What I’d Do Differently on My Move from North Carolina to Kentucky
As told to moveBuddha
- Christopher moved from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Lexington, Kentucky, in June 2022 for a work relocation, a 633-mile move covering a 900-square-foot home with six rooms.
- After comparing two quotes, he hired Mayzlin Relocation. His original quote was $6,686, but his North Carolina to Kentucky move ultimately cost $9,000.
- This is Christopher’s story, shared as part of moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project.
This account is based on a conversation with Christopher, who moved from Wilmington, North Carolina to Lexington, Kentucky in June 2022 using Mayzlin Relocation. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
I found out about my upcoming work relocation about two months before my move date. I briefly considered moving containers and weighed the pros and cons of hiring movers versus renting a truck, but with a job, two kids, and a house full of furniture, my wife and I ruled out the DIY options. I also participated in moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project to take advantage of a $500 relocation stipend and add some transparency to the moving industry.
I started my search by Googling “best movers near me.” When moveBuddha appeared near the top of the results, I compared full-service movers and put together a preliminary budget using moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator. I found Mayzlin Relocation in less than a week.
My Mayzlin Relocation experience at a glance
Here’s a quick summary of how my move with Mayzlin went:
- Communication: Mayzlin communicated adequately throughout my move, but I ran into real frustrations trying to resolve the pricing issues that came up after I booked.
- Pricing accuracy and transparency: My final bill came in about 35% higher than my original $6,686 quote, a difference of roughly $2,314 that caught me completely off guard the night before my packers arrived.
- Care and professionalism: I was pleased with how the packers and movers handled my items, but the customer service experience after booking left a lot to be desired.
- Timeliness: My household goods were picked up and delivered on schedule, which was one thing Mayzlin got right throughout the process.
- Overall value: I didn’t feel Mayzlin offered good value because my final cost ended up so much higher than what I was originally quoted.
- Would I use Mayzlin again? My items arrived on time and without damage, but I wouldn’t use Mayzlin again because of the pricing and customer service issues I experienced.
Why I chose Mayzlin
When I started vetting movers, I narrowed my criteria down to three things: a reasonable price, positive online ratings and reviews, and a company headquartered in North Carolina. Mayzlin checked all three. I also got a second quote from a large national mover, but it came in significantly higher. The professionalism I saw from Mayzlin’s estimator early in the process gave me confidence to move forward with them.
My biggest concerns going in were that things would get lost or damaged in transit, that boxes would end up in the wrong rooms, and that I’d pay more than my quote. My shipment wasn’t particularly valuable overall, but it did include a few large pieces of artwork and a Peloton that needed special attention. As it turned out, the pricing concern was the one that came true.
My move at a glance
| Moved from | Wilmington, North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Moved to | Lexington, Kentucky |
| Distance | 633 miles |
| Move size | 900 square foot home (six rooms total) |
| Moving company | Mayzlin Relocation |
| Moving quote | $6,686 |
| Actual cost | $9,000 |
Getting my quote from Mayzlin
Shortly after I submitted a quote request online, I got a call from a Mayzlin representative. Together, we did a virtual walk-through of my home so the rep could see everything that needed to be moved. A few hours later, I had a $6,686 estimate based on 6,405 pounds of household goods.
Mayzlin’s quote included full packing service, loading and unloading, transportation from North Carolina to Kentucky, a bulky article charge for the Peloton, all applicable taxes and fees, and free released-value coverage. I didn’t purchase additional moving insurance. My wife and I were responsible for removing the screen from the Peloton and taking down wall-mounted items like pictures, televisions, and curtain rods before the crew arrived.
Pickup day
rating
4.79 / 5
The night before my packers arrived, I got word that my estimator had misjudged the size of my move and that my actual cost would be higher than anticipated. That was surprising and alarming, especially since the estimator had already seen everything via video during our virtual walk-through.
The next morning, the packers told me there would be more boxes than expected and that my packing costs would go up, too. Since I’d already paid a deposit and had no other options at that point, I agreed to the additional charges and made another payment via Zelle.
The moving crew arrived on time at 10 AM, but they were driving an unmarked rental truck and weren’t familiar with my move details. I attributed that to a lack of communication between the crew and the office. Still, I was happy with how they packed, wrapped, and loaded my items onto the truck.
While the crew worked, I called Mayzlin to ask why my price had increased and what they could do about it. Some of the lower-level staff I spoke with tried to put the blame on me, but I reminded them that moving was their business and that the estimator had already seen everything via virtual survey. I felt frustrated and trapped. Things started looking up when Mayzlin’s owner got involved.
Delivery day
Despite the price increase, Mayzlin delivered my household goods to my new home eight days later. The crew arrived at 9 AM and worked steadily until about 3 PM. Some boxes ended up in the wrong rooms because they hadn’t been labeled properly, so my wife and I had to move them during unpacking. It was a minor inconvenience, and almost everything else went according to plan.
By this point, my case had made its way to Mayzlin’s owner, who acknowledged that both of us probably shared some blame for the inaccurate estimate and price increase. Mayzlin’s owner and I settled on a final cost we could both live with.
Final thoughts
rating
4.79 / 5
My move wasn’t perfect, but my things were delivered on time and in good condition. What really soured the experience was how some of the customer service staff handled the pricing situation.
I have a hunch that commission-based pay may have played a role, although it’s also possible that the original estimate was simply an honest mistake. Either way, I wouldn’t use Mayzlin again.
Looking back, I think Mayzlin could improve in a few areas: more accurate and transparent pricing, clearer communication between movers, office staff, and customers, and more careful box labeling so items end up where they’re supposed to go. The significant cost increase cast a shadow over the whole experience and turned what could have been a positive move into a frustrating one.
Use moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator to get a realistic sense of what your move should cost before you start collecting quotes.
Tips for future movers
These are the practical steps we recommend based on Christopher’s experience:
- Request a binding or not-to-exceed estimate for interstate moves. A binding or not-to-exceed estimate offers more pricing protection than a standard non-binding estimate. Costs can still increase legitimately with these estimate types, but the gap between your quote and your final bill is typically much smaller.
- Know your rights under the FMCSA 110% Rule. If you receive a non-binding estimate and your final bill exceeds 110% of that quote, your mover is required to deliver your shipment if you pay 110% at delivery, with at least 30 days to pay the remainder. Read the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 110% Rule before you sign any moving contract.
- Get at least three estimates before you commit. Christopher compared only two quotes before hiring Mayzlin. If several other companies had all come in significantly higher, that pattern could have been a signal that Mayzlin’s estimate was too low to be reliable.
- Consider requesting an in-home survey. Virtual surveys are now the norm because they’re less intrusive, but they’re often less accurate than a physical walkthrough. An in-home survey might have produced a more precise estimate for a move Christopher’s size.
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