Practicing social entrepreneurship, non-profit TROSA (Triangle Residential
Options for Substance Abusers, Inc.) operates several area businesses to support their residential treatment program. Landist News editor Kim Batson recently used TROSA Moving. She summarizes her experiences below.
At my free estimate appointment, the TROSA representative deftly punched
information into his palm pilot, moving rapidly from room to room, asking questions, assessing the size, weight, and quantity of my belongings, and what degree of packing assistance I desired. It was very professional – and amazing.
The estimate came back way too high.
I needed to scale back how much packing TROSA would do and increase how much my family (that meant me!) would do. The second estimate was more in line with my budget. We agreed I would pay a set hourly rate for 8 men, two trucks, and four hours. If it took more time, I would pay more. Less, and I would pay less.
On the big day, I signed the requisite paperwork and we discussed strategy. The crew began moving my belongings with almost ruthless efficiency. The men were unfailingly polite to me, supportive of each other, and STRONG. I watched in amazement as one young man carried a cedar chest full of miscellaneous items down a flight of stairs by himself. “You’re strong!” I said. “Thank you,” he replied humbly. As four of them maneuvered a monster armoire up a winding staircase, they respectfully issued directions: “I’m going to drop my end down; you start making the turn.” After the successful procedure – which didn’t bump the wall once – the crew leader complimented them, “That’s pretty work.”
They were strong AND smart - I was especially impressed with their problem solving when my huge freezer apparently refused to enter the space for which it was destined. They removed its door and made it fit!
In one heart-breaking, yet preventable, catastrophe, my grandmother’s glass lamp was shattered by a falling box. I had asked that the section be left for me, but it was in the path of objects I wanted them to move. Lesson learned – keep your precious items out of the line of fire.
TROSA came to me highly recommended, offered competitive pricing, is the largest independent moving company in the Triangle area, and provides the local third-party labor for many national companies. My excellent selection was confirmed by a new neighbor. She made a point of stopping and saying to the crew, “You guys did a great job when you moved me in here three years ago and I tell everyone about you.”
Among TROSA's other businesses are furniture, custom framing, yard work, Christmas trees, and temporary labor. To learn more about TROSA, go to trosainc.org or call 419-1059.
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