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.

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

Few weeks ago, I registered the username “flatrate_” and flatrateNYC (brand name Flatrate has been taken) on the micro-blogging platform Twitter on behalf of our moving firm, FlatRate Moving & Storage.  Our original intent in creating the account was to squat the username and protect our brand. We didn’t really intend to do anything with it.

This week, we decided to start actively using our account for a couple of reasons:

1. More and more,  our clients asking us about Twitter. 
2. Twitter doesn’t cost anything to use and the time investment required for us to update our account isn’t that great. So why not?
3. In the last few months, we’ve come across some great examples of companies using Twitter to further their brand. We were inspired by these success stories. 
4. Lots of us here are already using Twitter and we like it. We thought thought it would be fun to launch flat rate accounts we update collectively.
5. and… if we move them, why not to tweet them?

Twitte us on the following subjects:

• Moving ideas
• Good, suggest reliable Moving Companies, even our competitors!
• Bad, beware of Moving Companies
• Tips and smart move
• Local move (NY, DC, CA, FL, NJ, TX, AZ, and CA)

Anyway, you can access our account here by clicking on the images. Please follow us! We’ll do our best to be interesting.

And if you have any suggestions as to people we should be following, leave them in the comments.

Moving across the areas has always been a hectic task and choosing the right moving companies will always relive majority of your stress. Moving or relocating has always been one of the hectic events of life. However choosing San Francisco moving companies always help you make the experience easier.

Before finding a moving company you must make sure which kind of service you are looking for. The kind of service varies from truck rental to full service company. There are many San Francisco moving companies available who offer wide range of services for you to choose. Once you decide to move then you should look into San Francisco moving companies that offer manageable services package or truck rental service or else see for the moving companies that offer full services for you. Once after deciding  what kind of services you are looking for then search for the right company that offer better services for you.

As there are many companies that offer services you may find hard to choose one form. But the rule of thumb is that you research as many companies as possible to find out right companies that offer good services. But you can narrow down companies based on the service you choose and find out whether this companies offer services in you area and start getting price estimates form these companies.

Price estimates are very helpful for you when you are trying to select a company. By knowing how much a company will charge you for the service they provide will be helpful in choosing a company. 

After you have all the information about your needs about the company to choose form the list. This can be very hardest task that one has to perform and can be made easy after finding related information about the companies and their services.

Once you have selected the company that you want to use its service, make sure that every thing is in writing and are abided by law.

Get Multiple San Francisco moving quotes from .org!

The challenge that most of the people around the world face is moving or relocating form one place to other. Moving is hectic task and need to be done many things and taken care of when you plan to move to other place. When you plan to move immediately it will become more hectic as it will need to do more tasks with in smaller amount of time and it might seen to be impossible to perform such hectic task but if you plan before hand you might not need to do all by yourself. 

Finding reputable movers like van line movers can make your things as simple as friendly moving process. Finding a help of van line movers will drive all your belongings that have been loaded.

Finding a van line moving companies which are reputable and licensed, require some research to decide on the help you might require during you moving.

You may have to start figuring out what might be your specific needs during moving like you may have to decide whether you want moving companies to pack for you or you will do it by yourself. Know the additional charges that companies might require for providing additional services. Then you need to contact van lines movers to ensure that you reserve the service.

Last spring, FMCSA, along with state transportation departments, investigated 350 moving companies for violations. It fined nearly 60 of them. This is where complaints have an effect: Most agencies, including FMCSA, target companies with the most complaints when determining which movers to investigate

Source: The Dallas Morning News

Interstate movers, those that cross state lines–are regulated by the FMCSA = Federal Motor Carrier Safety Aмебелиdministration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Companies that move only within New York are regulated by the New York Department of Transportation.

If you’re planning to hire a moving company, do some checking first. Don’t just hire the company that their website is look nice (specially be aware from companies with ugly sites). Ask other people about their experiences, CitySearch and Google maps are good point to start with. Get estimates from multiple companies and do some research.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a Web site http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov, where you can search for complaints and company safety ratings. You also can make sure the company is insured and can check the number and type of complaints filed against it. FMCSA and this site also provides tips for choosing a moving company.

Keep in mind that multiple companies may be involved in your move. If you use a relocation company, it may contract with a mover separately. So make sure you know which company actually will be moving your items.

Also, in dealing with problems during moves, timing is very important. In most cases, you must file for damages within 90 days of your goods being delivered. Be sure to read all of your paperwork carefully so you know what your deadlines are in case of a problem.

One of the biggest mistakes we make when we move is to underestimate the insurance coverage offered by most movers. Often we check that the company offers insurance and then assume it will cover us for all eventualities and forget about it. This can cause a lot of problems.

Whilst most moves are smooth and trouble-free, accidents and damage to our property can be a real headache. Insurance cover for moving is therefore a vital part of the moving process. Without it you risk losing or damaging your possessions with no recourse to compensation. You have two ways of ensuring adequate cover - you don’t have to choose one over the other and may opt to utilize both:

1. Talk to your current home insurers and ask them if your existing policies cover you during the move. If they do then check if there are any exclusions etc., and, if you don’t have cover for the move in writing, ask if they will provide you with a copy. If your insurer won’t cover you under your existing agreement or you are worried that the cover is inadequate ask if you can pay a premium for special short-term cover.
2. Talk to your movers before you agree to move with them. Ask them to explain their insurance cover, limits, exclusions and so on and take care to read any policy documents they provide. You should NEVER choose a moving company that does not offer insurance.

Individual moving companies and home insurers will offer varying degrees of insurance cover and claims levels and you’ll only really find out how this applies to you by reading the small print of your contract information and by talking to the company about it in depth. In most cases you’ll be expected to know how much cover you need and to provide a list of valuable items (you may have to pay extra for these depending on their value). Some insurers will not include certain types of valuables as standard within their policy - they may be willing to insure these items but you will most likely have to pay a premium. Remember that many moving companies won’t allow you to claim for damage in transit if they didn’t pack your goods themselves. So, unless you can prove that it was their fault, their insurers simply won’t pay out if something goes wrong. It’s vital therefore to make sure you assess their moving liability in the event of a claim.

It’s also worthwhile checking to see if your moving company’s policy includes damage to your premises. The majority of movers are experienced and careful but accidents can happen to your homes as they remove and move furniture etc. Most companies will offer cover for this eventuality - do be aware that if a mover does cause damage to your home on the day of a move you will need to tell them about it immediately (or as soon as you notice it). In all moving insurance policies you’ll likely find that there is a specific time-limit for claims. If you discover damage outside of this limit you won’t be able to make a claim. Again, check the terms and conditions for actual regulations on this.

You may come across various types of moving insurance cover. Primary types include:

1. No charge for the actual insurance cover as it is included in the moving quote. In this case you may only be able to claim back a percentage of the value of your goods if you experience damage/loss.
2. You buy a policy and pay according to the weight of your goods (generally this works by the pound). This type of policy is often limited by depreciated value so you may not get back what you paid for an item but an estimate of current worth. This is often termed ‘like for like’ cover.
3. You pay extra to cover value instead of just weight. In this case you may have to declare the value of your insured goods to the insurer/mover.
4. You pay for a full value policy, which will give you current market value in the event of problems. This is often termed ‘new for old’. This can be in the form of repair, replacement or a payment.

Some movers will ask you for a ‘guestimate’ of the total value of your goods. Although this is hard to get right, it’s essential to be as close as possible to get the best levels of protection. If you have a lot of really valuable items to move, be prepared to have to produce a list of them, with assessments and perhaps even photos before you can have cover. You’ll find that many movers’ insurance policies are calculated on a percentage of the removal cost rather than on the value of your goods. This may not be enough for your needs and most will recommend you then to pay a premium for extra cover. You need to check the maximum premium that they will allow for one item and also how much of the claim you will lose if you need to claim on the policy.

For many of us the basic insurance policy of our chosen moving company will be enough. We need to pay particular attention, however, if we are planning a long-distance or international move. If you are moving internationally especially it’s essential to have full cover. Your goods may be passing borders and may be subject to custom checks and so on. With these moves you’ll have to factor in increased possibilities of accidents, theft, loss, damage and so on. It makes sense here to go with a moving company that is well experienced in these types of moves for best advice and cover. If your goods may be in storage for periods during your moving process then you also need to check the insurance cover for the storage facilities.

The best way to assess moving insurance policies is to read the small print carefully. Look for exclusions - i.e. clauses that mean that you are not covered by insurance or that will not pay out in certain circumstances. This will give you the clearest idea of the extras you might need, how comprehensive the policy is and the things you might need to look out for. For example, many movers have a ‘pairs’ or ’set’ clause. This means that if a part of a set of goods is damaged like a dining room chair or a piece of a dinner service the insurers will agree to pay for the damaged item. However they will not pay to replace the whole set if there is no other damage to it even if you cannot find a matching piece. So, if you have a set of four dining room chairs and your movers break one in transit, they’ll pay for a replacement for that chair. However, if you cannot find a replacement that matches your set you’ll no longer have a matching set and they will not pay to replace all four. Source:moving-company-guide.com

Plan Ahead

Summer time is the busiest time of the year for moving companies. In addition, the beginning and end of each month are traditionally busier than mid-month, regardless of the season. If you are planning to move during one of the times, plan well in advance so your mover’s schedule will fit yours.

Now it is time to contact the movers on your list. Inform them of your destination and the timing of your move. Ask movers to provide you with a written estimate, and have them explain the services listed in the estimate in detail. Carefully compare each estimate to see which company best suits your needs and budget.

Check out our moving planner, Countdown to Moving Day, to be sure you don’t forget anything.

Packing

Proper packing by a trained packer using specially designed cartons and materials is crucial to a good move. Schedule packing with the mover a day or two before the moving van is loaded. If you are packing yourself, it is never too soon to start. While packing yourself can save money, movers will not usually accept liability for damage to items packed by owners.

Be present when your goods are packed. An inventory of your goods will be made and it is important to resolve any disagreements prior to signing the inventory. Make sure all copies are legible and all items are numbered. Have valuable items listed separately. Some appliances may require servicing prior to the move. Your mover can schedule these services for you.

There are several options for insuring your goods. All household goods shipments move under limited liability. However, you may purchase additional liability coverage from your mover.

Planning Your Moving Day

Your mover may ask you to select several consecutive days during which your goods can be loaded and a second series of dates during which your goods can be delivered to your new home. A spread of days gives you and your mover the flexibility needed to keep your move on schedule. Remember that summer months are the busiest, and some movers offer lower prices between the months of October and April.

Moving Day

• Be on hand when the movers arrive.
• Discuss the delivery arrangements fully with your mover.
• Have beds stripped and ready to be packed.
• Save your energy - let the moving crew disassemble goods.
• Read the Bill of Lading before you sign it.
• Tell your mover how to reach you at your destination.
• Keep in contact with the mover’s agent at your destination while you are in transit.
  Delivery

Generally, your belongings will be transported in a van lines along with those of other families in the same general direction. This helps to keep your costs down. Delivery is made on any of the several consecutive days agreed upon before the move began. Make sure the mover knows how to contact you to schedule actual delivery. If you cannot be reached at destination, the mover may place your shipment in storage to avoid delaying other shipments. This can mean additional charges for storage and handling.

Upon delivery, check your goods for damage. Do not sign the inventory until you have inspected your furniture and the exterior of the cartons.

Claims

If any of your household goods are damaged or lost, report the facts promptly and in detail on the van driver’s copy (original) of the inventory sheet before you sign it. If you notice damage after unpacking, a claim must be filed within nine months after delivery. However, it is to your advantage to report damage as soon as possible. The mover must acknowledge receipt of your claim within 30 days and must deny or make an offer within 120 days of receipt of your claim. When making a claim or considering a settlement offer, keep in mind the amount of liability that you declared on your shipment. For example, if the value declared on your shipment was $5,000, the mover’s maximum liability for loss or damage to the articles in your shipment is $5,000. Claims for more than this amount will be declined because they are in excess of the mover’s liability that you declared on your shipment. Maryland moving companies

Source: http://www.moving.org/before/planning.html

I found this post published last October but you might find it interseting as it all so true, even the one year old news titles!

The moving industry is getting big and the competition is sky-high. So much it reaches the SUN,.. I mean the NY SUN : 

 
“Starting Monday, October 30th, we will be advertising on the home page (main banner) of the New York Sun ( http://www.nysun.com/ ). This campaign will be enhanced with a few print ads in the real estate section (Thursdays)”. Dana Rahav, Marketing Director FLATRATE Moving.

More moving companies does not necessarily means more quality. Stick to our guidelines in this BLOG to maximize you moving experience. This is your starting point choosing the right mover: http://www.themovingplanner.com/category-the-perfect-movers.html

You want to drive here Moving Companies Responsibilities to cover your base.

The Company Snapshot is a concise electronic record of a company’s identification, size, commodity information, and safety record, including the safety rating (if any), a roadside out-of-service inspection summary, and crash information. The Company Snapshot is available via an ad-hoc query (one carrier at a time) free of charge.  Check you moving company now!

Especially look for the marked in red: Active and valid USDOT license, Crashed & accidents, moving you home allowance (you don’t want lumber truck will move you, right? ;) 

Perfect Moving Company

Terrible Moving Company

You don’t want a “General Freight” company will move you, and not a company with history of crashes and injuries!