If you are getting ready for a move and searching online for a “moving company,” you’ll get a long list to sort through. Dive into the list, and you’ll likely spend a few hours figuring out which has the moving services you need.
If you want to save yourself some time, search for “moving brokers” instead. The results you’ll get will include companies that have already done the research for you, so you can quickly and easily connect with a moving solution that meets all of your needs.
“There are some misconceptions about moving brokers that unfortunately have kept people from benefiting from the work brokers do, chief among them being the idea that brokers are bad for the industry, adding complication and pushing up prices,” says Roger Vance, CEO of Safe Ship Moving Services. “But brokers are ubiquitous in many large industries for exactly the opposite reason.”
Safe Ship Moving Services is a moving brokerage specializing in interstate household goods transportation. Vance, who has a background in business from Liberty University, has built the company into a large-scale logistics intermediary that connects customers with a nationwide network of licensed and insured moving companies. Under his leadership, Safe Ship has focused on providing flexible pricing, streamlined coordination, and a simplified moving experience for consumers, particularly retirees and young professionals. Vance is an advocate for the role of brokers in the moving industry, emphasizing their ability to generate consistent business for carriers while improving efficiency and accessibility for customers navigating long-distance relocations.
“Brokers inspire competition in the industries where they operate, keeping things balanced and fair,” Vance adds. “If you’re buying stocks, real estate, or even airline tickets, you’re probably using a broker to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Moving brokers provide the same type of service. When operating properly, they keep prices low and all the parties involved honest with each other.”
Moving brokers help you find the right mover, but they don’t handle the move
Convenience is the key benefit of working with moving brokers. They have connections with a large number of professional movers and can quickly connect consumers with the right type of company that can meet their needs. If you need a full-service van line for a long-distance transport, brokers can offer you a number of options. Essentially, brokers streamline the process of finding the mover who can meet your needs and budget.
But when it comes to the actual move, brokers are hands off. They are out of the picture once they arrange for a company to handle the move, which is where confusion often creeps into the process for consumers.
“Brokers are only able to estimate the cost of the move, recommend carriers to the consumer, and adequately prepare the carrier for the unique needs of each individual move,” Vance explains. “If damages and late deliveries occur, the complaints they trigger should be directed to the carriers, who are the ones in control of these aspects of the move.”
Consumers should contact moving companies, not brokers, to address problems with moving services
Because customers began the moving process by reaching out to a broker, they assume they should also reach out to the broker if they have problems on moving day. At that point, however, the moving company is the only one with the authority to address issues with the moving crew.
“When a broker tenders a load to a carrier, the carrier is in full control of that move from the point of pickup onwards,” Vance says. “Many brokers will receive complaints about late deliveries, but a broker doesn’t actually have the items, so they can’t control when delivery will occur.”
Vance explains that brokers strive to work only with reputable moving companies that consistently provide high-quality and stress-free moves. In fact, most brokers will sever their relationship with companies that fail to deliver on time or cause other problems for clients. But even those efforts can’t guarantee every move will be hassle-free.
“A moving company can provide 100 quality moves, then manage one that results in tons of damage or other problems,” Vance says. “Because of those types of issues, the broker is often held accountable for things outside of their control that they can’t predict.”
Moving brokers provide benefits for both consumers and moving companies
In addition to providing benefits for consumers, moving brokers also provide benefits for moving companies. By fostering the connection between consumers and carriers, they remove much of the work typically needed to promote business services and convert consumers to customers.
“When taking work from a broker, a carrier doesn’t have to carry the cost of advertising, marketing, branding, or any of the office and clerical tasks that the broker performs,” Vance says. “They’re also a great resource for small, up-and-coming carriers who need help getting their businesses off the ground. Brokers help those businesses by providing steady and stable work that keeps work crews on the road and paid, especially during slow times of the year.”
Moving brokers help consumers find moving companies that can meet their unique needs. Moving companies make sure those needs are met. Understanding the difference allows consumers to tap into the benefits brokers provide without forming unrealistic expectations about the role they will play if issues arise.
