Suggestions for moving company.....

I've used OZ a few times throughout the years, most recently being a few weeks ago. They've always come in right around the estimate. They work really efficiently, and haven't broken or damaged anything. We put stuff in their storage during a renovation 6 years ago and it worked out smoothly. Highly recommend them.

There are many past threads on Streeteasy cataloguing opinions about many different companies. You may wish to use the "search discussions" function to search "movers." There is a wealth of information there.

We usually recommend Oz, Moishes or Flatrate. We work with them in all our buildings and could not be happier. they all offer moving and storage.

Good Luck

I'm working with David Lloyd of Flat-Rate. Tell him I sent you. Last move I had with them was the BEST ONE EVER.

flatrate elite pack-move-unpack

Flatrate smashed my stuff (I packed things myself but I'm an expert packer -- and I watched them throw and drop boxes of dishes), took ages to reimburse me for the damage, were unpleasant to deal with, and lost a large upholstered chair.

How did they lose a chair? They kept it in storage for a few months and moved their storage warehouse and, apparently, lost a lot of people's furniture when they moved. I know this because rather than apologizing for losing my chair someone at Flatrate actually said, yeah, this happened to a lot of people's stuff in the move.

This was an interstate move, so perhaps the NY Flatrate folks are better.

But frankly the NY Flatraters who delivered my stuff were unpleasant and, among other things, made it clear I should tip them several hundred dollars before they left my apartment.

You're outnumbered, B.Tweed.

The NYC staff is phenom.

Flatrate moved us and were terrific from start to finish. My clients have also told me that OZ is also terrific and they were the only company I referred for years (with out a referral fee) because of that. I think both are real pros.

Keith Burkhardt
The Burkhardt Group

>You're outnumbered, B.Tweed.
>
>The NYC staff is phenom.

This isn't a competition or a race to find the correct answer. I'm glad you've had better experiences with the company than I did.

I have used All Star Movers, 718-643-4705, many times and so have many of my clients and staff they have been great

Try http://www.divinemoving.com for an estimate storage charge with us should be $75

We used Flat Rate and had a terrible experience. They packed and moved us and broke over 90 items. They literally dumped things in boxes with no paper or padding and did not wrap much of the furniture. (Interestingly, the only items that were not broken were our china and crystal, which were packed by a different "team.") Once we realized the situation, we called the manager and, at her suggestion, took photos of the boxes as we unpacked them. After much back and forth and denial on their part, some items were repaired by Flat Rate and some by an outside restoration company. Some could not be repaired. Flat Rate ultimately sent the damage claim to an outside lawyer, who after seeing evidence of the damage (some of which was also corroborated by repair people) , came to a settlement. The two more experienced members of the crew acknowledged that the other members "did not know what they were doing." It was a very disappointing experience. We were particularly surprised because we had used Flat Rate before and, as a professional organizer, referred three clients to them before this experience. We realize that one can have a bad experience with a good company, but the way they subsequently handled the situation would prevent us from using them again or ever recommending them.

DifferentView, you aren't allowed to disagree with stevejhx.

I have used West Side Movers many times and have recommended them to many clients, who have also been very happy. They are a family owned small business, and I have found them reasonable, responsible and careful.

We had a bad move on our last Flat Rate move. Won't use them again

Just had a spectacular move from Oz including full packing. They were efficient, professional, very careful in packing (nothing broke), used a ton of packing materials (which I was expecting them to cheap out on given flat rate), were super handy (had to take a door off the hinges, take apart and reassemble a bed frame, etc. and did it with no trouble), honest (no hidden charges) and clean (took out all their boxes when done). I can't give them high enough praise - especially given how terrible some of my past move experiences have been! Would definitely use again.

Just moved with Divine. There was an issue with the elevator in the outgoing building which really stymied things (not the movers' fault) so it took--wait for it--TWELVE hours to complete our move. Two bedrooms. Not a lot of stuff. From one UWS building to another 20 blocks north. And Divine charges per hour. Arrgh.

As for the company itself--seemed professional enough, though some things could have been packed with better care. Haven't opened everything yet and keeping fingers crossed that breakables didn't, well, break. I also got irked at one point when one of the guys tried to pack something into a large, clearly already used box. I told him that he needed to use a new one, especially considering we're paying for the boxes.

They claim to clean the trucks and blankets thoroughly for bed bugs--what exactly that means I don't know...

My one major complaint with Divine was having the foreman sidle up mid-move 'reminding' me of the expected tip. This after the tipping policy had been spelled out in the papers we signed at the get-go (15-20% per man per hour). I know how to tip. I'm actually a good tipper. I don't need to be reminded. And I certainly don't need someone dunning me for a tip. Really a turnoff.

Divine has a competitive rate (ours was $135/hour for a four-man crew--they also do three men for $105) but keep in mind the boxes will really up the price. We ordered some book boxes in advance at a lower rate but they wanted to use a ton of wardrobe and larger containers for certain items in addition.

We really shot ourselves in the foot going with a per-hour company given the unexpected problems on the front end. No way of knowing that would happen, of course, but something to keep in mind if choosing movers that don't have a flat rate policy. If something goes wrong the cost can really add up.