Cheapest / Best Moving Company (引越し業者）

[tenshig]

Hi,

We are planning to move in a new apartment soon.
Do you have any recommendation on which moving company is the best in terms of price and service?

We are a couple, our current apartment is 2DK with the basic furniture.

Thanks in advance

[RetireJapan]

We have always gotten quotes from 2-3 companies and gone with the cheapest. You can reduce the price by letting them choose the day and time, and by moving at less popular times of year (like now).

Anyone else?

[tenshig]

We have always gotten quotes from 2-3 companies and gone with the cheapest. You can reduce the price by letting them choose the day and time, and by moving at less popular times of year (like now).

Anyone else?

Thanks Ben!
Will do the same
Do you have any go-to companies for quote inquiries?

[RetireJapan]

Just the big ones! There are also comparison sites...

[ricardo]

I ended up doing it myself with a rental “k truck” - ¥3,200 for 24 hours. Job done....

[tenshig]

I ended up doing it myself with a rental “k truck” - ¥3,200 for 24 hours. Job done....

Wow! That was very cheap, thanks!

[MyTime]

I've found smaller local comapies are cheaper, but I have to say, I suspect that they are probably a bit less 「丁寧」than the bigger more established companies. I have had a couple of minor cases of damage--one of which I was compensated for.

We have always gotten quotes from 2-3 companies and gone with the cheapest.

^^^ Whichever company you end up using, though, this is the key. Have reps from the companies visit you and give you quotes, then play them off against each other. Be canny and cagey about it--they sure are! Don't tell the reps how much the other companies quoted you--just let them know it was less that what they are offering.

The initial quotes these companies give out are always hugely inflated. Keep refusing, sucking your teeth, and ushering the guy to the door until you get at least a two reductions. Usually when you have the guy in the genkan with both of your hands on his back physically pushing him though the doorway, then you will get their best offer.

It's a kind of shady business in a way, as different people can end up paying much more or less depending on how good their negotiating skills are.

Good luck!

[tenshig]

^^^ Whichever company you end up using, though, this is the key. Have reps from the companies visit you and give you quotes, then play them off against each other. Be canny and cagey about it--they sure are! Don't tell the reps how much the other companies quoted you--just let them know it was less that what they are offering.

The initial quotes these companies give out are always hugely inflated. Keep refusing, sucking your teeth, and ushering the guy to the door until you get at least a two reductions. Usually when you have the guy in the genkan with both of your hands on his back physically pushing him though the doorway, then you will get their best offer.

It's a kind of shady business in a way, as different people can end up paying much more or less depending on how good their negotiating skills are.

Good luck!

Great tips!
I am honestly not very good at negotiating so I will definitely keep these in mind!
Thanks a lot!

[ricardo]

Remember to suck your teeth, get them into the gankan and keep muttering “muzukashii”. Doors will open...

It’s a pretty low margin business if you can move at a quiet time (like now).

As far as negotiating is concerned, keep it cool, don’t be too direct but make it clear that you have other contacts.

Yesterday I bought a fridge and washing machine in Yamada Denki. I told them I wanted them both for ¥200,000 and showed them the Rakuten price for the washing machine (¥44,000, against their ¥65,000) on my iPhone. They refused to discount the washing machine but knocked ¥40,000 off the fridge. Done for ¥191,000 with next-day delivery. You have to be prepared to walk away. I was on the escalator on my way to K’s Denki before they called me back.

It’s a good fridge, too...

[tenshig]

Remember to suck your teeth, get them into the gankan and keep muttering “muzukashii”. Doors will open...

Hahaha! I cannot imagine myself doing that now but I will practice in the mirror!

Yesterday I bought a fridge and washing machine in Yamada Denki. I told them I wanted them both for ¥200,000 and showed them the Rakuten price for the washing machine (¥44,000, against their ¥65,000) on my iPhone. They refused to discount the washing machine but knocked ¥40,000 off the fridge. Done for ¥191,000 with next-day delivery. You have to be prepared to walk away. I was on the escalator on my way to K’s Denki before they called me back.

It’s a good fridge, too...

wow that was a great deal! much better than what you initially requested!
I also bought my washing machine and fridge at Yamada Denki, their prices are relatively cheaper.