Q: Can I trust a shipping company that I find on the Internet?

A: There are more and more Internet sites that will send your information to a number of shipping companies. This allows you to receive a variety of bids for your move.
Getting bids this way is fine, but - and this is a very big but, it is absolutely critical you do your homework and check out the companies who give you a price quote. Get references, ask for feedback from on line aliyah forums and go to a packing job handled by each of the movers you are considering.
The fact that the moving companies subscribe to an Internet "lead generating company" only means the company is a little more techno savvy. It does not really say anything good or bad about the quality of the packing, loading or experience with handling international moves.
In earlier columns I have discussed what you should do when deciding on a shipper. That same advice applies if you find a shipper on the Internet, through friends' recommendations or simply from an ad in the yellow pages.
You are trusting your entire household to your shipper. It is worth investigating and making sure you have the right company handling it for you.