It's Flashback Friday!  Each week U-Pack will revisit a blog topic that's been helpful and fun for our readers.  Be sure to check the comment section of each post for even more valuable moving advice.  Everyone wants to save a little money, so today we're bringing back a post about "cheap movers". 

The "Cheap Movers" debate
Is it bad if people call us "cheap movers"? I think there's a fine line. And, it depends a lot on their definition of cheap. If it's "of poor quality", then yes, it's bad. But, if you're defining cheap as "comparatively inexpensive", then I say it's great to be called cheap movers!  And, based on ABF's stellar reputation in the industry, I would venture to say that when you hear the word "cheap" attached to our name, it's about quantity (price), not quality (service).

You've probably figured out by now that there aren't many movers you could call "cheap" when you're talking about price. And the "they're too expensive" fear may be why people on a tight budget steer towards truck rental. That's probably a legitimate fear, but now that "you pack, we drive" services are an option, rental trucks have a little competition.

In fact, several times I've given customers a moving quote and gotten a "what's the catch" response. Understandable since they're comparing U-Pack's price to full-service movers. Sometimes they're seeing savings of over a thousand dollars. That's a big deal…and almost seems too good to be true. It is good…but it's also true. And, I guess that's why we're often considered "cheap movers".

So, how do we move customers at such a low price?
It's because of ABF's efficient linehaul system. It works similar to shipping a box through a parcel system – we're always moving from ABF service center to ABF service center. Your shipment doesn't have to wait for other families who are going in the same direction. In fact, your shipment is the only U-Pack move in the trailer.  If you don't fill up the entire trailer, we'll fill the remaining space with commercial goods going in the same direction – so you may have something to the effect of palletized electronics, clothing etc. on the back of your shipment. And, your shipment is never unloaded…it stays right where you pack it until you unpack it. Which brings me to the next point – if you can do your own packing and loading, you save a lot of money.  And, if you can load it and unload it at an ABF service center, you can save even more money.

So yes, we'll take being lumped in the cheap mover category - although, we like to call it "affordable moving" – sounds a little better that way doesn't it?