LA to Boston quote #4

damfino · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 6 Location: boston

I was pretty much ready to sign up with North American, and then for kicks, had Mayflower do an estimate (blue chip is their local agent). While the quote was higher $3400 + value insurance (NA was 3200 incl insurance) the Mayflower guy seemed much more thorough. (they even had the newly minted R&R book!). He took me through every step including home inventory, "high value items" and said he'd throw in the wardrobes for free, and even provide me with some boxes and packing paper. He also made note of my large screen (and quite heavy) TV, telling me there'd be an extra charge for packing it (NA was far more casual about it). Also, NA has a 3500 lb minimum, so even if I get the weight down below it, I'm still looking at that. The main difference was that NA offered at 64% discount while Mayflower said 59%, and seemed to think that 64% was unrealistic. He also promised delivery after 1 August, to avoid the much discussed Democratic Convention.

When all is said and done, we're looking at a difference of 300-400 bucks. Which in some ways isn't a lot of money, but in others, well, it is.
What do you ya'll think? This site has been so incredibly helpful.

damfino
ps And maybe all of us August Boston movers should get together, have a beer, swap stories, and enjoy the summer's end humidity!

Tyrone · Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Posts: 1595

23 · Joined: 20 Mar 2004 Posts: 1102

Ditto to Tyrone!

A 64% discount does seem high being that the end of July is expected to be shut off for new bookings beginning in a couple weeks. Most van lines are filled to capacity all summer long, so the increased peak rates should be normal this summer. The rest of the year (Fall, Winter, Spring) a 64% discount is very normal, sometimes even a little higher coming out of CA!

Good luck and let us know how it all plays out!