Look, moving is one of the worst experiences we all deal with. Apart from the unavoidable strain and effort in packing, cleaning, and making all the needed arrangements, we're at the mercy of the moving company, no matter how nice they are. Customers are never in a position to be able to negotiate with a moving company. It's their way or the highway; take it or leave it. This is particularly true if a problem arises after they already have our stuff in their truck; like it or not, they virtually have the stuff held hostage, and we must pay, no matter how badly we believe they may have screwed something up. (And, in my life, having lived in several places around the country, I experienced at least three really bad moves.) That is why only a fool would pay for a move in any way other than a credit card, when possible. (It's relatively easy to get the credit card bank to reverse a charge when a product or service has been faulty. But see further, below, regarding credit cards.)
I say all of this as a preface to saying that, despite the strain of moving, and my concerns about this final one of mine (moving to a senior retirement community), my experience with Badger Brothers WAS, OVERALL, VERY POSITIVE, AND A RELIEF. My main contact before the move was very prompt in answering all of my questions, and accommodating of my special needs. The two young guys who came the day before the move, to pack the one thing I didn't want to mess with myself (the kitchen), were friendly and efficient. The two who handled the move were the same, with a very good sense of humor and plenty of "hustle".
And, nothing was lost or broken. There are many, many moves when that cannot be said.
However, I've given only four stars because I have these two criticisms:
1. 3.5% "convenience" fee for paying with a credit card.
Even those who have $2000 or more lying around, and can thus pay for their move with a check, should use a credit card instead, because it's the best protection in case of loss, breakage and disputes.
Unfortunately, many merchants these days charge a fee for using a credit card. . . and alas, the VISA and MasterCard rules don't disallow that. The fee is a manageable amount on most everyday purchases, but after all, it's pretty sizeable on the bill for a move.
Badger's written disclosure of its fee is poorly worded (and, worse, it's on one important document, but not the other one). As worded, it leaves open the possibility that no fee will be charged. (It says that it will be charged unless the customer has no possible alternative way of paying. (Again: How many people really do have an alternative, with $2000 or more in ready cash (in their checking account)? That's why people USE credit cards!) Only after I called that ambiguity to the attention of my agent at Badger Brothers did he tell me that, in actuality, the fee is charged in ALL cases when credit card is used. Period. No exceptions. That really should be clearly disclosed in writing, in advance. I used a credit card and paid the fee, and chose not to quibble about this after my move, even though it's one example of how all moving companies have their customers in a bind. And, in fairness, I chose not to dispute it because, even though the true meaning of the policy was only disclosed to me orally, and not the proper way (in an accurately worded written disclosure), nevertheless it WAS disclosed to me before the move.
I was also in the very unusual position, for the first time in my life, of being able to handle the price tag of a move without sweating it, and so chose not to pick a fight over this.
2. "Suggested" tips.
I was very put off -- and astonished -- by what I found to be the INCREDIBLE suggestions of tips, on the pad I signed to approve and finalize the bill (just like many restaurants do, at their point of sale credit card processing). So, the typical bill in a restaurant is, say, $20 or so, but seldom more than $50, $60 or even $100 dollars. A moving company is not a restaurant, but this one has the gall to "suggest" three different levels of tip (with 20% being the lowest of the three), just as restaurants do. In this case, that minimum suggested "tip" was $400. $400!!!! Are they insane? I hope and assume that Badger Brothers pays its people fairly and well. I gave my two movers a $30 tip to share. I think that's fair, and in line with all that a "tip" is supposed to be.
3. Lastly, I recall being told that one of my teams (the packers, the day before, or the movers) had to stop at Home Depot to buy boxes, on the way to my old place (my "from" address). I can't find any record of that now -- and, again, I was happy overall, and chose to move on and not pick a fight over this. But, at $188/hour, that stop, which we can reasonably assume to have been at least 15 minutes, equaled $47 charged to me (plus tax). Why do we have to pay for their shopping time to get basic daily supplies for their business?? read more
