How to Negotiate with Movers?
It's probably unnecessary to tell you that moving can be very expensive. It can go as high as $5,000, something most people find unimaginable. There are many factors that influence the price of a move. Those include the distance you are moving to, the weight of your shipment, the moving company you opt for, and additional costs. However, it also depends on whether or not you are willing to negotiate. Many moving companies are flexible when it comes to price. This is why it's important to know how to negotiate with movers. If you are unsure of how to approach it, here are some great tips on how to do it best.
Don't choose solely on price
Although a low-cost moving company may be appealing, there's a reason why they are so cheap. There are companies that will give you a great offer but end up scamming you. The day of your move, the price will go amazingly high. Make sure to do a background check on the company. This ensures that you will only deal with reputable movers and that you will get what you bargained for. It might take a while to find a reputable as well as cost-effective company, such as SmallWorld Moving TX, but it's worth the effort.
Look at multiple companies
In order to negotiate with movers for the best price, you need to know what options you have. There is a wide range of prices offered by different companies. You might get starkly different quotes for the exact same services offered. By knowing your options, you are less likely to pay more than you need to. You can also use your awareness of the market to influence companies to give you a better price. Losing a client is not in the interest of moving companies. That is why most of them would lower their price instead of losing your business.
Book companies in advance
It's not always easy to plan a move well in advance. Sometimes it is an unexpected occurrence which you have no control over. However, if you do have the time, make the best use of it. The sooner you book a moving company, the better chances of you paying less. The best time to do so is at least 2-3 months ahead. Not only will you feel more focused and organized, but you will ensure that the company is available and affordable, and you can more easily negotiate with movers for the best price.
It doesn't hurt to ask
It might seem simple, but many people never ask about a discount or special offer. Be sure to check out the website of the company you are looking at to see if there are any promotions worthwhile. Moreover, ask the movers themselves if they can help you out. They might make you a deal simply in order to not lose a client. College students moving for studies and retired persons can sometimes get a discount based on their age.
If you are moving your office as well as your home, you are likely to get a price reduction. Many companies offer discounts when moving multiple units for the same client. As well as for home movers, when you are looking for professional office moving experts, make sure that the company is reliable and reputable. A company that seemed the cheapest option might leave you in the lurch.
Show that you are flexible when you negotiate with movers
Most moving companies charge different rates based on the time of the year. For most, the off-season is between October and May, that is to say, winter and spring. During this time, their rates will probably go down. This is due to the lack of business they have. You are more likely to get a better price if you choose to move over this period. Additionally, their price might depend on the day of the week. Weekends can be more expensive than workdays. It also helps if you let them know that you don't have a preference as for the time of the day. It might cost less if you choose to do it early in the morning or later in the evening than in the middle of the day.
Opt-out from the additional services
There are many extra services that moving companies offer. Some of them are useful and necessary, but others might be avoided if you are willing to put in the work. To successfully negotiate with movers, you need to find out what jobs you can do yourself. For example, some companies charge fees for disposing of things you don't need for you, mostly bulky items such as furniture. Instead, you might want to take care of this yourself. Moreover, the fee charged for putting the boxes and items on the truck can be eliminated. You can ask friends and neighbors for help instead of paying the moving company.
Most companies also offer packing services, especially of fragile and breakable items. Instead, put your fragile items close together in boxes which you can carry with your person. This not only lessens the cost of moving but also ensures that your items are handled properly. You might even consider renting a storage unit for the items that won't fit in your new home, or you simply don't want them there. That way, you have fewer items to mark up the price of moving, as well as save on space in your new house.