Mustard Seed Moving Co

"As an owner-operator, one of the perks of my operational structure is that I personally get to work alongside my crew on all jobs. This allows me to have true insight into the day-to-day operations and job details. I can say that, without a doubt, this was a tough move due to apartment/truck access-issues and terrible weather. This move was performed on the same day that central texas flooded -- October 30th, 2015 -- with major roads such as 1560 and 1604 closed at times due to flooding. The Angie's List member requested that the job stay on-schedule for that morning, if possible, despite the 100% chance of rain and river flood warning in the forecast. We agreed to keep the move on schedule, but we had our guard up during the move for weather-related problems. Torrential rains had come in the night before, and the sidewalks at the apartment complex were mostly covered in mud and water. Every route out of her basement-level unit was slick and dirty to some degree. Scattered showers occurred during the job, and we were constantly planning to make sure that the smartest decisions were made to get the furniture to her new unit without getting anything wet. Items that we normally could have just carried out bare had to be padded with moving pads, which took extra time, but was in the interest of keeping everything dry and spot-free. Truck parking was much less than ideal, with a steep ramp, 300 feet of walking distance, ~12 stairs up, and one step down. We hand-selected certain important items to move directly to the new apartment (a unit within the same complex) when there wasn't rain falling, to make sure that they never had a chance to get wet, and to help the truck load up faster with the simpler items to load. Walking directly to the new unit was the longer route, but it allowed for us to get the furniture from A to B in-between rainshowers, which was important to us. This move would definitely have been faster if there had not be the weather conditions threatening to disrupt our operations, and without the mud everywhere from washed-out landscaping. This was a tough day for us, but I can gladly say that we made it through with 0 injuries to the staff and 0 damages to furniture or property, and pretty clean floors and carpet at each dwelling. Additionally, I think it is important to note that this move actually took 4.25 hours of work time, and 1 hour of drivetime (to/from the jobsite). The core bill with labor and supplies ($7) was for $664, not the $900 that the Angie's List member stated in the review details. In addition to the $664, she elected to purchase $84 in OPTIONAL additional insurance on 3 antiques, and she provided an OPTIONAL gratuity of $100 for the 3 of us to split, for a total payout of $848. Our paperwork specifies that tipping is never expected, always appreciated, and that it is equally split between the entire crew. Many people don't think of moving as a "tipping" industry, so the "tipping" paragraph of our paperwork helps to keep the crews' income where it should be, if they work hard and earn it. Last of all, to address the tape complaint, the roll cost $1.75, plus tax, and the Angie's List member can keep the remnants for personal use. It can be more time-consuming for us to hunt around for a misplaced tape-roll than it is for us to simply open a new one and keep busy. In summary, I'm sorry that you felt the move took too long, but it was the nature of the day. If I could go back and do it again with better weather and write-up a smaller bill in the end, I certainly would."

"Dear Angie's List Member, When you called our business, you received a voicemail greeting that explained that we are not able to return most phone calls, and that provided an email address through which we could communicate -- [email protected]. We get so many calls that, unfortunately, we have to use email in order to respond to everyone in a timely manner, and to stay organized and keep good track of what pre-move discussions with have with clients. The times of the day that I am able to respond to emails are usually after 9 PM and before 7 AM -- not great times for phone calls! I'm sorry that, for whatever reason, you decided not to email me, and that we were not able to be part of your move. I do not feel that I deserve an F, since my voicemail states that you should email us, and you chose not to. Hopefully the other Angie's List members will use this review to help them realize the importance of communicating with us by email in order to obtain our service. We wish that we could take every call, but as a small, owner-operated company, I personally assist ON-SITE with most moves, and my customers prefer that I focus on their move, rather than taking calls during their job, especially since we charge by the hour. I do not desire to have a secretary taking calls, and I am content with our current workload and system of handling inbound requests by email, since I get to personally answer all of your questions, and there is not the typical breakdown in communication that happens when more people are added to the communication chain. We talk by email, and then I come to your house on move day and meet you in person, and help with your move. Nice and simple! Please note that all voice messages are listened to, but only urgent calls for same- or next-day service are responded to by phone, as are calls from existing customers that need to discuss something important about a previous move or future move that is already booked with us. Sincerely, Andrew Sengler Founder, Owner, Operator, Driver, Mover, Instructor"