From Kerry H.
Beavers Piano Moving/Refinish/Restoration/Repair
When it comes to piano-moving, here’s a lesson I learned the slow, costly, hard way:
No matter what claims of piano-moving expertise they make, there is a very real difference between general household moving companies and specialized, professional piano movers .
I have lived in the Atlanta area continuously since 1996, but I’ve moved around more than most. I’ve hired various local outfits to move my baby grand piano on half a dozen occasions or so. Some of them worked hard and met expectations. Some of my experiences were a lot like nightmares, only longer and more costly. Bad experiences and hard knocks turned me skeptical and suspicious before ever reaching out to Beavers Piano . When I did, they were consistently courteous and responsive in providing a quote and setting a date.
When we met on moving day, they were unaware of the attitude I had been fermenting from frustrating encounters with their competitors. They had been hired to finish another company’s move project. Understandably, frustration from my instrument’s various past moves would make it hard for Beavers to win me over. Making it much harder still was the difficulty of this particular move. Soon, I would anxiously witness strangers hoisting my heavy, obtuse, nevertheless remarkably delicate 5 ft baby grand piano up a flight of 20 stairs to stage it safely in my new home.
They nailed it! Within minutes of their punctual arrival, they had disarmed me of apprehension and suspicion. It started with the team; I found it refreshing, reassurimg and somewhat comforting that three generations showed up to greet me. Father, son and grandson were present and engaged, exuding the confidence that comes from years of knowledge and experience. A fourth experienced mover was awaiting us at the destination.
Then there was the gear. The modern, highly specialized piano-moving trailer in tow was a solid indication that these guys are committed, invested and specialized in their niche.
They did what they said they would do, when they said they would do it, at the price quoted…and they pulled NO SURPRISES. Damage can be one of the worst, so let me say first and foremost that there was no damage. Moreover, there were no:
• last minute, “we’ve-got-you-over-a-barrel” added charges. (For example, after starting the move, one mover ran into significant problem of their own creation , then used it to justify more than doubling the flat rate originally quoted, for materially less work)
• faded, fine-print papers to sign, designed to limit their liability and my recourse for damages, nor
• supplemental insurance schemes to cover their mistakes at my cost
I find these surprise tactics a bit shady, to say the polite least. Still, the ultimate, most egregious moving day bad surprise came from a group touting themselves as piano moving specialists. They loaded the truck and arrived at the destination, when and where they determined they couldn’t safely clear the staircase with my instrument. They were only willing to try if I agreed in writing not to hold them responsible for any damage they did. (I’m sure Pope will agree to turn Baptist long before I agree to that.) I had them move my piano temporarily to a nearby storage unit. To finish the job, they would charge me for another entire move.
One good thing I can say about that operation is that they created the motivation for me to discover Beavers Piano.
I am pleased with my entire experience with Beavers. The whole move would have gone off without a hitch, if not for the one bad surprise. This one had nothing to do with them, and everything to do with the absent-mindedness of their client. They had flawlessly conquered the 20 stairs, and were ready to reassemble and stage my piano. Unfortunately, I had misplaced the hardware.
I was in an unbelievable bind. Time was constrained. They had other business scheduled, and I was supposed to have already been out of town. Naturally, I had been looking forward to tickling my baby in that moment. It had been 4 months of separation, after all. Not only did I desperately want her back together immediately, but I also urgently needed it. I had a rare performance coming up, and was tragically out of practice. In addition, I was on an extremely tight schedule, which permitted just 2 other practice days before the gig.
Beavers consulted with me, came up with alternatives and advised me of options for temporary solutions. We settled on a plan for me to acquire another set of hardware, while they went to the next engagement. They promised to return afterwards to finish the job.
When they returned, I still needed help with my task. Without their guidance, I would never have gotten the correct combination of nuts, bolts, screws and washers according to my piano manufacturer’s specifications. They patiently schooled me on piano hardware enough to run out and get it from a local hardware store.
Clearly, returning to me on moving day and sticking around until things were right exceeded the normal scope of service, not to mention my expectations. They did what was necessary to save the day. This is how they reached hero status in my book.
Believe me when I say that Beavers Piano Moving has got it together. I’m talking about a family, with its professional act together, who gently got me together, in order to put my piano back together. Then, together with my piano at last, I could literally get my own act together.
Beavers Piano is top notch from start to finish. If you care about your piano and expect integrity and expertise as presumed components of professionalism, I confidently recommend them.
