Mesa Moving -- The Way to Move!
Written: Mar 03 '04
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Customer Service Experience: |
 |
|
|
Pros: Great customer service; EARLY; stuck to estimates
Cons: None!
The Bottom Line: Absolutely using Mesa Systems through United Van Lines. I have used them twice without a hitch and will use them again!
|
|
|
| marinamartin's Full Review: United Van Lines |
I was disappointed to see United receive only 3 stars on Epinions, as I just finish unpacking the last box from my second United move.
Anyone considering using United, or any other national moving company, should be sure to check on the reputation of the individual agent(s) involved in the move. I used Mesa Systems, based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. I first used them in May of 2003 to move from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles, and now a second time from Los Angeles back to Salt Lake in March 2004.
This review is based more on my most recent move, but all the positives applied during both moves.
To start, one of their estimators will visit your home and calculate the approximate weight of your load. Their first estimate was right on the money, and since I moved the exact same stuff the second time around, they were able to pull up my file and give me an estimate that was a mere $20 off the final price.
You are then assigned a move coordinator. I have used Cindi both times and she is terrific—calling every so often before the move date to check if there’s anything they can help with, calling during the loading/unloading to make sure everything was going smoothly, and then making a follow-up call. They need only 6 days notice to schedule your move, and when I called three weeks earlier I was able to choose any day I wanted for them to pick up my goods.
For both moves, they arrived on-time and on the right day. I’m sure this varies depending on how far you’re moving, but I was told beforehand that there was a 7-day window during which my belongings would be delivered to my new home (I would have 24 hour notice). However, both times, the driver was able to tell me the day and time of delivery right when they loaded the truck, and both times, they were not only right on time, but quick—the first day of the 7-day window.
I did not use their packing service; with only a one-bedroom apartment, it only takes me a few hours to get everything together. However, one nice bonus was getting unlimited free boxes, which alone could be a $200 value. I just had to drive to their warehouse in Salt Lake and tell them what sizes I needed, and they even loaded them into my car! When I was in Los Angeles, they made arrangements with a partner moving company to supply boxes to me, although I ended up getting some from work.
The driver and one or two local guys load the truck. Each piece of furniture and box is given a numbered sticker, and the driver keeps an inventory list of what each number corresponds to. When everything arrives, I then check off each number on the sheet as the pieces come in.
In both moves, I never had a single piece missing or damaged. Each move has their own compartment on the truck, so I’m not really sure how they could possibly lose something unless they forgot to put it on in the first place. Altogether in both moves, I had a CD rack slightly bent (which they offered to replace, though I just hammered it out) and two glasses broken (I could have packed them better). I have mostly Sauder build-it-yourself furniture, which are not the sturdiest, and yet the movers always treated my furniture with the utmost care and they are all still sturdy and working!
Unlike some of the other horror stories I have read here, both drivers and all the moving helpers were well-groomed, respectful, and very friendly. It’s always a bit awkward standing around as your belongings are being loaded, and yet I always found myself in great conversations with the time flying by. My first move was a 3rd floor to a 3rd floor with no elevators, and water and breakfast from Jack-in-the-Box was all they needed to keep going (even though I felt awful watching them going up and down the stairs). Even still, they were fast and efficient without breaking anything.
Furniture like beds and tables are disassembled by the moving men and then put together again at the final destination. They also very carefully wrapped my microwave and TV in blankets to prevent damage. I have a barrister bookcase (the ones with sliding glass doors on each shelf) and they somehow have a box that it fits inside just perfectly, so I was no longer imagining the doors shattering on a sharp turn. Mattresses are put in special mattress boxes, which do cost extra (it wasn’t broken down for me, but it was on the “extra services” sheet along with being on the 3rd floor), but keep your mattress dry and safe. Also be aware that disconnecting/reconnecting appliances is an extra fee. I have a washer/dryer and wasn’t aware it was an extra fee until I had already moved. This was the only unforeseen fee, it was small compared to the overall cost of the move, and I never would have been able to do this myself anyway, so I’m not complaining. They did apologize for not mentioning it beforehand, and seeing as the washer/dryer wasn’t part of my first move and I didn’t get a second estimate (I just told them over the phone to add it), I don’t blame them for overlooking it.
When packing, you cannot include batteries, flammable liquids, lighters, matches, or anything else that may cause danger to the truck. They also recommend you not pack important documents like birth certificates. Since I needed my cleaning supplies in the apartment after they left, and would need them in the new apartment once I got there, I made it a point to keep a box with cleaning supplies that I put in my trunk once I drove to my new place (my first move, I didn’t take this into account and had to toss all these supplies, because there was no room in my car). I threw a few batteries and lighters in, and then packed everything else.
A few moving tips that I hope can help someone else:
- Since you pay by weight, not by boxes, be generous with them. I now keep all my clothes on their original hangers (securing each bunch with an elastic band), fold them in half in bunches of 5-10, and pack them that way. It takes a little more space but saves hours and hours of re-hanging and ironing.
- Use soft items to wrap breakable ones. For example, I scattered my collection of tiny miniature porcelain animals throughout a box of pillows. I wrapped my computer monitor in two quilts, and stuck a plate inside each folded sweater. I still wrap kitchen items in newspaper, but I feel safer with my more precious items in soft fabrics, and this keeps newspaper residue from getting them dirty (can’t put figurines in the dishwasher like you can a cup!)
- There’s no time like moving to cleanse yourself of everything you don’t really need. Don’t wait until you’re unpacking to do this; those extra pounds add up, and you just lost money moving things you didn’t need to. Let go of that papasan chair from college that doesn’t match any of your new furniture. Go through your file cabinet and recycle/shred everything you don’t need anymore (paper is heavy!). Sell books, unopened cosmetics, and knick-knacks on eBay or Amazon.com (did you know people buy half-used cosmetics? They do!).
- Only put the bare essentials in your car. Pack a duffel bag as though you’re going on vacation for a week. I also bring all my cosmetics/lotions/etc because the extreme temperatures of the truck can melt lipsticks or make lotion bottles explode; my laptop; and a few items of particular importance (diamond jewelry, a few antiques). There’s no reason I should have brought my shoe collection in my car the first time I drove, and not being able to see out my rear/side view mirrors means I made the drive more dangerous and had to go more slowly.
I can’t speak for other United affiliates, but Mesa Moving Systems in Salt Lake City has been nothing but terrific to me, and helped me through two last-minute moves in a stress-free and affordable way. As a single woman, there is no way I could ever move myself, and I know that any moves in the future will be handled with the utmost care.
Recommended:
Yes
Punctuality: Showed up early
Ease of Filing Claim: N/A
Lost Goods: No
Amount Paid (US$): 1550
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
marinamartin
|
|
Member: Marina Martin
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
An efficiency / business consultant and public relations specialist in Los Angeles, CA.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.