We have received a number of inquiries lately about the shipping website uShip.com, which is an online marketplace for shipping services. Service providers bid against one another for customers’ shipments. While you might be able to get your items shipped for dirt cheap using uShip, you should be aware that uShip is simply an online marketplace for helping parties connect. They provide a venue where a shipper and a service provider can agree on a price for service, but uShip is not actually involved in the transaction. Most importantly, you should be aware that uShip “does not prequalify or validate the claims of transportation service providers with respect to their license, insurance, or other operating authority.” And this is the main problem with this website. Many of the service providers you find on uShip.com are not licensed, bonded and insured moving companies. They are either unlicensed moving companies operating illegally (the US Dept of Transportation has very strict regulations about licensing and insurance and any company performing moves without a USDOT operating authority is breaking the law) or they are just a guy or a couple of guys with a truck, trailer or van. Even if they say they are licensed they may not be, so be sure to do your homework just like you would when researching movers you find anywhere else. Check out the USDOT website (http://www.safersys.org/) to check the status of their license number. Read online reviews wherever you can find them to get an idea how other peoples’ experiences with them went. Make sure they provide a proposal in writing as well as a contract for service. Pay using a credit card or Paypal account. And, of course, remember if the price seems to good to be true, it probably is.

We have heard horror stories from a couple of customers about hiring movers they found on uShip. And we have heard some positive experiences as well. It seems like a decent service that can save you money if you are shipping just one or a few items - most moving companies have minimum charges that even single item moves are subject to but uShip service providers may charge less. For larger shipments we have received some negative feedback, mostly due to the fact that the customer chose an unlicensed service provider and his insurance was not adequate. If the mover you choose does not have a valid license (USDOT operating authority) then the mover is likely not insured and is not following all of the safety requirements and regulations that a licensed carrier must adhere to. Without the proper insurance policies you could be out of luck in the event of a major disaster on the road or even in case of relatively minor small damages. If the vehicle being used to transport your items is not properly registered then a state trooper could stop the driver and impound the vehicle, which is certainly a headache that no customer should have to handle.

We think it is always better to go with a licensed and insured professional moving services company for an interstate move. There are so many moving companies out there that offer wonderful service while managing to follow all DOT regulations and requirements. There’s no reason to risk your wordly possessions to save a few dollars by going with an unlicensed company or some guy with a truck. There’s a reason the moving industry is heavily regulated; going outside that regulated zone is not a risk worth taking when it comes to relocating your entire life.

A lot of customers have asked how they can save money on moves between Austin and Dallas, Houston or San Antonio. The quotes our sales staff give when they receive a request for moving in Texas between these cities is a price based on an exclusive truck, meaning the movers will arrive at your pickup location on the day you request, load everything you want to move into the truck, drive directly to your delivery address and unload it all when they get there. This is an efficient and convenient way to move between cities on your chosen day without having to wait for your belongings.

In order to save money on a move between Texas cities you can also look into the option of a shared load. The availability for moving will depend on the schedule and when we will have trucks travelling between the cities you are moving from and to. The cost of a shared load will depend on the size of your shipment, but in general you can save at least $100-$300 off the quoted price for exclusive truck, depending on the cities you are moving between. This is a great option for anyone looking to get their move at the cheapest price and who also has some flexibility with the days their shipment can be picked up and delivered. It’s also a great money saving option if you need to move just one (or only a few) item(s) such as a piano.

We will do whatever we can to get you the best move at the most economical price! If you are interested in a shared load option when moving between cities in Texas be sure to let your salesperson know so she can check the schedule and let you know what days are available for your desired city. If the ability to schedule your move on a specific date is the most important factor to you then a standard exclusive truck move is your best bet, but if you can be flexible then the shared load option will definitely save you money on your move!

Get your local or cross country Austin moving quote now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Place an order for earth friendly packing crate rental!

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is working on a campaign to help educate consumers on the dangers of using unlicensed moving labor. Consumers have many choices when it comes to selecting a moving company. There are countless websites that offer listings, reviews and ads for moving services. But if your mover isn’t licensed to conduct moves in Texas then you are risking a lot to save a few dollars. You are trusting your mover with your home full of possessions, which may include family heirlooms and other items of personal and irreplaceable value. If your mover is unlicensed then you may not have any recourse in the case of loss or damage.

It is illegal for a household goods mover to operate without a license to conduct moves. You can check that your mover is licensed in Texas by checking the FMCSA Safer Database. Because all licensed movers in TX must also maintain a valid USDOT certificate be sure to note whether their operation is listed as interstate or intrasate only on the Safer website.

Prices and services offered vary from mover to mover, so you should shop around before hiring a licensed mover to find the best deal that suits your needs. Keep in mind that the lowest price may not be the best deal. Be sure to take into account what is included in the price, such as disassembly/reassembly of furniture, disconnection/reconnection of appliances, wrapping of items, packing or materials, fuel, insurance, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make sure you get everything in writing. Licensed movers are insured and will provide you with the proper documents for your move. Read all documents before you sign your name to make sure you understand what you are getting for the price you are paying.

Even though most movers are legitimate and reputable, unwary consumers may fall prey to dishonest moving companies and could lose more than just what they paid to have their items moved. TXDMV wants you to “Move SMART by choosing a licensed mover. Move SAFE by hiring a licensed mover. Move TEXAS by only using a licensed mover.”

Elephant Moving and Storage is licensed, bonded and insured for your protection. Our TXDMV certificate number (for intrastate moves) is 000613531B and our USDOT certificate number (for interstate moves) is 1710619. We carry cargo insurance, vehicle insurance, general liability insurance, warehouse insurance and we are bonded; a copy of our certificate of insurance is available upon request. All of our employees are regular, trained employees, not subcontractors or day labor. We want to make sure your move goes as smoothly as possible and that we are providing you with the highest quality service for your move. Please always feel free to ask questions if you do not understand your paperwork or are unclear on any aspect of your move and what is included for your rate.

Get your local or cross country Austin moving quote now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Place an order for earth friendly packing crate rental!

thanks for everything! they were great as always, and we sure appreciate the friendliness and speedy service of your moving folks. we will definitely continue to recommend your company to our friends!

-emily b. (austin)

You all moved a piano for me last Sunday. Rachael was the young lady on the phone who set up my appointment and kept in very close touch with me. I just want to tell you that your movers were professional and very polite and it was an amazingly wonderful and quick experience. And I wanted to say that Rachael is one of the nicest, most helpful, courteous customer representatives I’ve ever dealt with on the phone with a business. She went beyond I think what she needed to do to make me comfortable and to stay in touch with me, and she was absolutely fabulous. I just wanted to put in a high recommendation for her and tell you that the team that worked at my place was wonderful. It was a wonderful experience and I will certainly recommend you to anybody else. Thank you all very much for a great experience!

-Susan S.

We are very happy to announce that our crate rental program has reached 10,000 rentals of our earth friendly packing crates! 10,000 packing crates are equal to almost 20,000 standard moving industry book boxes that would have been thrown into the garbage upon completion of moves. 20,000 cardboard boxes equals nearly 36,000 pounds of waste – that’s 36,000 pounds less waste that went to Austin area landfills last year thanks to all of our customers who chose the reusable packing crates to pack and move their homes.

Our super durable packing crates are the easiest way to pack your home - no need to spend time building boxes and getting tangled in tape! They are waterproof, crushproof, and incredibly sturdy so no need for excessive use of packing paper and bubble wrap to ensure items are protected (and reducing the amount of padding materials needed cuts down even more on the waste produced by packing and moving). The crates are stackable and easy to move, and when you are done unpacking we pick ‘em up and get ‘em out of your way! Elephant Moving and Storage offers free crate delivery and pickup in the Austin metro area.

In order to help keep Austin free of waste and to encourage our customers to pack their homes using our green alternative to traditional boxes, Elephant Moving and Storage is offering FREE CRATE RENTAL with every move in the Austin and surrounding area until the end of February!

Click here to learn more about our plastic crate rental program!

Click here to get an estimate for your upcoming local or interstate move!

Some more tips to help make your move a smooth one:

• Use up all your food, so you don’t have to move it. Plan for fridge/freezer items
• Defrost freezer/refrigerator. Place charcoal to dispel odors.
• Have appliances serviced for moving.
• Clean area rugs and have them wrapped for moving.
• Plan for the special needs of children, pets, and plants
• If using a moving company, check:
  • Insurance coverage
  • packing and unpacking labor
  • arrival day plans
  • paperwork
  • method and time of expected payment
• Ask about regulations for pets, including licenses, vaccinations, tags, leash laws, etc.

On Moving Day:

• Carry traveler’s checks for quick available funds.
• Carry currency, jewelry and important documents yourself, or use registered mail.
• Double check closets, drawers, shelves; assure they’re empty.
• Leave all keys needed by the new owner.
• Let close friends or relatives know the route and schedule you will travel including overnight stops

Get your local or cross country Austin moving quote now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Place an order for earth friendly packing crate rental!

Hopefully the days of brokers misleading customers and hiding behind unclear regulations have come to an end. Few, if any, consumers seem to understand the distinction between brokers and carriers, with the result being frustrated consumers who often feel cheated of their rights. As we discussed in our previous post, a broker is not a mover. The new FMCSA requirements compel interstate household goods brokers to comply with a number of rules and consumer protection regulations – in the past some of them have been similar to those required for household goods carriers. Under the new regulations, brokers will be subject to the same consumer protection requirements as licensed interstate movers. 

Brokers must include their USDOT number in their advertisements and on their websites; they must provide the same consumer information brochures as required of interstate household goods carriers; they must make clear their policies on deposits, cancellations, and refunds; and by January 1, 2012, must provide an increased $25,000 surety bond (currently it stands at $10,000). Brokers can now only provide estimates performed by authorized carriers with whom the broker has a current agreement, and then only based on the carrier’s tariff. Physical surveys are required for shipments located with 50 miles of the authorized carrier’s place of business. An electronic waiver of the physical survey is permitted only if agreed to by both the carrier and the shipper. Broker advertisements and internet sites may now only include names and logos of FMCSA authorized carriers with whom the broker has a current agreement. The American Moving and Storage Assoc (AMSA) also recommend that broker fees or charges should be separately identified on estimates, and clearly distinguishable from transportation charges. These changes mean that consumers should have a much easier time figuring out if the company they are dealing with is a broker or an actual moving company.

Summer is here! This means that in every city in the U.S. everyone is moving, and when we say everyone we mean it! 70% of all the moves in the U.S. are performed during the summer months. Elephant Moving & Storage has years of experience on how to pass the peak moving season successfully.

Your Austin moving company is aware of the increase in move requests at this time of year, so scheduling is highly supervised in order to ensure that we are able to maintain our high quality services on every move that schedules. Elephant Movers makes careful efforts not to overbook our calendar in order to make sure we can provide every customer with an accurate time for his move and the high quality services we are known for.

Elephant Moving maintains crews of professional movers all year round (we don’t use day labor or sub contactors); our field crews are trained in how to maneuver and transport house hold goods in the most careful and efficient manner using techniques that have been developed by us over 12 years in the moving industry. Every crew member goes through a background check and doesn’t hit the field before he is a aware of all the aspects of household moving during the summer. As we all know, the temperature in Austin routinely climbs past 100 degrees Fahrenheit – Elephant Moving makes sure that the crew is capable of working in extreme weather conditions and that they have enough water with them for their day of work.

Your local Austin and San Antonio movers are affiliated with all the major truck rental companies in town in order to supplement our fleet of trucks whenever necessary. Elephant Moving can provide the trucks needed for any size move on short notice.

Summer is hectic, but with the right preparation your Austin movers make sure that every customer gets his money’s worth on each and every move!

Did you know that Elephant Moving & Storage has teamed up with local Austin apartment buildings and communities to help save our customers money? If you live in one of these partner communities your management or leasing office can provide you with valuable coupons to help save on your next move with Elephant Moving! Simply visit the office and ask for your discount card. Partner communities include:

Verde Shadow Brook Apartments, Saddlecreek Apartments, Waterstone Apartments, Crossing Apartment Homes, Colonial Grand at Onion Creek, Terraces At Southpark Meadows?, Ridgeview Apartments, Regency Park Apartments, Deerfield Apartments, Sedona Springs Apartments, Stonegate Apartments, Villages of Bella Vista, Highlands Hill Country, River Oaks, SoCo Apartments, Alexan Onion Creek, Camden Stoneleigh, Gaines Ranch Apartments, Alexan City Lights, Austin Trails Apartments, The Cottages of Onion Creek, River Stone Ranch, Archstone Monterrey Ranch, Cliffs at Barton Creek Apartments, Barton Creek Landing, Austin City View Apartments, University Commons Apartments, Falcon Ridge Apartments, Gables Townlake, Barton Hills Park Place, 404 Rio Grande Apartments, Waters at Bluff Springs, Congress Square Apartments, State House on Congress, Hudson Miramont, Windsor at Barton Creek, Camden South Congress, Grand Reserve at Sunset Valley, AMLI Downtown, Park at Monterrey Oaks, Circle S Apartments, Breakers on the Lake, AMLI at Lantana Ridge, Camden Circle C Ranch,  Legacy on the Lake Apartments, Monarch, AMLI on 2nd, Robertson Hill Apartments, Villas on 6th, University Estates at Austin, Settlers Creek, Crescent Apartments, Gables Town Lake, Gables 5th Street Commons, The Triangle Residences, The Block on Pearl, Jefferson at West Campus, and many more!

Visit your office today to save money on your move. If the office is out of discount cards or is unsure whether they are a partner have them call our office at 512-442-6622 and we’ll be sure to send over another stack of discount cards for their residents! Many communities provide these cards automatically to new residents with their move-in packages, but these cards are good whether you are moving in or out, so be sure to ask for yours!

Get your local or cross country Austin moving quote now!

Place an order for moving boxes and packing materials now!

Place an order for earth friendly packing crate rental!