I'm not actuly refering to the moving company, but to it's customers.
I just spoke with a gentlemen that was wonderfully polite and understanding. He knew when and were he wanted to move and had a good idea of how things went. He was getting a few estimates is wonderful. He even said that he had found that he understood that the best time to move was in the middle of the month.
This last part is what makes me the happiest.
Lots of people get upset when they want to move in the first or last week of the month. Regardless of if it is a local or long distance move, this time frame is always busy. Most of these people tend to be renters and unfortunately because of leases they tend to get the short end of the stick. All this can tend to make people cranky. It is even worse for the person that doesn't like to move or hasn't been in charge of setting up their own move before.
Timing is everything. Also, this guy made my day.
Showing posts with label Moving Advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Moving Advice. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Planing to Move
I can't tell you how many times I have paused while talking to a person on the phone because they "are planning ahead" or "want to get the ball rolling" for their move that they want to happen in three days.
Most companies have a seven day registration policy. In my opinion it is there to prevent last minuet switches to driver schedules. The last thing any moving company wants to do is have a driver stuck on the other side of the country and possibly delay other moves.
If this happens in the summer, durring our bussy seasion, I have to tell people that we can not do their move. A few have asked for my manager and would hang up on him because he would give them the same answer. Generaly in the summer we are booking moves two weeks out so a last minuet thing just can not happen.
In the winter, during our slow season, once in a RARE while we can pull something like that off. but we have started to see a pick up in appointments during this time and this makes last minuet moves like this almost imposable.
To save your self some frustration you want to get an estimate about two weeks or more before your desired move date. If you are worried about getting stuck with a last minuet move; contact a moving company a check to see how long their estimats are good for. If you have a sales agent come out ask them if there is anything that could be done if you have to be out of your home sooner then you thought.
Most companies have a seven day registration policy. In my opinion it is there to prevent last minuet switches to driver schedules. The last thing any moving company wants to do is have a driver stuck on the other side of the country and possibly delay other moves.
If this happens in the summer, durring our bussy seasion, I have to tell people that we can not do their move. A few have asked for my manager and would hang up on him because he would give them the same answer. Generaly in the summer we are booking moves two weeks out so a last minuet thing just can not happen.
In the winter, during our slow season, once in a RARE while we can pull something like that off. but we have started to see a pick up in appointments during this time and this makes last minuet moves like this almost imposable.
To save your self some frustration you want to get an estimate about two weeks or more before your desired move date. If you are worried about getting stuck with a last minuet move; contact a moving company a check to see how long their estimats are good for. If you have a sales agent come out ask them if there is anything that could be done if you have to be out of your home sooner then you thought.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Moving on the Winter Holidays
I do NOT recommend moving on the holidays.
The week of Christmas and the week for New Years is always booked. It's a short week so that adds to the stress. Commercial moves happen a lot in this time frame because companies don't have to worry about employees and movers getting in each others ways.
Unless the holidays are in the middle of the week the holiday weekends are either booked to death or companies are closed for the holiday. This also happens on the 4th of July, Labor day, Thanksgiving, Memorial day, Presidents day and maybe a few others.
How they managed to keep to schedule and go gray o bald is beyond me.It also seems like the holidays is the designated time that any and everything bad will happen to the moving trucks. We had two trucks go down last wee and I have never seen my managers and dispatchers so stressed. The weather also didn't help matters.
So, if you are planing to move during a holiday you will need to contact a moving company about two months in advance to do a survey and set up your move date. If you wait until the month of your move you might find that holiday week booked already. Calling the week of the holiday to be moved will not do much good and calling the day before will do even less.
A last minuet move never ends well, avoiding one will save you an unpresident amount of stress.
Also as a last note, I will never go into a store on December 24th again. It was down right terrifying.
The week of Christmas and the week for New Years is always booked. It's a short week so that adds to the stress. Commercial moves happen a lot in this time frame because companies don't have to worry about employees and movers getting in each others ways.
Unless the holidays are in the middle of the week the holiday weekends are either booked to death or companies are closed for the holiday. This also happens on the 4th of July, Labor day, Thanksgiving, Memorial day, Presidents day and maybe a few others.
How they managed to keep to schedule and go gray o bald is beyond me.It also seems like the holidays is the designated time that any and everything bad will happen to the moving trucks. We had two trucks go down last wee and I have never seen my managers and dispatchers so stressed. The weather also didn't help matters.
So, if you are planing to move during a holiday you will need to contact a moving company about two months in advance to do a survey and set up your move date. If you wait until the month of your move you might find that holiday week booked already. Calling the week of the holiday to be moved will not do much good and calling the day before will do even less.
A last minuet move never ends well, avoiding one will save you an unpresident amount of stress.
Also as a last note, I will never go into a store on December 24th again. It was down right terrifying.
Friday, November 5, 2010
When Packing Medication...
Please, please, please! If you have medication the is necessary for you to continue to live, please do not have the movers pack it up. Also please do not call in yelling at the moving company because you need the medication.
Take some with you or contact your doctor for an emergency prescription.
Take some with you or contact your doctor for an emergency prescription.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Moving Company is Using a Rental Truck
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.
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.
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.
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