Choosing Between a Van Line Agent and Independent Mover
When choosing a mover for your relocation, look into a company's experience and service record before you make a decision. There are excellent moving companies that are both van line agents and independent owners and operators. Your decision should be based on the specific factors surrounding your move and reflect your confidence that the moving company you choose can provide the right combination of service and value.
An important consideration is if the mover is part of a larger van line company with a network of agents in other areas. These companies can be more flexible with the help of agents and truck fleets at origin and destination.
The federal government regulates the trucking industry with many mandatory requirements for equipment safety, driver qualifications and safety records. Individual moving companies have their own extensive programs to meet government requirements. All van lines have safety departments to ensure that the required standards are met at every company. A van line's oversight ensures that a company is compliant. You should feel confident that a mover is highly regulated by the van line.
A moving company must comply with many quality control guidelines in order to be part of a van line. Drivers and van operators have to undergo extensive training in handling household goods and be certified by most van lines for the job. Most van lines also require the moving company to have a comprehensive training program for its packers, loaders, coordinators and customer service staff. The quality of service at a van lines agent is most often monitored and regulated with rewards or penalties according to level of service. Damage claims are also monitored at the van line level, with unacceptable claims receiving some sort of penalty. If these continue, a moving company may be barred from the van line.
Service records
Other reasons to use a van line mover should be the record of service of the company overall. All van line agents will be happy to show the service records of both the van line and their individual companies. Before you choose a mover, compare the records of all companies you're considering and pick the one that will best serve your moving needs.
The price that you receive from a van lines agent may be slightly higher than a quote from a non-van line company. Quality comes at a price. The many standards a moving company adheres to require financial investment on its part. You will need to decide if the additional cost is worth it for the type of service you expect.
Compared to a van line agent, an independent mover may save you some money. However, you will want to inquire about the independent company's resources and service record. Weigh those against what a van line agent offers and determine if the potential savings from the independent mover are worth it. There are many outstanding independent companies that provide quality service. A final decision will be based on your research and your particular moving needs.
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