How to select a mover
Whether you are moving across town or across the country, selecting the proper moving company is vital. After all, you are entrusting the mover with the proper care of all your possessions. We believe that it is in your best interest to select a mover with a national affiliation, such as we enjoy with Allied Van Lines.
It is a common misconception that nationally affiliated movers are more expensive. Actually, the benefits derived from revenue opportunities provided by our national affiliate enable Eldredge & Bourne to better control costs. For instance, we benefit through increased storage provided by shipments inbound from other states and the ability to move families to destinations that we could not effectively service with our own trucks.
Our customers also benefit in many ways. They can be assured that our men are not only well trained but are periodically exposed to refresher courses in driving safety, claim prevention and customer service. Our van line insists on multiple vehicle inspections each year to insure that our equipment is maintained at the highest level. Our performance in the areas of customer satisfaction, estimating accuracy, and claim prevention is monitored at the national level.
In the final analysis, there are usually reasons why a company lacks a national affiliation. Perhaps the company has found a niche and is comfortable working with-in it. However, there could less positive reasons: a lack of financial stability, inferior warehousing practices or facilities, substandard equipment, or too many claims.
Ultimately, you have to be comfortable first with the estimator and then confident in your choice of mover.
As you decide, consider the following:
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Movers in Massachusetts must be licensed by the DET (Department of Energy and Telecommunications), and display their DET number in all advertising.
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Interstate movers must show a DOT (Department of Transportation) number in their advertising.
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Your mover should have a physical address, not just a telephone or internet address. If there is a problem during your move, you want to be able to find your mover.
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Always request a written estimate base upon a PHYSICAL examination of your property. A telephone or internet estimate is worthless!!! Both you and the moving company should be willing to invest the time necessary to insure you have a trouble-free relocation.
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There is a difference between estimated and final costs. In 2008 the average actual cost of an intrastate move for E&B customers was 5% less than what we estimated.
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Did the estimator answer your questions? Did he listen to your concerns? Did he understand how important that antique bureau is to you? Are you comfortable with him?
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Does your mover have a “track record”? Eldredge and Bourne has been in business since 1918.
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When you call their office, do you reach a person, or usually get either an answering machine or call forwarded to a cell phone?
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Does your mover carry Worker’s Compensation insurance?
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If you are moving out of state, does your mover have an affiliate with-in reasonable distance from your new home? Having a convenient contact at destination is very important.
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Is your mover truly a mover? Moving equipment is specialized. You don’t want your furniture on a truck that was doing dump runs or delivering produce or fish the day before.
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If you are storing your property, will your mover invite you to inspect his warehouse? And you should take the time to inspect the facility. Look for organization, cleanliness. Beware of dirty floors, unfolded furniture pads, and other tell tale signs of a poorly run business.
At Eldredge and Bourne we are committed to the highest standards of professionalism. We want to earn your trust and your business.