The Moving Planner Blog

No matter how well you plan ahead the actual packing/moving process can sometimes turn into a last minute rush to get things done. Whilst it doesn’t really matter in the great scheme of things whether you pack your socks up carefully or cram them into a box at the last minute, some goods need extra time, special care and careful consideration. Your computer equipment is a prime example of this. Some moving companies will offer help (at a price!) with preparing and packing up your machine. Most of us will do it ourselves – this shouldn’t be a problem, as long as you proceed carefully.

But, no matter how carefully you pack your computer, you must be aware that accidents can happen and you should make every effort to ensure minimum damage in this eventuality. You also need to make sure that you have adequate insurance cover. If you don’t take special care you can cause serious damage to what is an expensive machine. And, all the insurance in the world won’t compensate if you lose valuable data and documents.

The first thing you should do is to make copies of all of your data on either flash drives, CD-ROMs etc. This may seem like a boring and unnecessary job but it isn’t! Just think how you would feel if all of the documents you have ever created on your machine were lost forever. Don’t pack up these copies with your computer – keep them safe and separate, ideally in a special lockable box. It’s a good idea to get together all your system, program and other disks for the machine at the same time and pack them up together. It’ll make things much easier for you at the other end when you’re setting up again.

Before you start getting your computer ready to pack, think about what you’re going to pack it in. If at all possible, use the box(es) it came in. These were specially designed to transport the machine in the first place and will do the best job for you, especially if you also kept the original packing inserts. If you didn’t keep the packing, then use boxes of as similar a size as possible and make sure you have adequate padding material to keep it sited firmly and securely. Your equipment should never be able to slip around inside its box but should always sit snugly. You can also talk to your removal company, as they may be able to sell/hire special computer boxes that will work really well too.

Check that your disk drives don’t have any disks in them. It’s worthwhile putting an old floppy disk in the relevant drive for the transport process. Make sure all disk drives are closed. In many cases your computer will allow you to ‘park’ your recording heads – this gives you extra protection against damage to your hard disk. This isn’t as complex or technical as it sounds so don’t worry! Basically your computer has a system of moving the recording heads out of harms way when you tell it to. In some cases your computer will be able to automatically ‘park and lock the system’ and in others you will need to run a special program to get this done. If in doubt, consult your original manual, the manufacturer, your local computer shop or search on the Internet for the best solution for your machine. Many computers need to run a program called SHIPDISK.EXE to park the recording heads. This should have been supplied with your original disks (most likely on a diagnostic disk). If you have this option you can either run the program from the disk or copy it to your hard drive and then run it later. Once you’ve called up the program you will probably see a red blinking light on the disk drive telling you that it is parked safely. It’s simply ‘unparked’ when you next turn the computer on. For this reason it’s best to do this stage just before you dismantle the machine for packing.

Once you’ve parked your recording heads, you’re ready to start taking the computer apart. DO make sure you turn off the system and disconnect it from power sources first! Your first step should be to disconnect all the cables to your computer components. If you have a good understanding of setting up a PC then you needn’t worry too much about what goes where but if you’re a bit of a novice then pay attention to the cables you removed and their sources. Either write down what went where or mark the cables in some way so you can put the machine back together again. You can either bag up all your cables together or in individual boxes with their relevant equipment.

Try to keep your computer base unit flat or on its side as appropriate – turning it upside down might alter the position of interior parts which may affect the way it works when you set it up again. Whether you’re using original boxes or not, make sure that every component is firmly and securely packed with plenty of packing material to hold it in place.

You should pay as much attention to your other computer equipment as you do to the actual machine. Printers, monitors, scanners and so on are also fragile pieces of machinery. They may not be as valuable as your computer but it’ll still be a pain if you damage them and it’ll still cost money to replace them! Once again, try to use original boxes if at all possible. Remove print cartridges as appropriate from your printer. Remember that it is easy to scratch/break your monitor and you might want to wrap it in bubble wrap or other protective material before packing it up.

Finally, once everything is packed up, seal the box(es) securely and write: FRAGILE – COMPUTER EQUIPMENT on every available surface. You really do need to avoid having theses items knocked around and should also tell your movers that these particular boxes contain computer equipment before they load them. You should have told them you have a computer to move before you hired them and should also remind them when they first arrive to load up. They’ll then be able to assess best positioning on the vehicle etc. If you’re worried about having your computer on a vehicle with the rest of your possessions and will be traveling to your new home by car, then you can always opt to take it yourself if it makes you feel better.

Somebody that understand Google, told me they want to see related terms for high ranking. I sat with him and we found these terms are most related to moving companies:

• Group of Moving Companies
• Cheap and budget
• Furniture movers
• Multiple quotes
• Truck (and trucking) rentals
• Bekins (http://www.bekins.com/moving/)
• Mayflower (http://www.mayflower.com/moving/)
• Uhaul (http://www.uhaul.com/)
• Atlas (http://www.atlasworldgroup.com/)
• Two man and a truck (http://www.twomenandatruck.com/)
• Van Lines (http://www.flatrate.com/van-lines-movers-flatrate.html)
• Reviews
• Household goods
• Nationwide
• Local Movers
• Apartment
• Pods
• Careers (http://www.flatrate.com/new-york-about-us-job-opportunities.html)
• Long distance (http://www.flatrate.com/new-york-long-distance-overview.html)

You might have heard the horror stories; damaged furniture, unreasonable fees, even entire trucks of personal belongings taken hostage by unscrupulous moving companies. Unfortunately, this is a disturbing real-life scenario that is not unique to any one area or country. Problems with moving companies are all too common.

Does this mean you should avoid using a moving company? Absolutely not. Like anything else in life, the negative incidents seem to stand out so much more than the positive experiences happening every day. Moving can be a physically and mentally exhausting venture; honest moving companies take much of the physical work and stress out of the event. Use this guide to protect yourself from the financial and emotional turmoil caused by a problem with the company in charge of moving your most precious belongings.

The First Step is Prevention

You can greatly reduce the risk of encountering a problem by doing some serious investigative work before hiring a moving company. Yes, it will be time consuming, but when you consider what is at stake it’s absolutely essential.

Begin by asking friends and neighbors if they have ever used the services of a moving company. What was the experience like? If it was a positive one, write the name of the company on your shortlist. Going through the phonebook, choose at least five other companies in your area to add to your list.

Call each company and ask about:

Prices For time as well as mileage. Also inquire about special or additional rates for certain objects such as appliances or pianos.

Insurance or protection policies Are they offered by the company? Is there a deductible? Are there certain conditions that would affect your being compensated if your belongings are damaged?

Handling procedures  What type equipment is used for heavy lifting? How are fragile items loaded onto the truck and stored during transportation?

Moving staff qualifications How many years experience do the movers have? Are they bondable and have they completed a recent criminal record check?

General policies and procedures  What guarantee do you have that the movers will show up on time and deliver the furniture on time to your new home? What will happen if you are not at the home when they arrive? Does the company have a complaint process and how are disputes handled?

This basic list of questions will get you started. Before you call, go over your move in your head and ask any additional questions relating to your own personal items. Don’t be afraid to take ten or even twenty minutes of their time asking these important questions. If they are unwilling to answer or seem too busy or disinterested, do not hire them. Imagine how they will act when you are really counting on them!

Always Check References

You’ve called several companies and decided that two of them offer competitive pricing and terms that are agreeable. Call the Better Business Bureau in your area and inquire about the company. If they are not registered with the BBB, do not hire them.

Ask each company to provide FIVE, yes five, professional references. Make it clear that these references should be past clients of theirs. Call each reference and ask about their experience with the company, including punctuality, cooperation, care with items and price adherence.

TROUBLE SAVING TIP: Ask for a reference that is at least three years old, meaning a client they moved more than three years ago. Why? Many moving companies simply change their name and re-open if they are sued, charged, or reported to the Better Business Bureau. Ensuring that they have successfully been in business for more than three years is an added bit of protection.

Know Your Rights

Don’t sign ANYTHING without reading it thoroughly. Take the contract home and read every single detail before signing. If there is a single clause in the contract that you feel is questionable, don’t sign it. You may ask the company about it, but if they won’t provide an amended contract, you are agreeing to every word on that page by signing.

In most countries, the moving industry is highly unregulated. It is up to the consumer to protect themselves. Although organizations such as the Better Business Bureau do try to keep track of serial offenders, it is all too easy for a scam artist to simply open up shop somewhere else.

You are hiring the company to provide a service to you and in this situation the law considers any problems to be a civil matter. If a problem arises, it will be in your hands to file a lawsuit and prove your own case. In the worst case scenario – when the company will not release your furniture – you could be without it for years until the case is resolved in court.

You may be shaking your head in wonder; how is that possible? While it seems unbelievable that so little protection is offered, it’s the sad truth. Lobby your government for stricter rules and better enforcement in the moving industry. Until then, learn to recognize and avoid these common problems:

Storage for undeliverable items  This is a relatively common scam in the moving industry. If the company states that they will move your belongings into storage should they be undeliverable, you need to ask some very important questions. What is their definition of undeliverable? If they show up early and you are not at the new home, a dishonest company would claim that the goods were undeliverable and put them in storage.

Here is the real scam; often, the moving company owns the storage unit as well! So they will demand payment for the moving services, may even charge a fine for your undeliverable goods, and then charge you for storage fees. They would refuse to release the items from storage until you paid the entire amount owing to both the movers and the storage company. The amount would continue to grow as you unsuccessfully called police and eventually had to either cut your losses or sue the company.

Late or Missing Delivery – Ensure that your contract is signed by the company and includes a level of protection and liability suitable for late or missing deliveries. How will you be compensated? The pick up and delivery dates and times should be clearly defined.

Damaged Items – Again, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in this case. Before hiring the company, you must be familiar with their handling practices, check references and have a written guarantee stating that they will pay for any damage caused to your property. IMPORTANT: Have it in writing that you will be compensated the Replacement Value of damaged items, not the depreciated value. Take a picture with a date-time stamp of each piece of furniture the day of the move. Be at the new location to check each item and box carefully after it is brought into the new house. Call the moving company owner or head office immediately if any of your belongings are damaged.

Unreasonable or Unexpected Fees – Always have a quote in writing before hiring the company. The contract you sign should not leave expenses and charges open ended. The company knows how far you are moving; you can expect a flat rate for mileage. Hourly rates for movers should be reasonable.

Inflated Weight – Ask the company if they charge per box or by weight. If you are paying by weight, you will be asked to provide an estimated weight for the items you are having moved. Have it written into the contract that the company will reweigh the belongings and provide you with an itemized list of weights should the actual amount be more than 10% greater than the estimated amount. Also ensure that they are using a certified scale.

Payment Terms – Payment terms should be clearly outlined within the contract. Is the deposit refundable? When is the balance due; upon successful delivery, or on a certain date regardless of whether or not your belongings have been delivered? Can the mover increase the final bill to more than 10% greater than the written quote without your authorization?

Complaint Resolution

With planning and research, you should have no trouble finding a reliable, reputable moving company in your area. While much of the responsibility of consumer protection rests on your own shoulders, there are actions that you can take if you encounter a problem.

Always contact the company first and give them a chance to fix the problem. Explain the trouble you are having clearly and state the action that you expect from them. For example, if a box of glassware was shattered during the move, call the company and tell them that you expect to be reimbursed for the replacement value of the glassware.

If this approach does not work, send the company a faxed or mailed letter. Again, state the problem and the action that you expect from them. Then outline the next action that you will take against the company, such as a complaint to the Better Business Bureau or other organization in your country. Set a clear and reasonable deadline for their response (seven days is reasonable). This letter should not be threatening or angry in nature; you are simply expressing the problem and your expectations for resolution.

Follow through with your next complaint action. This may include filing a formal complaint with a regulatory agency in your company, posting a blog warning other consumers about the company (it’s not libel if it’s true), or even contacting the media. Once contacted by the media, moving companies will sometimes snap to their senses with a reasonable solution to the problem.

Once you have exhausted other avenues, call your lawyer. They will inform you of the laws in your area and the procedure for filing suit against the company.

Source:http://www.moving-company-guide.com/moving-computer.htMoving

I thought to provide my reader some information about how to dress on your move in the summer. I hope you find this post useful.

The following content provided by: Wholesale Clothing at http://www.clothingshowroom.com.

Tops are what make or break a woman’s wardrobe. Whether you’re trying to achieve a look that’s sexy, sporty, or girl-next-door, the top you wear is what will help you pull it off. Since tops are typically the most affordable piece of clothing in your wardrobe, most women buy several of them to keep up with the latest trends and styles. Fads constantly change but there are a few tops that are here to stay, regardless of what comes and goes in the fashion world.

Many women have a problem coordinating their skinny jeans with the right shoes. If you are a high boots lover, skinny jeans are ideal because you don’t have to worry about your pants bunching and rumpling when you tuck them into your boots. Simply slip on your skinny jeans and boots and you’re good to go! Your boots will look sleek with skinny jeans because your jeans will be tucked in perfectly and elegantly.

Skirts are a great buy because they are fashionable, affordable, and easy to combine with other articles of clothing. Skirts are a very versatile wardrobe staple that can be mixed and matched to achieve several different looks that are appropriate throughout the year. Whether you’re feeling flirty and want to look cute and feminine on a date or simply need a sleek skirt to wear to the office, there are bound to be skirts that suit your shape, budget, and style perfectly.

carrier to noise ratioJackets with long, clean silhouettes and of mid-thigh length are best for women with full-figured shapes. If you have a full figure, avoid double-breasted jackets and jackets that have large pocket flaps because they can make your body look bulky. If you have a tall, slender figure, look for a jacket with volume. Add some dimension to the top half of your slender figure with a double-breasted pea coat or pair your coat with a bold scarf. If you are pear-shaped, meaning that the bottom half of your body is curvier than the top half, wear a straight-cut jacket that emphasizes your upper body.

Sunglasses are designed to protect your eyes from the damaging rays of the sun but there’s no denying that they have become an indispensable fashion accessory in the process. There are several colors and styles of sunglasses to choose from so it can be difficult to select the kind that are right for you. No matter how beautiful you think a pair of sunglasses may be, it’s important to think about how they would coordinate with your face shape and structure. The first step in figuring out what kind of sunglasses to get is determining what your face shape is.