Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for moving companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Main Street Moving and Storage, a division of Robb & Messer Moving and Storage, the key to achieving and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction is simple: provide highly personalized service on every project, regardless of its size. “We don’t just move items from one place to another—we help our clients plan their moves so they’re well organized and go as smoothly as possible,” says General Manager Rich Putman. “They know they can count on us to take excellent care of them and their belongings.”

Main Street Moving and Storage, a division of Robb & Messer Moving and Storage has been providing moving and packing services for residential and commercial clients throughout the Bay Area since 1980. The company is qualified to handle every aspect of local, interstate and long-distance moves, and it also provides furniture moving services for customers who are staging their homes for sale.

Unlike moving companies that hire inexperienced workers in an effort to reduce their operating costs, Main Street Moving and Storage, a division of Robb & Messer Moving and Storage maintains a staff of qualified professionals who are continually trained in industry-best moving techniques. “We’ve had the same crew members for years, and they all know what it takes to provide excellent service, regardless of what the job entails,” says Mr. Putman. “We can come up with creative solutions and plan complicated moves so they don’t disrupt our clients’ lives, which they really appreciate.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Main Street Moving and Storage, a division of Robb & Messer Moving and Storage is its in-depth knowledge of the local areas it serves, which Mr. Putman says isn’t always a given with online moving brokers and companies from other counties. “We’ve been doing business in the Bay Area for more than 40 years, so we’re very experienced when it comes to using the right trucks, equipment and materials for local moving projects. Also, being local means our customers can easily reach us whenever they have questions or concerns, which gives them more reassurance throughout the moving process.”

Take simple steps to protect your belongings during a move.
When preparing for a move, your first reaction might be to start collecting boxes. However, according to Rich Putman, general manager of Main Street Moving and Storage, a division of Robb & Messer Moving and Storage, free boxes collected from big-box stores, grocery stores and other outlets may not be as valuable as you think. “I always recommend getting standard moving boxes for any type of move—they’re the safest option because they’re specifically designed for moving items,” he explains. “Simply put, they’ll hold together and protect your belongings better than other types of boxes.”

Mr. Putman further recommends buying standard moving boxes from moving supply stores rather than value stores. “A lot of value stores carry moving boxes that are thinner and weaker than professional moving boxes,” he says. “They won’t protect your belongings as well, and when it comes to packing for a move, that’s the most important thing to consider.”

Safely stuff and seal boxes. Once your boxes are ready, it’s time to fill them. Mr. Putman recommends using lots of packing paper and bubble wrap. “It’s important to make sure everything is securely wrapped and protected,” he says. “When you move a box around, you shouldn’t hear any jiggling or items rattling against each other.”

You should also avoid overfilling, which can create bulges in the sides or tops of boxes and limit your ability to stack them properly. Once items are carefully wrapped and tightly stored, the final protective step is to seal the box. To prevent a box from opening during the move, completely tape the bottom, top and flap edges.

Clearly label boxes for easy delivery. Packed boxes should be labeled on the tops and sides so you can read them while they’re stacked without having to move anything. It’s also smart to use a color coding system that specifies where certain boxes should be placed, which will save time on both labeling and unpacking. If possible, load boxes from each room together to make the unloading process go as smoothly as possible.

Q: How much notice do you need to schedule a move?

A: It’s smart to book your move well in advance, so you should call us as soon as you know you’re moving, especially if you’re planning on doing it in the summer or at the end of the month.

Q: Can you move valuable items like antiques and paintings?

A: Yes. Once we know the specifics of the items you want moved, we’ll explain our process and show you how we’ll pack each item so it’s kept safe.

Q: Will my belongings be insured?

A: Yes. We’ll explain how the insurance process works when we provide the initial estimate. We’ll let you know what types of insurance come free of charge and what types of additional insurance can be purchased. It’s also important to note that some homeowners and renters insurance policies cover moves, so you should check with your insurance company before your project begins.

Q: How can I save money on my move?

A: The easiest way to save money on your move is to do most of the packing and preparation before the moving truck comes. That includes boxing up things like kitchen items, linens, books and paperwork. Being organized will also help you save time and money. Have items ready to go when the movers arrive, and disassemble large items if you can. Make sure the moving truck can park close to your home—if it has to look for parking or continually move to clear the way for other cars, the costs can add up.

Q: What do you do with leftover packing material after a move?

A: We reuse packing materials whenever possible. If they’re too badly worn or torn, we recycle them.