Moving Experience: Margaret’s Move with United Van Lines
After renovating their Seattle home, Margaret Tysver and her husband looked forward to sun and warmth in Palm Springs. However, she feared unexpected costs and delivery issues when hiring movers she read about online. To avoid this, she committed to thorough research, making sure to avoid brokers, which influenced her quotes and choice of mover.
While Margaret compared full-service movers online, she found our Better Moves Project and used moveBuddha’s resources. She also joined the project, sharing her experience with United Van Lines in exchange for $500.
Move day takeaways for United Van Lines customers
- If you’re concerned about hidden fees, the first step is to avoid moving brokers. Margaret found it sometimes difficult to distinguish between brokers and those who handle moves “door to door,” so she focused on hiring a carrier that was clearly not brokering the job.
- Before pickup, conduct a thorough inventory check and request an update to the paperwork. Margaret compared her items with the estimate three days prior to pickup, and United updated her information in their system accordingly.
- Don’t rely on email communication on moving day. Although United used email for check-ins, Margaret didn’t see the email until the next day. She preferred a phone call for important updates.
- Make sure to block the street before the truck’s arrival. The crew called about 30 minutes before they arrived to confirm that the street was clear, which helped avoid potential headaches.
- Plan to manage the inventory upon delivery. Margaret was responsible for the numbered inventory sheet during drop-off, which included about 20 items that lacked stickers.
- Keep in mind that quote accuracy can vary when moving containers are involved. Margaret’s estimate was based on six containers, but the load only required four. This not only reduced her final bill but also led her to donate items she would have preferred to keep.
Margaret needed help moving from Seattle, WA to Palm Springs, CA
Margaret and her husband were relocating about 1,250 miles from Seattle to Palm Springs on a tight timeline. She decided to move about six weeks before pickup and found a mover within a week.
This wasn’t a small move, either. Margaret estimated seven rooms of belongings, about 50 boxes, and roughly 6,300 lbs. She also planned to carry valuables, such as jewelry, by hand.
Her biggest priority was simple: lock in a thorough pre-move inventory to avoid cost surprises.
Margaret’s move at a glance
| Move date | May 27, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Moved from | Seattle, WA |
| Moved to | Palm Springs, CA |
| Distance | 1,250 miles |
| Move size | 7 rooms / ~50 boxes / ~6,300 lbs |
| Moving company | United Van Lines |
| Moving quote | $8,870.43 |
| Actual cost | $7,767 |
Margaret shopped around before deciding on United Van Lines
Margaret did what most people wish they had time to do: she researched thoroughly. Her process included Reddit, Yelp, BBB complaints, and her company’s discount program. Once she realized she didn’t want a broker, she narrowed her list to bigger-name movers and scheduled virtual walkthroughs.
In total, she received six quotes. The range was wide, from the mid-$4,000s to the mid-$7,000s, and one company never gave her a clear number despite a lot of back-and-forth.
Here are a few of the quotes she documented:
| Company | Estimate amount |
|---|---|
| Safeway | $4,400 |
| New Start Relocation | $6,250 |
| Paramount Van Lines | $7,520 |
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 rating
 
4.23 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Margaret chose United Van Lines to avoid broker drama
Margaret’s decision came down to trust and control.
She chose United because they were not a broker, used containers instead of mixing loads with other customers, offered a dedicated local rep, included moving insurance, and provided a customized quote after a video walkthrough.
That walkthrough mattered. Margaret said filling out vague online forms with other companies “wasn’t reassuring,” but walking through her home on video and getting an itemized list made her feel confident about what she was paying for. We recommend the same when it comes to hiring movers.
Moving day went well
Margaret said communication leading up to moving day was strong. She typically heard back within a day, and different reps contacted her before pickup to set expectations and answer questions.
The crew arrived at 10:30 a.m., about a half hour late, which she was fine with. Loading took about three hours.
She also had a standout crew: a father-and-son team she described as careful and hardworking. The one communication miss was that United checked in via email on moving day, and Margaret didn’t see it until the next day.
One hiccup: the payment portal
Margaret had trouble with the online payment link. It showed an amount about $1,000 higher and wouldn’t let her change it. She also didn’t feel comfortable paying upfront, given the moving industry’s reputation.
She ultimately paid by phone with a credit card after calling her rep (who reassured her the move was still on schedule), and she tipped the crews in cash.
Delivery was smooth, but with a few hiccups
Margaret rated the move’s timeliness 5 out of 5 and said she appreciated the 8-day gap between pickup and drop-off because it gave them time to handle business on both ends.
While the shipment was in transit, she said communication was “a little thin” at first, but improved once she reached out about four days after loading.
Delivery day had one unforgettable moment: the truck broke down at the end of the block, and the crew literally pushed it in front of the house before unloading. Unloading took about five hours, which surprised her after such a fast load-out in Seattle. She was also managing the inventory list solo, including items without numbered stickers.
Loss and damage
Nothing went missing, but Margaret did have a bedside table and a side table break. She contacted her move coordinator, who emailed a claim form that Margaret said was straightforward.
Our take on Margaret’s move
Margaret’s story is basically a case study in “do the homework, then sleep better.”
She cared less about chasing the lowest quote and more about avoiding the two things that ruin moves: broker confusion and last-minute hidden costs. United’s video walkthrough, itemized inventory, and responsive reps checked those boxes to help her avoid these issues.
The verdict: How did United Van Lines do?
The biggest ding is quote accuracy. The estimate assumed more container space than Margaret needed, and she said that the 30% cushion influenced what she chose to keep vs. donate.
Still, her overall takeaway was clear: no bad surprises, great crews on both ends, and strong support when she had questions.
Here’s how Margaret rated United Van Lines on a scale of 1 to 5:
- Communication: 5
- Timeliness: 5
- Quote accuracy: 3
- Overall experience: 5
Margaret’s advice for anyone planning a move like hers
Margaret’s move went more smoothly because she treated the “admin” work as part of the move. Do a thorough inventory before pickup. It helped her feel confident that the final bill wouldn’t jump.
Don’t let a clunky payment portal derail your peace of mind. If the numbers look off, call and pay directly, especially if you’re not comfortable paying upfront.
If you’re using containers, expect estimates to run high and don’t donate items you’ll miss just to “fit the quote.” Margaret saved money in the end, but she wished the volume estimate had been closer to reality.
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