By Christopher Noblit -- One of the largest issues that legitimate moving companies face is their profitability which has plunged dramatically in the past decade due to rampant metooism discounting. Another is quality of service, and it is this author’s contention that these two issues are related, hand-in-hand.

In 60's, 70's, and 80's a man could provide for his family -- and even put two children through college -- working as an over-the-road mover. However, today's over-the-road movers are making dramatically less money. In addition, the "quality" of moving & storage "helpers" has fallen dramatically, largely because helper pay in real dollars has plummeted.

At the same time in recent years consumer expectations have soared. Today’s consumers expect the best, and why shouldn't they? Nearly every industry and service has improved and delivered better and better quality products and services over the years.

But what has become of the moving industry? Perhaps the old adage “you get what you pay for” applies.

 

In 1973 I was hired as a no-experience helper for a local mom and pop moving company for $5.00 per hour.  The Government Consumer Price index Calculator tells t that $5.00 per hour in 1973 is worth $22.00 per hour in 2005.

 

Today’s moving & storage helpers make $10.00 to $12.00 per hour which simply does not buy the quality laborers that $5.00 an hour did in 1973.

So who is to shoulder the blame? Surely we can’t blame the consumer who rightly seeks to pay less and receive more and to whom the moving industry offers a lower price year in and year out.

Unfortunately it is the moving industry that is to blame: The mad rush to lower the price without taken into account the direct effect that lower price has on industry pay rates is the cause of our predicament., and the subsequent effect that industry pay rates have on the quality of service that the industry provides.

It is my opinion that the American public and the moving industry are going to have to face these facts…

For The Consumers: If we consumers continue to expect quality service from the legitimate moving industry -- service that is better than that currently offered -- then we consumers will have to pay more.

For The Moving Industry: If we movers are serious about improving quality and customer satisfaction then we are going to have to start considering the effect that the pricing of our services has upon prevailing wages and remuneration.

It is really as simple as the old adage "you get what you pay for."

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