Gainesville , VA to Bend, OR:
So, I'm going to start this…read morereview by saying I was immersed in quotes from 2 nationwide, (and they hate being called that) "brokers" for two weeks prior to looking at this company. I had a first quote from a "binding" company (for 10.5k lbs) which was on the very high side, and could have gone higher, if the local movers "felt" they were doing more work than was estimated. Hmmm, not comforting at all. They could actually stop the packing process. The quote could not have gone less than originally estimated.
I had a second quote that was "non-binding" that was a full $6K less for a thousand pounds less (for 9.5k lbs) that could have gone higher based on the weight at the scale pre-load and post load. Both companies are under the Sirva umbrella of companies and would be well recognized by name (but if you did a yelp review search they rate at 2.5 or less). I just had an uneasy feeling about both when they each estimated upwards (and the second company by $4k) after I questioned their pricing models. This is what really had me concerned:
They don't like to be called "brokers" even though they farm out the loading, the trucking, and the unloading. Additionally, you are often loaded with other customers along the way, which could result in damage (when off and on loading at the warehouses) and other obvious concerns when multiple people/companies are looking at and handling "your stuff". The latter part of this equation is what concerned me most. I have NEVER done a coast to coast move on my own, and had zero assistance from anyone in my family, plus being from the east coast I do not innately trust others.
So, two days before I needed to make a decision, I "yelped" "nationwide movers" and Matthew's Nationwide Moving popped up. Lo and behold, they had a 5 star rating from DC to Bend, OR. I'm like, "no way, that's AI", but I left an email and a voicemail and thus the journey began.
I got a call from the company, got emails from the company, got a call from Matthew, the owner, and in two days he was at my place to give me a quote. Jessica is who I dealt with mostly for the communications. The moving quote was straightforward, but the packing (labor and materials was not) so I called and emailed to get a "good enough for government work" estimate for a house my size and weight. I felt comfortable enough because even if it exceeded the labor and materials it would still be less than the other estimates of the two established companies I was pondering for over two weeks.
One other thing: each of the two other companies required a $200 deposit- which was no biggie in a move of this magnitude; but they required full payment prior to either the truck unloading, or the truck even actually showing up to unload. What business and what a dummy you would be to pay for something either not yet delivered or not yet received? That is not proper business protocol and something that really made me think twice.
Matthew's Nationwide Moving asked for a $200 deposit to book , and nothing until after they unpacked and made sure everything was delivered as agreed upon. That's what sealed the deal for me.
Fast forward to 4 weeks of prep for me and the last 7 days of packing, moving into the truck, and delivering, (we drove for 5 days with our cat George- so definitely traumatizing). Obviously they drove the same distance! I can say that it was all and more than I could ever had hoped for in a team of utmost professional and truly caring men who fulfilled my husband's dream of moving to this new place I now call home. That I know the people who packed me out, drove the load, and packed me in is and was the guarantee that sold me on this life altering journey.
Matthew, Tyrone, and TJ- (and the others) you are my heroes. Thank you for helping me with this very emotional and physical transition to my new life. I don't know how you do it- but somehow, you have done it, and I am so happy to have placed my trust in you.
End to end- you did it.
Thank you, again!