Need local reasonably priced mover

I am looking for a recommendation for a resonably priced, local mover. We are moving just within Oakland and looking for a reasanalbly priced mover who will move our prepacked boxes steff

We're moving from Oakland to El Cerrito, and we need to find reliable, relatively inexpensive local movers. Many of the recommendations on the website seem rather old, so I wanted to see if anyone had moved locally recently. Any recommendations? Thanks! Jennifer

Good movers to unload our rental truck

Does anyone have a recommendaiton for good movers? We'll be moving to the University Village apartments in Albany in late July and need 2 or 3 people to help unload the 24' Budget rental truck we'll be driving down. We'll be driving on the 23rd and will need help unloading on Monday July 24th. I've checked the Berekely Marketplace site for recommendations but they're all quite dated. The only relatively recent and also positive review is for Delancey Street Movers. Unfortunately they do complete moves only and can't provide labor for our kind of situation. morrison

Since I last wrote in on this subject more than a year ago, much has happened on the moving scene. ABF U-Pack has introduced its new ReloCubes, 6-foot by 7-foot by 8-foot weatherproof containers that can be dropped in an area the width of a parking space for loading at ground level and stored at an ABF terminal for around $100/month if desired. The ReloCubes are ideal for people who have small shipments and need short-term storage while they look for housing. Each lockable container holds up to 2000 pounds or the contents of an average studio apartment. People can see photos and learn more by going to ABF reviews #23 and #68 on the MovingScam website.

MovingScam also continues to identify excellent full-service movers for people who need their things loaded and unloaded as well as transported. Delancey Street Movers, widely respected in the Bay Area, has amassed dozens of rave reviews on our website - not only for its San Francisco headquarters (phone 415-512-5110) but also for its locations in Los Angeles and New York City. The reviews show that Delancey performs extremely well on long-distance as well as local moves, and (except in the busy season) it can also provide skillful loading and unloading labor for people doing self-moves. This is DelanceyÂ’s review thread with contact information for the various branches - http://www.movingscam.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2377.

Over the past year, a new company called Moovers, Inc. that was started by people trained in the Delancey Street program has emerged as a star performer. The company is located in Concord, CA and has dozens of rave reviews at http://www.movingscam.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4655. Because Moovers is trying to build up its business, especially for shipments going from the East to the West Coast, it usually charges around 15%-20% less than agents of major van lines. I know the people who run the company and trust them completely. Moovers has a very basic website at www.mooversinc.com and its phone number is 800-248-0251 or 925-288-0630.

Recently MovingScam.com has unveiled a state-by-state summary of information posted on the website about various moving companies over the years. This large searchable database of customer reviews and comments by industry experts can be viewed at http://www.movingscam.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8038. It is helping consumers identify reputable companies to get quotes from and disreputable companies to avoid. We also maintain a Blacklist of scam companies that have given people lowball quotes and then held their things hostage for more money at http://www.movingscam.com/blackList.shtml.

Those interested in learning more about ABF U-Pack and Broadway Express might want to look at my post responding to the January 2005 BPN question “Most economical way to move cross-country?” archived here under “Long-distance moving” and at the FAQ sheet on ABF and Broadway Express posted at http://www.movingscam.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1771. ABF and Broadway Express are particularly attractive for academics with a lot of books because weight doesn’t matter in the pricing. Here is an illustrated brochure explaining how Broadway Express works: http://www.movingscam.com/images/offsite/BroadwayExpress- 0102.pdf.

People wanting to know more about moving are most welcome to visit our message board at http://www.movingscam.com/forum, where volunteers answer questions around the clock. (I post there as “Diane.”) Besides reviews of moving companies, we offer reports on auto transporters and rental van companies, packing and loading tips, advice about international shipments, ideas about pet transport, and information about where to find good loading and unloading helpers (we recommend using high- rated companies from www.eMove.com or workers from www.LaborReady.com). I hope this update helps. – Diane

Move 3 pieces of furniture LA to Berkeley

I am in need of a mover to pick up three pieces of furniture in Malibu and bring them to Berkeley. Does anyone have a recommendation for someone that would be willing to do this for a reasonable fee? I don't need a professional mover - could be someone with a truck interested in earning some extra money. Would love to hear recommendations! Thanks.

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Need help with packing but not driving

Our family of two adults and one toddler are relocating to the Portland OR area this summer. We need some info advice re movers. I know there are companies that will transport your stuff if you load the truck, but does the opposite service exist? We are not physically able to load a truck and do not know the best way to place furniture in said truck, but we are quite capable of driving the truck. Does anyone know of ''professional loaders''? Failing that, which moving company would you use if you had to move again? Thanks for your help. Margy

Local Movers Needed

We are moving five blocks near piedmont avenue and need a recommendation for a reliable, friendly movers who won't charge us an arm and a leg. Thanks mari

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We are moving our household within Berkeley. Can someone please recommend local movers who work in this area and who you have worked with in the past two years?

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Help moving furniture upstairs

I recently expanded my house and need to have some heavy furniture moved within the house up a flight of stairs. I called Delancey Street based on the rave reviews on this board and they don't provide this service for the East Bay. Some of the other recommendations for movers are a bit old and I was hoping for updated recommendations. Barbara

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Help with Loading/Unloading

We will be moving in a few weeks and can do about 80% of it ourselves. However, we have a number of pieces of furniture that will be tough for the two of us to move as they are heavy and we will have a toddler running around. I always notice guys down in the 4th street area looking for day jobs and thought perhaps we could hire several of them for a couple of hours to help my husband with the heavy stuff. Any recommendations on how to do this respectfully, ethically and legally? Can I just drive up and ask if anyone is interested in the job (I speak Spanish), or is there some sort of person unofficially in charge? Fair wages for this sort of job? Any other hints? thanks

My husband, daughter and I will be moving to San Francisco in a few weeks - in fact, my husband just rolled out of town today in our rented U-haul. Does anyone have any recommendations for moving companies that will help unload the truck, paid by the hour? We're moving into the Presidio. Thanks! Molly

March 2002

We moved one mile from a 3 bdrm house and paid our mover $1,160 in June, 2000. We packed ourselves and provided our own boxes (except for the wardrobe boxes). I don't remember being offered discounts for moving during the week. We did move some of the hard to pack stuff ourselves, more out of convenience than price. Cathy

I had a very nice experience with Al at Alstar moving and Storage in Oakland 839-4862. There prices were better than the rest and they did a fine job. They are not lhigh-endn, they donmt wear uniforms, they are not limpressiven but they do a good job and they showed up EARLY! Daniel

Beal's Moving

We really, really recommend Ben's Moving & Trucking, which is local company out of Berkeley. We used them for 2 moves, and both times the movers were really nice and efficient. We had a quick close on the house we just moved into and unfortunately neither Ben's, our first choice, nor Delancy were available and we went with a big name company. It was NOT a good experience and later we said had we known, we would've changed the close date to date that Ben's was available. They also have folks available if you just need help moving heavy furniture around in your house. The website is: www.bensmovingandtrucking.com anon

I would like to give the strongest possible recommendation to Ben's Movers--a small, local family-owned business. They are flexible, reasonable, incredibly careful and good-humored, efficient...need I go on? Did a huge move for us in pouring rain, kept us laughing, nothing got wet or broken. Finished well under their estimated time. I've recommended them to several friends, and all had the same experience. 510.540.1991 Paula

We moved within Berkeley last August and used Ben's Moving and Trucking. I can't recommend them highly enough. They are a small, family-run local company. I'd seen Ben recommended in the real estate column by Tarpoff and ?? in the Berkeley Voice. He was every bit as good as they said. This was our second move as we had moved out the year before for renovations and we had a rather poor experience the first time. Ben's number is 540-1991. His estimate was less than what we paid the first time and actually ended up less rather than more when the job was done. Fern

We went with Bekins when we moved from Chicago to Oakland. The price of the move ended up costing less than if we had driven a U-Haul ourselves. They were very thorough and caring. When they could not find one chair of our kitchen set, the insurance paid for ALL of the chairs in a new set, so now we have even nicer chairs at our kitchen table then we started with. Happily moved

Re: Moving across the country
I would not recommend Bekins for any move. For 11 years we stored our household items with the Richmond, VA Bekins agent. In 2000 we called them to arrange shipping. It took over a dozen calls. Finally the stuff is on the truck. The driver calls to say he needs payment for $1500+ more than quoted. He doesn't care that the amount is different. Corporate in Illinois will issue a refund. Desperate to get our stuff - we pay. (Big mistake) Then it turns out items are missing. Another 25 calls to Richmond. Months later they send some items severly damaged; others we never get. The driver tells us the general approach at Corporate is to ignore claims with the hopes that they'll just go away. Over the next 6 months, we called Corporate over 50 times to file a claim and get a refund from the overpayment. The claim was never resolved satisfactorily and was completely ignored when appealed. They were intentionally unresponsive and bureaucratic. I consider our Bekins experience as one of the worst customer service encounters I've ever had with any company. Joyce

When we relocated from Los Angeles to Berkeley six years ago we were very pleased with the company that packed and moved us. So happy in fact that I have kept the paperwork all this time, just in case we needed movers again. It was Tri-Valley Bekins. We dealt with the Livermore office (510) 373-0511, but I see on their letterhead that they have locations in Pleasant Hill (510) 935-9797 and San Ramon (510) 838-1024. The person who actually performed the packing and moving was Shawn Stewart, and he was terrific. I don't know if he is still with them or not. I realize this recommendation is rather dated, but I hope it is still a good one. Janie

In response to the person looking for a good mover with a clean storage. I recommend Bekins at 1-888-251-5840 ask for Rich Coldwell.

Checkered Flag Moving

Re: ''Help Unloading Truck''
We moved twice in the past year, both times into upstairs apartments, and used the same company- Checkered Flag Moving, 408-269-2100. Nothing was damaged, they were on time, and they cost significantly less than everything else I priced both times. Dana

I can recommend Eagle Hauling Service - Randall Broder He is the next step above do-it-yourself. He has a big truck, dolly, blankets, etc. and you help him (or he brings a helper for an extra charge). He charges $50/hr plus a $15 gas charge. Randall has done big and small jobs for me, is very trustworthy, soft-spoken, and methodical. (3/02 update: phone 526-5753)

I can recommend Emerald Moving and Storage (510)839-3939 for local moving and storage. We had to move out of our Berkeley home recently during a remodel. The move was a bit complicated. We packed everything ourselves but needed some of it to go to storage and some to our short term home. Emerald moved us out, stored our long term stuff at a reasonable monthly rate, and then moved us all back in without any mixups. They were very flexible and pleasant to deal with.

Macy Movers

Moving Companies: I've had recent experience with Ernie's (6th Street in Berkeley) and Macy's Movers (Oakland). They are both very good. Good people. Used them both for moving as well as container storage for several months while looking for permanent housing.

Five Star Moving

I recently used 5 Star Movers to my 3rd flr apt in Emeryville with antiques and they did a great, quick, and reasonably priced job! Craig Gillam is the owner at 877-408-9500
kl

We recently did a local move (less than 5 miles) and we couldn't be more pleased with our experience with Five Star Moving! We were most impressed by both the transparency of the process (the movers literally took our detailed email of what needed to be moved and checked off the items before they moved anything), and the high quality service of Virgil and Brian (professional, polite, diligent). When we were clearly over our estimate, they threw on a bunch of extra boxes - as much as would fit in the truck - and did not charge us anything additional to the quoted flat fee. They are probably one of the very, very few that understand what it means to be in the service industry - particularly one as stressful and prone to shadiness as moving! And we've moved ALOT!

Five Star Moving Service 877-408-9500

Craig Gilliam is the owner, who gave us the quote, and was very responsive from answering random questions to lending us wardrobe boxes! Amy

Lightning Van Lines

I recently relocated from the Los Angeles area to Alameda. The moving company I used Lightning Van Lines was wonderful, believe it or not I am one of the few people who had a postive moving experience. I found Lightning Van Lines on Citysearch and based on their recomendations, then the customer service; I received a FREE visual estimate and the fact that they checked out with BBB I decided to entrust them with my two bedroom move. From start to finish it was smooth and trouble-free. They arrived early, were professional and courteous at all times. The prices are not the lowest but are competitive, reasonable and well worth it! SSince I received a visual estimate my contract was a binding agreement therefore no surprise fees at delivery! I highly recomend them for any job, the corporate office is in San Leandro, and they will give you a home visual estimate at any time.
Reidun

Navis Pack & Ship

NorthStar Moving Corporation

Northstar Movers are honestly THE BEST. Their number is 1-800- 275-7767. They are listed on the Better Business Bureau's ''Gold'' list since they have had no unresolved complaints for 5 or more years. We used them for a small move 4 years ago, and then a large move just 1 month ago. All of the workers are so efficient, respectful and careful with your belongings - we ended up buying them lunch and giving them huge tips because they made the whole moving issue so stressfree :-)

The cost was average - not expensive and not outrageously cheap - but everything made it here in one piece. They have boxes and bubblewrap for items that are hard to wrap or if you don't know how to wrap it (like our 8 foot tall 70 pound mirror). They even moved our 5 foot tall tomato plants and wrapped them in bubble wrap too :-)

I have heard so many nightmare stories about movers stealing items, or changing the delivery prices once all your stuff is in the truck - go with someone who is approves by the BBB - we wholly recommend Northstar Movers. Good Luck! Happily Moved

I recently moved with NorthStar Moving Corporation, and I enjoyed such an amazing service that I am so happy I have this opportunity to share my experience.

The professional courtesy NorthStar showed me during my move was so remarkable that I was left after the move with the most profound respect for the company and its employees. From the sales representatives (who were so extremely professional and pleasant to talk with) to the actual movers (who had moving down to a science and were very good-humored to boot), the move which I had so nervously anticipated was entirely stress-free.

They didn’t waste time, the movers worked really hard, and the pricing was very fair considering the amazing service I received. Every one of my belongings was wrapped and protected with moving blankets, bubble-wrap or boxes, not even a little coffee table leg was exposed. Because of this, nothing got broken, nothing even got scratched!!!

And the best part was when everything was unloaded and into my new home, they helped me arrange my living room, dining room, and bedrooms several times till I had the exact placement I wanted. I literally did not lift a finger.

NorthStar (800) 275 7767 will definitely be my lifelong moving company, and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for the highest-quality moving company out there Yaffa

One Big Man, One Big Truck

These guys have moved me three times and I've recommended them many times to friends. They arrive on time, do a great job and don't nickle and dime you. I hired three big men for the last move and they finished in record time. they moved us from SF to Oakland. We had to pay a bridge fee, but it was still fine. anon

Park-Tilden movers because: they were prompt, kept all commitments, the movers moved fast and didn't wreck anything, including finagling a washer and dryer up a narrow freshly painted stairwell, and everyone was extremely polite. Their hourly rate is higher than the other company I called but I just got a sense of greater organization skills and experience, translating into efficiency and therefore perhaps similar costs. They will deliver moving boxes and packing paper prior to the move, a service for which they charge.

Seven Bridges Moving

We had a horrible experience with Starving Students of Oakland about a year ago that I have since found out is really common. Although I reserved them a week in advance and called to confirm, Starving Students did not show up on the day, flat-out lied to me that the van was on the way several times, then just quit answering calls. The next day, they didn't show up until 11 am when the office told me at 8 am the van had just left, I was first on the list, blah, blah.

The other scam that Starving Students is famous for is the double drive time policy, which I guess is stardard in the moving industry. This is where you are charged double for the time it takes them to go from old house to new house. Our old house was about 6 blocks from our new house, but we we charged for an hour because the driver pulled in front of the house, told us he would go around the block in order to be pointed the right way and was gone for 45 minutes. At the time we didn't realize that cost us $85 and didn't complain (plus the fact we didn't want to complain when our furniture was still in the truck.) A friend later told me that when she used Starving Students, she saw them eating at McDonalds on the way to her new house.

I wrote numerous letters to Starving Students to complain and got a check for 10% of the move - $58. I spoke to the head of the agency that governs movers and he said that he gets more complaints about Starving Students than any other company.

Re: moving I would NOT recommend Starving Students; I used them twice and both times the movers were careless and the charged ended up being considerably more than I expected.

Sultan of Schlep

Tomcat Movers

My family recently moved from Alameda to Dublin Ca. For a previous move, we had used Tomkat moving and hauling (may also be known as TomCat). We had a good experience with them the first time around and wanted to give our business to them again.

We dealt directly with the owner, Tom, and would have rather rented a u-haul when all was said and done. He was a day late, canceling 6 hours after he was supposed to initially arrive. He came the morning after he was scheduled, 45 minutes after the revised time. Within 15 minutes of arriving at our Alameda home, he tracked tar and mud all over our carpet. I asked him to remove his shoes and pointed out the mess he made, and he continued to make a mess. I asked him if he was going to pay for the carpet cleaning, he said he would walk out on the job. We were in a bind, as most would be, and had to beg him to complete the job. I left the house and my husband managed the move to Dublin.

We had our carpets cleaned as soon as Tom and his crew left for the Dublin house. Most of the stains came out, but we now have to disclose the damage to the new owners. Tom never apologized and did not pay any of the $188 carpet cleaning fee.

Tom's crew was very nice and respectful, we wish we had dealt only with them. Let me know if you would like further details, but overall I would not recommend dealing with TomKat on any size job, ever.

We're very sorry to read Becky was distressed regarding her move to be rescheduled for the next day and the carpet soilage. Very often customers are not entirely upfront when booking a move by phone. It was unfortunate for Becky's job to be started late with the first appointment customer providing inaccurate information about what was moving. We try to be accommodating to both parties and apologize to Becky for the first customer creating a situation where her move had to be adjusted to the next day. I retraced my steps where I had followed her husband to the garage after not finding any mud and tar on my shoes or on the steps leading to the house after Becky accused me of soiling her carpet. . I found 3 carpet remnants that they had placed over an oil spot where their family vehicle normally parked. I pointed out the oil spot to her husband where the source of the problem most likely came from. He agreed and then turned away acting like it was not a big deal. We're very sorry they did not place an appropriate floor covering on the garage floor to collect oil residue from their vehicle.

Tom, TomCat Movers

I recently had to move several heavy items of furniture from my house in Berkeley into an apartment in Albany, then stuff from the Albany apartment into either a storage unit in Berkeley or . . . back to my house! It was really a waste of an afternoon for me and an awful drag, but TOMCAT MOVERS (864-1900) did it all pleasantly and without complaint, and I thought for a very reasonable price. I recommend them without reservation. (Their dispatcher got all of my complicated instructions down perfectly the first time.) Becky

We moved from the Bay Area to Eugene last summer and used Colin Wright Moving. They did a great job. It is mostly one guy (Colin) who hires helpers as needed at both ends. Both he and his wife drive trucks if you have too much for one truckload. The big advantage I found was that you deal with the same person all the way through. He gives the quote, he packs the truck, he drives, he unpacks. With many of the bigger companies the drivers are independent contractors who have nothing to do with the person who gives the quote; they can actually refuse the job if they think the quote was too low. Ours was a complicated move, done in two parts months apart and included a piano and way too much other stuff and it was all handled flawlessly. Moving is never fun, but we found Colin to be extremely helpful. His phone number is 559-1929. Brian

Hi, I can highly recommend the mover I used when I moved out to Pittsburgh PA a year and a half ago. (Mostly he does local and West Coast moves.) I don't remember the exact name of the business, something like Wright Moving, but it's a small business and the name of the proprietor is Mr. Colin Wright. He was very good, honest, fair, fast, and reasonably-priced. He is in Richmond and can be found in the White Pages (advertising in the Yellow Pages was too expensive). Joyce

Zhang's Moving Company

I would recommend Zhang's Moving Company. their number is 1.800.747.9979. This is the 3rd time we are using them. They moved for our home twice and this time was my office located in Downtown. I referred Zhang's Moving Company to all my friends, as well as my dear sister. They all were very satisfied. Their price was good. They were professional, polite, careful, and organize. I would definitely use them again. Anna H.

Pack & Move in one day?

I am contemplating a local move and wondering if anyone has experience with movers who could come in and pack up my 1 BR apartment for me, and then transport it to the new place all in one day. I looked on the website and didn't see anything... Also, any ballpark estimate of how much it would cost?

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I will be moving a large load in mid-January and probably need to buy moving boxes. I have checked the previous recommendations, but I haven't find any particular advice for finding cheap boxes. I think I have too much stuff to rely on ''free'' boxes from the grocery store, etc. Thanks. Anna

Hi, Can anyone recommend a good place to buy large quantities of moving boxes or just cardboard boxes for a good price. We are moving out of the country and will need to buy large quantities of boxes.
Thanks Ana

Office Depot has file storage boxes for very cheap. About $4-$5 for six boxes. I've used mine twice for moving and t hey work very well.