The moving industry is currently at its most prominent level in history, with more companies than ever before competing for customers’ business. This means that customers are more spoilt for choice than ever before and can afford to be more choosy when it comes to opting for a long-distance moving company.
Choosing the right type of moving company can be tricky, especially if this is your first venture into the long-distance moving enterprise. You’ll want to contemplate all of your options before making a decision, and you’ll need to select a moving company that can fulfill all of your specific needs.
There are a number of different types of moving companies, each with its own specialties. For example, some companies focus on providing a high level of customer service, while others specialize in offering cheap rates. It’s essential to do your probing and compare the different companies to find one right for your needs.
The Fundamental Three
Essentially, there are three types of long-distance moving companies: van lines, independents, and brokers.
Van Lines
Van lines are the most significant type of long-distance moving company. They offer a wide range of services, from packing and shipping to full-service moves.
National van lines are a type of long-distance moving company. They are essentially a network of local moving companies all working together. This allows them to provide a wide range of services at a lower price than hiring a separate company for each service.
This means that local moving companies can sign up to be a part of the network and enjoy some of the prestige and benefits that come with it. Being part of a national network gives these companies access to resources like moving vans, storage facilities, and more. This can be helpful for businesses that are looking to move their operations to a new location.
Some of the most popular national van line carriers include United Van Lines, Mayflower Transit, and Atlas Van Lines. These companies are all well-established and have a long history of providing quality moving services. They offer a cornucopia of services, including full-service moves, packing and unpacking assistance, and storage options.
Independent Movers
Independent movers are typically smaller businesses that operate locally. They often have a personal connection to their customers, and many offer services such as packing and unpacking. Independent movers generally have a lower price point than national van line carriers, but they may not have the same level of resources or insurance coverage.
Independent movers are usually family-owned companies. They are often small businesses, which means that they can offer a more personalized moving experience. They may also be able to offer more competitive rates than larger companies.
Eden’s Moving Services, Rocky Movers, and Hercules Moving and Storage are all reputable independent moving carriers.
Brokers
A moving broker is a person who helps you find a company to move your things. They do not actually do the work of moving your items, but they will help you find someone else to do that.
Brokers are helpful because they have an extensive network of moving companies that they work with. This means that they can usually find you a good deal on moving services. However, it’s essential to be aware that brokers may not have the same level of insurance coverage as larger companies.
Some of the most popular brokers include Budget, and North American Van Lines.
Pros And Cons of Each Type of Mover
So, which type of mover is right for you? Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each type:
Van Line Pros:
Wide range of services:
Van lines usually have more resources to offer more affordable rates. They also offer a wide range of services, from packing and shipping to full-service moves.
Van lines usually don’t have to worry so much about financial problems the way that independent movers do. This is because they have a steady income stream from customers from all over their network. So inevitably, their treasury will be larger than that of local movers.
Affordability:
Your local family-owned diner probably charges you a little more for the same meal as one prepared by a national restaurant chain. This is because the family-owned diner doesn’t have the same economies of scale as the chain. The same principle applies to moving companies. National van lines can afford to charge less for their services because they are able to spread their costs out over a larger customer base.
Van Line Cons:
No Personal Touch:
One downside to using a van line is that you may not get the same personal service level as an independent mover. This is because van lines are often large companies with many customers.
Lack of Local Knowledge:
Another potential downside to using a van line is that they may not have the same level of local knowledge as an independent mover. This could lead to problems during your move if the van line doesn’t understand the specific quirks of your area.
Independent Mover Pros:
Personal Touch:
Independent movers often have a personal connection to their customers. They often take pride in their work and want to ensure that each customer is happy with the move. This can lead to a more positive moving experience.
One of the main advantages of using a local independent mover is that they can offer more TLC. Because they could stand to lose a lot more than a national van line if they have a negative moving experience, they’re more likely to go the extra mile to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
One-Stop-Shop:
Independent movers are the best choice for people who want to have a lot of control over their relocation. With independent movers, you will be working with one mover who will oversee your move from start to finish. This means that they will be responsible for handling all of the logistics and ensuring that everything goes smoothly.
Van lines are a different type of moving company. With van lines, you will be dealing with multiple movers. This can be a bit more taxing, as each mover may have its own set of rules and procedures. It can also be difficult to coordinate all of the moving parts.
Local Knowledge:
Independent movers are typically locals. This means they know the area well and can help you navigate any tricky logistics.
Independent movers often have better local knowledge of your area and can offer a better moving experience. They also tend to have a personal connection to their customers, leading to a more positive moving experience.
Independent Mover Cons:
Smaller Resources:
One potential downside to using an independent mover is that they may not have the same level of resources as a van line. This could lead to problems during your move if the independent mover doesn’t have enough manpower or equipment.
An independent mover, or a smaller moving company, typically only has a limited number of pickups per day. So it’s essential to reserve your move earlier to avoid disappointment. They also may not have the same level of resources as a larger company, so it’s essential to be aware of that and plan accordingly.
Lack of National Coverage:
Another downside to using an independent mover is that they typically don’t have a national presence. This means that you may not be able to find an independent mover in your area.
Independent movers will transport your belongings to the same locations as van lines. However, if you decide to move back to your city of origin in the future, you may need to find another mover.
Broker Mover Pros:
Networking:
Broker movers try to present themselves as the best of both worlds. They claim to have the resources of a van line, but they also offer the personal touch of an independent mover.
Just like van lines, brokers have a national presence. This essentially means that you will now be able to find one in your area. They also typically have more pickups per day than an independent mover, so you won’t have to fret about waiting too long for your move.
Price:
Brokers are usually the cheapest option because they don’t own any trucks and instead work with a network of van lines and carriers. This gives them leverage to get the best prices for their customers. They also usually have more experience with long-distance moves and can help you plan your move to ensure that it goes as steadily as possible.
Broker Movers Cons:
Price:
When you’re looking for a long-distance move, you’ll likely get quotes from multiple moving companies. It can be alluring to plump for the company that offers the lowest price, but it’s important to understand that these quotes are usually lowballs.
A lowball quote is when a company offers you a significantly lower price than the actual cost of the move. They do this in order to reel you in and then increase the price once they’ve got you on board.
It’s important to be aware of this tactic and to never accept a lowball quote without getting a second opinion.
Brokers are known for offering lowball quotes, which is why it’s essential to do your research and compare prices before choosing a long-distance moving company. It’s also important to ensure that the company you choose is reputable and has a good track record.
Russian Roulette Movers:
It’s also crucial to consider that these companies are in business to make money so that they will sell your relocation to the highest bidding carrier. That carrier may not be reputable and could damage your belongings in transit.
Conclusion
When it comes time to choose a long-distance moving company, it is important to remember that you get what you pay for. Many people opt for the cheapest moving company they can find without realizing that they may be sacrificing the safety and security of their belongings.
When choosing a long-distance moving company, it is important to do your research and ask around for recommendations. It is also essential to read reviews online.
Why Green Planet Movers Are Your Best Option
At Green Planet Movers, we pride ourselves on being a reputable and reliable long-distance moving company. We have many years of seasoned experience in the industry, and we are proud to offer our customers the best possible service.
Green Planet Movers is an independent moving carrier. We offer TLC to our clients while working to provide competitive pricing compared to van lines.
At Green Planet Movers, we’re not afraid to compete for your business. We believe that the best way to work for our customers is by providing them with quality moving services at a competitive price. We also believe that transparency and honesty are the keys to building solid relationships with our clients. That’s why we never hide our mistakes behind a national banner or broker. We’re deeply proud of the work our team does, and we’re always willing to stand behind it.
Our team is well-versed in undertaking all types of moves, which means that we can take care of your worldly belongings from start to finish. We’re immensly proud to play a part in the local community and are committed to providing excellent customer service.
