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Industry Facts Shopping Around

Top Four Sites to Search a Movers History and Reputation

 

Today we’re going to share with you the top 4 best places to search and understand a mover’s reputation online:

This following list is in no specific order

  1. BBB – Most people are familiar with BBB, at least I think they are. The Better Business Bureau “…Ensures that high standards for trust are set and maintained. We exist so consumers and businesses alike have an unbiased source to guide them on matters of trust. We provide educational information and expert advice that is free of charge and easily accessible.” This is the go-to site for seeing a quick snapshot of a mover’s reputation over the years.
  2. Moving Company Reviews – “MCR verifies every review with a Bill of Lading (move receipt) to ensure it was written by a real customer for a real move.” MCR has paved the way for reliably reviewing moving companies. Each review is verified, so you know everything you read is accurate and trustworthy.
  3. ICC – The ICC (Illinois Commerce Commission) is the issuing body for a mover’s local license. Without a license through the ICC, a moving company can’t legally perform a local relocation within Illinois. Always make sure to ask a mover what their ICC license number is, so that you may be able to double-check their credibility.
  4. DOT – The DOT (Department of Transportation) is the issuing body of a mover’s long distance licenses. Without a license through the DOT, a moving company can’t legally perform a long distance relocation.

What about all the other review sites out there? They’re nice and each serve their own purpose, but will all the sites out there it becomes too overwhelming. Pick 1, 2, 3, or 4 from the above and you should easily be able to get a general feel of a moving company.

 

A few resource links:

 

by Roey Hazot
Shopping Around

Why We Love, Love, Love MovingCompanyReviews

MCR (MovingCompanyReviews) changed the moving review’s game for the better when they first launched in 2012. See, the problem movers have (had!) with online review giants is validation. Essentially, and very easily, anyone can hop online and write a review, good or bad. There’s no verification process. It suuuucks. Why does it suuuuuck? Well, mostly because very few customers go online and publish positive reviews and, believe it or not, there was this awful period of time where movers would go and publish fake reviews bashing other companies. THE ORIGINAL INTERNET TROLLS!

 

Anyhow, fast forward to 2012 when MCR launched. They decided that it was time movers received the praise they deserved. As they so accurately write on their About Us page, “MCR verifies every review with a Bill of Lading (move receipt) to ensure it was written by a real customer for a real move.” They even reward people who post a review with a gift card, or better yet a PIZZA! If only you guys came around sooner!

 

I’ve seen a lot of good come from MCR. Most specifically, we had the chance to move MCR’s Founder, Doug Breaker. He actually wrote about it here: http://blog.movingcompanyreviews.com/how-finding-a-great-mover-took-me-3-years/. The best part…we didn’t know until after we moved him! Don’t you just love it when someone really believes in their own product? We sure do!

 

Thank you MCR for trying to fix an issue the moving industry has been facing for quite some time now.

by Roey Hazot

Featured

Shopping Around

Choosing the right local mover in Chicago!

 

You know that feeling when your car is low on gas and you happen to be at an intersection that has four different gas stations all adjacent to one another? Yeah, search the web for movers in Chicago and you’ll feel the same way. Moving locally in Chicago can be easy; Moving in general can be stress free. When looking for a mover, here are the most important questions to ask:

 

  1. How does your company charge for a move? By default, and within Illinois, a company that moves you locally has to charge based on a set hourly rate and the amount of time that it takes to complete your move. Most companies will have a minimum amount of hours, which range from 2-4. In addition to labor charges, it’s common for a mover to have a set charge for the truck rental.
  2. What packing materials does your company include for free? Moving pads are the most common and versatile furniture padding a mover will use. A moving pad is a thick quilt that can be affixed to most household furniture pieces. The problem is: a good (but bad) amount of movers will tell you that this is all you’ll need. Come move day and they’ll charge you for tape, shrink wrap, and bubble wrap.
  3. Are you licensed/insured and/or bonded? A true pro mover in Chicago will be licensed and insured. If they are, they should be able to provide a COI (certificate of insurance.) A COI will reflect a relocation expert’s level of coverage. A bonded mover is one that is unionized. This isn’t a necessity, but does speak nicely about the quality of their movers.

 

Regardless of the above, the most important factor (aside from the overall cost) is the feeling you get from the relocation consultant you get in contact with. If you don’t feel the connection and the rep constantly rushes you, keep shopping around.

 

Good luck and happy moving!

by Roey Hazot

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