This is a compilation of past posts that dot the blog archives. I have put them together so that the reader can more easily make an informed choice in selecting a professional mover. You can view the full post on each tip by following the links adjoining. Enjoy!
Moving Companies, which ones do you call?
With over one hundred different movers in the greater Seattle area alone, finding the right moving company can be overwhelming. You need a moving company that is responsive, reliable, and experienced. So many times a mover will entice you with discounted rates and big promises, only to leave you stranded and with no cash. We at Apex Moving & Storage are determined to arm you with proven techniques to finding and hiring a great moving company. Scam movers and rip off artists make it their business to look just like the good guys. They have snappy websites and slick salespeople. Below are great tools to make sure that you find one of the honest moving companies in the Seattle area.
When it comes to finding some great Seattle moving companies, there is a lot of advice swirling. But we here at Apex have compiled some proven techniques to let the "cream rise to the top." Use the brief articles below as a road map to moving companies that are right for you.
Looking at some moving companies, use the BBB:
The Better Business Bureau monitors complaints as well as posts customer service ratings on their website about moving companies. It is a great place to find exceptional moving and storage companies in the greater Seattle area. Just look for those that have A+ rating in the last thirty-six months. All complaints need to have been successfully resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Yelp it:
Another online review site that's quickly turning into a great resource for narrowing down an ideal moving company is Yelp.com. They provide a soapbox to any one who wants to rate an experience they've had with moving companies.
You see the good, the bad, and the despicable with these reviews. And when reviewing Yelp, I would look for positive ratings that talk about the things that are important to you. Do they talk about the moving companies trustworthiness? Do they mention their customer service? If they give less than four stars, do they mention why? All of these clues can offer you a sense of if you'd like to give these moving companies your business.
They remove reviews that have matching content on another review site and routinely look for patterns of "review stuffing" (the practice of putting one fake review after another in - in the hope of either boosting or crashing somebody's ratings.) so that the moving companies reviews you see at Yelp are normally authentic.
Ask the Chamber:
Find moving companies in the Seattle area by calling the Chamber of Commerce. Since they handle moving companies day-in and day-out, they get a feel of how others view the mover in question.
It isn't always a foolproof system of becoming familiar with moving companies, but you can usually check: How long a mover has been around? Does the moving company take part in community events?
These could appear like marginal things to be asking about, but it gives you a feel of the companies that no other web site or referral can show you. If the mover cares about their community - they will invest time in their reputation in that community. They'll bend over backwards to be certain their reputation remains spotless.
If the moving company is not concerned in their local chamber, they might or might not care about how their community perceives them. So getting familiar with your mover through the Chamber may tell you more than you would at first believe.
Navigate to www.movingscam.com:
The owner of the website got scammed by thieves posing as movers years ago. He decided he was going to hold scam movers accountable. He has done a pretty good job of it since then. You can look a mover up to see if anyone has posted good or bad comments about them. Remember, these are people’s raw opinions. We all know: “opinions are like armpits, everyone has one and most stink.” With that in mind, I would look for patterns. If there are one or two negative complaints, it’s probably nothing. If there are three or more, time to reconsider the mover. If someone took the time to write a positive post, that holds huge weight! People are ten times more likely to share a negative experience than a positive one.
Get the personal touch:
When finding great moving companies, seek out a personal recommendation. Checking scores and having a look at online reviews will only get you so far.
You must ask questions, get answers, and ask more questions. You want live folks with first hand data. Take the names of your potential movers and ask around. Possibilities are, somebody you know has moved with them or knows of someone that does. Ask them about their experience with those particular Seattle moving companies.
Ask such questions as: How well did the estimator and staff treat them? Did the estimator and staff answer all questions to their satisfaction? If nobody you know has used them, call the company and ask for a reference list of past clients.
I hope this list helps you narrow down your search. Using a professional moving company is a great experience. It takes much of the stress out of moving. And that is what I want for you. So take your time and make the right call. We certainly want to be your mover, but even if we aren't, we want your business to go to someone who deserves it.