Stir Moving was the first to respond to my request for inter-state moving quotes through an internet lead-generation site. I explained to the person who called, Lisa, the approximate size of our home and belongings. Although I had gotten rough estimates of $6,000+ using online estimation tools, Lisa stated that she could do the move for $2,500. I asked a friend in the moving business and he said "if she can do it for $2,500, go for it." So I did. And I was a fool to do it. I should have known that the only way a mover will honor a price is by coming to your home, taking an inventory and issuing a binding estimate. But I was in a hurry to start my new job and wanted to save time and money.
When the movers arrived, they loaded up the truck, and THEN, after they had my belongings as hostages, they said it was going to cost $6,500 not the $2,500 I was quoted. I was livid and ready to call the police to remove these guys from my property. In the end, my husband agreed to allow them to continue. Turns out that the driver was wrong too. After weighing our belongings, the move cost $5,000, rather than $2,500 or $6,500. I could have gotten that price from any mover. Their going rates are all the same. And I wish I would have, since my furniture arrived with small damages all over. Not some great big broken piece of furniture, but little dings on every bed frame, dresser, chair, and picture frame. Stir Moving and her contractors were nasty, careless, unfriendly, unhelpful, and just flat miserable to deal with.
To add insult to injury, Lisa had the nerve to start harassing me by email when I gave her a negative review on Yelp. Unfortunately for her, my review is just one of a number negatives and zero positives.
When it comes to long distance moves, the lesson learned is, don't deal with anything other than a nationally reputable company. There are no bargains in the moving business, so why deal with evil lying people if you don't have to?