Moving is often cited as one of the most stressful life events. One way to help alleviate some of that stress is to use a reliable mover.
Fred Wallace started One Big Man & One Big Truck in 1983. As the service became increasingly popular, Wallace hired help, and then formed a partnership with Paul Dubois and Wolfgang Matt.
One Big Man & One Big Truck specializes in smaller local moves throughout the Bay Area.
The company's hourly rates are $130 for a two-person crew and truck, or $160 for a three-person crew and truck. There's also a one-time flat rate travel fee of $50 (two-person crew) or $60 (three-person crew) inside a Local Service Area, and a fee that varies outside a Local Service Area (depending on how far from the Local Service Area your move takes place). They bill in 15-minute increments with no minimum time. And if you pay with cash, rates are $10 less per hour.
One Big Man & One Big Truck's service includes:
• A confirmation sheet with your rates, and the date and time your move is scheduled
• A confirmation call four days before your move date to answer any last minute questions
• A follow-up phone call after your move to make sure everything went well
• Trained and uniformed employees
• A clean 24'- or 14'-truck, 50 quilted moving pads for your furniture, 4 wardrobe boxes for hanging clothing, plastic wrap for upholstered items, handcarts, and dollies
The website even offers packing tips.
One Big Man & One Big Truck has earned the Bay Guardian's Best of the Bay Award, been on the Better Business Bureau's Honor Roll seven times, and was also listed in 7x7 Magazine's 2006 Best of Service. The magazine says, "Not only do we love the name, but these guys (there are more than one) are dependable and friendly."
Have you used One Big Man & One Big Truck? Leave a review below.
(Edited from a post originally published 06/13/06; new rates listed above)
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
Ha! I can't believe this! I used this company to move from one end of Green St to the other back in 1993. They sent out TWO big men (very cute) and the Truck. I'll never forget how funny it was when both men got on either end of my very cheap Pier 1 fold out loveseat and counted to 3 to lift it. The loveseat was so light they nearly put it through the ceiling with all their brute force!! It still cracks me up!
I hired these guys based on the Citysearch rating and am now really regretting this decision. They tried to avoid having to carry my mattress up three flights of stairs - *after* I had told them it was a passenger elevator and to not put furniture in it. The elevator was small, they stuffed a queen size into it, the edge of the mattress got caught under the door and broke the elevator; the door motor burnt out and almost caused a fire. The damage is close to $4000 and my landlord is asking me to pay for it. They took no responsibility for what they did claiming at various times that it was the landlords fault for not having a sign, there must have been something wrong with the elevator, the elevator was probably unlicensed (untrue, of course) and a host of reasons. Finally, they had the gall to tell me on the phone I couldn't prove that I had told them not to use the elevator and I could take them to court for all they cared. This is sleazy, unethical and just plain wrong behavior. I know the court will rule against them but since there are no punitive damages awarded, they lose nothing by playing a waiting game and hoping I just give up because of the hassle. Cynical, infuriating - but that's the One Big Man experience for you. If you hire them, be aware of the kind of people they are. I wish I'd hired another company or a larger national chain that would take responsibility for its actions and not try to get out of paying for something they broke by lies and evasion. All the charm on their website ("In 1983 Fred Wallace....") is just that - charm only. You will get personalized service all right - personalized to get the most money out of you but yet dodge any responsibility if they break anything.
The one time I used "One Big Man", I had an excellent experience. They were on time, professional, friendly, fast, and they didn't break the elevator (or anything else).
view rory61's profile
Update: I was finally able to resolve things with One Big Man. I spoke with a guy named Paul who was eminently reasonable. One Big Man paid for the damage to the elevator and reimbursed me for the damage to the mattress by discounting my invoice by 75%. The company stepped up and did the right thing.
view Sean Fernandes's profile