I can understand the concern if your moving company shows up with a rental truck. Fortunatly there is a relitive easy explanation for why companies do this. Moving trucks are expensive.
Let me start again. If you are moving localy during the summer bussy seasion or the first & last week of the month, there is a chance that the moving company will have more moves and movers then they will have trucks. This is actuly a good thing for the moving companies.
Unfortunatly a 26' long truck can cost $56,000 when used or $87,000 new. This is not counting the $8,000 to have it painted with the logo of the company. That's $64,000-$95,000 for a truck they might only need a few times a year. That is not counting any work that would need to be done on it.
For a long distance move most companies will not rent a trailor. They will buy them but they might not be painted. The traiolors are just as rediculis in price to purchase as the smaller trucks. They can range from $38,000 used. for a used tractor to pull it your looking at $138,000 used. New could be $200,000+.
This rough estimate is not counting insurance, inspections and other work that would be needed on the trucks and trailers to get them on the road. By renting a truck they are able to keep their cost's down in the long run. But I'm sure that if you wanted to buy them a truck with all the fix'ens that they would take you up on it.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Mondays....
This Monday has not been a happy day. Almost every potential customer I spoke with today wanted everything that I could not give them. Three people wanted a quote for a move. After I told them we needed to have someone see the items, they all said some variation of "Oh, you can just tell me. I won't hold you to it."
When I informed them that no, we actually need to have someone see the items, two of the callers were very nice about it and said they would call back closer to their move date. This is completely understandable because house sales and such are temperamental things.
The other... well, nothing I could say that wasn't a price would make her happy. She ended the call by saying that I just didn't want to tell her. Belligerent tone of voice and flouncing away attitude just oozed through the phone. I can understand just wanting an idea of a price, but to keep pushing for one? No, that I can not understand.
Every time I get someone like that I just remind mysef that if they don't call us back that it just might be a good thing.
When I informed them that no, we actually need to have someone see the items, two of the callers were very nice about it and said they would call back closer to their move date. This is completely understandable because house sales and such are temperamental things.
The other... well, nothing I could say that wasn't a price would make her happy. She ended the call by saying that I just didn't want to tell her. Belligerent tone of voice and flouncing away attitude just oozed through the phone. I can understand just wanting an idea of a price, but to keep pushing for one? No, that I can not understand.
Every time I get someone like that I just remind mysef that if they don't call us back that it just might be a good thing.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Moving Preparation Ideas for Long Distance Moves
This is a pretty stander-ed list of things my parents did during our long distance moves. While it is basically a list of ideas for items that you would want to purchase when you get to your new house while you are waiting for your household goods to be delivered.
1) An inflatable mattress and a method of inflating it.
This is probably one of the most important things you will need if you go to your new home before delivery of your items. Some of the less expensive ones require you to use a pump or hairdryer to inflate them. Some of the better ones are equiped with their own pumps. both will make your wait eiser.
2) Dishes and silverware
When you get there swing by the local big name store and grab yourself a set of silverware, dished and glasses. It never hurts to have an extra set on hand, even after moving the set could be used for picknics, camping, for the kids or even for your next long distance move.
3) Towels & Robes
Either you purchase new or pack your current set, you want to make sure you have enough for everyone when you get to your new home.
4) Personal Items
This might seem like a no-brainer but little travil bottels of shampoo run out fast when you have kids. Toothbrushes and the like are also things you don't want to be packed by your movers.
5) Backpack of Things for the Kids
This is a big one. Until you stuff arrives your kids will have nothing to do inside the house. Unless you have get them to help clean the new house you should make sure they set pack a backpack of things they like to read or games they like to play. This was a must every time my family moved.
There are so many small things that you never realize that you use until they are locked away. Hopefully this list will help you in the process of your long distance move.
1) An inflatable mattress and a method of inflating it.
This is probably one of the most important things you will need if you go to your new home before delivery of your items. Some of the less expensive ones require you to use a pump or hairdryer to inflate them. Some of the better ones are equiped with their own pumps. both will make your wait eiser.
2) Dishes and silverware
When you get there swing by the local big name store and grab yourself a set of silverware, dished and glasses. It never hurts to have an extra set on hand, even after moving the set could be used for picknics, camping, for the kids or even for your next long distance move.
3) Towels & Robes
Either you purchase new or pack your current set, you want to make sure you have enough for everyone when you get to your new home.
4) Personal Items
This might seem like a no-brainer but little travil bottels of shampoo run out fast when you have kids. Toothbrushes and the like are also things you don't want to be packed by your movers.
5) Backpack of Things for the Kids
This is a big one. Until you stuff arrives your kids will have nothing to do inside the house. Unless you have get them to help clean the new house you should make sure they set pack a backpack of things they like to read or games they like to play. This was a must every time my family moved.
There are so many small things that you never realize that you use until they are locked away. Hopefully this list will help you in the process of your long distance move.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Your Moving Truck & You
I have gotten several sales calls asking if their items will stay on the same truck with the same driver. This is actuly a very intresting question because the answer is defined by the sercumstances of the move.
The things that can cause your items to be moved to a different trailer after pick up are usally due to size and were it is being delivered. Most large companies will try to get you your items as soon as possible, the moving companies that work as agents for the larger companies do this as well. So at times they will have different agents take your shipment if that agent has a driver going in that direction if it works out better for you.
Sometimes a Driver will just be dropping off a trailer and be heading back the route that your items would need to go. This way they get the items delivered and their driver were they are needed.
If your items fill a trailor you will generaly have the best shot at getting the same driver and trailer that packed you up. If your home needs more then one trailer you will get a combination of the two scenarios.
Overall the moving companies are trying to get you your items as soon as they are able. With the economy and entering the slower winter season you should prepare for a different driver making the delivery.
The things that can cause your items to be moved to a different trailer after pick up are usally due to size and were it is being delivered. Most large companies will try to get you your items as soon as possible, the moving companies that work as agents for the larger companies do this as well. So at times they will have different agents take your shipment if that agent has a driver going in that direction if it works out better for you.
Sometimes a Driver will just be dropping off a trailer and be heading back the route that your items would need to go. This way they get the items delivered and their driver were they are needed.
If your items fill a trailor you will generaly have the best shot at getting the same driver and trailer that packed you up. If your home needs more then one trailer you will get a combination of the two scenarios.
Overall the moving companies are trying to get you your items as soon as they are able. With the economy and entering the slower winter season you should prepare for a different driver making the delivery.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Not So Open Letter
To The Unhappy-est of Customers
Please, please, please think of moving companies as your friend. Just like your friend would not like it if you were to swear at them then we also do not like it when you swear at us. Unfortunately screaming and swearing at us will not get you what you want.
Unfortunately some parts of the moving industry are out of our hands. Equally unfortunate is that you turned down our earliest available dates to pick up your items. And considering that you have purchased a plain ticked this is twice as worry some.
No sir, unfortunately because you played dealer for the owners' fathers' parties in days gone by, does not mean that you can get a move when ever you feel the need. Demanding that the owner guarantee everything, a bag of chips and a small puppy is not going to sit well.
From Reception
P.S.
We have contemplated getting a bookie to handel the bets of acts of god causeing this move to not happen of n the selected date. Driver Quitting on day of pick up is at the top of the list. Quickly followed by you calling and rejecting that pick-up date. If you have any advice we would be much appreciative.
X's & O's
Please, please, please think of moving companies as your friend. Just like your friend would not like it if you were to swear at them then we also do not like it when you swear at us. Unfortunately screaming and swearing at us will not get you what you want.
Unfortunately some parts of the moving industry are out of our hands. Equally unfortunate is that you turned down our earliest available dates to pick up your items. And considering that you have purchased a plain ticked this is twice as worry some.
No sir, unfortunately because you played dealer for the owners' fathers' parties in days gone by, does not mean that you can get a move when ever you feel the need. Demanding that the owner guarantee everything, a bag of chips and a small puppy is not going to sit well.
From Reception
P.S.
We have contemplated getting a bookie to handel the bets of acts of god causeing this move to not happen of n the selected date. Driver Quitting on day of pick up is at the top of the list. Quickly followed by you calling and rejecting that pick-up date. If you have any advice we would be much appreciative.
X's & O's
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