Front Page Forum: Movers

I have used Oz twice. (Once Upper east to Midtown, once midtown to Carroll Gardens). They have been great both times -- everything in one piece, quick, on time, and under their estimate.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 9:38 AM

I just used Oz and the move came in at double the estimate. They told us after we were moved in that we could have rented boxes from them and avoided the charge so we quickly emptied a bunch, getting them to lower the rate a couple hundred dollars. We packed 90 of our own boxes but left the art and some fragile things for them to pack. Insurance won't cover what you pack yourself (and is additional). They also permanently damaged a vintage steel desk of mine, claiming it had already been scratched. I sit at this desk every day and it's one of my most expensive belongings -- it had no scratches before they touched it. The insurance doesn't cover it because there's a $500 deductible. Also, things wound up in the wrong rooms because they didn't read our markings on the boxes we packed. A few small objects were lost in boxes they packed because they used huge boxes to hold a few tiny things. We searched for an hour through all their packing paper but never found the missing things. They also chipped an antique wood veneer table and tried to hide the broken pieces. They were quick and on time but I wouldn't use them again.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 9:52 AM

Oz wasn't great -- some stuff I never got back after doing the moving-storage-moving route. You don't miss a toolbox until you need a tool, do you?

Flatrate's been better.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 10:05 AM

Avoid A1-First Class like the plague. They will bullsh*t you BIGTIME if they overbook (which they always do this time of year). "Where's the truck and men you were supposed to send this morning?!?" "They are still jammed up on another job." "WHAT?!? What other job?! YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING MY JOB!!" "They got delayed...There was traffic...There was more stuff than the owner told us about...blah, blah, blah." They don't care. My sister was in hysterics when they didn't show up to move her out of her coop last Fall. There are very specific rules that she had to follow. Most important was the time (9:30am - 4:30pm, Mon -Fri, THAT'S IT). They didn't show up (we were packed and ready), they didn't call to inform us of a problem, and they didn't even offer to make any adjustment to the price (even after we demanded it) for their amazing and curtious service (at this time of year they have you by the short and curlies). They book the job, and whatever happens, happens. Tough luck. Well FU*K THEM!! Also, be aware of the former inmate population staffing the company. "Oh no, we don't hire ex-cons, everyone of our staff is 'bonded'...yeah right...sticky fingers and all.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 10:08 AM

We moved from our FG apartment to our Clinton Hill Bstone earlier this year using Flatrate (go to flatrate.com). They were great. Very careful, efficient, and their price is what it says, a Flat Rate, so it is in their interest not to drag the process out. The team that worked with us packed all of our stuff - a bunch of eastern and central European guys who spoke English, educated, hard working and trying to earn money for graduate school etc. They were upbeat and not surly when you asked them to be careful etc. We've had some horrible experiences in the past, but Flat Rate was actually very pleasant.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 10:15 AM

I used A-1 once and they were absolutely horrible. Slow, damaged things, rude...

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 10:17 AM

We have used Schleppers a couple of times. They have always been well-behaved and come in under-estimate. I don't think they have ever broken anything. The cost of their boxes bugs me, but I think other movers that provide boxes are similar. My guess is that they are not the cheapest of the movers, but I would definitely use them again.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 10:20 AM

I used to work for Rainbow Movers--they are great. Ask for Lenny. They make sure enough guys show up and the job invariably goes faster than you thought it would.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 10:23 AM

I also had a crap move with A-1. Final price was outrageously higher than estimate. Stuff was damaged and they fought tooth and nail getting it fixed after they claimed they didn't pack it, even though they did. Forever and a day finally passed with items being repaired, but never the same again.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 11:07 AM

Any advice out there for a container company that will deliver the container, let us keep it in front of the house for a week and come cart it away?? This is not for demolition refuse but --in anticipation of moivng--clearing out a large basement of 23 years of detritis.
Very much appreciate the moving company tips as well; that part is coming up soon. Thanks very much.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 11:12 AM

Take a look at this site for some real horror stories: http://www.movingscam.com

Don't forget to visit the BlackList

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 1:11 PM

Flatrate. Flatrate. Flatrate. That's the way to go. They moved us and did not damage a single item, including some very expensive antiques (large mirror, artwork - which they custom crated ). Four friends, each with a similar move, have had the same very positive response.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 3:17 PM

Top Hat Movers in Park Slope (718) 965-0214
Not as expensive as Flat Rate, but very careful nonetheless.
We had to move during a blizzard in Dec 2002, and they moved us quickly and carefully ... here's the amazing part: The sofa wouldn't fit in the elevator of the new building, so they carried it up the stair to the 11th floor without complaints!! They are fantastic.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 4:27 PM

Never use Shalom Moving and Delivery. They were the cheapest quote on the NYTimes mover search utility, and the final bill was outrageous. 450-525 was quoted (for a small 1BR in an elevator building) and the final price was 1095. Never again.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 6:50 PM

We LOVED our movers!! Did an A+ job, no hidden fees and were nice people to boot:

All-Star Moving and Storage
88 Sanford Street
Brooklyn , NY 11205
(212) 254 - 2638

Posted by: Anonymous at August 13, 2005 12:05 PM

I used Big Apple Movers two months ago and they were great. They bill completely by the hour. Came in below their estimate on a job that required two stops and many flights of stairs. They were far cheaper than what Flat Rate quoted us. Have heard many bad things about Flat Rate.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 17, 2005 11:26 AM