No More Pizza Bribes — Just Good Vibes (and a Seamless, Full-Service Move)

Picture this: It’s Saturday morning. You’ve texted your friends to come help move, promising “pizza and beer on me.” Hours later, you’re wedged in the stairwell with a sofa, your best friend’s back is screaming and someone’s already dropped a slice on the carpet.  

Sound familiar? 

We’ve all been there. For decades, the “pizza bribe” was the go-to currency of DIY moving. But bribing friends with greasy food and warm drinks isn’t charming anymore — it’s stressful, risky and, frankly, outdated. 

The Bribe is Dead — and Moves are Being Turned on End 

Moving is one of life’s biggest transitions, and no two experiences are alike. To dig deeper into how people really move, UniGroup, parent company of Mayflower, conducted a nationwide study in June 2025. We surveyed 1,000 adults, each with firsthand experience tackling a DIY move, and more than 600 who had also used a full-service mover.  

Designed to reflect the U.S. population, the study offers a fresh, representative look at what moving means for Americans today. 

We learned nearly one in four people (24%) worry about injuries to loved ones when asking for moving help. And who can blame them? One wrong lift and your buddy who came for pepperoni is leaving with a pulled muscle. 

Add in the awkwardness of navigating bulky furniture through narrow hallways, and the “beer-and-pizza tradition” starts to feel less like a bonding moment and more like a liability. It’s no wonder more people are rethinking the whole DIY ordeal. 

Strained Backs. Strained Friendships. The Leftovers No One Wants. 

Here’s the not-so-secret truth: Moving with friends usually means strained backs, strained friendships and a fridge full of guilt-ridden leftovers. 

The numbers tell the story. 

• 42% of non–full-service movers say physical strain alone would justify hiring professionals 
• 32% cite the need for skill with bulky items and tricky spaces 
• 44% say there are certain life stages when hiring movers just makes sense 

That’s a whole lot of people saying, “Enough is enough.” 

Today’s movers care about their health, their relationships and their peace of mind. They don’t want to risk injury or resentment. They want a solution that lets them actually enjoy moving day instead of dreading it. 

Welcome to the Celebration

Enter Mayflower. We’re here to officially retire the pizza bribe. 

With our full-service moving options, you can skip the heavy lifting, awkward stairwell negotiations and post-move guilt. How? Our trained movers handle the loading, transport and unloading of your belongings. One of our move coordinators will also guide you through Every Step of the Way®. This means you get a safe, professional experience that feels like a celebration and a new beginning.

Want to break in your new home with pizza and beer? Do it on your terms — after the move, when your furniture is already in place and your friends are there to toast, not to haul. 

Whether you’re planning a long-distance relocation (61% of people agree that’s the right time to call in the pros), moving heavy or valuable items (49%),or simply reaching a point in life where “DIY” doesn’t cut it anymore (44%), Mayflower makes moving day less of a chore and more of a milestone.  

From Bribes to Rewards 

We’re not anti-pizza — we’re just anti-back strain. That’s why we recommend replacing the old-school bribe with something better: Curated, local “Welcome Home” experiences, like a neighborhood pie. Better yet, one washed down with sips from a local brewery. 

Think of it as flipping the script. Instead of begging friends to move a couch in exchange for greasy takeout, you get to celebrate your fresh start with food from your new neighborhood, delivered to your doorstep. No heavy lifting required. 

Because moving should be about more than surviving the day — it should be about starting the next chapter on the right foot (with both feet pain-free). 

Good Vibes Only 

We’ll handle the hard stuff so you can focus on what matters — settling into your new home, enjoying good food and sharing real good vibes. 

The tradition is dead. The celebration has arrived. And Mayflower is here to make sure your move feels less like a burden and more like the beginning of something great.