Today we have over 1,000 professional movers, and while many are students, most are grown up, ex-students (we've found that students have a bad habit of not being available on a Tuesday during the school year.)
In terms of "starving" in general the company has done pretty well so I'd say we're not exactly starving, or maybe we're just hungry for happy customers. As our founder says about our name "they don't make Philadelphia brand cream cheese in Philadelphia anymore either."
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What will my move cost me?
Local moves are charged by the hour, and long-distance moves are charged by weight and distance. Determining the number of hours a local move will take is really hard to do over the phone, so we don't try. It's also been made illegal in many states, because tricky movers low-ball their guesses and stick it to you once they are on the move. Our moving consultants will take you though the process, and rate quote you a competitive hourly rate, and our movers will do a quick, efficient job.
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What can I do to keep the cost down?
Since local moves that are charged by the hour, anything that you do, we don't have to, and you save money. We are happy to do a full-service move and we do it all the time. Just read a book and we'll do everything. However, if you are trying to control costs;
Be completely packed before we get there.
Take apart your stereo and computer and pack them in boxes.
Take apart your bed-frame.
Move boxes near the door.
If it's not too far, do a couple of runs to the new place yourself.
We're happy to do everything, but if you want to cut costs, be our guest.
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Where do you operate?
We do long-distance moves anywhere in the continental United States, and we do local moves (alphabetically…no favorites here) in AZ, CA, DC, DE, MD, NV, TX, UT, VA & WA. Interestingly, we are not the Starving Students in Louisiana, Florida, or Vancouver Canada. In point of fact, we don't like any of these people at all. Not only have they've stolen our proud 34 year old trademark (wouldn't that make you mad?) but based on what we hear, they do a lousy job for customers as well.
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Are you licensed and insured?
There are two kinds of moving companies; Hard-working entrepreneurs / family businesses, and the rogue movers. You know the rogue movers…they are the ones that you see on 60 Minutes. They hold stuff hostage. Their movers sue you if they get hurt. To make sure you get an honest mover, here's what you should make sure they have:
Auto insurance
Cargo insurance
Worker's Compensation insurance
A license to operate in the state you live in
A federal license if you'll be crossing a state line
Membership in the AMSA (American Moving and Storage Association)
A history! How many years have they been around?
By the way, each of these things costs a little money, as you might imagine, with items 1 and 3 really breaking the bank. That's why the good guys cost more than the bad guys!
Here are our permits / licenses:
US DOT 318223
MC 166404
Arizona 33132
California CAL PUC T-116476
Nevada CPCN3241
Texas TxDOT 6263856C
Virginia HG437
Washington CC041035
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What if you guys break something?
We won't…well…it happens on fewer than 3 moves in 100 for us (which doesn't make you feel any better if it happens to you.) We have a professional claims process with experienced adjusters who follow state and federal claims guidelines. Please bear in mind that how much you are compensated for a lost or damaged item depends very much on the "valuation" that you put on your goods when you do your paperwork at the beginning of the move. Don't gloss over that part! Three in one hundred is pretty good odds, but still.
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What about tipping?
Like cab drivers and waitresses, it is customary to tip movers, but it is completely up to you. If you feel the movers worked hard and took care of you, then a tip is very appreciated. We constantly remind our movers that they should not ask, hint, or in any way make you feel uncomfortable. You'll get a customer survey (if we have your email address) and in the survey it asks if the movers pushed for a tip. We get good marks on this because we work to root out this bad behavior, rapping their knuckles, time-outs, etc.
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Can we make multiple stops?
As my grandfather used to say, it's your nickel. If you want us to stop at a storage unit, drop off a couch in your friend's garage, or even pick up your drycleaning, we're happy to oblige.
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Is there anything that you guys can't move?
We're movers, so we really move most things, but there are certain things that we can not move for you. Here's a pretty complete list; pets, plants, weapons, medications, jewelry, coins, really gross stuff (you'd be amazed at some of the stuff we see), grand pianos, and things in garbage bags (please put everything in boxes).
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How big are the trucks?
They're big. Most are 26 foot straight trucks called "bobtails." We also have stylish trailers in many lengths pulled by gleaming pick-up trucks, and we even have some classic 53 foot monsters. We'll bring enough truck to get your move done right. Please make sure that we've got somewhere to park.
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What is this "double drive time" craziness?
We did not make this up! Different states require movers to account for drive time differently. In California, all movers are required to charge what is called "double drive time." That means we don't charge you for the time it takes us to get to your origin and we also don't charge you for the time it takes us to get back to our branch at the end of the day. Instead, to pay us for this time, we double the time in the middle. Get it? It's weird, but it's the law. Nevada and Washington State both require that we charge "portal to portal" meaning from the moment we leave our branch until we get back. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
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Who does more moves in California and Nevada than anyone else?
That'd be us. Top^
Other questions? Call us for answers at (800) 254-0375.
