The
agent who represents a prospective company may or may
not reflect the staff that arrives to perform the actual
services. Verify the qualifications of your mover's
service crew. Companies provide varying degrees of employee
screening and training. Because of this, the moving
industry spans a broad range of service quality. The
actual movers who arrive to your appointment will invariably
differ in their experience, physical ability, vocational
skill level, communication aptitude, ethical standards,
etc. By thoroughly researching the capabilities and
qualities of a prospective company, you will assure
your safety and satisfaction on the move date. Ask detailed
questions and insist on documentation.
The trucks and equipment that
these companies use differs considerably. Assure that
the company will deliver your property in a vehicle
that is clean, safe, mechanically sound, project appropriate
and aesthetic suited to your personal sensibilities.
Visit the lot or obtain pictures of the company's fleet
in order to determine the facts.
Premium service companies have the resources
and the equipment to assure a punctual arrival and a
rested, cheerful and energetic staff.
Discounted companies often book 2 or
3 jobs with one truck and one crew on any given day.
There are no guarantees when or even if they will arrive
to your appointment should an unexpected event surface
on a previously scheduled job. Additionally, should
you be the last job of the day, your crew will arrive
fatigued and labor worn. Your discounted hourly rate
will make very little difference with the extra time
this tired crew takes to complete the job.
Assure that your crew is rested for your
project and that there is some accountable assurance
from the company that the appointment will be kept.
Your time is valuable and you deserve the immediate
services that you have ordered. You have a right to
insist on a rested crew of movers.
Reference Points
References from trusted friends and
associates are the surest means to an informed decision.
On site interviews with company estimators
are more reliable when the right questions are asked.
Decisions based solely on phone interviews
will invariably lead to disappointment.
Always, have the moving agent visit you
at your property so that you can conduct a thorough
interview and so he/she can provide you with an accurate
estimate and a prepared crew.
The Myth of the
Hourly Rate
Do not base your decision merely on
the cheapest hourly rate quote. At the end of your day,
there is very little difference in the final cost between
a discount mover at $85/hour and a premium service provider
who charges $110/hour. There will in all likelihood
be a considerable difference in the quality of service
that you have received. The extra investment will always
prove to your advantage.
The reason for this is simple but not
always obvious…
The premium level company retains a staff
of career professionals. These tradesmen are
well paid and are satisfied
with their chosen vocation. Your moving crew will offer
a quality of expertise, courtesy, and competence that
cannot be expected of casual laborers. Your service
experience is of primary importance to these companies.
These companies invest large sums of
money and time into training and monitoring the performance
of their staff.
Their equipment and trucks are new, aesthetically
pleasing and well maintained.
Their operations are adequately
financed and insured to offer the most accountable damage
claim procedures.
Discounted quality movers must cut many
corners in order to remain profitable. With low rates,
these companies cannot afford to pay their employees
more than a minimal wage. As a result the staff is usually
less qualified and enthusiastic about their work. Such
company's often place less emphasis on the character
of their workers which may lead to a degree of discomfort
for you and your family.
Their trucks and equipment are always
older and less reliable. This is something to seriously
consider when you are moving out of town.
Their budgets and insurance standing
are not prepared to handle significant damage claims.
They will in all likelihood attempt to avoid responsibility
for their own negligence.
In the end...You get what you pay for.
The time proven truth is irrefutable.
By hiring a team of industry trained and certified professionals,
you will certainly pay a higher hourly rate. However
at the end of the day you will have been cared for with
more personalized service, fewer headaches, assured
damage protection, and quite possibly a lower bottom
line.
It is a wise practice to visit the business
office of your prospective company in order to ascertain
their level of professionalism. By doing your homework,
you can assure the quality of the company that you keep.
TO TOP
|
The
moving industry is facing an epidemic of discount fee
scams by unethical moving contractors. Do your homework
and verify the reputation of your prospective company.
