Thoughts From Eugene Lemay, Moishe's Moving and Storage CEO

Revlon Run/Walk

2009-05-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the EIF Revlon Run/Walk, and it's not too late to register. Late registration to walk the 5k trek is open until 6 PM tonight at the World of Disney Store in Times Square (711 Fifth Ave.). If you can't make it in time to register, Moishe's would love for you to make a donation to the event. It's an extremely worthwhile cause that has raised millions of dollars for cancer research and treatment.

The Moishe's team will be lining up bright and early tomorrow to show our support. At the end of the walk, be sure to stop by our booth just past the finish line in Central park. There will be a face painter, free lollipops and (hopefully) a lot of smiles. We look forward to seeing you there.

Moishe's on Crains New York

2009-04-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

I'd like to share a video news story that was carried by Crain's New York earlier this week. The story discusses the large number of middle class New Yorkers being pushed out of the city as a result of the recession, and Moishe's is featured prominently in the interview. We assisted Ms. Garcia in her move out of Manhattan, and were on hand the day that Reuter's came to speak with her about the decision to leave.

It's a sad story that we have seen a lot in the past months. We regret the fact that the city is losing so many wonderful members of the middle class community, but stay commited to our goal to offer those who must move the best relocation services available for a reasonable price. I've embedded the video of the story below.

Don't Forget the Revlon Run/Walk

2009-04-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

In case you missed my post on the subject last month, for the second year in a row Moishe's is sponsoring the upcoming Revlon Run/Walk for Cancer in New York. The event takes place on Saturday, May 2nd, and will be hosted by Jimmy Fallon. It's a 5k charity run/walk that has already raised millions of dollars for the research and quest for a cure of women's cancers.

Last year many of the Moishe's team not only volunteered for the event, but also participated in the walk. It was an amazing experience that gave us the chance to meet hundreds of men and women who's lives have been touched by cancer. Starting in Times Square and snaking up to the top of Central Park, the event is sure to be a morning no one will soon forget. If you're interested in joining Moishe's for this years walk or would like to make a donation to our team, you can do so by visiting the Run/Walk Website. it's a great cause, and we would love to have your support.

Passover, Easter and Spring Cleaning

2009-04-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

Next week marks Passover, and soon after that everyone will be celebrating Easter. This particular round of Holidays is always especially welcome in New York because they officially mark the start of spring and the end of the cold, miserable winter months. They also precede one of the most important American seasonal traditions - Spring Cleaning.

You know what I mean, that time of year when everyone decides to clear out the clutter, put away the bulky winter clothing to make room for shorts, tank tops and sports equipment. I've found that the Spring cleaning process in New York is especially important, since most of us are fairly short on space. If you've started the planning process for your big cleaning spree, you should consider investing in a storage space for the summer. Moishe's offers rooms of all shapes and sizes, and a few extra dollars a month is well worth the freedom of having some extra room in your closet or living space. You can visit our website for full details on the storage options we offer.

Getting the Conversation Started

2009-03-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

One of the main reasons I started writing this blog was to improve interactions with our customers. I started my career at Moishe's at the very beginning, and sometimes I miss the days when I interacted with the people we move on a day-to-day basis. During the first few months of keeping the blog, I got a rekindled sense of what that was like. Customers were commenting with questions, emailing me for advice at askgene@moishes.com, and I got the chance to answer those questions and solve issues when I could.

The past few months has seen that interaction tapering off, so I'd like to issue a renewed call to our customers that says, my door is always open (or my inbox, anyway). If you've ever got questions about your upcoming move or an issue you'd like to discuss with me directly, feel free to comment here at the blog or email at the address listed above. I look forward to hearing from you.

SXSW Interactive

2009-03-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

South by Southwest's Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas is one of the biggest technology events of the entire year. It's a place for heads of the industry to meet, network and debut the latest and greatest technologies. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to attend this years events, but I'm extremely interested in what the interactive technology experts can bring to the Moving and Storage business . . . and I've followed the news out of Austin closely all week.

In the past year, social networking sights like Blogger, Facebook, Myspace and most recently, Twitter have become vital tools for promoting Moishe's and interacting with our customers. I've been keeping this blog for more than half a year now, and it's been refreshing to have an outlet for sharing my thoughts on the company, the industry and the world in general. Our Facebook page is growing by the day and has become a place for employees and customers to half real-time interactions. But perhaps the most helpful new tool for us has been the Twitter account, where we're now offering daily moving tips, as well as up-to-the-minute deals on moving and storage.

World Class Customer Care

2009-03-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

One of the things I take a lot of pride in is the quality of Moishe's customer service team. We hand pick and train our customer service reps to be the best in not just the city, but we hope, the entire country. We understand that for a moving company, the most valuable tool we have is the referrals and word of mouth from our customers. And over the 20 plus years I've been with the company, I've made friends with hundreds of our customers who've moved with us five, six or ten times and have recommended us to their family and friends.

So as your moving day approaches, remember that our team is always available to help you with your problems and assist you through each step of the moving process. Whether you need tips on how to pack your apartment (you can find them on our website) or advice on which is the best day of the week to move - we'll be around. You can visit the Customer Care section of our site to learn more about our unbelievable staff and to find out how to contact us.

Our Special Rates Calendar

2009-03-06T09:41:00.000-08:00

At Moishe's, we're always looking for inventive new ways to help our customers save. And as the country slides further into a recession by the day - that dedication is more important than ever before. If you haven't discovered it already, the Special Rates Calendar on Moishe's website is a great way to save on moving day. It's just one of the many solutions we've devised to take some of the sting out of making a residential move.

Here's how it works. Every week someone from our sales department selects a handful of days and times when we will offer our customers a discounted rate. If you're currently planning a move and have a bit of flexibility in your schedule - these special rates are the perfect way to save some of your money to pay for something else. The dates and times for these special rates are always changing, so be sure to check in on the calendar often.

Revlon Run/Walk

2009-02-27T12:42:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to announce that Moishe's will be officially sponsoring The Revlon Run/Walk for Women in New York again this year. The charity 5k is the single largest fundraiser for women's cancer in the country, and this years May 2nd festivities will mark the second year in a row that Moishe's has lent a hand. To do our part, Moishe's has volunteered free transportation on the day of the event as well as providing free advertisement on the side of our Trademark red trucks.

Last year the Moishe's team had a blast walking from Times Square to the top of Central Park, and I'd strongly encourage all of you to join us this time around. The event raises millions of dollars to aid cancer research and awareness programs, and the experience of seeing so many survivors and family members of those lost is unbelievably powerful. If you're interested in registering or donating to the Revlon Run/Walk, you can do both through their website. You'll be hearing more from me on this subject in the weeks to come, so check back in closer to the date for full details.

Moishe's and the Oscars

2009-02-20T12:34:00.000-08:00

It's Oscar time, and Moishe's is celebrating a big year in the movie business. Over the last twelve months our trucks and movers have been featured in a number of major motion pictures, television shows and pilots - and we're certainly looking forward to Hollywood's big night as much as anyone.

Our PR department even had a little fun with the weekend's biggest event, releasing this press release on behalf of our trademark red truck. Needless to say, Red was more than a little upset he didn't receive an invitation for this year's awards ceremony. I hope everyone enjoys the weekend, and good luck in your Oscar pool.

Moishe's of Chicago

2009-02-13T08:48:00.000-08:00

Many people don't realize that Moishe's, although synonymous with New York City at this point, actually has locations across the country. Our services stretch all the way to the West Coast, and perhaps our biggest branch outside of New York is Moishe's of Chicago. Moishe's of Chicago offers commercial and residential moving services, as well as self storage and mobile storage. If you happen to find yourself living in the Greater Chicago Area and are in need of a moving and storage company you can trust, Moishe's is the best there is. To provide a bit of our background in Chicago, here is what the About Us Section of the Chicago Website has to say:

In 2000, Moishe’s Moving Systems decided it was time to spread its wings and set up home in Chicago, the hub of the Midwest and hometown to our President and CEO. In just a few short years, we have become ChicagoLand’s most respected moving company, with a perfect record with the State of Illinois and an outstanding report with the Better Business Bureau.

Please follow the above link for full details on Moishe's of Chicago and their many services.

Moishe's International

2009-02-06T09:27:00.000-08:00

When people ask me, "what's the most difficult type of move?" - it's a hard question to answer. Every move is different, and there are thousands of small factors that weigh in on the final product. Are you moving by yourself or as a couple? Do you have kids or no kids? What about pets? All of these details will make a move easier or more difficult, so I guess the most accurate answer is - it depends.

On the other hand though, one type of move that never fails to be a difficult path to navigate is an international relocation. Moving abroad - whether to Canada or Dubai - is a tricky thing. There's additional paperwork, Visa's have to be obtained and verified, the type of shipping needs to be determined and these are just the tip of the ice berg. So if someone asks me, "what type of move would you suggest to never try to pull off on your own?" my answer would invariably be an international one.

Moishe's has a team of international relocation experts that have handled the intricacies of moving abroad for years. We'll help you with the planning process, work through what makes the most sense for you and your family and personally ensure that you all make it to your new home safely and with everything you need. Visit our website today for full details on how Moishe's can make your international move simpler than you could ever imagine.

Facebook and Twitter

2009-01-30T11:53:00.000-08:00

Have you used Moishe's and been pleased with our services? Why not add us on Facebook then? We've created a corporate site where you can become a fan to learn about deals and special rates. We'll also keep you up on all the latest company news. In the past week we've posted links to our plug on The Daily Show and linked back to our YouTube video from last summer.

Another great way to keep up with Moishe's is following our Twitter account. We post to it at least once a day with tips for making a smoother move, industry news and the regular goings- on at our corporate headquarters in Jersey City. If you're one of the thousands of New Yorkers already Twittering, look us up!

Moishe's in the Media

2009-01-23T09:07:00.000-08:00

It's a funny thing, but Moishe's seems to just keep popping up in the media the past few weeks. We got a call early last week from the creator of a website who used one of our trucks in his comedy website Help Bush Pack. Then, I got another call this morning telling me that Jon Stewart had mentioned our movers on The Daily Show last night (if you follow the link, we're mentioned about 3:50 into the video).

Whether you agree with either of their politics, we're glad that Moishe's has developed such a reputation that when people think of movers, they think of us. We've been moving our customers for over 25 years now, and I've got to say that it's nice to get a little name recognition every once and awhile. I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Long Distance Moves

2009-01-19T13:36:00.000-08:00

Let's face it, moving day is always going to be stressful. There's a thousand things to take care of, cleaning to do, possessions to worry about, and adjustments that the entire family needs to make. Add relocating to a different state with a whole new climate to the mix and it gets even harder. Long-Distance moves are some of the hardest to execute correctly, and without a professional hand guiding you through interstate regulations and other logistical nightmares, it can put a strain on even the most solid families and relationships.

At Moishe's, we've been handling Long-Distance moves for more than 20 years. Since I've been CEO of the company, I'm proud to say that we've relocated customers from the New York Tri-State to almost every state in the intercontinental US. I'm also happy to say that we've moved almost as many people from outside states into the Tri-State. We've got the expertise and the experience to guarantee that all of your belongings will make it to your new home problem free and according to plan.

Large Room Storage

2009-01-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

Moishe's Large Room Storage is a perfect solution for anyone looking for extra office space, artistic space or storage space. Our large rooms, conveniently located for most of our customers living in the five buroughs, are designed to offer customers the convenience of a rental space, without the traditionally high cost of other alternatives in the city. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and price-ranges, ranging from 500 all the way to 10,000 square feet.

Rent a room for you or your business to keep your products, package and ship, work, or just store equipment. Our Large Rooms not only phone connections, but also electrical outlets, lighting, heat, and other amenities. Additionally, we allow our customers to tailor their room to their specific needs. For instance, outlet installation, Internet access and new lighting are all accepted. It's a completely flexible space that might be the perfect solution for your small business or artistic endeavors.

Happy New Year

2009-01-02T08:28:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from Moishe's! It's been a wonderful 2008 for us, and we're looking forward to making the next 12 months the best our customers have ever had. During the next year we've got a lot of things in store. We're rolling out new programs, new services and hopefully, welcoming new customers to the fold. Be sure to stay tuned to our website for full details on all of the exciting new ventures soon to come at Moishe's. That's all for now, but I hope that everyone enjoys a wonderful, exciting and fruitful 2009.

Moishe's on National Geographic.com

2008-12-19T08:21:00.000-08:00

There was a great post on The Green Room (a blog on National Geographic's website) today that's filled with tips for President-Elect Obama on choosing a moving company for his families relocation to The White House. In addition to mentioning Moishe's mid-way through the post, the author - Emily Main - provides some really great information on making your move more eco-friendly. Here's the blurb where Moishe's is mentioned -

"The average 18-wheeler gets an abysmal 5 to 6 mpg, which, for a 701-mile Chicago-to-Washington trip, spews about 1.5 tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Although quite a few local and in-state moving companies have switched to hyper-efficient trucks or ones that use renewable fuels (like Moishe's in New York City, Go Green Moving in Southern California and even Big Green Moving in the D.C. area), national companies haven't been as quick to follow suit."

I'd also like to say that this will be my last post before the Holiday break. To all of the Moishe's employees, as well as our customers and everyone else who may come across this blog - Happy Holidays. No matter where you're celebrating, I hope you have a very joyous start to the new year.

Office to Office Relocation

2008-12-12T09:34:00.000-08:00

One of the most overlooked parts of the moving business is office to office relocation. Moving to a new office is one of the most complex jobs we handle, and there are dozens of small details that are both difficult to handle and extremely costly if they go wrong. Every commercial relocation requires strategic planning, organization, and expert execution. Moishe's stays ahead of the competition through our network of experienced movers and our team of highly-qualified commercial relocation consultants.

We've been one of the most trusted business movers in the New York tri-state area for more than 20 years, and personally handled office moves for high profile New York based clients like the Howard Stern Show on Sirius radio and the Elie Wiesel Foundation. Whether you're moving to a new location in the city, upgrading to a larger office, or downsizing and moving to a smaller space - we've got what you need to handle the job smoothly. If you're currently in the market for a team of experts you can trust, have a look at our website for a complete list of credentials and more information.

Saving for the Holidays

2008-12-05T08:22:00.000-08:00

Winter may be the off-season for the moving industry, but there are still thousands of New Yorkers who will move between today and the start of the holidays. If you happen to be one of those people (or know someone who is) don't throw away money on packing materials that could go towards holiday spending. As part of our Going Green campaign, Moishe's created Moishe's Box Exchange Website. It's a free message board where anyone (yes, even non-Moishe's customers) can find free boxes and get rid of old ones after you've finished a move.

Our original intention was to help make moving greener, but as the country has turned headlong into a depression, it's taken on a new importance for New Yorkers planning a move. One of the first things I always hear from customers is their disbelief of how expensive moving boxes are. Taking advantage of Moishe's free box exchange is the perfect way to avoid the unnecessary cost, help out the environment and save a little extra cash for the holidays - all at the same time. And it's totally easy. Just follow the link, take a few moments to create an account, and you're on your way.

A Look Back

2008-11-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

Ever now and again I google Moishe's Moving - just to see what comes up. My curiosity was rewarded yesterday when I came across an article from 1988 that was published in The New York Times. The article, which is now an unbelievable 20 years old, profiles a younger version of the company, one that was only six years old and still figuring out it's place in the greater scheme of New York.

It talks a lot about the early years and how the company's founder, Moishe Mana, built it from the ground up. I've created a link to the entire article, but I think that this quote sums up how humble the company's beginnings really were:

"Mr. Mana's odyssey began with a bench for a bed in Washington Square Park. His first job was washing dishes. (All those broke, proud Americans whose minds are screaming, ''Give me a break!'' are advised to spare themselves and exit about here.) From street sales he drifted into construction work for an Israeli contractor who was short on cash. They struck a deal that withheld Mr. Mana's wages against a better day, but gave him the use of his employer's mini-van at night to scare up pocket money."

That van was the very first Moishe's Moving truck - and it's stories like this that make Moishe's such a cool place to work.

The New Feedback Form

2008-11-14T09:24:00.000-08:00

Any of you who've recently visited Moishe's Website may have noticed a new addition to the bottom right-hand corner. This week we created a simple and easy-to-use feedback tab for our customers. The tab was designed to ensure that the website is always up and functioning to the liking of all of our customers.

If you ever attempt to go to one of our blogs, our green resources page or the promotional discount calendar and encounter a bug, now you can report the trouble with the click of a button. The feedback form is separated into six sections. The top feature allows you to rate how you feel about the site overall. The other buttons direct you to a place where pointed issues or criticisms can be addressed, focusing on - Bugs, Site Content, Suggestions, Compliments and Other Issues. Be sure to keep the feedback tab in mind the next time your sifting through the Moishe's site. Have a great weekend everyone.

Taking the Guess Work out of Buying Supplies

2008-11-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

One of the complaints I get most often from customers is that they can't decide how many packing supplies they need. Our Box Exchange Website is a great way to cut back on waste and get boxes for free, but what about when you're handling a really large move or can't find free boxes? The truth is that the country is in a recession, no one has a lot of money to spare, and - most people can't afford to shell out money for supplies that won't get used. Tape, labels, packing peanuts and boxes are all going up in price each year, and Moishe's has come up with a solution to help make it easier to know exactly how many materials you need.

On the Buy Boxes section of our website, we've created a number of stress-free supply packages that take the guess work out of preparing for your move. Whether you're planning a move into your first dorm room, a three bedroom apartment or a new office space for your small business - we've got a specialized package that makes it simple. Just select the icon that matches your move, and we'll handle the rest. I've gotten a lot of positive feedback on these packages, and I hope that you find them helpful, too.

Halloween and Election Day

2008-10-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

No matter who you support in next Tuesday's Presidential election, I think we can all agree that it's important to exercise the right to vote. It's been a rough year for the moving industry, and the country as a whole - and let's hope that no matter the outcome, choosing the next President is the first step to getting the country back on it's feet. I personally encourage all of the employees at Moishe's, as well as the rest of you to find the time on the Fourth to cast your ballot. After all, doesn't the saying go - "If you don't vote, you don't have the right to complain?"

Happy Halloween everyone, and I hope you have a great weekend.

Moishe's Cares

2008-10-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

One of the things we take very seriously at Moishe's is our role as a member and active participant in the New York Tri-State Community. Over the years, we've given back to that community in a number of ways, and the long list of charities and fundraising events in which we've participated is something we're proud of. From our work this year at the Revlon Run/Walk for Cancer and the Tribeca Film Festival's Family Day Fair to our years of work for the NY Cares Coat Drive, Moishe's has been involved with charitable causes across the map.

We're always looking for ways to get involved, assist and give back to the community. If you would like to learn more about Moishe's active role in the area, please feel free to visit the Moishe's Cares Section of our website.