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Gentle Giant Moving Company
Rating Details »
29 Harding St
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 661-3333
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 661-3333
$25 of Free Boxes and Materials!
Mention Yelp when booking a move with Gentle Giant Moving & Storage and qualify for $25 worth of free boxes, paper, tape, bubble wrap, etc.
- Hours:
Mon-Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
21 reviews for Gentle Giant Moving Company
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
8/17/2007
7/19/2009
6/15/2009
8/29/2009
8/28/2009
7/27/2009
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7/22/2009
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7/24/2007
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4/3/2007
8/28/2005
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1/19/2009
One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
Gentle Giant rocks.
If you have stuff you care about, want your things to be moved on time and arrive when you expect it, call these guys. Yeah, they aren't cheap but after dealing with so many crappy movers, the extra money is well-worth the reduction in stress.
I moved cross-country from Boston to SF with GG and they exceeded my expectations. I didn't have a firm date so they would call me periodically to let me know they had another truck going out and if I was ready they would load me up.
Once I arrived in SF, they came 2 days ahead of schedule. Yeah, let me know of another moving company that does that.
Not only that, they are nice, personable and just plain good guys.
I've moved with Gentle Giant twice, and was very pleased both times at the miracle of things being suddenly in my new apartment and my muscles and back not hurting one bit.
The good:
(1.) Availability - I expected them to not be available for some of the moves (end-of-month weekend)
(2.) Pace - the crews worked quickly, and seemed dedicated to getting the work done without wasting time
(3.) Care - they wrapped all furniture and delicate items, asked how I would like things handled
The bad:
(1.) Big trucks (part 1) - the smallest truck is 30 feet, so Gentle Giant is not ideal for someone who can move renting a U-Haul, so if you have very few items to move you still end up paying for a large truck
(2.) Big trucks (part 2) - usually requires a truck/moving permit, which is additional ~$90 (in Boston)
(3.) Boxes -- quite pricey, even the used ones (about $2.50 for small boxes). They do offer a repurchase program, but for something like 25 cents per box. Now I have a boxfull of boxes waiting for my next move.
Bonus:
(1.) As we entered our new apartment, one of the crew members pointed out scratches in the floor at my new place -- something I wouldn't have noticed, and something that could have been an issue with the landlord if I hadn't reported it on the move-in condition form.
(2.) Centralized lost and found -- just call if you can't find a particular box in your apartment, they will patiently check the truck while you locate the box somewhere under other boxes in your kitchen
Overall:
The crews I had contact with were very expeditious and nice, the coordinators were patient and informative, the moves were done without me dislocating shoulders or having sore muscles for a week.
Flippant and Rude- the representative from Gentle Giant was beyond condescending and difficult to work with.
The company (or so this rep states) refuses to send anyone in for an in-person estimate. I filled out the paperwork online and was told we have over 7,000 pounds. In 700 square feet. 7,000 pounds in 3 rooms. Really?
I was given an $8,000 quote.
I called 2 other national moving companies who were more than happy to come do an in-person estimate within days of my inquiry. Both of their reps said I had about 4,000 pounds. They gave me MUCH more reasonable estimates.
I emailed the Gentle Giant rep back, telling him 2 other companies came in and said I had 4,000 pounds. Could he please send a rep in to do an in-person estimate? Afterall, I have sold a few things and my husband took quite a bit when he went down to our new home last weekend.
The rep then wrote back this flippant email telling me there is NO way I have 4,000 pounds and that I have no idea what I'm talking about or who I am dealing with and they are TOO BUSY to have reps do in-home estimates.
I'm pretty shocked that they have won "Best of Boston" for so many years. Their customer service was less than stellar, in my experience.
Edit: I have moved. Final weight? 3100 pounds. A pretty far cry from 8,000, doncha think, GG?
I really can't afford these movers, but was desperate for good and quick service that I figured- well why not? They were to arrive between 12 and 4, and called at 12:30pm telling me they would arrive within the next 30 minutes, that was great. I've never had movers actually come during the first hour I was allotted. There were two guys- very friendly, personable and actually funny. For a first floor, studio apartment- it was an easy move but probably cost the same as a difficult one. Is Gentle Giant probably the best movers in Boston? Yeah. But can you get the same service cheaper? Probably. But I'm not worried for one second about anything that is in storage.
I hate Gentle Giant. The only time I moved in my life my parents hired them for a Cambridge to Cambridge move. Yes, they were extremely friendly and efficient in the moving...But I was more than heartbroken and pissed off to find that my autographed Patriots hat (entire team) was stolen. I won that in a raffle and who knows the sentimental value and economical value of that/!?! THE PATRIOTS?! Did I complain? No, because I knew it wouldn't do any good. Who would actually admit to stealing it? Instead I will warn you guys to pack your valuables yourself- I had them come pack everything and I can see the temptation they must have had passing my hat through their hands. So, BE CAREFUL and try a different company. I am using Road Warrior next week and this time I spoke with friends and family to make sure this stuff didnt fly. Wish me luck!
edit: hours after writing this review someone from GG contacted me to see if there was anything they could do to resolve this issue. Unfortunately my move was years ago, so I learned my lesson to complain earlier, but I move them up to 3 stars for putting in the effort to make things better.
$700 for a move (1st floor to 1st floor) 10 minutes away for a single person? I think not. The only people using this service have lots of disposable $$.
These guys moved me from Seattle seven months ago and were great. The Seattle crew was especially good and helped me pack and feel comfortable with the process. While their prices were higher - it is the first time there was no damage to anything! This is substantial as I have moved across the country 5 times. There were no surprises in cost and the stuff in storage was well cared for and ready when I needed it ...
I love Gentle Giant. After having the WORST MOVING EXPERIENCE EVER with Blueline (see my review for details), this place is the best. Amazing customer service, very responsive, and so friendly. They really know their stuff. All their movers are in shape, fast, efficient and speedy, yet they treat all your furniture and belongings with care and I didn't have a single scratch or crack on anything they've moved. They moved me from a tiny apartment in Beacon Hill and I was seriously impressed with how quickly they got the moving permits, didn't take chances with my stuff and just how freaking NICE they were.
Yes, they are expensive. However, they are more reliable than any moving company I've ever experienced and quote accurately (they even managed to come in under what they quoted me). You are so much better off going with a pricey but professional and well-known company than some Joe Schmoe with a Van who quote cheaply but damages your furniture, underquotes you or doesn't show up. Gentle Giant rocks!
I've move twice across country and once up I-95 from Philly to Boston, so have had a complete set of moving experiences. Gentle Giant may seem expensive, but that's only if you don't count the wonderful extras you get from other moving companies such as:
- waiting around on your ass for hours when the movers don't show up when they are supposed to
- watching them ding up your wall while ineptly trying to get your couch/TV/armoire through the narrow stairwell
- waiting around on your ass for hours longer than you should because the company tried to save a buck and send two skinny hipsters to finish the move, so it took twice as long
- and my favorite - unexpected charges at the end of the move
My moving experiences before GG were mediocre, not the horror stories I've heard from other friends and colleagues.
But the experience with GG on the move that just wrapped yesterday was by far one of the best service experiences I've ever had. Professional from top to bottom, on time from the first appointement, through packing, loading and unloading. The guys were really careful - maybe even more careful than I am with some of my things. Furthermore, they were an utter pleasure to deal with.
Giles led the crew for us in Boston and Oakland, and was superb to have around. Not just professional but a really nice guy with integrity.
In short, the most stressful part of a move is usually the move itself and the movers that you hire. Gentle Giant made it beyond stress free. Not only would I use them again in a second, I may go out of my way to try to use them for a move in the Bay Area when they have a crew in town.
I've used Gentle Giant for two moves, and both experiences were stellar. They may not be the cheapest option, but I'll never use another company -- the level of customer service and professionalism is completely worth it.
One reason is the level of detail they collect to create the estimate -- there were no surprises when the job was done because they took the time to accurately figure how much we had to move, how many movers would be required, and how long the job would take.
Another reason is the excellent service. Moving is always stressful, but GG provides checklists and tools beforehand to help prepare for the big day. And I am really impressed with the people they hire. The crew was on time, organized, fast, careful, and remarkably patient -- even when they had to disassemble our dining room table to get it in the house, or move a couple of bookcases (up and down stairs) before we decided where we wanted them.
I had heard LOADS about Gentle Giant movers, mostly positive. As most people in Beacon Hill will tell you, it takes talented movers to get couches out of buildings with the most narrow and crooked staircases ever seen and no elevators. Because I lived in a 4th floor walk up with the aforementioned problems I thought that it would be wise to choose a more experienced mover for more money and just deal.
That is until I got the bill.
I moved 2 1/2 blocks. Just for clarity 2 1/2 BLOCKS!!! I have a couch, a love seat, a chest of drawers, two tables, a TV and a mirror. THAT IS IT. All the rest I moved with friends hoping to cut down on how long they would be and save a bit of money.
They charged me $764.
They got permits costing $75 each to park outside of each building, without my permission (I could have told them that no one pays attention to those signs and it was a waste of money if they had asked!) They then insisted on having the cars in the marked spots towed and said they HAD TO WAIT- tacking an extra 3 1/2 hours onto my move that should have taken 45 minutes.
I am still so angry!
They did move everything well and with care though. Now I am moving again and I don't know what to do. If anyone knows of a good company that won't completely RIP ME OFF, I would appreciate it!
We have used them a couple of time in past 4+ years and they have always been great. The staff is very knowledgeable and professional and you don't feel like they are trying to do anything but move you in the most efficient way possible.
They also have all the necessary equipment to make the move work. We had a little tear in some piece of linen and they reimbursed us immediately with no questions asked.
We also needed some help with a larger that didn't make down the stairs, they got a crane in no time and took it out the window.
I can't say enough good things about them. We had two guys and they far surpassed the four movers we had a week earlier (whose job GG was finishing). They were super friendly, funny, and seemed like they'd done it all before. Great communicating and totally adept at putting the customer at ease. They offered to take anything and everything. I hadn't originally hired them due to cost, but they ended up being cheaper than the company who screwed up the original job, and I would've saved by just going with them from the get go, which I will undoubtedly do next time I have to move. Class act all around.
On September 1, Gentle Giants is expensive. Newsflash of the century. But they tell you their prices upfront and even give you an estimate based on how much crap you have to move and where you're moving to/from. I paid big bucks to have them move all my furniture from my third floor apartment in the North End to my studio in Fenway, but it was entirely worth it.
I was told that they would arrive between 12 and 4. (They assign you a moving coordinator -- mine was very sweet and professional.) They arrived at 12 almost on the dot (which was fantastic due to an unanticipated realtor-related crisis I had to deal with that morning).
I was very impressed by: 1) the friendliness of the movers, 2) the speed with which the whole affair was completed (about 3.5 hours), and 3) the fact that when the movers had loaded my things onto the truck, they literally jogged back up into my apartment to get more. And although they must have been exhausted, when they moved my furniture into my new apartment, they jogged back out to the truck to get more! They didn't waste my money one bit.
September 1 is probably the most obnoxious day of the year. Although GG are expensive, it was entirely worth it to me to not have to deal with Moving Hell. They're friendly, professional, and I would recommend them to anyone who hates moving and believes that passing the headache off to somewhere else is worth the princely fee. :)
If you are tired of dealing with unprofessional, and at times, unreliable movers, you should try Gentle Giant. I've used them twice and I have not been disappointed. They have one of the most professional, service-oriented staff that I have ever worked with. You are assigned a dedicated representative who will help you with all your questions and provide you with the logistics of your move. These folks are experienced and think of things that you may not when it comes to moving. Of course, none of this high quality service and work comes cheap. While on the higher end for moving costs, the significant reduction in stress and agony of a move is well worth the extra money.
I helped a friend with packing for a move and he had hired Gentle Giant for the move. I was really impressed with their professionalism and friendliness and all around helpfulness. I can't speak to how much it cost as I don't know how they compare to other movers, but their service is incredible. My friend says they were very up-front about all costs and very clear about what/when they would do things.
I'm actually thinking of marrying my movers. My last move (from New York City to Cambridge) was really unpleasant so when I had to move again (this time from Cambridge to Somerville) I was dreading it. I had heard that Gentle Giant was "the most expensive" but also "the best" of the nearby moving companies.
All I needed to hear was "best". After my horrific moving experience last year, I figured it was worth a little extra cash. I didn't shop around, but I found the overall price ($475 for a two-man team plus packing supplies) to be much more reasonable than I had expected considering their "most expensive" reputation.
Everything went so smoothly, it was a dream move. Everyone I talked to on the phone was courteous and straight-forward from the Box Express delivery service to the woman who checked in with me the day before my move was to take place.
The guys that moved me were pleasant and friendly (even made conversation with my new neighbors as they heaved my furniture into the new place), very efficient (when they came to tell me they were done, I said, "Really? Like, all done? Already?") and accommodating. My belongings were treated with care and I felt well-taken care of.
It may not be entirely fair to give these folks only 3 stars, seeing as how I didn't use them, but for a 1 bedroom apartment, and a move of only 1 mile, with not a lot of furniture (a 10' truck would get lonely they're be so little stuff), I got quoted 6-8 hours & $1200-1700. I thought that might be useful information for folks looking to book Gentle Giants.
Good service, reliability and skill. Prices in the off season (no time anywhere near Sept 1) are reasonable. They moved me from Wakefield to Brighton for $350 dollars. Not too shabby.
I recommend these movers because they are honest. I have moved many times anf so far they have been the bset do far
GG has moved me twice, and they are worth every penny. Extremely professional in every respect and amazing service. I would not consider anyone else for a local move, and their out-of-state costs are competitive with other carriers.
