You have received your moving estimates, carefully chosen your mover and prepared your house for moving day.  But when all is said and done, you may still not fully understand how your local moving company is affiliated with the major van line that will be transporting your household goods to another state.   Being an informed consumer is the best way to avoid a bad moving experience.

As you begin your search for a mover, you will come across four primary players and it is crucial that you know who they are and understand what they do.

Van Lines – This is just another word for a large moving company.  Each major van line has special authority to move household goods from one state to another.  There are approximately 25 major van lines and each is owned and operated separately with corporate structures that include both public and private companies.  Wheaton World Wide Moving is currently the fifth largest van line in the United States.

Van Line Agents – As you receive moving quotes, you probably think that you are dealing with a van line, but you are actually dealing with one of its agents.  These agents have agreed to abide by certain quality guidelines established by the van lines in order to operate under the licensing authority, much like a franchise.   These agents usually own their own local moving business but also perform long distance moves in conjunction with a major van line.

Independent or Full Service Carriers – These independent carriers do not have a van line affiliation.  There are over 1,200 independent moving companies providing interstate service under their own licenses.  Due to a lack of affiliation with a van line, there is a higher degree of risk associated with utilizing an independent moving company.  Do some additional research on these carriers to ensure that you will receive the level of service and experience that you want for your move.

Moving Brokers – Do not be fooled by fly-by-night moving brokers who simply arrange relocations without a vested interest in your move.  These brokers do not own any trucks or equipment and they may outsource your move to a company that does not have the right credentials or equipment to provide you with the service or peace-of-mind that you deserve.

Before you sign a contract with any interstate mover, be sure to ask specific questions of which van line they are affiliated with.  Use available resources to research both your local agent as well as the van line.  Comparing information and using reliable organizations such as the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org), the American Moving and Storage Association (www.moving.org), and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (www.fmcsa.dot.gov) can help ensure that you will have the best moving experience possible.

Preferred Moving & Storage is an agent for Wheaton World Wide Moving.  We partnered with Wheaton in 1984 for interstate relocation services.  We chose Wheaton because of their outstanding reputation for quality service and their unparalleled ‘customer first’ philosophy.    The current network of Wheaton agents across the country has grown to over 250 well respected agencies, all working together to provide the highest quality of interstate relocation services.

About the Author

Henry Cadle is the President of Preferred Moving & Storage located in Clinton Township, Michigan.  Henry has over 36 years experience in the moving and storage industry.  He is known in the southeastern Michigan region for providing customers with quality, reputable moving services at an affordable price.  You can contact Henry Cadle at (800) 837-4600 or visit Preferred Moving & Storage’s website at www.preferrredmoving.net