Non-Peak Season and Household Goods Shipping

Moving during the warm and sunny peak season may be the most popular choice. However, there are many benefits to relocating during the non-peak months. As the busy season slows down, the demand for moving and relocation needs drops, making a direct impact on pricing and scheduling. Timelines are easier to create and follow, and suppliers are competitive with pricing by lowering their rates. This is extremely apparent in household goods shipping (HHG).

The Struggle for Drivers

For the past 15 years, the number of drivers in America has continuously decreased for multiple reasons. One example being that the average age of the American truck driver is 55 years old and that age continues to increase. The minimum age to hire a new truck driver is 21, making it challenging to replace retired drivers. Also, while 47% of all U.S. workers are female, only 6% of drivers are women. While efforts are being made to correct the shortage of drivers in industries across the board, not much has been done to correct the issue in the moving and relocation world.

Receiving More Attention from Movers

Locating qualified household good drivers remains a grapple in itself; adding the busy peak season to the mix creates another issue, making it next to impossible to implement a smooth relocation. If the transferring employee doesn’t schedule a pickup and delivery of household goods at least 6 weeks in advance, the chances of using the desired vendor and timeline are slim. This typically creates frustration for the transferring employee, due to a lack of a concrete schedule and delayed timeline.

While it’s still strongly suggested to coordinate early with your mover in every situation, there tends to be more flexibility during the non-peak season. Relocations during this time period permit the transferring employee to create a schedule and have their choice of vendor. Drivers and movers also have more time to dedicate to one move, paying more attention to how HHG items are packaged and transported. When this happens, the overall relocation process is smoother and more enjoyable for the relocating employee.

The Decrease in Fees and Rates

The increased demand for drivers throughout the entire shipping industry leads to increased moving fees. Oftentimes, cost plays a large part in the selection of van lines for household goods shipping. During peak-season, HHG movers are very busy and it is reflected in their fees. With such high demand, drivers and coordinators can charge at a much higher rate. To mitigate this increase, WHR developed MMP™, which allows van lines to bid for each move at or below a negotiated single-factor rate. Coupled with satisfaction and claims statistics, WHR chooses the best van line for the individual move.

As late September starts, rates and fees begin to drop, and moving companies can lower their rates by at least 30%. This is a time that van lines can be competitive in pricing to make sure they receive shipments. Not only can a transferring employee be more in charge of their schedule, but they have one less stressor to worry about!

While there are pros and cons to relocating in all seasons, one must remember that not every situation is the same. Household goods shipping can be a stressful process, and it is important for both the employer and the relocation management company (RMC) to be empathetic to their needs.