The Joys and Perils of Moving From GA to NY

*Disclaimer:this is really long.

If you are moving, know someone who is moving, or are anticipating a move, you know how stressful moving is…

Back in March, we found out we were moving back to NY from GA. We had just moved here in August, so it was good (I hadn’t unpacked much) and bad (I have to repack), but TheHubs’ new job was paying for some of our moving costs. So I started looking for movers.

Google movers. Go ahead, I’ll wait… You got pages and pages of results, eh? Now try going thru those to find a decently priced mover that will haul from GA to NY. After weeding thru most of the ‘big’ companies, I started looking for referrals. I was referred to Men On The Move (MOTM) a moving company based in NY, and they came with great reviews. After speaking with James C., he gave me a reasonable estimate and we decided to go with them.

After waiting for a clear to close on our house in NY, I had contacted them to set a moving date, since we knew we’d be able to close on May 15^th or later. We decided to aim for May 25^th (there was an issue with the attorneys and we could either close this day, or the first week of June. June was impossible as TheHubs’ new job started before we could close in June). So I contacted MOTM about seeing when they were available to pick us up. After several phone calls (which were usually returned promptly), James advised me they would have a truck in our area May 20-22 and that a May 23^rd pick up date would be ok and they would call me with a time. This was May 5^th or so.

Well, as the 23^rd crept closer, I decided to call the movers. We had gotten the ok to close on the 25^th from the bank. I called on Friday the 11^th, and was told they were still working on the schedule. I reminded him of the pickup on the 23^rd. I called again on the 18^th, and was told that James would call me in 2 hours. 3 ½ hours later – no return phone call. I called again on Monday the 21st, and James was out, so I asked the receptionist if she knew when the pickup time on the 23^rd was. She said they have us for the 27^th (!!??!!!?!?!) and she knew that wasn’t right. She said she’d check with the dispatchers and call me back. A few hours later, still no call. So I called back. She told me that she’d email James to call me. A few hours later, still no call back. I called again. She ensured me James would call in the morning.

Tuesday morning, Ron Moshe called me. He advised me that they would have to pick us up on the 27^th. I told him that was impossible, we have to be out of our apartment on the 23^rd, and close in NY on the 25^th. He went on to explain that they cant send an empty truck to us, as it’s not economical for the company. I told him I based everything on the date James had given me, and that I can understand a leeway of a day (give or take). But not almost a week! He tried to calm me down, as I had gotten pretty upset (thanks pregnancy hormones), but nothing he was offering would help. He offered to find another company to pick us up, and store our stuff in a warehouse somewhere, then they would pick up on the 27^th and deliver on the 30^th/31^st. That would mean almost 5 nights in a hotel, with 2 dogs! One other option would be for them to send a private truck but it would be more money. I told him to call around, but I would also do the same, and see if I can find some other company.

After an hour of crying, I finally went on BBB and looked for BBB accredited movers in Atlanta. After calling dozens of companies, many didn’t do interstate transport or they were booked. I did find one, but they wanted over $7000 for the move, which was double what MOTM were charging me. So I called one more.

Atlanta Peach Movers.

I called them and spoke with Matt M. I was still upset on the phone and he reassured me that he could help. He said they’d be able to pick us up at 830-930am tomorrow morning! Music to my ears! After taking more info, he gave me a quote that was comparable to what MOTM were charging us. He took the time to listen and be compassionate for what we were going thru.

After he emailed me the estimate, he called to ensure I received it. He asked if I could print it out, sign it and scan it or fax it over. I told him I didn’t have access to either, and before I could think of another way, he graciously offered to print it and bring it to me. I was beyond impressed.

When he got here, he went over the paper work and took a quick look at what we have. He was impressed that I was almost spot on with my box count, etc. He took the time to explain the process and how it works. He answered any questions I had, and went out of his way to make sure we were taken care of.

After he left, I spoke with TheHubs and we agreed to use them over MOTM as I had lost all faith in MOTM. They didn’t have our furniture yet and we already had issues. So I called Matt back, and left a message. Within an hour or so he called me back, and processed our deposit.

When I called MOTM back to let them know we had found another mover that was able to come and pick us up in the morning and deliver us on the 29^th. Mr Moshe stated that he was still trying to find someone to move us so that they could pick us up and sounded inconvenienced that I had found a mover so quickly. After he apologized, I told him he could apologize all he wanted, that wasn’t going to move us.

The next morning, sure enough at 830 am, Calvin McGuire and his crew from APM was at our doorstep, complete with the red carpet rolled out in our entryway! The took time to go over all the paperwork, inventory all of our items and made sure that we had what we needed. Calvin and his crew worked hard to get our 1 bedroom/1 office apartment packed and loaded by 1pm.

After they left, we proceeded to straighten up a little more, then head off to drop off TheHubs’ truck fro transport. After that was done, we came back to the apartment and did one last final clean, and took some photos and videos since we were unable to do a walkthrough as we had gotten done later than expected.

We dropped off our keys in the drop box of the office and headed off for NY!

Our first stop was a hotel somewhere in North Carolina. After a short nights sleep, we hit the road again. We got to Scranton PA, just about an hour and a half outside of Binghamton. This was on the 24^th, and our closing on our new house was the 25^th at 11am.

We headed out the morning of the 25^th and made it to our walkthrough of the house at 10am. This was my first time seeing the house. As we got closer to the house, I got more and more excited. When we pulled up the driveway, I was amazed at the house! It was bigger than I expected! After the realtor, myself and TheHubs were done at the house we headed to the attorney’s office to sign the papers.

After that was done, we headed back to check into our hotel (we’d have to stay there til the 29^th), then headed to the house.

For 4 days, this was our routine: sleep at the hotel, go to the house in the AM, go back to the hotel at night. Repeat.

I could not be more happier when Calvin called me to say they were going to deliver on the 29^th in the morning!

As usual, Calvin arrived on schedule with his crew and efficiently unpacked their truck and filled our house with our furniture and boxes! They took the time to put boxes where I wanted them, and arrange our living room furniture how I wanted it.

Our moving experience started out as a horrible one, kudos to Atlanta Peach Movers for being able to help us out so quickly and efficiently!

We couldn’t be happier to be back in NY!