Kyle
The Expedia model of comparison shopping and booking online for the best discounted prices is a proven model that’s being used for several new verticals. Earlier this week we reported on Tennessee startup MDSave which applies a similar model to finding low cost health care for self pay patients. We’ve also reported on Nashville startup Rentstuff which applies a similar model to the merchandise rental industry.
As a testimony to the success of the Expedia model in other verticals, MDSave just raised $1 million dollars for their startup while Rentstuff was recently acquired.
Today we’ve found New York startup Unpakt which is applying the same type model to moving.
Sharone Ben-Harosh is the founder of Unpakt and a 20 year veteran in the moving industry. His first moving startup is FlatRate moving which he founded in 1991. FlatRate Moving takes away the uncertainty associated with hourly moving in exchange for a more honest flat rate move.
Unpakt works on the same principals, but on a larger scale. Users simply put in where they are moving from and to, how much stuff they have and what, if any, special services they need. Unpakt than brings back several real time quotes of movers that can do your move on the date requested and an actual flat rate quote so you know what you’re getting into. You also book the move online which takes a major part of the headache of moving, out of the picture.
We got a chance to talk with Ben-Harosh about Unpakt. Check out the interview below.
What is Unpakt?
Unpakt is a new online moving platform that simplifies the entire moving experience from start to finish.
In layman’s terms, how does it work? (In other words how would you explain it to your grandmother)
It’s easy, hassle-free shopping for a mover, the same way you would shop on Expedia or Kayak for plane tickets. Simply tell us where you’re moving from/to, how much stuff you have, and if you need any special services (packing, carpentry, etc.). You’re instantly presented with a list of movers in your city that can perform your job on your preferred move date. Compare their prices, reviews and book online – all within an hour or less.
Who are the founders and what are their backgrounds?
Sharone Ben-Harosh launched Unpakt in summer 2012. He is a 20+ year moving industry veteran who founded FlatRate Moving in 1991. FlatRate currently operates in 7 major cities.
Where are you based?
New York City
What’s the startup scene/culture like where you’re based?
The few blocks surrounding our office have quickly become known as Silicon Alley. We’re based in the Union Square neighborhood in Manhattan.
How did you come up with the idea for Unpakt?
One of the largest, global issues in the moving industry is that most companies operate under the hourly rate pricing model. Laden with deception, we recognized that this model was no longer working for New Yorkers. We fixed the issue by launching FlatRate Moving in 1991. While it solved the issue for those who lived in New York City, the rest of the world was left without an exact pricing option. After launching FlatRate in additional cities and proving the exact pricing model successful for 20+ years, we are launching the same formula worldwide with Unpakt. The idea for Unpakt comes from the dream of every moving company offering exact prices. By joining Unpakt, movers are committing to do exactly that, even if they give hourly quotes over the phone.
How did you come up with the name?
Over a period of 3-4 days, the team threw hundreds of potential names into discussion. One of the names, Unpakt, quickly became the favorite. The spelling is unique and easy to remember.
What problem does Unpakt solve?
As you know, moving is a dreaded experience for nearly all ages and races. If you are moving, you ask friends and family for recommendations or you Google movers. Then, you request multiple quotes and repeating your inventory over and over again to movers takes hours out of your life. There is no hassle-free process. Unpakt simplifies all of this and more, offering a process where there once was none. We’ll have your move completely booked, from start to finish, in an hour or less.
What’s your secret sauce?
Integrity and transparency in an industry where these qualities are rare. We’re encouraging all movers to reveal their rates – there is no reason to hide them.
Are you bootstrapped or funded?
Funded.
What is your goto market strategy?
We are targeting urban markets with large populations of early-tech adopters through alternative and creative online marketing.
What’s one challenge you’ve overcome in the startup process?
Convincing movers to see the benefit of an exact pricing system and operate within a larger network, instead of the historic autonomy of the industry. We’re demonstrating to movers that revealing their rates and exposing pricing is ok. To be successful in the online world, pricing needs to be readily available.
Who are some of your mentors and business role models?
Steve Jobs of Apple and Muhammad Yunus, Founder of the Grameen Bank.
What’s next for Unpakt?
We are currently live in nearly 50 American cities and will continue launching markets and building partnerships through 2013 and beyond
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