Moving pro here with 8 years hauling loads, AMA on the good and bad gigs

hey folks, been in the moving game 8 years now, running crews for Two Men and a Truck on everything from local apartment shuffles to cross-country hauls with 26-footers stuffed to the gills. got some killer wins like that time we pulled off a 4th-floor walkup in under 3 hours without a scratch, and plenty of losses like the client who ghosted us after we wrapped their whole house in U-Haul blankets for $2500. ask away on tips, horror stories, or whatever, no BS legal advice though.

man i had a job last week where the U-Haul rental fee ate half our margin before we even touched the furniture, total BS.

complaints against brokers are a nightmare, they dodge everything and leave you holding the bag.

fuck these relocation firms, always lowballing then jacking fees on damage claims we didn't even cause.

for floor damage like that, we're liable up to $0.60 per lb of the shipment weight, but push for their insurance to cover it fully.

red flags are everywhere with these sales guys, get every promise in writing and signed, or you're screwed.

had a mover leave early after i called out their crappy wrapping on my antique dresser, now what?

salespeople promising the moon then delivering mud, every damn time.

brokers ghosting payments is the real killer, took me 90 days to collect last one.

what's the best way to spot a broker scam before signing?

AMA like this is gold, what's your take on PODS vs full service for long hauls?

love hearing wins, what's the craziest load you've ever moved without incident?

losses suck, ever had a client tip big after a smooth job?

Two Men and a Truck reps always seem solid, any insider tips from there?

red flag when they won't give a binding estimate, always non-binding BS.

i'd add to that, if they pressure for deposit over 10%, walk away.

brokers and their hidden fees man, quoted $1800 turned into $2500 with fuel surcharges.

AMA ftw, how do you handle international moves with customs headaches?

felt that on a job where the truck died halfway, client blamed us for the delay.

what software you using for quoting these days? Jobber?

ever use those reusable moving bags instead of boxes? game changer or gimmick?

red flags include no physical address, only PO box.

complaints go through BBB too, but they're toothless.

had a similar gouge on hardwood, movers paid $400 out of pocket to fix.

what's your policy on fragile items like glass tables?

PODS quoted me crazy for a simple move, you guys charge fair?

wins like that walkup make the backaches worth it.

brokers are the devil, always underinsuring shipments.

AMA question: best way to pack a kitchen without breaking china?

ever had a crew quit mid-job? how'd you handle?

sign everything, i learned after a $1200 surprise fee.

international is a pain, tariffs killed one client's budget.

what's the worst loss you've bounced back from?

Two Men seems legit, any franchise horror stories?

red flag if they can't provide insurance certs on spot.

felt the pain of a delayed truck, lost a full day's pay.

brokers taking cuts and leaving mess, industry needs reform.

how much liability for wall dings during load-out?

reusable bags saved my ass on a stairwell job.

what's your go-to for heavy furniture lifts? dollies?

AMA gold, ever moved pets internationally?

PODS overpriced AF for cross-country.

wins keep me going, losses just fuel the fire.

red flags: vague contracts, no inventory list.

had movers damage my floor, they offered $200, i wanted $600.

best tip: get mover's license and bond info upfront.

brokers suck, go direct with carriers.

what's the funniest win story?

felt that ghosting client pain, happened twice this month.

AMA: how to negotiate better rates with suppliers like U-Haul?

red flag when sales pushes non-binding estimates hard.

liability caps at $0.60/lb sucks for valuables.

ever use Moving Matt's tips from TikTok?

complaints: document damage with pics immediately.

what's your take on DIY vs pro for local moves?

brokers and their fine print, always gotcha clauses.

wins like smooth hauls make the season.

AMA question: handling aggressive clients mid-move?

for gouges, assess and offer repair or cash equivalent.

red flags include no online reviews or fake ones.

ever had a win turn into loss due to weather?

PODS is convenient but loading's on you.

felt the broker cut pain, 25% gone poof.

best advice: written contract for every detail.

funny loss: client packed goldfish in with books.

liability for pets? we don't touch 'em.

AMA: international packing standards?

brokers are collective enemy #1.

what's the max crew size for tight spaces?

red flag: rushing the estimate call.

had a similar AMA on r/moving, great responses.

wins and losses thread, saw one in Moving Professionals FB group.

don't trust brokers, ever.

packing hacks from that Bust a Move video helped a ton.

felt that on a damaged floor job, fought for $500.

collective rage at these middlemen fees.

AMA: best dolly for stairs?

red flags all over sales pitches, document or die.