Is Flatrate Moving a ripoff?

I is expensive, but you may be being charged for the walkup. Try Oz Moving, if they cover your area. I paid $1,100 for 2-3 times the stuff, including about 100 boxes.

I used them and found that they are on the high side, get other quotes before you use them. Moving Man turned out to be cheaper.

A couple of weeks ago I got a quote from Flatrate for a 1-bedroom walk-up (2nd floor) to an elevator building. We have a few more things than you and we were quoted $975. We're only moving within 10 blocks on the UWS, so perhaps the locations make a difference? Not sure. From what I've read and from the interactions with the guy who showed up to give me the estimate, my impression is that they can and will be flexible with price, so try to negotiate it down.

I thought they were reasonable and professional. You can find cheaper, but as you co cheaper you'll probably get less professionalism.

i think there are certain days that are cheaper. or if you know someone that used them they will give you a discount. or just tell them the price is too high- i think they will work with you. i used them and was happy

Got a quote from Oz Moving - $1,016 for the same move. I'm leaning more towards them now, but wondering, is there any chance I'm going to get burned in terms of the move quality?

my experience with moving--and i've moved 6 times in 7 years, is that no matter what price they quote, the movers will try and find a way to scam you. you quote 5 boxes for flat rate and instead accidentaly have 6--charge. your tv is bigger than you quote--charge. other movers will quote you an hourly rate, show up with no equipment and they say, if you pay them extra the guys will haul ass to get you done in the quoted amount of time.

based on this experience, expect to get retraded no matter what. these days i just include an extra 200 - 300 in the cost of moving based on this and be ready to pay in cash.

Flatrate has gotten so big and popular that I think among their non-premium moved ($5K and up) their quality control has diminished. I used them a number of years ago, very friendly, easy to deal with, no tricks, crew competent and friendly and efficient, and someone from their central office came to visit to check on everything - I tipped the crew very well. A more recent time, crew's English was poor, they were personally unhygienic, sloppy and broke a couple minor things, I felt nickle and dimed, no one from the company checked in on things, ...

Flatrate has gotten so big and popular that I think among their non-premium moved ($5K and up) their quality control has diminished. I used them a number of years ago, very friendly, easy to deal with, no tricks, crew competent and friendly and efficient, and someone from their central office came to visit to check on everything - I tipped the crew very well. A more recent time, crew's English was poor, they were personally unhygienic, sloppy and broke a couple minor things, I felt nickle and dimed, no one from the company checked in on things, ...

concur with cj having moved 4x in 4 yrs - one move out of the US. Walkup and distance adding $.

I used Flatrate 4 times in past 2 years. Positive experience. Move on reduced rate days in middle of month. Have someone come to do an estimate. No matter what the price, ask for a lower one and they'll knock off at least 10%. Personally, I prefer a gentleman named Oscar and his crew. You can ask for them by name.

Benefits of Flatrate: despite many companies upping the fee for one reason or another, Flatrate's quote is exactly what you will pay. Insurance can up it, but that is the same anywhere. They are efficient, have excellent customer service, they are timely and reliable. Their storage service is quite reasonable and also somewhat negotiable.

Others may be good and less money. But you won't be "ripped off" by Flatrate. It's a reputable business. Many other threads on here about them and other movers if you do a search.

I used Flatrate about five years ago, terrible experience. They broke some things and didn't move a few items that were in a closet. I second the recommendations for Oz, and also recommend Schlepper's. They're the only companies in NYC that I've had a good experience with.

I have moved with flatrate 4 times in the last 15 years. Last moved, I priced out three other firms. Flatrate came in the cheapest and did a great job. I would recommend them.

I just got four quotes for moving a one-bedroom apartment six blocks on the UES. Both locations are elevator buildings and I am moving on a non-peak rate. Flatrate was the second highest of the lot at about $1475. I ended up going with a more local company (Big John's) and opted for an hourly rate. I liked the follow-up and customer service of Big John's, as well as the fact that they know the building I am moving to very well and have so far made box delivery, adjustment of exact move time, and other myriad questions very easy for me.

huh.

kcw & kas:
Does Flatrate's quote of $1475 include packing? b/c our $975 does not.
Did you have the British guy come to your place and give you an in-person estimate?
Just tell everyone you deal w/ that you're moving a one-bedroom and want to get it all done for under $1k.

I used flatrate and thought they were great. The crew was very professional and careful wrapped all the furniture in heavy quilts to protect it. They dis-assemble and re-assemble every piece of furniture that needs to be. I paid exactly what they quoted - to the penny. I didn't have any damage to any of my furniture or belongings. I know a lot of friends and colleagues who have used them and have never heard a bad story.

UWSMom: No, Flatrate's estimate did not include packing (besides TVs, large pictures, and lamps). I am doing everything else myself. I had the British guy do the estimate. Completely agree on your under $1000 comment. I've been able to accomplish this with the company I chose.

If you don't have a lot of things it might be better off going with an hourly mover and just providing the incentives for them to get the job done quickly. I did a similar 1BR move @ $100/hour with A+M moving and it took them 3 hours flat. Even if you pad 1-2 more hours for a longer distance / walk-up etc it's tough to see how it's going to be more expensive than the flat rate quotes you're getting. citymove.com is also helpful for reviews etc.

Thanks for all your replies. At this point I've contacted 3 movers (Flatrate, Oz and Moving Right Along).

I got the lowest quote from Moving Right Along at $860 (with Flatrate at $1475 and Oz at $1016).

Just wondering if anyone has experience with or knows anything about Moving Right Along? From looking online, they seem small but legitimate (good BBB rating, other reviews). The only thing that makes me a bit nervous is that they are the only mover out of the 3 that doesnt have a contract. Is this a red flag?

I used a local mover (with insurance) to move about 10x your stuff for $600. Elevator to Elevator building.

Mine did not include packing, but it included disembling 1King, 1Queen, 2 Desks and assembling them back together. They had 6 movers come in, cleared and setup in no less than 3 hrs.

It seems that I may be better off with an hourly mover.

What I'm wondering is, is it a bad sign to not have a contract? Is this something only for fixed rate movers?

They are all rip-offs if you don't use them correctly.
Want to save $$$. Buy your own packing supplies at a discount and pack yourself completely and professionally. Be ready and completely packed b4 they arrive. Have extra packing supplies because they are gonna insist that you 'packed' something wrong and they have to repack it with there own supplies that cost a fourtune. Use them to carry in, carry out. They are on the clock but, if there are no extras they want to get the job finished. If you give them an chance to run up the bill they will.

Ok, I guess for now, my question is simply:

For an hourly mover, is it a red flag for them not to want you to sign a contract?

We just moved and got 4 quotes: FlatRate, Moishe's, Oz, and Schlepper's. FlatRate was the highest, and the only company that did not come to see our "stuff" before supplying a quote. For the 3 companies that did send out reps to price our move in person, each of the quotes was firm. We went with Moishe's and had a very good experience. Despite the fact that it took considerably longer than they assumed in the quote, we had a firm price of about 25% below FlatRate. Plus, nothing was broken or missing and the movers were all nice guys.

I agree with Falcogold on the packing and supplies. We packed everything ourselves.

For hourly movers, ask them how long it will take. Then tell them what you will tip them $X if they get it done in that amount of time. You will get motivated movers, they will earn a good tip, and you will get the job finished quickly.

When you say you packed everything, do you mean that you also padded/packed larger furniture as well?

No, the movers packed and wrapped the furniture (dressers, beds, couches, etc.). We just packed everything else. This was included in our quote.

We tipped 20% and bought them lunch + snacks. It was worth it b/c the quote was so competitive and nothing was damaged.

Yeah, that is pretty much my plan also. I am also hoping that if we elimate most/all of the items that are not large furniture (which we can't do ourselves), an hourly will end up costing less.

So again, anyone have any idea if an hourly mover without a contract is a bad sign?

kcw984, I have a written estimate that includes an hourly rate, which I then negotiated (4 men for the price of 3), but do not have a contracd. I'm not concerned. I've talked to the scheduling woman numerous times, have met her in the office, as well as the owner of the company, and I know where to find them in case anything is amiss. I expect the hourly rate will be honored,and if not, I will beat on their office door to straighten it out. Thankfully their office is about one block from the new apartment, so maybe that fact has made me more comfortable with not having a contract.

KCW, personally I have no idea if not having a contract is a bad sign or not. Persomally I would feel more comfortable with a contract as it would give me some sense of security even if it doesn't really make a difference. If you feel comforatble with the people you dealt with, then go for it. If you are like me and would feel better knowing you have some written protections, then go with someone else.

I used Flatrate two years ago and was very happy with them. I do think I paid a little more that I would have with another company, but there was no issue with additional costs, they sent four guys, and they had the whole move done in less than 4 hours (if I remember correctly). We moved a one bedroom apartment (though we had A LOT of stuff) about a mile. It cost $1200 and I remember we did it on a Wednesday near the middle of the month.

I don't understand why any business wouldn't give you a contract if you asked. If extra charges arise or the rate changes somehow, knocking on doors is not how I'd like to spend my time. I'd be concerned. If it isn't in writing, it isn't.

I used EQ Movers which offered an hourly rate based on the number of movers. There was no contract. I moved from midtown to Fidi 1br with all the furniture and approx 20-30 boxes. I didnt sign a flat rate agreement because I thought would prepare everything in my old place to be moved so all the movers would have to do is put the boxes/furniture on the truck and go. This worked well but somewhere on the trip downtown the movers "disappeared" for 1 hr claiming they couldnt get close enough to the building to unload the stuff. Even still, compared to some of what the other posters claimed they paid to move a 1br, I think I came in just under that. Total came to $850 for 3 guys, 6 cardboard closets, tip included, and was done on last day of the month. The one extra hour irked me but these things are bound to come up when you move in NYC.

We used Flatrate last weekend and I could not have been more pleased with their service (from initial contact to bringing in the last box). We had 4 guys for a one-bedroom move. They were prompt, professional, polite, and hard-working. Haven't found a scratch or broken item yet. Total cost was $920, plus we bought them drinks, lunch (they did not stop for a lunch break, we had to insist that they stop to eat), and $50 tip for each guy.

I would highly recommend them and would certainly use them again in the future.

Others coming to this thread should know the last poster, uwsmom, is a regular poster on this forum and not some shill for the compnay.

uwsmom: your experience mirrored mine exactly--and that goes for all 4 moves I used the company for. Good luck at the new place.

Thanks kylewest. I have to say that your recommendation (in various "movers" threads) made me very comfortable in selecting them. I'm glad we did.

You should also check citymove.com. I used A&M Moving and the were very reasonable and professional.

I just talked to Flatrate, and while they might be professional, their intial quote was ridiculous. They asked me what day I planned on moving. I said August 31st. For that day they said they BEGIN at $2500. I guess it's supply and demand (especially since this is the end of the month).

right. middle, and end of month are the most expensive times to move. we were flexible w/ the date and day. we moved on a sunday. good luck with your move mag.

2 guys and a van -- craigslist....

They stole, smashed and misplaced over $10,000 worth of personal items, and after 6 months of trying to get this covered by their insurance which we purchased, they agreed to $800 for damages!
It's entirely outrageous!

If you treasure your belongings DO NOT HIRE FLATRATE!

In addition to this they charged more than $1000 fraudulently to the card on file with NO AUTHORIZATION.

The customer service in non-existing entirely!

I can not stress how bad this experience has been and there have been absolutely no communication - if you are missing or have broken items they'll just ignore you.

SAVE YOURSELF THE AGONY AND STEER CLEAR!

Horrible, horrible, horrible!

You should try TikTok moving and storage they are priced great and have great customer service. Call them at 212-991-8389

We had a good experience with Flatrate, you might pay a little more but know the bottom line and don't get hit with extra fees later. Generally very professional, have used them twice.

I've used college educated movers before and they're quite cheap and straight to the point. No BS or extra charges, but they're quite clear in stating that they do not have insurance.