Once you’ve chosen your moving company, it will be important to maintain contact with them. The responsibility for your move will switch from your salesperson to your move coordinator (or customer service rep).
Ask your mover who your point-of-contact will be during each stage of your move. Most large moving companies offer you a single point-of-contact, a move manager who remains with you throughout the event. Smaller companies may operate through dispatch services, which often use subcontracted service people at different stages of the process.
Your second important contact at your moving company is your vehicle driver. Once your belongings are loaded on board, the driver is in charge. Make sure you get the driver’s name and cellphone number at least 48 hours before your move. Don’t be afraid to ring your drive every couple days while your shipment is on the road.
Your Move Coordinator
Keep an orderly list of the your contacts, containing name, phone number, title and city. You’ll want to maintain information on your salesperson, your move coordinator or customer-service representative, and your vehicle driver. Document each instance of communication. Some long distance movers refer to the person who coordinates your move as your move manager.
If your mover doesn’t have a move coordinator, your contact likely will be in customer service. The key link in smaller moving companies is between customer service and dispatch. Ask your smaller mover how customer service interacts with dispatch, and check the hours those services are available.
Go ahead and type these important contact numbers into your cell phone. But keep a written list with you during the move as a backup. Sometimes things get crazy.
Your Vehicle Driver
For long-distance moves, the driver gains information on your exact delivery date as the vehicle fills up with multiple shipments. Once full, the driver can tell you where you stand in the order of delivery.
Be courteous. Ask your driver for the best time to call. The whole crew is probably busy during the day. And don’t leave multiple messages. Just let the driver know that you’re ready to receive the shipment, and the driver will get in touch with you when it’s your turn.
Finally, make sure you keep that list of name, numbers and the times you’ve contacted your moving company. If you run into trouble and want to file a claim, you’ll be happy you kept a log of all your contacts with your mover.