BBB Alerts Customers of Moving Company Scams

I just finished reading an article about the Connecticut Better Business Bureau issuing a warning for consumers looking for a residential moving company. There are countless "companies" across the country that consist of two shady characters and a run-down van. The price might seem right with these offers, but the damage and loss of goods can be disastrous. No matter where you live, it's always important to look into a company's background before making any decisions about hiring a moving company. The better business bureau is a great place to start when researching the background of your potential moving company.

I've placed a link the to the entire article here - but have a look at a small portion of the article below:

"Though there are many reputable relocation companies, consumers filed a stunning 10,000 complaints with Better Business Bureau nationwide in 2006.According to Connecticut Better Business Bureau President Paulette Hotton, the key to avoiding problems with movers is homework, to prevent turning a routine move into a nightmare."

Moishe's Long Distance Moving Resources

One of the specialized services that Moishe's offers is the planning and execution of long-distance moves. If you're planning to leave the NY tri-state area for somewhere across the country, we have a variety of resources to help make things as simple as possible. Just have a look at a few of the things that we offer.

Relocation Consultants

Moishe's relocation consultants are professionals, experienced in interfacing with all levels of moving and addressing the client's questions and concerns throughout the move. Their prime responsibility is to provide comprehensive move management. This includes in-house estimates; anticipating and planning for any special needs which may arise; and ensuring the most efficient moves at the lowest possible price.

Moving Personnel

All of Moishe's movers are highly trained in an on-going training system that we have spent many years developing. Our foremen are required to complete a total of 250 hours of moving experience; and they must exhibit exceptional supervisory skills, before they can take charge of a move crew. The movers themselves go through extensive in-house training before getting on-the-job experience.

The Moishe's Fleet


Moishe's owns a fleet of 40 trucks and 10 tractor trailers, which are constantly maintained by our in-house mechanics. A fleet of this size guarantees that the appropriate number and size of vehicles will be available for your project. In addition, this gives us the ability to provide replacement vehicles in case of an emergency.

Some of the features included on Moishe’s moving trucks are:

Lift gates – with up to 2,000 lb. capacity.

Narrow-width design - for better maneuverability in cities.

Multiple doors - for easy loading and unloading.

Ramps and wheel wells - to facilitate the efficient movement of property.

Moishe's Raffle Winners

I mentioned in some earlier posts about Moishe's participation in The Revlon Run/Walk for Cancer and the Tribeca Film Festival's Family Day Fair. At both of these events Moishe's employees were on site to paint faces, offer moving advice and to sign visitors up for the first ever free move raffle.

Awhile ago the winners were drawn live on the Moishe's website, and you can watch a replay of the videos via our website. I'd like to send a big congratulations to the winners and say thank you to those of you who stopped by the Moishe's booth. Stay tuned for more Moishe's events and activities this Summer!

Relocating to New York with Children

Moving to New York City with children involves a slue of entirely different considerations than moving to New York City without them, i but don't despair, or leave them behind, just plan ahead a little bit. If your children are already in elementary school, of course, you'll want to try and leave for the New York in the summer. Relocating to a new school district during the school year can be traumatic for kids so it's best to avoid it. In order to enroll your child into the New York City public school you will need the following:
- A Birth Certificate

- A copy of your child's History of Immunization

- A copy of a School Entry Medical Exam (which can be done by a physician before the move to the New York City)

- For a complete list of New York City School Districts visit here.

Moving Company's Feeling the Housing Pinch

I came across an interesting article this morning about the effect the housing crisis here in the US is having on the moving business. The market is fairly stable here in NY, so Moishe's hasn't felt the pinch as much as many smaller companies elsewhere - but you've got to feel for these independently owned moving companies. Here's a brief excerpt from the article, published in The Atlanta Journal - Constitution -

"Nationwide, household moves dropped nearly 18 % from January 2007 to this January, said John Bisney, director of public relations for the American Moving and Storage Association.
The Georgia Movers Association couldn't provide similar data. While Georgia is "doing better than other states," business is off, said executive director Lee Lemke.
Local movers report that the commercial moving sector has weathered the economic downturn better than the residential one."

If you're interested in reading the entire article, I've linked to it here.

You Don't Mess with the Zohan

For those of you who haven't seen it on the Moishe's website yet - we were featured prominently in the recent Adam Sandler film, You Don't Mess with the Zohan . Our trademark red Moishe's truck played a crucial part in the film's finale - and people who have seen the film have even called asking if we sell the Moishe's t-shirts worn in the film.

Buying Packing Supplies from Moishe’s

Of course Moishe’s is known for our unbeatable customer moving and storage services, but did you know that you can also buy all the packing supplies you’ll need to prepare your possessions for self storage through Moishe’s as well? From packing tape and peanuts to a plethora of boxes - we offer a wide variety of packing supplies on our website. If you’re about to rent a Moishe’s self storage unit, be sure to check out our Packing supplies for everything you’ll need to get ready.

The History of Moishe’s

In 1983, we started as one man with a van – a red van. Then we were five men with two trucks, and then 30 men and five trucks - all red, of course. By 1990, we had become the largest independent moving company in New York City – with 100 movers, 40 red trucks and two storage facilities. Five years later, we were the largest moving company in the tri-state area.
And today, we have hundreds of employees, scores of red trucks and thousands of square feet of storage. We work with state-of-the-art technologies to assure the safety and security of our clients’ belongings. We operate regional offices across the country and we have established six specialized divisions catering to the unique moving and storage needs of thousands of individuals, families and businesses every day.

Moishe’s for Moving

We’ve discussed at length the many storage options and solutions Moishe’s offers our customers, but have you considered using us for a move? Moishe’s got our start as a moving company, and we’re one of the most trusted names in the business for a reason – we offer top quality service at a price you can afford. If you’re planning a residential or commercial move sometime soon, head over to the Moishe’s website to find out just how affordable we can be.

Moving in New York - Borough Specific Concerns

New York is like nowhere else in the world, and obviously, moving here is a bit different as well. It's extremely important to do some research on this one. Moving companies in Manhattan will be vastly different from moving companies in Brooklyn, which will in turn be vastly different from moving companies in Queens, and so on.

Don't assume that a written, binding estimate from a Bronx moving company means that an estimate from a moving company in Staten Island will also be a binding. Furthermore, different cities and towns have their own laws and regulations and it's important for your New York City movers to be aware of them. Certain neighborhoods for instance, prohibit trucks that weight over a set limit. Does your Lower East Side moving company know about them? Ask questions! Are your Manhattan movers fully licensed for their area? Does your Brooklyn moving company have experience moving estate antiques over long distances? Whatever your specific needs may be, be sure to address them with your movers to ensure that your move to the New York, whatever borough, is successful.

Of course, Moishe's offers the ultimate solution to all of your NYC moving problems. We handle residential and commercial moves throughout the five boroughs, and our team of movers are well versed in all the different areas of the city. If you're moving to New York for the first time or just jumping ship and heading for a new section of the city, get in touch with Moishe's for all of your moving needs.

Auto Transport - Open-Carrier vs. Enclosed-Carrier

Sorry the Moishe's Moving blog was MIA for a few days. It's been a very busy week for us. Today I'd like to finish out our discussion on auto transport for your long distance move. So, without further ado - here are some things to consider when deciding between an open-carrier and an enclosed-carrier to transport your automobile(s).

Most Automobile Transportation Services offer their clients the option of using Open or Closed-Carrier Trucks. The difference is simply moving your car in an enclosed, protected truck or an open truck that is exposed to the elements. For exotic, expensive, or antique cars, enclosed is the way to go. For most other cars, unless you anticipate hail, an Open-Carrier truck should be enough to do the trick.

Remember, transporting your car is supposed to be a service that makes your life easier, not harder! Car transportation is a secure service for transporting a vehicle to anywhere around the globe if you do only the slightest bit of research.

More on Auto Transport - Door to Door vs. Terminal to Terminal Service

Keeping with the theme of the week, I'd like to continue discussing the many options of auto transportation services. Specifically, today we'll take a look at the pros and cons of door-to-door service and terminal-to-terminal service.

Door-to-Door is a kind of service offered by most Car Transportation Companies. As implied by the name, your car is picked up and taken to specific locations as designated by you. Keep in mind though that Door-to-Door is kind of a misnomer. Most Car-Carrier trucks are enormous so depending on where you live they might not be capable of literally coming to your door. They will however, come as close as they can.

Terminal-to-Terminal is a cheaper option than Door-to-Door car moving but not as convenient. Generally, the customer will have to drive the car to a designated 'terminal' and then also pick it up from one once it's delivered.

Getting Quotes for Your Auto Transport

Although most Car Transport Services are safe, be advised that there are some that aren.t so do your homework in advance. Shipping a car from one place to another involves many factors which will affect the price quotes you get. Some of these factors include:

-Gas Prices
- Season
- Geographical destination
- Make, Model, & Year of Vehicle being shipped

Getting Auto Transport Quotes in Writing

Whatever price quotes and dates you get from your Car Shipping Services, be sure to get them in writing. This is extremely important and should not be overlooked, especially since most auto transporters don't guarantee exact dates. What is your Car Moving Company's policy on delays?

Additionally, make sure your contract includes details on the following:

Accident Insurance
Damage Insurance
Cancellation Policies

About Auto Transport

Auto Transport Services (also known as Auto Shipping, Auto Hauling or Car Moving) aren.t just for cars but for motorcycles and boats as well. Every year, thousands of people use automobile shipping for various reasons. Some of the more common ones are:

You're moving far away and don't want the burden of having to drive your car to its destination.

You have multiple cars or other motorized transportation devices and cannot move them all by yourself.

You've ordered or sold a car on an internet auction and need to have it shipped.

Whatever your reasons, Auto Transportation is a safe and cost-efficient way to relocate automobiles and other motor-driven vehicles to anywhere in the world.

An Excellent (and Simple) Guide to Moving Rights

Hiring a moving company can be a complicated process. There is industry jargon to take into consideration, a variety of different types of estimates and a whole lot of legal aspects to consider. For instance, what's the difference between a binding estimate and a non-binding estimate? What should I expect to pay for transportation of my belongings across state lines? Are there additional costs for taxes and tariffs on my move? I've found a very good resource for just these types of questions over at Movers Directory.com. It's filled with all sorts of technical information - broken down into easy to understand language.

Planning a Moving Sale - Putting It All Together

Now that we've discussed the planning, scheduling and advertising of a moving sale, today it's finally time to get down to business. The day of your moving sale can be extremely stressful, but following a few simple guidelines will ensure that everything goes off without a hitch. I've provided a list of things to take care of and keep in mind on the day of your big sale.

- Place well marked price tags on all of your items for sale

- Provide a good amount of plastic bags for customers to care their purchases home in

- Keep tissue paper or newspaper on hand in order to wrap fragile items

- Place any of the items being sold in a set next to one another

- Try to group like-items together. (Movies with Cd's, furniture with furniture, etc.)

- If you're selling clothing, hang them on a clothesline or rolling rack

- Set up a "cash register" station with a cash box, bags, scissors, the tissue paper and a calculator

Planning a Moving Sale - Advertising

Once you've determined where, when and why you're going to have a moving sale, the next logical step is deciding the best way to get people to come. In smaller communities word of mouth is a viable option. Tell one person, they tell another and on and on - but what about somewhere like New York or Chicago where would doesn't just get around?

One of the most reliable ways to notify the public of your moving sale is the tried and true method of print newspaper's classified ads. Thousands of people read the paper every day to find out about sales auctions and give-aways. A simple ad that offers your address, the hours of the sale, and a minimal listing of some of the items for sale is a sure fire way to draw business to your door.

The other common, and usually successful way to advertise a moving sale is through online classifieds like Craigslist. It's free, easy to use and read by a LOT of people. Provide the same basic information as you would in the paper and you'll be dealing with more people than you could imagine. The best part about Craigslist is that if anyone has any questions or really want to buy an item you listed in the ad before others have a chance, they can contact you easily via email.

Planning a Moving Sale - Where to Have Your Sale

Of course, the most likely choice for holding a moving sale is your front yard or garage -- but there are many factors to consider before settling on a location.

The first, and most important thing to consider is parking. If your home is in an area without a lot of street parking, you may want to consider holding the sale at a friend's home where parking is more convenient. If you have a driveway, another solution is to leave your car(s) parked at a friend's to provide a few extra spaces for potential buyers.

A second thing to keep in mind when choosing your sale location is to check with your neighbors. Knock on their door in advance to make certain that they're OK with people coming in and out of their space all day long. If you've got particularly friendly neighbors, you can even ask them for permission to use their driveway on the day of the sale.

Planning a Moving Sale - When to Have One

Continuing with our guide for planning a moving sale, today I'd like to discuss when is the best time to schedule your sale. The earlier you set a date for the sale, the better your chances are to bring out more people. What that means is that you should decide on as soon as possible and stick to it.

Thankfully, the majority of Americans move during the Summer months, which is peak time for moving, garage and yard sales. If you're moving in the winter, try to plan a sale as far in advance as possible. I can't stress enough how much better the sale will go if it happens during the warmer part of the year.

Once you've decided the time of year to have your moving sale, the next decision is when during the week. Saturdays tend to work best in my experience, with Sunday being a close runner-up. Decide a set opening and closing time for the sale (10 AM - 5 PM, etc.). This will help you to advertise, as well as reduce the stress of feeling like you need to be outside until the sun goes down. Once you've finished your hours, take whatever is left and donate it to charity.

Planning a Moving Sale - Why It's a Good Idea

As I mentioned last Friday, this week I'll be discussing how to plan and pull off a great moving sale. Before we get started though, I'd like to touch on why you'd want to have one in the first place. The answers are both simple and numerous:

First and foremost, most of us have a lot of belongings that we just don't need. We horde, collect, and hang onto things for "sentimental reasons" that were long ago forgotten. Packing for a move is a great way to pinpoint all the clutter you've hung onto for too long and set it aside for the sale.

Another great motivation for having a moving sale is that it cuts back on your moving costs. The fewer boxes you have, the cheaper the move will be. You may not realize it now, but by simply making a commitment to sell all those things in your home that you don't really need, you'll cut back on way more boxes than you would think.

The third, and possibly one of the best incentives for throwing a moving sale is the excuse it gives you to upgrade at your new home. A new house means a new beginning, and there's nothing like getting rid of some older furniture and other belongings to give you carte blanche on buying new and improved furnishings.