COTTER Review 2026 (Akron, OH)
Fact Checked by:
Positive
Reviews
61%
across 28 reviews
moveBuddha
Score
4.1/5
based on moveBuddha methodology
Years in
Business
58
founded 1968
FMCSA
Status
Active
Conditional rating
COTTER is a 4.1/5-rated Ohio full-service mover, operating since 1968 (58 years in business). COTTER earns 61% positive reviews across 28 verified customer reviews. The company holds active FMCSA registration with a conditional safety rating and operates 3 trucks. All ratings reflect moveBuddha's independent analysis.
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COTTER at a glance
- Track record: 58 years in business with 61% positive customer reviews (28 verified reviews)
- Scale: 3 trucks operating across Ohio
- Industry experience: 4.72/5
- Customer service: 3.58/5
- Review quality: 4.16/5
- Quote accuracy: 44/5
COTTER's services
- Full-service moving
- Packing & Unpacking
- Interstate moving
- Local (intrastate) moving
- International moving
- Storage: Offered by 58% of Akron movers (60% nationally)
- Piano moving: A specialty offered by 32% of Akron movers (40% nationally)
What this COTTER review covers
Affordable rates
Consistency and follow-up
Friendly and approachable staff
Careful handling
Efficient service
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Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 4.7
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. COTTER has been in business for 58 years, demonstrating strong staying power in a competitive industry with services like international moving and interstate moving.
Review quality 4.1
Customer reviews are the clearest window into a mover’s reputation. COTTER has about 61% positive reviews across roughly 28 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 1.0.
Quote accuracy 4.0
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request quotes from COTTER. Discounts may be available for groups like military.
Customer service 3.5
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. COTTER emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
We are so happy we chose Cotter. Jeff and Eric were professional, pleasant, and kind. The cost was low, and they made our move easy.
The estimate was precise, the move was professional, and the six-person team worked hard for three days as recommended. We moved with Cotter 23 years ago and were just as satisfied.
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What do customers say about COTTER?
COTTER pulls in 61% positive reviews out of 28 verified ratings from multiple platforms, 36% negative, and 4% neutral.
What customers like most about COTTER
- Affordable rates: Many reviewers found COTTER to be more budget-friendly than competitors without sacrificing quality.
- Consistency and follow-up: Reviewers liked that COTTER stayed in touch before and after the move to ensure everything went smoothly.
- Friendly and approachable staff: Many customers felt at ease working with the courteous and personable team at COTTER.
- Careful handling: Belongings are treated with caution, and many customers report zero damage thanks to COTTER's attention to detail.
- Efficient service: Many customers praise COTTER for completing moves smoothly and with minimal downtime.
Most common complaints about COTTER
- Damage to items: Some customers reported that items were damaged during packing or loading.
- Inaccurate estimates: Estimates from COTTER were sometimes way off from what customers were ultimately billed.
- Higher-than-expected costs: Final bills were occasionally much higher than initial estimates, upsetting customers.
Did you move with COTTER? Tell us how it went.
Leave a ReviewPositive COTTER Reviews
Judith Vago, Google
We are so happy we chose Cotter. Jeff and Eric were professional, pleasant, and kind. The cost was low, and they made our move easy.
Joy Seder, Google
The estimate was precise, the move was professional, and the six-person team worked hard for three days as recommended. We moved with Cotter 23 years ago and were just as satisfied.
Patti Perrine, Google
The crew quickly analyzed a difficult job involving heavy equipment and steep steps, completing it flawlessly. Steve provided frequent arrival updates, and everyone was professional and friendly.
Negative COTTER Reviews
JoAnne Cotton, Google
Quoted one price, charged three times that amount, and moved at a snail's pace. Would never recommend!
Yelp
Almost every item they moved was scratched, dented, nicked, chipped, scraped or broken. The price was good, but next time I will pay more for quality movers.
Joe S., Google
They charge exorbitant labor prices for the simplest of tasks, while other competitors charge transparent fees that are reasonable and don't gouge customers. Their customer service is non-existent, until it's time for the bill.
Neutral COTTER Reviews
Michael Opatrny, Google
Recently used Cotter for a local move. Upfront pricing and scheduling were very good, but mover quality was mixed: two dropped chairs and dinged cabinets.
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Is COTTER licensed & insured?
Yes. COTTER is FMCSA-registered and active, operating under the legal name THE COTTER MOVING & STORAGE COMPANY. It carries a conditional FMCSA safety rating. The company runs 3 trucks. moveBuddha verifies all licensing data directly against FMCSA records.
| Credential | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| FMCSA registration | Active | 05/05/2026 |
| Safety rating | Conditional | 05/05/2026 |
| Fleet size | 3 power units | 05/05/2026 |
Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. You can verify COTTER's active status on the Ohio licensed movers database.
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How moveBuddha rated COTTER
COTTER earns a 4.1/5 composite rating based on moveBuddha's editorial rating categories. That's above the 3.8/5 average among Akron movers. moveBuddha's research team rates each category independently, and each one measures a different aspect of mover quality.
| Rating category | COTTER | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Industry experience | 4.72/5 | Years in operation, fleet size & locations |
| Review quality | 4.16/5 | Volume & sentiment of customer reviews |
| Customer service | 3.58/5 | Communication clarity & crew professionalism |
| Quote accuracy | 4.04/5 | Estimate vs. final invoice on sample moves |
| Google reviews | 4/5 | Google Business Profile rating & review volume |
| Yelp reviews | 4.34/5 | Yelp rating & review volume |
| BBB | 4.78/5 | The company's BBB letter grade (A–F) & complaint resolution history (translated to a corresponding numerical score) |
| Brand | 4.5/5 | Market presence & industry recognition |
Our summary of COTTER
Heavy-equipment moves, courier reach: 61% of 28 reviews are positive. Many customers praise friendly crews, accurate estimates, on-time service, and skilled handling of pianos and heavy equipment, though a few report damage. A few customers also cite surprise charges, slow work, poor follow-up, and unclear rental drop-off requirements.
Ratings based on moveBuddha's research methodology, updated November 2026.
How much does COTTER cost?
COTTER does not publish standard hourly rates or flat-fee pricing publicly. Movers in Akron charge an average of $141/hour, though rates vary by company. Quote pricing depends on home size, distance, packing services, and time of year. To get an accurate estimate, request a quote directly or use moveBuddha's cost calculator below.
Estimated for a typical 2-3 bedroom Ohio move
$954 – $2,242
How does COTTER compare to other Akron movers?
COTTER ranks alongside the top full-service movers in Akron on moveBuddha's editorial scoring. The table below compares ratings, positive review rates, and years in business across the top Akron movers.
| Company | Our rating | Positive reviews | BBB | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4.56 |
94% | A+ | ||
|
4.5 |
93% | A+ | ||
|
4.44 |
99% | A+ | ||
|
4.48 |
88% | D- | ||
|
4.58 |
93% | A+ | ||
|
4.42 |
88% | A+ | ||
|
4.56 |
98% | A+ | ||
4.1 |
61% | A+ | ||
|
4.62 |
97% | A+ | ||
|
4.56 |
92% | A+ |
How COTTER's ratings compare to other Akron movers
COTTER's Yelp rating (1.0/5) is lower than the average across the 77 movers analyzed in Akron, which carry an average Yelp rating of 3.4/5.
| Avg. Yelp Score | Total # of Movers | |
|---|---|---|
| COTTER | 1.0/5 | -- |
| Akron movers | 3.4/5 | 77 movers |
| Ohio movers | 3.3/5 | 214 movers |
Final verdict: COTTER
COTTER earns a 4.1/5 moveBuddha score, backed by 61% positive customer reviews across 28 verified reviews. Over 58 years in business and 3 trucks operating across Ohio, COTTER has built a reputation for affordable rates and consistency and follow-up, making it worth a look for your Ohio move.
Best for:
- Customers who value working with an established mover with long-standing industry experience
All ratings reflect moveBuddha's analysis updated November 2026, based on independent research and verified customer reviews.
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FAQs about COTTER
Why is COTTER's Yelp rating lower than other sources?
COTTER's 1.0/5 Yelp rating across 3 reviews differs from its scores on other platforms due to Yelp's review-filtering algorithm. Yelp filters out a high share of positive reviews from smaller-volume businesses, particularly those that don't advertise. Cross-referencing reviews from multiple sources gives a more complete picture of mover quality.
What services does COTTER offer?
COTTER is a full-service mover operating in Ohio. The company operates 3 trucks. Confirm specific services like packing, storage, and specialty item handling directly when requesting a quote.
Is COTTER a legitimate, licensed mover?
Yes, COTTER is FMCSA-registered and active, operating 3 trucks. You can verify their licensing status on the Ohio state regulator database.
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