Big and Gentle Movers

This is the third time I’ve used Big and Gentle Movers. They are reasonable, quick, and pleasant people. They will even let you ride in their truck with them. I highly recommend them.

I first used Big and Gentle more than 10 years ago when I moved from one apartment to another within Manhattan. I think I was too traumatized after barely escaping a roommate-​from-​hell situation to remember much about the move itself. But I know my stuff was moved carefully and über-​efficiently by Alex and Adam. Alex wasn’t the most talktative, which is fine by me, but he was very nice and courteous.
Flash forward to 2009. I’m moving again. I wouldn’t call the process *traumatic* this time, but it’s sad and stressful for other reasons. I don’t need any more drama. I know I’m going to look up Big and Gentle.
Alex is STILL the man. He and his assistant moved me for less than $ 400. There were a handful of things I had trouble figuring out how to pack up, but they took care of those items (ie, tv, clothes in plastic bags) lickety split and with kindess.
Also, Alex kind of sings to himself while he is lifting and moving stuff, which is endearing.
I’d recommend Big and Gentle to anyone moving in NYC who doesn’t want to spend an arm and a leg, and who wants efficient, reliable service.

A friend used Big and Gentle to move two grand pianos between spaces in New York, and being a musician, I needed both a piano mover and a general mover for my recent move. Being a musician, I could only afford to pay for one mover instead of two separate companies. Most quotes I got from the best-​reviewed moving companies were almost $ 500 just for my belongings, and all refused to move an upright piano (understandable, as those beasts are still wicked heavy). Hmm… I was looking at almost $ 1,000 to move a not-​so-​amazing piano and a modest amount of stuff. Plus, everyone was booked for my move date over a week away.
Worried, I called Alex at Big and Gentle. When I asked for a quote, he told me $ 120 per hour for THREE men (others only supplied 2 for more than that price), and that they could move everything with no problems. Nervous, I asked what forms of payment he accepted. «Cash or check; if check, you make out to me.» «
“What’s your name?» I asked.
«Alex.» [moments of silence]
«Um, yes, but do you have a last name, Alex?»
The day of my move, Alex showed up at my door: the man must be in his sixties, a little bit taller than I and is, quite frankly, massively ripped. The man looks a little bit like those anti-​aging ads you see in in-​flight magazines. Dang! Anyhow, he introduced himself, took a quick look around and said, «I send my men up and be right back.» In a minute, he came back with an extremely tall man who introduced himself with «Hello! I am also Alex!» and a shorter, silent man who smiled and started loading boxes on his back.
These massively strong dudes were all old enough to be my Dad, and proceeded to empty my apartment in record time. Tall Alex saw my piano and asked, «You are musician? Professional??» I nodded. He asked who my favorite pianist was, and it turns out he is a rabid classical music fan with a distinct passion for Schubert which he developed during his time serving in a Russian prison for trying to escape the former USSR.
To make a hilarious and long story short, these guys are inredible. They are nice, very fast, let me ride in the truck to Queens with them («Ha! You are riding between two Alex!»), and the WHOLE move cost me $ 480 plus tip.
The kicker: when I asked Alex #1 for his card so that I may recommend him to other piano-​bearing friends, he gave me a modestly stark white card that proclaims only:
«ALEX.»

I just used Big and Gentle Movers today for my move from Queens to Brooklyn. Someone I know suggested them when I mentioned that I was looking for a reasonably-​priced mover with insurance (B&G does have insurance). When I called, I talked with Alex (I believe he is the owner of the company). He was very professional, and gave me his hourly rate. Three guys (including Alex) came today and moved me in about four hours from an elevator building to a three story walk-​up. They were very conscientious about protecting my stuff during the move and putting it in the right place once we got to the new home. They were all three extremely friendly and hard-​working. I can’t recommend them enough. I will definitely hire them again the next time I need a mover.