lobby.
  3. Make sure you store your items in the state you are moving to.  A lot of customers store items in their pick-up state they are moving from.  This gives the customer absolutely no leverage if the first move stinks.  Also, the price could change drastically – especially when using containerized storage. Hire long distance movers with flat rate long distance moving fees.
  4. Don’t use containerized storage for long distance moving and storage . First of all, per month storage fees are very high and the units are/can: easy to break into, fall apart, a nice home for insects/rodents, notorious for uncharges, billing issues, and in general horrible customer service.
  5. If you are using long distance moving and storage to move to a new climate say – from NY to FL – you should consider opting for humidity controlled storage unit or FL to NY – heated storage.  This isn’t for everyone… if the most expensive piece of furniture you own is a desk from IKEA – any type of storage should do fine.
  6. Pro-rated storage for your long distance move can save you hundreds.  Most van lines and larger moving operations will charge you for a full month of storage even if you move out on the 5th of the month.
  7. If you are moving long distance and need storage for six months or more – you will need to sign storage documents every six months and if you fail to – your coverage may be voided.  This should be the responsibility of your move to remind you of but it’s always good to be aware.

You can find the best long distance moving and storage operations along the east coast by doing a search for your local Monster Movers.

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The Worst Advice We’ve Heard About Movers

The Worst Advice We’ve Heard About Movers

I must say, I have been patiently waiting to write this post on the worst advice we’ve heard about movers for a long time.  Having been in the moving and storage industry for over 20 years, we have come across our fair share of horrible advice when it comes to movers.  Here is our all time crappy advice list:

moving advice
Movers
  1.  Use a Van Line for Long Distance Moves – Just. Don’t.  I cannot believe the moving and storage industry is so out-of-touch with current business practices.  Millennials, baby boomers and those in-between have grown accustomed to getting anything they want – fast.  Long gone are the days of a van line sticking your stuff on a truck and delivering it 14-21 days later!  This just doesn’t make sense anymore.  There are innovative moving companies applying tech and big data to their systems making long distance movers ultra-efficient.
  2. Trust Moving Reviews.  Okay – this one you can take with a grain of salt because some moving review sites work, like moving company reviews from customer lobby.  Others, like yelp and bbb are actually paid sites.  Movers will have to pay to post reviews on yelp and pay to become “accredited bbb movers.”   Now researching the BBB isn’t a bad thing – this outlet gives a rating and if you see a big fat F or even a E or D – stay away.  BBB “paid members” always have A ratings even if  the reviews are horrible so… I would suggest the best movers have a ratings without being accredited which means they didn’t pay for their A
  3. You Don’t Need Insurance.   It is more likely that your things will be damaged in transit than sitting at your house.  If you do have homeowners/renters insurance, I would always suggest purchasing additional coverage.  All movers in the USA are liable for $.60/pound/article which doesn’t equate to much.  Find movers that offer additional coverage for a reasonable rate – this should be around $200 for a 2-3 bedroom home or up to $750 for a 5000 + sq. foot home.
  4.  The Best Movers Rank High on Search Engines.  The “internet of things” tends to rank national sites like yelp and van lines over smaller niche markets which seem to rank movers instead of a higher quality move.  Searching with the term movers near me will give some great local results – you can even search at www.moversnearme.com . The best movers are active in their state/community and have a long history.  You can do a corporation search to see how long your movers have been in business.
  5. You can move yourself.  LOL, No ROFL.  Please, hire movers!  The damage you can do to your vehicle, back, friend’s backs, furniture, dishes, etc.  is not worth the amount you save.  Trust me, hire professional movers – they do this everyday and are experts!  Moving is so hard if you aren’t properly trained.  And, if your friend, etc. gets hurt you could get sued!

I hope this article on the worst advice about movers has helped you in your search and shed light on some of the “good advice” you have heard!

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7 Common Misconceptions About Moving Companies

7 Common Misconceptions About Moving Companies

Moving Companies have a notorious history of scamming consumers.  Even movers with stellar customer reviews have been known to take advantage of customers.  This handy-dandy article will guide you through 14 of the most common misconceptions about moving companies so you can protect yourself.

  1. All movers that operate are licensed.  Licensing of moving companies requires the movers to have insurance as well as a drivers license, etc.  Make sure your mover is licensed and check the numbers!  There are estimates of approximately 25% of movers are not licensed, which usually means the company in uninsured
  2. All moving companies do background checks on their employees. A simple CORI check is so easy these days – find a mover who, at least, checks to make sure employees are not felons.
  3. All long distance movers are created equal.  Long distance movers need a specialized license awarded by the DOT.  Find  a long distance mover that gives a flat-rate price and guaranteed moving dates, trust me.
  4. The movers are responsible for any damage.  Moving companies are responsible, by law, for $.60/lb/article.  Essentially if you have a table that weighs 100 lbs – you mover is responsible for $60.  The best moving company offers full replacement value coverage as well – you know you are getting great movers or they would not offer this option.
  5. All movers are shady.  Some untrustworthy moving companies have really ruined this industry’s reputation.  Truthfully, most moving companies are going to do a great job for you but consumers expect there to be an issue.  Relax, hire Monster Movers.
  6. Moving companies are disorganized.  These days, movers have updated systems like truck tracking, moving company software and advanced logistical systems that make the industry much more smooth and organized.
  7. Moving companies are too expensive.  Whether you have a small studio moving in-state or a large home going across the nation – moving companies are always the better option.
movers
Movers
Interstate Moving

Moving From State to State

Moving From State to State

It is common knowledge that moving from state to state can be taxing.  When looking for an out of state mover, this simple advice can shave hours off of your search as well as keep some dollars in your pocket.

1.  Below is a simple state to state relocation pattern – granted this is for 2011 but similar trends are said to continue for the next 10-15 years.    The moving flow into a state  means more people are moving there.  If you are moving from a state where many move out of and to a state where a lot of people are moving to – expect to pay higher rates per pound.  I am sure you remember this “supply/demand” concept from your middle/high school economics course.  To put this into perspective:

moving from state to state
Moving From State to State

 

Moving from Boston to Florida is a very popular for those moving from state to state.  Therefore, you can expect to spend a little more money for your state to state relocation.

On the flip side, if you are moving from Florida to Rhode Island – not as popular, and not as expensive per pound.

2.  Long Distance Moving is least expensive during off peak times of the year.  If you can plan your state to state move in say February or March, this will greatly reduce your moving fees by up to 20%!

3.  Another kernel of advice is figure out if all of your furniture is “worth” the out of state moving fees.  Sure, some items are sentimental and can’t be given a declared value per se.   You can expect on average of $.50/lb for an interstate move.  So, you have an ikea table that you have had for 3 years – scratched.  At $.50/lb x the tables weight say 150lbs. That equates to $75.  You have to decide if the table is actually worth $75.  Thanks to various outlets like craigslist and the Salvation Army, donating furniture is easier and may be a better option than moving everything from state to state.

4.  Packing for your state to state move is extremely important.  Here are some state to state packing tips.  Remember to ask you long distance mover if they provide complimentary materials to help you start packing.

5.  Finding the best moving company for your state to state move starts with comparing movers.  This is a quick link to a printable spreadsheet to compare movers for your state to state move.

6.  Organizing your state to state move is incredibly important.  A helpful tool is a moving state to state checklist to assist in the organization.  Of course, everyone will have their specifics to add to this list but it is a great start.

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Long Distance Moving Help

Long Distance Moving Help 

Things to consider when you are moving long distance – or out of state are much different than trying to find a local mover.

First, if you are moving locally and there is an “issue,” taking your  mover to court is pretty easy.  What happens if there are issues for long distance moves?  Well, the law states that you must take the company to court in the state that the move started in.  Yeah, its a horrid law.  Essentially, you are at the mercy of your interstate mover when they have all of your possessions in their truck.  Unless you feel like flying back to your old state for court dates.  And that’s just insane.

I don’t mean to scare you but I want people moving out of state to realize that choosing a long distance mover is an important decision.

Of course I could offer all kinds of tips and advice for hiring movers for your out of state move but I will go over the three most important items to help with your research:

1.  Choose movers that have door to door service and don’t take your things off of a truck – called truck swapping.  Large van lines claim they can handle offloading shipments, sticking them in a warehouse, putting them with another shipment, offloading and repeat.  The more your items get shifted around, the better the chance of broken or missing items.  The least amount of times a shipment is transferred, the better.

2.  Make sure your movers are experienced.   There are only a handful of movers between a huge van line and a “craigslist mover.”  These are the moving companies that are large enough to offer great rates and have all licensing required by the DOT and keep your things on the truck without offloading.

3.  Try not to wait until the last minute.  Many movers will see this as an opportunity to charge the highest amount possible while they think you may not find any reasonable movers at the last minute.  If you do need last minute or emergency movers for an out of state move, call Monster Movers.  The rates are always flat rate moves for long distance shipments and do not change based on any dates.

Some other useful tools for your long distance move:

Long Distance Moving Checklist

Compare Movers Worksheet