Safeway Moving vs. International Van Lines (2024 Comparison)
Quick answer: In our Safeway Moving vs. International Van Lines comparison, Safeway Moving wins out for their transparent flat-rate pricing, customer-friendly quoting process, and reliable long-distance services.
While International Van Lines is more versatile, their higher costs and dependence on subcontractors for some moves can lead to mixed experiences. Safeway’s simplicity and affordability make them a better choice for most domestic moves.
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Jump to the round you want to compare:
Compare customer experiences
Choosing a moving company is easier when you have real customer feedback to compare. moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project captures detailed accounts of moving experiences, providing insight into what works well and what challenges customers face with companies like Safeway Moving and International Van Lines.
Safeway Moving
A few of Safeway’s customers highlighted their professional packing and straightforward pricing as being top-notch, but there were also some challenges with communication and inflexible payment methods.
Customer praises
- Careful handling of valuables: Melissa was pleased with Safeway’s careful attention to her fragile cabinets and bins, which suffered minimal damage.
- Straightforward pricing: Laurel appreciated Safeway’s transparent pricing, which gave her confidence that there wouldn’t be unexpected cost increases after her initial estimate.
- Timely execution: Joshua noted that Safeway stuck to their delivery window, making it to his new home right on time.
Customer complaints
- Inconsistent communication: Shannon was frustrated with Safeway’s limited responsiveness during her move, particularly when she was trying to confirm details about her schedule.
- Limited payment options: Shannon was also inconvenienced by Safeway’s refusal to accept credit cards or checks, requiring her to get multiple money orders to pay for her move.
- Overpacking: Laurel reported that some of her smaller belongings were unnecessarily packed in oversized boxes, which made unpacking more inconvenient and wasted space on the moving truck.
rating
4.85 / 5
89% of users select this mover
International Van Lines
International Van Lines’ customer reviews suggest they usually deliver reliable service, with customized assistance and competitive rates. On the other hand, some customers said their final costs were higher than their quote, and their communication and standard services were lacking.
Customer praises
- Personalized assistance: Suresh noted that International Van Lines provided helpful suggestions for improving the packing and loading process, which made his move more efficient.
- Competitive pricing: Fabiana chose IVL because they fell within her budget and offered better rates than the competition.
- Minimal damage: Suresh was impressed that his fragile glassware wasn’t damaged during the move.
Customer complaints
- Inaccurate estimates: Mary experienced a 30% increase from her original quote, which was frustrating and unexpected.
- Limited service inclusions: Suresh was surprised that packing services weren’t included in his quote, but he adapted by packing himself and didn’t mind the extra effort. It’s important to note here that most full-service movers only offer packing and unpacking as an add-on option, not as part of their standard packages. This means your quote with International, Safeway, or another moving company will likely not include packing services.
- Pickup/delivery communication: Mary mentioned that getting a quote was easy, but communication regarding pickup and delivery could’ve been better.
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Compare company reputation
Safeway Moving
- BBB rating: B–
- moveBuddha rating: 4.85/5
- Average Better Movers rating: 4.3/5
Safeway Moving has earned a reputation for reliability and affordability. They consistently score high with customers on moveBuddha for their simplicity and transparent pricing.
While their BBB score reflects some unresolved customer disputes, Safeway’s strong customer reviews and positive word-of-mouth make them a trustworthy choice for long-distance moves.
International Van Lines
- BBB rating: A+
- moveBuddha rating: 4.45/5
- Average Better Moves rating: 4.17/5
International Van Lines (IVL) enjoys an A+ BBB rating, underscoring their strong track record in customer service and dispute resolution. Despite their slightly lower moveBuddha score, IVL is praisedpraised for their comprehensive offerings on domestic and international moves.
Round winner: Safeway Moving edges out International Van Lines here. While IVL has a higher BBB rating, Safeway’s solid moveBuddha ratings highlight Safeway’s stellar reputation.
Compare services
Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving specializes in long-distance and interstate relocations, providing full-service packing, unpacking, GPS tracking, and up to 30 days of free storage for interstate moves.
Their emphasis on flat-rate pricing and transparent service makes them a dependable choice for straightforward relocations. While Safeway prioritizes international moves, they offers limited local and international services based on availability.
International Van Lines
International Van Lines offers an extensive range of services, including local, long-distance, and international moves. IVL’s standout offerings include vehicle shipping, fragile-item packing, and government and military relocations.
However, their use of subcontractors for some routes can lead to variable service quality. IVL is best suited for complex or specialized moves that need tailored solutions.
Round winner: International Van Lines takes this round for its broader service offerings and global reach, while Safeway remains a strong option for simple long-distance moves within the U.S.
Compare state availability
Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving provides services across all 50 states, offering consistent coverage for long-distance and cross-country moves. While they focus on domestic relocations, Safeway handles some international moves, and depending on the route, they can accommodate some local moves.
International Van Lines
International Van Lines also operates in all 50 states, with extensive long-distance services and local services in select areas. As their name suggests, IVL shines in the international department, offering relocation services to more than 180 countries. This makes IVL one of the most versatile moving companies in the industry.
Round winner: International Van Lines wins the round for their international reach, but Safeway Moving’s domestic availability makes them equally reliable for moves in the US.
Compare cost structure
Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving is known for their flat-rate pricing, which eliminates hidden fees and provides customers with accurate binding estimates. Their video survey process ensures transparency, and customers frequently praise the affordability of their services.
Safeway also offers military discounts and a price-matching guarantee, making them an even more valuable pick.
International Van Lines
International Van Lines typically provides binding estimates after a phone consultation or virtual walkthrough. They also offer discounts but don’t have a price-matching guarantee.
While IVL offers competitive pricing for their range of services, customers have noted higher costs for international moves and unexpected price adjustments when subcontractors are involved.
Round winner: Safeway Moving wins for their predictable and budget-friendly pricing model, making them a better fit for customers who prioritize cost transparency.
Compare quote process
Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving simplifies the quote process with virtual surveys, providing binding estimates that ensure accuracy and transparency. This customer-friendly approach is often highlighted in reviews as one of Safeway’s key strengths.
rating
4.85 / 5
89% of users select this mover
International Van Lines
International Van Lines requires a phone call or virtual consultation to provide binding estimates. While the process is thorough, the use of subcontractors in some regions can sometimes lead to discrepancies between the estimate and final cost, which frustrates customers.
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Round winner: Safeway Moving wins for their quick reliable quoting process, which minimizes surprises and builds trust with customers.
Safeway Moving vs. International Van Lines: Final score
International Van Lines is a top choice for international moves, thanks to their extensive service offerings and global reach. However, Safeway Moving takes the overall win for its straightforward pricing, dependable long-distance services, and higher customer satisfaction. Safeway Moving is the smarter, more budget-friendly option for most domestic moves.
| Comparison category | Round winner |
|---|---|
| Company reputation | Safeway Moving |
| Services | International Van Lines |
| State availability | International Van Lines |
| Cost structure | Safeway Moving |
| Quote process | Safeway Moving |
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