You can read my previous reviews on movers & packers to understand the common frustrations faced when moving across locations. So I decided to write a blog to make customers aware about certain delicate aspects of the moving process.
Take quotes from 3-4 service providers for dedicated truck as well as shared transportation
If you have the right quantities of items, prefer to have a dedicated truck
REMEMBER: Most of the damage happens due to handling of items, loading at start point in mid-sized tempo, unloading at warehouse, reloading in large shared truck, unloading at destination warehouse, reloading in mid-sized tempo, unloading at end point. If you opt for a dedicated truck, chances are 90% of the damaged can be minimized. Don't forget that there is expected to be some amount of damage due to the bad condition of Indian roads.
Do the sorting of items yourself before the packers arrive. Move items to different rooms such as all electronics in living room, all hardware and electricals in bedroom, all crockery in kitchen, etc.
Get your expensive items such as large TV sets, washing machine, fridge, glass tables, etc to be packed in wooden boxes. There will be an extra charge for this service but is extremely helpful. We moved our brand new 42 inch TV without a scratch from Mumbai to Bangalore.
Avoid opting for insurance; there is no renowned insurance provider that covers damage due to transit in India. All movers & packers will provide you the name of some fictitious insurance providers and you will most likely not receive any compensation for damage during transit.
Monitor the entire packing process. Have one person from your family or friends at each location of packing. Make notes and tally the final count of all the boxes and items.
These are some to the salient points to remember when you plan to move from one city to another. This is not an all inclusive list and I may have missed to include a few other points.
Note that the moving & packing industry is quite primitive in India. Most of the service providers do not have dedicated staff and vehicles as it forms a major part of their operating expenses. In order to reduce this overhead, they employ temporary labor who may not have the expertise and sensitivity required for this service. Generally service providers engage empty trucks going on return trips to transport the items. In-case they have dedicated trucks than they will try to load the vehicle beyond the permissible limit causing damage to your belongings.
To answer the question, which service provider is really good? You will find bad reviews even against the ones who claim to be the best in the country. But a little awareness from your side will help you mitigate damages to your valuable belongings.
Hope this is helpful and wish you have a safe transit with minimal damages.
