For years Jack Arslanian often had to tell customers to go elsewhere.
Owner of several Pak Mail store franchises in Chicago, which shipped small packages (usually containing items under 20 pounds), Arslanian found that his customers frequently had items that were too large to be shipped through his facilities.
But the packages also were too small to be shipped cost-effectively by the larger moving firms, which focus on entire households with furnishings amounting to thousands of pounds.
Arslanian decided to do something about the void in the market. He sold his Pak Mail stores and founded MiniMoves.
The idea behind MiniMoves is to help people affordably move a single object or several rooms of furnishings. The Westmont-based company has no minimum requirement. It also guarantees estimates by phone.
“A customer gives us a detailed description of items such as a 72-inch-long sofa and a two-drawer dresser.
“We attribute the typical weight, then calculate the price,” says Arslanian, who tries to consolidate shipments to save customers additional funds. Prices vary. For example, the cost for moving furnishings for a one-or two-bedroom apartment would be from $300 to $1,000.
The company prides itself on moving fragile, expensive and sentimental items. Recent shipments have included 51 cases of decorated Easter eggs to the White House from Chicago and an antique French chest of drawers, insured for $1 million.
MiniMoves has opened branches in Boston, Miami and Phoenix.
For information, call 800-300-MOVE (800-300-6683).