A week and a half ago, I started a project on Yelp for long distance movers out of DMV (DC,…read moreMaryland, Virginia.) Prepared my spreadsheet and began entering the data from the dozen or so whom replied and/or I researched. I had hired movers to pack and load/unload before (with mixed results), but never to actually take my stuff out of my sight and drive away with it. (EEK!)
Skylink Movers came in the cheapest, from $140 to $1500 less. (Yes, the estimates ranged THAT much.) Enticing, but the lack of reviews on Yelp (and many many hidden ones) made me nervous, despite the company having stellar reviews elsewhere. So I asked the owner to call me because I wanted to hear his voice and see if I detected any dishonesty. There was none. He sounded sincere, even when I asked him about the hidden, i.e., suspected fraudulent, reviews. I also reached out to one of the positive Yelp reviewers for a reference. (I didn't get a response.)
Over the next week, I evaluated each moving company based on price, additional fees, reviews, timing, payment options including credit card surcharges, contract details and more. I talked, text and emailed with each of the finalists directly to confirm policies. I text TJ (I think that's the owner's name, I apologize if I got it wrong.) the most because even though he was coming up on top of the rest, I was still nervous. If I have any complaint, the only one is that I had to ask a few times for a written estimate/contract. But because he responded to each and every text (and there were A LOT!), I decided to move forward. Then I requested to change my date/time a couple of times. TJ accommodated as best he could, and ultimately Jay and Dominick called the day of the move and showed up at the exact time promised.
I didn't have a whole lot of stuff to move, but I was surprised by the speed, strength and efficiency at which these two young men wrapped, packed and loaded my belongings. They were also very pleasant, polite, and friendly. One of them, knowing the difficult circumstances of my move, even offered me a few kind words of support and encouragement before they left, which was very appreciated.
At my destination 3 hours away, Jay and Dominick unloaded with the same efficiency, putting items and boxes in their respective rooms. I'm not completely finished packing yet, but so far it doesn't appear as though anything is damaged or was jostled during the drive.
Thank you, Yelp, for making me aware of Skylink Movers. Thank you, TJ, for submitting an estimate and tolerating my OCD. And thank you Jay and Dominick for making a difficult day go as seamless as possible. I would not hesitate to use this company again.