How Gentle Giant Moving Company in Seattle Chooses Events to Sponsor

When Gentle Giant opened up a branch in Seattle, WA, we instantly got caught up in the vibrant community spirit, the wonderfully diverse people, and the fantastically challenging moves that required our Giants to put their training and skills to the test. Now that Gentle Giant has been in Seattle for over four years, we have a better understanding of what it will take to continue being successful.

For starters, people in Seattle care about quality, not only in the work being done, but in the people performing the work. Gentle Giant has always hired high quality people to do a high quality job, and that has paid off immensely in Seattle. The word of mouth is spreading about us, and we are looking to capitalize on that. Word about Gentle Giant is also getting out because we have attached ourselves to big community events that share our core values.

The Windermere Cup Regatta is a beautiful crew race hosted by the University of Washington, and is sponsored by Windermere Real Estate. Gentle Giant chose to sponsor a Hospitality Tent at the Regatta for several reasons. For starters, the Windermere Cup is a beloved event in the Seattle community. People and their families come from all over to soak up the fun on Lake Washington. In all of Gentle Giant’s regions, we are purposefully selective to find events that bring communities together in a fun way, and the Windermere Cup is no exception.

The Windermere Cup Regatta is also a big win for Gentle Giant because all of Windermere’s Real Estate Agents are present, and they are thrilled that Gentle Giant contributes so much to the event. For us, having strong relationships with Realtors is very important because they have a direct line to people moving, aka potential Gentle Giant customers.

Finally, Windermere Cup is a perfect event for us because of our long time association with the rowing community. Gentle Giant was founded by a rower, Larry O’Toole, and a lot of our company culture is rooted in the same values rowing has. Strength, endurance, synchronization with your team, and a “never quit” mentality.

We look forward to getting involved in even more terrific events in Seattle, and our other regions.

How Your Magnificently Messy Garage Can Benefit You!

In all the years Gentle Giant Moving Company has been relocating people and their families, we have seen some Magnificently Messy Garages. We’re talking about piles of deformed, mildewed boxes with old newspapers haphazardly tossed in them, rusted and busted swingsets stacked on top of jagged treadmill motor parts, and pallets of photo albums from the family that lived in the home four decades ago.

If this sounds like your garage, you could win a FULL Garage Makeover from the fun folks at Simplicity Organizers, Carolina Custom Garages, and Rubbish Works. That’s right, the 2012 Messiest Garage Contest has begun with the intention of Getting Your Garage in Gear!

Charlotte-Metro residents looking to take back their garage with style (for free) can send in a photo of their messy garage along with a note as to why their garage deserves a makeover. Photos will be posted on the 2012 Messiest Garage Contest website and can be voted on from April 27th through May 2nd. The winner will be announced May 7th.

Please visit www.simplicity-organizers.com for official contest rules and details on how to enter to win!

Win or lose, Gentle Giant in Charlotte has never shied away from an intimidatingly messy garage. So if you are looking to move, but are afraid of packing up and organizing your garage, give us a call; we’d love to help. 1-800-442-6863 or Request an Estimate Online.

Fast Facts About the Moving Industry and Gentle Giant

The moving industry is a dynamic, ever changing landscape filled with amazing companies employing truly innovative techniques to separate themselves from the fierce competition out there. The AMSA, or American Moving and Storage Association, is a remarkable resource for all moving companies passionate about being the best, and they recently posted some interesting facts that really show how big of an industry moving really is.

AMSA reported that America’s moving industry directly employs 122,600 people and contributes $1.2 billion in taxes every year.  The industry generates $16.5 billion in annual revenue and spends $7 billion on equipment, materials, parts and supplies and services needed to conduct business.

$8.9 billion in household earnings and 353,000 jobs can be attributed to the moving and storage industry. With 8,100 companies conducting operations at 17,000 locations, moving and storage businesses stimulate the economy of every state in America.

While 96% of business establishments in the industry are small local businesses that earn less than $10 million annually and account for 72% of all industry jobs, 84% of all industry business establishments are micro-businesses that earn less than $1 million annually and account for 31% of all industry jobs.

The number of industry jobs is 1.6 times greater than the number of jobs in the auto manufacturing industry (2008) and 5.6 times greater than the industry of scheduled air freight transportation.

About Gentle Giant  Moving Company

We have been in business since 1980 serving New England, New York, Virginia, Washington DC, North Carolina, Seattle, and San Francisco.

We move over 12,000 families every year, and that number continues to rise as we expand locally and nationally.

We employ close to 500 people, a lot who have been here for more than 10 years. Gentle Giant is still run by its founder Larry O’Toole, the Original Gentle Giant.

We participate in dozens of activities and charities to support our local community, including the Gentle Giant Charitable Foundation, MoveForHunger, More Than Words, Everybody Wins Power Lunch, Shark Swims, the Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center, the Warrior Dash, and the East Cambridge Rib Fest, just to name a few. For more on our charitable work and community outreach, visit our web page at: http://www.gentlegiant.com/moving-companies/charitable-foundation.aspx

10 Questions You NEED to Ask Before Before Hiring a Mover

The entire moving process is long, complicated, and stressful, so the last thing you want to worry about hiring an unqualified, unprofessional moving company to move you and your family to your new home. This is why Gentle Giant has compiled a list of 10 Questions you NEED to ask while you are researching moving companies.  These questions will allow you to easily identify legit moving companies over other companies that cut several dangerous corners to keep their prices low.

To help, we have supplied Gentle Giant’s answers to each question.

1.) How do you select your employees?

Gentle Giant has an intensive interview process, complete with a full background check and a physical endurance test to make sure the candidate will make a successful Giant.

2.) Do you provide benefits for the movers?

Gentle Giant provides health and dental insurance, 401k, short and long term disability, as well as additional Health and Wellness benefits, including compensated gym membership.

3.) How many moves do you complete a year?

Across our national company, Gentle Giant completes over 13,000 moves every year. This number has continued to rise as we expand across the country and work closely with Realtors in the regions we work in.

4.) If there is a problem during the move, who will be handling it? Which department, individual, or a third party?

The Crew Chief’s Gentle Giant places in charge of moves are experienced, expert movers that have received extensive training which can often times can lead to the proper handling of claims right on the spot as they happen. However, if a problem needs further attention, Gentle Giant has a highly trained, in-house Quality Control Department that professionally and diligently handles every type of claim that comes in. In most cases, claims can be handled on the phone or in person by a handy Quality Control Field Representative, who can fix, repair, or replace almost anything.

5.) What type of estimates do you offer?

We offer hourly estimates and “not to exceed” estimates for local moves.  Binding estimates are offered for interstate moves.

6.)  Do you take credit cards?

Yes, as well as checks and cash.

7.) Are you (your company) a member of the American Moving and Storage Association, The Better Business Bureau, or are you listed as a Pro Mover?

Not only is Gentle Giant a part of the AMSA, but we were recognized by them as the Independent Mover of the Year in 2009. In all of Gentle Giant’s regions, we are members of the Better Business Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce.

8.) Does your company offer secure storage?

In all of Gentle Giant’s regions, we offer secure, fully insured storage options. Gentle Giant’s storage comes with a detailed inventory list for easy access to specific items in storage. Climate controlled storage is also available in most regions.

9.) Do you offer insurance for moving?

Gentle Giant offers Full Replacement Value Insurance, Actual Value Replacement Insurance, and a Basic Liability Insurance. Insurance options are carefully explained to each customer during the booking process, and can be changed on the day of the move with the job’s Crew Chief.

10.) What makes you different from all the other movers?

Gentle Giant has been a leader in the moving industry because of our intense focus on customer service, the athleticism of the crews we send out on jobs, and our 100% Money Back Guarantee. Unheard of in the industry, this Guarantee states that Gentle Giant customers are entitled to a 100% money back satisfaction guarantee for each member of their moving crew: packer, driver, local mover, or long distance mover.

We hope that this has been helpful, and if in the end you want to go with Gentle Giant in one of our regions, including San Francisco, Seattle, Charlotte, Washington DC, Lorton, VA, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts, then please call us at 1-800-442-6863 or Request an Estimate Online.