things I found while researching the move (the first phase of it)
– Russian classified ads is where the cheapest movers can be found. Many of them even speak English: http://mall.rusrek.com/freight%2C_moving-b382057_0-ru.html . Some are licensed/insured, but most probably are not. In our building, that makes that option a non-starter. Many of them have really good Yelp reviews.
– How to negotiate with the movers: http://www.brickunderground.com/blog/2012/10/negotiating_your_way_to_a_better_price_for_moving
– Manwithavan.net is pretty expensive, and Dynamite Movers – a bunch of supernice rocker kids from the East Village is cheaper and way cooler. Still, almost twice as expensive as the Russians/Uzbeks
– Unpakt.com is an awesome startup that consolidates all the quotes and reviews and gives them to you in seconds. It is probably the way to go, and not just in NYC.
tinfoilparachute 