COTTER Review
Fact Checked by:
Positive Reviews
67%
across 18 reviews
moveBuddha Score
4.1/5
based on moveBuddha methodology
Years in Business
57
founded 1969
FMCSA Status
Active
Conditional rating
COTTER is a 4.1/5-rated Ohio full-service mover, operating since 1969 (57 years in business). COTTER earns 67% positive reviews across 18 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.
Ready to see what COTTER would cost for your move?
Get a free, no-obligation quote in under 60 seconds. No deposit required.
COTTER at a glance
- Track record: 57 years in business with 67% positive customer reviews across 18 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: 3.96/5
What this review covers
Professional and polite staff
Efficient service
Careful handling
Affordable rates
Highly recommended
Show details Hide details
Company stats
Read full reviewIndustry experience 4.7
Companies with more years in business often outperform newer competitors. COTTER has been in business for 57 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 67% positive reviews across roughly 18 total reviews, with an average Yelp rating of 1.0.
Quote accuracy 3.9
Quote reliability often comes down to clarity and consistency. Customers can request instant email quotes from COTTER.
Customer service 3.5
From responsiveness to follow-through, customer service is a big differentiator. COTTER emphasizes clear communication, careful handling.
Recent reviews
"Moving day went smoothly, Jeff & Dave are fabulous. All our furniture and artwork and sixteen years of stuff were transported safely. Highly recommend Cotter because their quote was spot on and consistent."
"All of the gentlemen were kind, professional and efficient on moving day. The job was finished faster than expected and we had a lot of laughs throughout! Such an amazing crew."
DOT number
Address
What do customers say about COTTER?
Across 18 verified customer reviews from multiple platforms, 67% are positive, 33% are negative, and 0% are neutral.
What customers like most about COTTER
- Professional and polite staff: Customers say the COTTER's crews and service representatives handled their move professionally and were friendly and helpful throughout the move.
- Efficient service: Many customers praise COTTER for completing moves smoothly and with minimal downtime.
- Careful handling: Belongings are treated with caution, and many customers report zero damage thanks to COTTER's attention to detail.
- Affordable rates: Many reviewers found COTTER to be more budget-friendly than competitors without sacrificing quality.
- Highly recommended: Many reviewers said they would recommend COTTER to friends and family without hesitation.
Most common complaints about COTTER
- Damage to items: Some customers reported that items were damaged during packing or loading.
- Lack of communication: Poor or inconsistent updates from COTTER left some customers feeling in the dark.
- Poor packing quality: Subpar packing techniques by COTTER led to crushed boxes or damaged goods for some clients.
Positive COTTER Reviews
"Moving day went smoothly, Jeff & Dave are fabulous. All our furniture and artwork and sixteen years of stuff were transported safely. Highly recommend Cotter because their quote was spot on and consistent."
"All of the gentlemen were kind, professional and efficient on moving day. The job was finished faster than expected and we had a lot of laughs throughout! Such an amazing crew."
"Jeff and Eric were the most professional, pleasant, kind gentlemen. They made the move easy and the cost was so low. Thank you so much."
Negative COTTER Reviews
Yelp
"Almost every item they moved was scratched, dented, nicked, chipped, scraped or broken. Their price was good, but next time I'll pay a little more for quality movers."
Yelp
"Awful customer service and careless movers. They will not take responsibility for anything of yours that they break due to a lack of concern and care on how THEY pack into their trucks."
Yelp
"Overcharge for mediocre service, reckless packing of belongings and god awful customer service from someone who sounds like they'd rather be anywhere else."
Is COTTER licensed & insured?
Yes. COTTER holds active FMCSA registration under the legal name THE COTTER MOVING & STORAGE COMPANY. The company holds a conditional safety rating from the FMCSA. They operate 3 trucks. All licensing data is verified against FMCSA records by moveBuddha.
| Credential | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| FMCSA registration | Active | 05/05/2026 |
| Safety rating | Conditional | 05/05/2026 |
| Fleet size | 3 power units | 05/05/2026 |
| FMCSA inspections | 0 total inspections | 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.
How moveBuddha rated COTTER
COTTER earns a 4.1/5 composite rating based on moveBuddha's editorial rating categories. Each category is rated independently by moveBuddha's research team and 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 | 3.96/5 | 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
Customers often praise Cotter for its reliable team, courteous attitudes, and precise estimates. Feedback highlights professional staff, diligent handling of belongings, and budget-friendly pricing. Movers consistently finish jobs efficiently and treat items with care, making them a go-to choice for many long-term clients. In contrast, negative feedback centers on broken or scratched items and dissatisfaction with customer service responses. Complaints about inadequate packing and poor accountability set Cotter apart from competitors with more consistent claims handling. The pattern shows that while most clients report beneficial experiences, issues with item protection and support account for critical feedback. This analysis is based on 18 reviews, with about 67% being positive.Ratings based on moveBuddha's research methodology, updated June 2026.
How much does COTTER cost?
COTTER does not publish standard hourly rates or flat-fee pricing publicly. 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4.62 |
94% | A+ | ||
|
4.56 |
86% | A+ | ||
|
4.5 |
84% | D- | ||
|
4.48 |
99% | A+ | ||
|
4.7 |
88% | A+ | ||
|
4.48 |
87% | A+ | ||
|
4.56 |
81% | A+ | ||
|
4.66 |
91% | A+ | ||
|
4.66 |
92% | A+ | ||
|
4.66 |
95% | A+ |
How COTTER's ratings compare to other Akron movers
COTTER's Yelp rating (1.0/5) is lower than the average across the 33 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 | 33 movers |
| Ohio movers | 3.3/5 | 99 movers |
Final verdict: COTTER
COTTER earns a 4.1/5 moveBuddha score with 67% positive customer reviews across 18 verified reviews. With 57 years in business and 3 trucks operating across Ohio, COTTER is a solid option to consider for Ohio moves.
Best for:
- Customers who value working with an established mover with long-standing industry experience
All ratings reflect moveBuddha's analysis updated June 2026, based on independent research and verified customer reviews.
FAQs about COTTER
Is COTTER a legitimate, licensed mover?
Yes. COTTER holds active FMCSA registration. The company operates 3 trucks. You can verify their licensing status on the Ohio state regulator database.
How does COTTER's review score compare to other Ohio movers?
COTTER earns 67% positive customer reviews across 18 verified customer reviews. Its composite moveBuddha score is 4.1/5.
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.
Does COTTER require a deposit?
Deposit requirements for COTTER depend on the type and timing of your move. Most Ohio full-service movers either require no deposit or a small holding deposit to secure your booking date. Confirm deposit terms directly when requesting your quote.
How long has COTTER been in business?
COTTER has been in business for 57 years, founded in 1969. The company holds active FMCSA registration.
How do I choose the right Akron moving company?
To pick the best Akron mover, start with companies that have mostly positive customer reviews, valid licenses, and proper insurance. Get detailed moving quotes from at least 3 companies to compare services, pricing, and availability. Look for transparent pricing, clear communication, and verified track records of successful moves.
Thinking about booking COTTER?
Compare COTTER's quote against other top Ohio movers. moveBuddha users save an average of 30% by comparing 3+ quotes before booking.
Helpful Ohio moving resources
If COTTER isn't the right fit, explore other top-rated Ohio movers and popular Ohio moving routes below.
Ohio moving services
Popular Ohio moving routes
