Review by Renee T.

Now that I’m old, there are things I’ll never do again: take final exams, hear “OK Computer” for the first time, or use a fake ID. Also on that list: move my own stuff.

So I researched different moving companies and called around for quotes for my move from San Jose to San Francisco. I was already anxious about hiring someone else to move my crap (I mean, my precious belongings)–it didn’t help to read a bazillion stories about broken lamps and people’s boxes being held for ransom. So I checked Yelp and the BBB to find movers who wouldn’t scam me.

NorthStar didn’t quote me the lowest rate (that came from a sketchy company with a low BBB rating and an employee who kept calling me even after I said I wasn’t interested), but they had solid reviews and the guy on the phone answered all my questions. He gave me a price range for a three-person crew to move my stuff, and we scheduled a time window for them to arrive.

The time window was 12-6, which seems like a long time to be waiting. But I got a call the night before my move asking if I wanted to move in the morning instead. I did, so at 8 the three movers were there to pick up my boxes.

They beat me to my new apartment, unloaded my things quickly, and were generally courteous and professional. I paid by credit card but tipped in cash, and the price was still within the range I’d been quoted. The whole thing took less than 3 hours, even with the drive.

If I move again, I’ll call NorthStar for sure.