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» Hatrack River Forum » Active Forums » Books, Films, Food and Culture » How do I hire local movers?

   
Author Topic: How do I hire local movers?
katharina
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I found another place to live that's much cheaper and close to work, and I move the last weekend of July.

I don't have brothers to threaten and Matt is going to be out of town, and I have a lot of stuff. So, I need movers.

The last time I hired movers, it was a horrendous disaster. The movers cancelled at the last minute, the broker miscalculated the weight by more than a thousand pounds, they demanded I sign a new contract AFTER my stuff was on the truck, the broker did not answer her phone on either the day of pickup or dropoff, she blocked my e-mail address shortly after the stuff was delivered, and all in all it cost half again as much as they originally said. Horrid experience, and I'm certain there's a toasty place in hell for thieving moving companies where that broker will be their Tantalus.

So, I'm a little wary. Any suggestions?

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SoaPiNuReYe
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Uhaul.
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katharina
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Who does not provide movers. *points to post*
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ketchupqueen
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Do you have Starving Student movers in your area? I've seen them in several cities. They're generally good, cheap, and employ, as the name suggests, starving students. [Smile]

Other than that, ask around to people who have used movers (at church and work, perhaps?) who they liked and who they didn't. But I'm sure you already thought of that.

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SoaPiNuReYe
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oh, find some kids and give them 5 bucks to load the truck up.
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katharina
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I have more to move than the toys in my sandbox and a Schwinn.

Thank you, KQ. I just sent them an e-mail. [Smile]

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Farmgirl
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Around here we have some small local movers ("Two Guys and a Truck" and "Get a Move On It") -- check your local listings under movers for such - or just keep an eye out for those kind of moving trucks. I usually see ours at the local convenience store every morning getting coffee [Smile]
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fugu13
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Local businesses like hardware stores often have business cards for local movers or will recommend one if asked.
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Chanie
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craigslist.com has listings for many areas (make sure they have references).
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Bob_Scopatz
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In your area, there are very reliable day laborers who can be hired. If you rent the truck, they'll send people to help you pack it up and unpack it at the other end.

I suspect that would be your cheapest option.

When I moved to VA (lo these many years ago), the company hired some of these folks through a service. They were on time, careful, and stayed until the job was done.

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Bob_Scopatz
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Not to be too flippant, but for local stuff like this, I would also consider asking around at church. There's always a bunch of teens hanging out over the summer who would want to earn spending money.

At our place, the youth program organizes some things like this so they can earn money and put it towards mission projects.

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Bob_Scopatz
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If you really want to hire a company to do the local move, most towns have a company with a funky name like "Two guys and a truck" or "Starving Students" movers. The advantage is they have the truck, and they are bonded. Probably pricier than renting your own truck for an in-town move, but maybe a lot less hassle and you'd have somewhat better coverage if your stuff is seriously damaged.
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Sharpie
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I've used the emove.com folks (found through the Uhaul site) twice now. I'm in Northern Virginia, so I would expect that you'd be able to find someone close to you. I had them pick up the truck, show up, move the stuff, drive to the new location, unload, and return the truck.

Emove.com seems to put small moving companies in touch with people using Uhaul. I know I dealt with two different small companies on the two moves. I was happy with both.

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Artemisia Tridentata
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My last move I called the Juvenile Detention Facility. They sent 6 big guys and a guard. We couldn't give them money, just pizza and soda both of which are not avalable in the facility. It worked out great. They were polite and hard working and did not damage the piano. This is Nevada though, it might not work there.
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ketchupqueen
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Dude, I think Bob is channeling me.
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Zeugma
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We asked our realtor for a rec, and they were awesome. :-)
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CaySedai
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katharina - have you asked the elder's quorum president? We've also been lucky enough to have missionaries help us move in the past. We rent the U-haul and people show up to help. [Wink]

It's getting more important as I get older and more decrepit. When my mom moved last March, a bunch of guys from church did the heavy stuff, my 10-year-old daughter operated the freight elevator and rode up and down in it (thus freeing up an adult to do moving stuff) and I cleaned up afterwards, so Mom would get her deposit back. My older daughter was at Mom's new place to let people in. It all went pretty well.

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Orincoro
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quote:
Originally posted by katharina:


So, I'm a little wary. Any suggestions?

Once I was looking into moving a piano into my apt, and I looked on one of those mover's websites.

HUGE MISTAKE!!!! I gave my phone number, and one company called me (I don't exaggerate) 10 times a day for 3 weeks. So my cellphone recieved about 200 calls from them... Oh yeah.

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Orincoro
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quote:
Originally posted by ketchupqueen:
Do you have Starving Student movers in your area? I've seen them in several cities. They're generally good, cheap, and employ, as the name suggests, starving students. [Smile]

My friends and I sometimes respond to local craigslist ads for college students to help locals move their stuff. Students will do the job at a flat rate, plus lunch and a few beers, and then you can get your own uhual and bring them along. I would recommend that if you know some students.
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