Tom Trucker

Used Tom Trucker (based on the Unilocal recommedations) to move from Bathurst & Claxton to Bathurst & Lakeshore, a few kilometers away on March 1, 2011.
Pros: Very pleasant service on the phone. Showed up on time. Wrapped large furniture in saran wrap like plastic. Disassembled bed, and assembled again.
Cons: Showed up with three movers although we only asked for two and then said three would cost $ 110 an hour and get the job done faster. The move took 4.5 hours with three workers moving a 1bdrm apartment with no dining room into a 2 bdrm condo. They got lost and did not call our cell phone, and therefore wasted 30 minutes of our time (which we had to still pay for). Broke our mirror even though they wrapped it. Dirtied our couch and mattress, even though they were wrapped, by dragging them on the ground. One of the workers talked incessantly, argued with the others and used our bathrooms repeatedly (about 10 times — we kid you not). The others took several smoke breaks.
So even though they had 3 workers, one to load and unload, and two to carry, we basically only saw one toilet using dude dragging and bringing in our stuff. Probably because they simply did not get along. We had also moved all of our clothing and and several car loads of items out ourselves the previous day to make it easier for the movers.
Completely not worth it, and we would NEVER use or recommend this company to anyone else.

This was my first experience using movers — prior to this move I’d successfully moved to nine apartments with the help of friends and pizza parties — so I have little to compare it to.
When three friends helped me move the same amount of stuff to my last apartment, the move took 2.5 hours. With two moving professionals it took 3.5 hours plus thirty minutes’ travel time to the new place. I was anticipating that it’d take less than three hours and would cost about $ 250 but it ended up costing $ 400 plus tip. I still haven’t figured out the math but that seems like a lot more than I was quoted. Whatever — at least I didn’t have to lift a box, right?
The movers were almost half an hour late but luckily I wasn’t in a rush to get out of my current place or into my new one. The two guys, Nathan and Jordan, were very friendly and professional and had done many, many moves before this one.
I’m pretty sure part of the reason the move took so long was because they wrapped so much of stuff in blankets and bubble — a lot of it unnecessarily. The instructions that I gave were basic — nothing was really fragile and certainly nothing was antique or vintage. Just throw it in the truck and let’s go. At one point I saw one of the guys wrapping my shitty 1980s 19″ TV as if it was a rare Faberge Egg — this is the same TV that I couldn’t shake on Craigslist for $ 20.
They didn’t bring the standing wardrobes as advertised and also requested — because of this I had to wrap my hanging clothes in garbage bags at the last minute and most of them barely it into my new closet intact — everything kept falling off the hangers and onto the floor. Needless to say this was a huge nuisance. I was most looking forward to seeing this marvel of moving.
The movers aren’t insured to bring you to your new apartment as a passenger in their truck, so if like most people in the city you don’t have access to a car, be prepared to take a cab or beg a friend (my method) to drive you to your new apartment. I didn’t know about this rule so luckily a friend was able to pull through at the last minute. If the moving company beats you there they won’t get started till you arrive so it’s worth it to leave a little earlier than they do.
Nothing was broken or damaged and I was overall happy with the move — just wish it had taken less time and not been so pricey. Be prepared to spend more than you had anticipated and you’ll be OK.
Also, try to have water or some other beverage handy for the movers — they were sweating up a storm and it was 30C outside (and probably in my apartment as I’d already turned off the A/​C), and I had packed all my glasses and had nothing to drink. So think ahead on this one!
Payment by cash or cheque (tip only by cash).

I moved this past weekend and hired Tom Trucker for the second time and was, once again, super happy with the job they did. They’re friendly, affordable, flexible and extremely knowledgeable… it may sound corny but they treat every customer like family and in the city, that’s hard to come by.
When booking, the phone rep has always been extremely helpful and friendly — covering all the bases so there are no surprises come moving day. How much stuff do you have, what size truck would you prefer, do you need wardrobes, etc, etc. When you call you may get the answering machine but don’t be put of! They don’t advertise anywhere but word-​of-​mouth recommendations mean they’re always busy but no fear, they will get back to you and you won’t regret it!
On moving day, the movers arrived right on time — 2 guys in total. One of them had helped me move a couple of years ago and remembered me and where I’d lived before, which was great (especially since I was moving back to that area). Really nice guys — friendly and polite without letting it slow them down. They did a quick assessment of how much and what kind of stuff I had and then got right to it. I have a fair amount of furniture (big pieces too) so there’s always some tricky maneuvering to be done but they do it quickly and efficiently without any problems. They also ask all the right questions when loading and unloading and take care to shrink wrap and blanket everything that needs it. It’s like friendly neighbours (who have a truck!) helping you move…
In 2 ½ hours they had everything packed… bedroom, living room, dining room, kitchen and office. Then they unpacked everything in less time than that!
The whole move (including transport) took just over 5 hours and cost approx. $ 520 including the sizeable tip we gave them for rocking the move so brilliantly.
Seriously…if you’re moving in the Toronto area, it doesn’t get any better than this! Highly recommended!