The Moving Planner Blog

Just wanted to post a good experience (for a change!). After the very bad experience we had with Peace Movers, about which I posted on July 19, we called FlatRate Moving of Rockville. They had a move date available 2 days later, showed up in their own clearly marked truck, with 3 guys for both pick-up and delivery, as promised. And they showed up on time — 9 am on the dot, in fact — on both ends! The movers — Warren, Mario, and John — were very courteous, careful, with our stuff, and fast in both loading and unloading. And there were no issues with the price — they collected what was on the contract, no arguments. What a relief, and such a change from our first almost-experience. They helped us every step of the way, and everything came out right on time it was perfect. Thank you Flatrate moving.

I just wanted to add to this forum since I was researching it a lot when I moved two months ago from NYC to a small town in IL.
We were moving right in the midst of the high moving season and eventhough we were moving from a 2Bdrm in Manhattan to a town house in IL some reputable companies (Bekins, Dahil, Central Moving & Storage) gave us the cold shoulder after their evaluator were gone. Flatrate was actually only the second choice because of the limited interstate experience here on the forum.
However, aside from small mishaps (my credit card was charged twice but the amount was refunded after 3 days - infact the foreman himself made me aware of the error). Our entire furniture paintings etc arrived without a single scratch. We had full service incl. packaging.
I have to give big thanks to the crew that packed & picked up the stuff. Rafael and the rest of the young polish guys did a tremendous job in over 90 degrees NYC sweltering heat. The haul was then delivered by a independent driver (no flatrate-truck) named Bobby who was also great.
Overall I think we were really lucky. 

What If My Mover …

Won’t Deliver My Goods?
Increases the Agreed Price?
Disappears with My Possessions?

What If My Mover Won’t Deliver My Goods?
If you have paid the mover 110% of the non-binding estimate or 100% of the binding estimate and the mover fails to deliver your goods, they have violated the Federal regulations for the protection of household good shippers. You should call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238) to file a complaint.

What If My Mover Increases the Agreed Price?
If the mover increases the price you are not required to pay no more than 100% of the binding estimate or 110% of the non-binding estimate. The mover is required to bill any additional charges 30 days after delivery of your goods.

What If My Mover Disappears with My Possessions?
You should call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238) to file a complaint. You may also contact the State Attorney General’s office or appropriate enforcement agency in your State.
                                                                                     Source: http://www.protectyourmove.gov/consumer/awareness/faq/faq.htm

My name is Jack Holmes and I have just recently moved to LA from Florida. At first I had many difficulties arranging my stuff, I didn’t even know where to start. So I call up one of my friends which moved not to long ago himself. He told me that as he was searching the Internet last month, he saw this company called FLATRATE they don’t charge by the hour and they move over long distances. So I took my friends advice and I contacted  Flatrate.

 Ever since I did that, my moving process couldn’t have  gotten any easier. The guys from Flatrate helped me all the way from arranging the technical details, to the actual packing. They told me “If you ever need any help at all, with anything that has to do with packing we are always available”. The next day by about mid day every thing was unloaded and in its place. All the big things were pretty much in their place. They had such good service that the guys even started unpacking kitchen utilities and more things.

If you are looking for a reliable moving company Flatrate moving is it. 

I truly recommend Flatrate moving. 

For your own peace of mind, you should consider moving jewelry and other small valuables yourself in your personal vehicle. As for larger valuables, point these items out to your moving crew. Awareness breeds care, and you should feel confident that your movers will pay special attention to any items you have designated as having high monetary or sentimental value. Most moving companies will have some variation of a “high value declaration” form and will request that you itemize all precious items to ensure that they receive VIP attention and that in the event of breakage, the crew is aware of their value. Completing these forms up front will streamline any insurance claims you may have following the move.

You want also to clean them onces you have moved.

Small moves in Florida takes a lot longer than moves in NYC. The distances are bigger and if you choose to go with a company that charges by the hour, don’t be surprised if a move you thought will take four hours will take six hours.

Also, a lot of the building here in Florida allow four moving companies to use the elevator at the same time, imagine how long it takes to complete loading the truck if four different companies are moving four different customers?

We have seen customers that were so stressed, looking at their watch every five minutes and praying not to have to pay for another hour, while our customers didn’t really care. They knew how much they are paying from the start and didn’t have to worry about a thing.

Also, some movers here don’t carry sufficient insurance  for the building and if you don’t ask them or if your building management didn’t tell you to ask, on the day of the move your building manager will tell you they cannot work in the building  and you will have to look for a moving company that is available to move you right now. If it is the end of the month, I doubt you can find one. So make sure to ask.

Posted By Natalie FlatRate Moving

People have to know how to compare a few different quotes, most of them look at the bottom line which is the price and decide to go with the lowest one.

They should compare the services offered and quality of the company and not necessarily the price. They should compare reputation and reviews.

I realized that people don’t read the small words on the quotes sent to them which 99% of the times say  black on white: “here are your hidden charges”

When it says packing materials are excluded, they think that the fact that they are packing their own boxes means that they will not be charged for packing materials but it is not true, because when you move, you have to get your sofa covered (and usually you don’t do it yourself) and if you have a glass coffee table, you cannot expect to move it without protecting the glass, protecting this glass is packing materials. When you get an estimate that says this and this is not included ask what it means so there will be no misunderstandings later.

Natalie

FlatRate Moving

 www.flatratemoving.com

Inside the boxes you use for moving are your valuable, in some cases priceless possessions. Not all boxes are alike. You should be aware of how box quality, size and loads will affect your move. Below are some questions and answers about moving boxes and moving supplies, as well as about our company and our services:

“Why is box strength important?”

Corrugated boxes come in all shapes, strengths and sizes - the stronger the box, the greater the protection for its contents. The moving industry is very competitive, but professional movers use moving boxes that are at least 32 ECT (or 200lb test) in strength. These ratings are standard from the box industry, and help insure that your household belongings will arrive safely. Weaker boxes will crush under load. No moving, truck rental or self storage company should sell a moving box weaker than 32 ECT (200lb test). There are some retailers that sell sell much weaker (by 46%) 150lb test boxes and calling them moving boxes. BEWARE! This box was actually designed for light-weight usage and should not be used for moving.
 

“How Do I Know How Strong My Box Is?”

All boxes have a certificate seal printed on the bottom flap by the manufacturer certifying the box’s strength. Industry standard Moving Boxes are 200lb test weight or 32 ECT. Larger boxes like Wardrobes or kitchen dish pack boxes Kitchen should have a higher test weight/strength. Also on the certificate you will find a capacity in weight that the box is designed to handle. Just because a box is large, doesn’t mean it can carry a lot of weight. Make sure to check box strength before you make a purchase to make sure they are adequate for your needs.
Source:MoveOut.com 

“How Can I Choose The Right Kind Of Boxes And Right Sizes?”

In many cases you will need to go to moving websites in order to see what kinds of boxes there are, what sizes do they come in, and what is the maximum weight they can carry. You can find more information at: http://www.flatrate.com/nyc_movers/boxes.asp. This website provides you with the sizes of the boxes and what each box is used for.

This is an HTML version of the brochure entitled Protect Yourself From Moving Fraud. It is also available to download as a PDF.

More than 40 million Americans move each year for personal reasons and career opportunities. It’s a significant event in any one’s life. Your money, your memories are at stake. It can also be stressful, even under the best of circumstances. Know how to avoid one of the most stressful situations that can arise; protect yourself from dishonest, “rogue” movers.

Most moving companies are legitimate businesses that do quality work. But in recent years, a growing number of complaints have been filed against interstate movers—and many of those complaints spring from the fraudulent practices of a small percentage of dishonest movers known as rogue movers. It stands to reason that if we can teach you how to spot a rogue mover the odds that you will become a victim of one are greatly reduced. Fortunately, there are several logical steps you can also take to help ensure that you are choosing a reputable mover.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has initiated a partnership with other Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies, consumer groups, and the moving industry to make sure you have the information you need—and answers to your questions—to “Protect Your Memories. Your Money. Your Move.” from fraud.

Doing Your Part
The Federal government, State and local law enforcement agencies, and the legitimate moving industry have joined forces to combat moving fraud, but you have an important role to play as well. If you’re planning to move, it’s important to learn as much as you can about your rights and responsibilities.

You can also use this site to link to other government, law enforcement and moving industry information sources. This is very important if you’re looking for more detailed State and local information, including how to file a complaint.

Know your rights and responsibilities. Protect Your Memories. Your Money. Your Move.

Publication no. FMCSA - E - 05 - 006
Source: http://www.protectyourmove.gov/consumer/awareness/protect/moving-fraud.htm

Source: DOT Office of Inspector General

Owners of Five Unlicensed Moving Companies Charged with Racketeering in Consumer Shakedown Scheme 

This story goes back to February 2002, but I think it is still relevant. Be the judge!

“It should be noted that criminal complaints are merely accusations and that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.”  

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown holds up a couple of flyers from unlicensed moving companies whose owners were charged with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually from scores of unwary customers by holding their personal belongings hostage and demanding unlawful and excessive cash payments to complete the moves or unload the items from the truck.

The owners of five New York moving companies were arrested on charges of racketeering, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and other offenses after they repeatedly lured customers with “low ball” moving estimates, only to hold their household goods hostage unless an additional payment was made in cash. In scores of instances, these demands raised moving costs by several thousand dollars more than estimated. Those charged were Daniel Mantoza, his wife Ronit Mantoza, and Morad Alfar, of Queens, NY, who controlled Allstate Moving and Storage, On Budget Van Lines, Eilid Moving and Storage, Online Moving and Storage, and In & Out Moving and Storage in Deer Park, NY The investigation, known as “Operation Moving Day,” is believed to be the first to employ New York’s Organized Crime Control Act against the owners of moving companies. This investigation was performed by a task force consisting of the OIG, NYPD, the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, and New York State DOT, with assistance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Full details at: http://www.queensda.org/Press%20Releases/2002%20Press%20Releases/02-February/02-13-2002.htm