Recommendation or Warnings for Cross Country Movers?

Submitted by kellogsmalone t3_11yop6q in vermont

I'm having a hard time trying to do research on interstate movers. Seems like there are a lot of scams and it's a system run largely by brokers which means the communication between the owners and the movers is intermittent and unreliable. Has anybody used an interstate mover that they had positive experiences with that can provide recommendations or negative experiences that they might provide some warnings?

UPDATE: HOLY CRAP THERE ARE SO MANY SCAMS.

So I've learned there are basically 5 interstate movers: Bekins, Mayflower, United, Allied and somebody else. Anybody is a broker and it's pretty much a scam. They'll snatch a deposit and rip you off. Interstate movers are federally regulated and it's illegal for them to require deposits. They all will schedule at the very least a virtual walkthrough before giving an estimate, if they don't, beware.

Got a few walkthroughs scheduled. Thanks for the input everybody.

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Detritus_AMCW t1_jd8owe2 wrote

A good place to start is Move Buddha they have decent information on a variety of movers, cross country, local DIY, and so on. Back this by checking on reviews, one of their budget friendly recommendations (Safeway) has had a ton of bad reviews over the last 8 months.

That being said, your major carriers like American Van Lines or North American moving services are not scams.

Move Buddha

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illusivealchemist t1_jd8q0th wrote

We moved from the deep south back up to new england with one of those POD things and paid local people to pack/unpack it. That saved us a fuckload and allowed greater control on our stuff.

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typicalcollegegrad t1_jd8qpq2 wrote

Not positive, but DO NOT use "Interstate Moving and Relocation Group" - we used them based on some positive reviews and it was an absolute shit-show. This may not be the most efficient option, but I would look into hiring a local moving company in each state to load/unload a truck or POD. They will likely be much easier to deal with in terms of scheduling and price. Avoid brokers at all costs though

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Detritus_AMCW t1_jd8qygm wrote

Replying to kellogsmalone (#2,305,943)

Oof, good to know. It's funny the range of moving services out there. From a "rent-a-friend" type loading help to white glove, climate controlled carriers, and a private jet service and cars to bring you to your next home.

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mysticcoffeeroaster t1_jd8rkxk wrote

Mayflower is based in New England but their web site says they will move you no matter where you are. They've been around for decades and moved my family between states back in the early '70s so they are on the up & up for sure. Not sure about pricing though, since I was just a kid back then - but they are a solid company. My guess is they'd contract out the pick up if it's outside of the Northeast, but worth looking into.

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LaCrackSparkling t1_jd8sfrf wrote

I used Uhaul - you can book a Pod and mover through them. I think they deliver to White River Junction.

Had one hiccup - our movers in our original location ghosted us the day of and Uhaul was no help so look at reviews and don't do what I did, which was book the cheapest option.

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Stockmom42 t1_jd8zqeh wrote

I hall has never failed us for local and out of state moves.

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df33702021 t1_jd92uep wrote

I used Uhaul's uboxes last summer NM to VT. We did the packing, but hired people at each end to do the loading/unloading into the uboxes. They will pack too, but it costs more. The furniture they wrapped in lots of furniture pads.

I would use them again.

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fckinsurance t1_jd98eez wrote

I fell for a broker so I don't have any positive advice to share, but don't use "Safe Ship". I wish I'd have just used a U-Haul myself.

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GrilledSpamSteaks t1_jd9cpfq wrote

We moved here after we retired from the military. Ray the Mover out of Manchester, NH was who got contracted to move our household goods from wherever the international ingress point was to Hartford, VT. They handled it quickly, did assembly and some unpacking. They even returned the next week to gather up boxes and paper, which is something none of the other movers we dealt with ever did. It was paid by the DOD, so I couldn’t even guesstimate costs, but their people were excellent.

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skonevt t1_jdaqq4d wrote

Used Estes twice. Once to go west and once to come back two years later. They drop the trailer, you fill it. At the destination, they drop the trailer, you unload it. Great experience both times. Professional processes, good customer service on the phone, plenty of email updates. Punctual. No mishaps. You just have to be willing to do the labor.

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Jerry_Williams69 t1_jdb2g5y wrote

National Van lines held our stuff hostage for months because they couldn't get a truck driver. A good portion of our stuff was dinged or flat out smashed when we got it. The somehow managed to smash in a chest freezer. Zero stars. Do not recommend.

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merikus t1_jdcb1ab wrote

Having done several long distance moves in my life, I can’t speak more highly of U-Boxes (from U-Haul) plus hiring people via their website. In comparison to the insane quotes I got from moving companies, it was inexpensive and easy. Even though they wouldn’t deliver directly to my house, I rented a U-Haul at the location they delivered the boxes to, packed the U-Haul from the U-Box right in the parking lot, and went home.

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peachboot828 t1_jdei4wj wrote

Do NOT use Discount Van Lines. They presented themselves as an interstate moving company but they’re really just a broker. All of their positive reviews were fabricated. The guys who showed up to pack our stuff were high and tried to say we hadn’t paid for our furniture to be wrapped/padded even though we had. One of them I hooked a trailer on a hill and it rolled down the hill and plowed into our neighbor’s shed, and the movers tried to tell us that we were liable for it. We ended up doing most of the packing ourselves even though we paid for full service. Then - not trusting these guys - I put an Apple AirTag in one of our boxes. When the truck didn’t arrive on the day it was supposed to, I called to ask where it was and they lied and told me they were on their way, when I’m reality they had gone to Buffalo instead of coming to Vermont. The truck sat in front of a house in Buffalo for three days, and all the while they were telling us they were on their way but having engine trouble in Virginia. I finally called again and told them that if they weren’t here with our stuff in 12 hours, I’d be calling the Buffalo PD to report an interstate theft. They showed up in 11.75 hours and told us that if we didn’t pay an additional $1800, they wouldn’t unload our stuff or allow us to unload it. Things got heated and eventually we just had to pay them the money. They unloaded our stuff into the front room of our house (even though, again, we paid for full service, like unloading things into the correct rooms). They went out of their way to use the corners of furniture to gouge our plaster walls. They ruined an irreplaceable vintage chair that my partner’s grandfather gave him. When I tried to seek remuneration from Discount Van Lines, they said we had no claim because we had paid THEM for insurance but that didn’t cover damages enacted by the company they contracted to.

It was basically the worst fucking nightmare we’ve ever experienced during a move. But hey, at least it cost us almost $10K to move here! :(

Bottom line: STAY FAR AWAY from Discount Van Lines!

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