Dear Customer,
 

When you plan a move you're often in the difficult position of wanting to get the entire operation under a certain cost, ie get the best price, yet you are (rightfully) cautious about getting a too-good-to-be-true price which may have a hidden catch (additional fees) or is simply a lowball estimate which will not hold up on move day.

So what to do? We at State to State Movers compiled some tips to help you do just that; save on your move without being sold a bill of goods. It's important to note that while we would love to earn your business these tips are relevant to the industry as a whole and should carry weight with any reputable carrier you are considering doing business with.
 

Get Packing Supplies - Unlike local movers, long distance carriers usually sell packing materials as part of the relocation service, which includes the movers' labor. If you have movers pack a book box you're likely to pay anywhere from $7.50 to $12.00 just for that service, while buying that box and packing it yourself will cost $0-$2.00.
You can get free boxes at local businesses that receive regular shipments (book/electronics stores, liquor stores) or just asking around. Since most moves require at least 20-30 boxes, this saving can add up! 
You can also order a kit in places like Cheap Moving Boxes, U Boxes, or any of the home improvement stores (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc).

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The early bird gets the worm! - Yeah we know, worms are kind of gross (no offense, worms). Still, the sooner you do your research the better. Good moving companies like to be prepared and are happy to reward customers who are like-minded. making a reservation well in advance allows you to 'shop around' with peace of mind and get the best rates available.

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Err on the side of caution - Not sure about an item? put it on the list. Think you'll have about 20 boxes? let's write down 25-30. Is your headboard a huge piece of mahogany with drawers & mirrors? Tell us about it.
Last minute surprises will always cost you more than they would have, should they have been included in the first place. You may even ask for cushion/safety room (5% to 30%, customarily) for an extra calming effect.
Most importantly, you can still change your list up until 3-4 days before the move so why not play it safe? once you're done with the packing, you can finalize your inventory and maybe even get a nice surprise in the form of a price decrease.

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Have a yard sale - Whether its colorful posters hung around, or an ad on CraigsList, selling things you wouldn't want to move with you (or would cost more to move than to replace), even at a fraction of the original price, is a great way to get some more money you can put towards your move.

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Don't be shy, ask about discounts! - In addition to the classic options (AAA, USAA, AARP) there are also discounts available for military / veterans, students, educators, medical professionals and more.

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Divest, divest, divest - Does this item serve an important function? does it bring you joy? if the answer to one of these questions is no, reconsider taking it. Make YES / NO / MAYBE piles & lists, and get rid of as much as your sentimental heart will let you. It will be a great feeling to start fresh in your new home in Beverly Hills, CA, plus you can always give away anything you couldn't sell or don't want to take to a local charity and help make the world a better place.
Through this link you can search for charities by state & city or zip code as well as any other criteria.

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Help us help you - Way too often customers are (understandably) uncomfortable talking about dollars & cents. How much is it costing me to ship this love-seat? how much can I save if I get my own sofa cover? how do I properly pack the glass cabinet so the movers don't have to? asking these questions ahead of time could save you money and effort, so please don't hesitate to share them with us. There is no such thing as a silly question and this is what we do, so you aren't 'bugging' us- you are making informed decisions about your move, and that's fantastic!

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And now... don't you think it's time to get moving?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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No need to hide in a box :) I'll be right here when you're ready to talk about specifics, we can plan out the next steps together. Give me a call anytime.