I will never, ever understand why people with ask if they have to move their own items into self storage. On one hand the joke never gets old. On the other hand I want to bang my head on my desk every time I hear it.
Self Storage is just that, you store it your self. You rent the unit and you move it in all by yourself.
While the company will have someone working they are not there to move your items into the unit. This is for insurance purposes. No company is going to take liabilty for that.
Some might have workers you can hire to move your items but they will not be free. Even if you think htey are they are not. People cost money.
Also, no company pays people to stand around. Likewise they are not going to allow people to stand around and offer their services. Again it's an insurance thing. Insurance is very expensive these days and no one wants to be sued.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
The hazard of online movers.
If you are thinking about online movers please reconsider.
First you will probably never get an accurate price for your move if they do not see it. In all my time in the moving business I have never heard of an internet based move having a happy ending. Second I have heard numerous horror stories of people having used an online moving company hold their items ransom. Or the price jumps into the stratosphere.
This is why you need to have an agent go out and take a look at your items in person. As in physically go to your house and look at what you have in it.
And no, using one estimate and asking other companies to give you a price based on that will not fly. Unless the company is either desperate or plans on taking you hand over fist, most will not do an estimate for you.
Why not? Because some people have a better idea of an items weight, will see all items or they might have different methods of calculating the weight. More importantly they will be able to ask questions about things they see or don't see(like a hidden crawl space).
Also, you are agreeing to a faceless companies terms and charges. I understand that this is the world of the web and faceless purchases.. But every time I make an online purchase on a new site I worry because you just never know for certain until you get your item/service if they were telling the truth.
And that's for sheep things like tea. I couldn't imagine doing that with a whole house worth of goods.
If you truly feel confidant in using an internet mover please check on them with the Better Business Bureau. They are your friend and are there to serve you.
First you will probably never get an accurate price for your move if they do not see it. In all my time in the moving business I have never heard of an internet based move having a happy ending. Second I have heard numerous horror stories of people having used an online moving company hold their items ransom. Or the price jumps into the stratosphere.
This is why you need to have an agent go out and take a look at your items in person. As in physically go to your house and look at what you have in it.
And no, using one estimate and asking other companies to give you a price based on that will not fly. Unless the company is either desperate or plans on taking you hand over fist, most will not do an estimate for you.
Why not? Because some people have a better idea of an items weight, will see all items or they might have different methods of calculating the weight. More importantly they will be able to ask questions about things they see or don't see(like a hidden crawl space).
Also, you are agreeing to a faceless companies terms and charges. I understand that this is the world of the web and faceless purchases.. But every time I make an online purchase on a new site I worry because you just never know for certain until you get your item/service if they were telling the truth.
And that's for sheep things like tea. I couldn't imagine doing that with a whole house worth of goods.
If you truly feel confidant in using an internet mover please check on them with the Better Business Bureau. They are your friend and are there to serve you.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Small Advice Article
I want to hug and send so much love to Better Homes & Gardens right now. The articles were posted some time ago but the advice still remains sound.
Countdown: 12 Weeks to Moving Day
this article makes me weep with joy. It lays out some very simple ideas for people that are moving to keep sane. I have seen and talked to several customers that would have greatly benefited from reading this article to lessen their stress.
Hiring a Mover: 5 Mistakes Even Smart People Make
these are five very easy to do mistakes when moving.
10 Biggest Moving Mistakes
This article expands on the one above it. It's still a good read.
It does sadden me that there seem to be more articles about moving mistakes the there are about advice.
Countdown: 12 Weeks to Moving Day
this article makes me weep with joy. It lays out some very simple ideas for people that are moving to keep sane. I have seen and talked to several customers that would have greatly benefited from reading this article to lessen their stress.
Hiring a Mover: 5 Mistakes Even Smart People Make
these are five very easy to do mistakes when moving.
10 Biggest Moving Mistakes
This article expands on the one above it. It's still a good read.
It does sadden me that there seem to be more articles about moving mistakes the there are about advice.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Please be nice to the help.
So, you are trying to get a service done but things are booked or there are other small troubles. at some point in your past someone might have suggested that to get your way you should be passive aggressive to the people you want to do things for you. Or even be truly aggressive to service people.
Don’t do it.
Just don't. Do. It.
There are four general ways verbally abusive customers are treated by service.
A best case scenario they won't notice. Some very few will not outwardly show that they care how they are treated. They will still give you the same service as a good customer. These people are far and few in between. They are almost an extinct species.
Most will probably 'pass the buck'. sadly, some people on the work force are so used to being verbally abused in some manner if you try it chances are they won’t bat an eye lash at it but they will also more than likely pass you onto someone else.
The middle of the road response you could get would be the same service but they might not go very far (or at all) out of their way to help you. They also will not bend the rules, or pull out miracles.
If you think the worst they can tell you is that they will not serve you. You are only partially right. Some might ban you from the store. They might even go so far as to call the cops on you if you are threatening them.
People who make less then you are not less of a person because of this. Frankly they are not paid enough to take that kind of treatment. Ever.
Don’t do it.
Just don't. Do. It.
There are four general ways verbally abusive customers are treated by service.
A best case scenario they won't notice. Some very few will not outwardly show that they care how they are treated. They will still give you the same service as a good customer. These people are far and few in between. They are almost an extinct species.
Most will probably 'pass the buck'. sadly, some people on the work force are so used to being verbally abused in some manner if you try it chances are they won’t bat an eye lash at it but they will also more than likely pass you onto someone else.
The middle of the road response you could get would be the same service but they might not go very far (or at all) out of their way to help you. They also will not bend the rules, or pull out miracles.
If you think the worst they can tell you is that they will not serve you. You are only partially right. Some might ban you from the store. They might even go so far as to call the cops on you if you are threatening them.
People who make less then you are not less of a person because of this. Frankly they are not paid enough to take that kind of treatment. Ever.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Customs Agency VS Moving Companies
If you have to move to another country you will have to contact the customs agency yourself. this way you know what fees you will be charged and can register your car in the new company.
Calling a moving company to find out what the fees will be and how to register your car in the USA will not get you any ware but directed to call Customs and/or the DMV.
Well, you will also probably get frustrated.
Due to Canadian law, US moving companies generally Can Not move you from Canada into the USA. I think it has something to do with taking work/money from the country, but don't quote me on that.
If you don't want to run around, or be run around, the best bet would probably be to contact the customs agency or either your country and/or the one you are moving to and deal directly with them. Then after, or while you are getting that information you should contact a moving company near you if you are planing to move your household goods.
Because contacting a moving company at your destination is a whole 'nother can of worms.
Canadian Customs
USA Customs & Border Protection
USA Department of Motor Vehicles
Calling a moving company to find out what the fees will be and how to register your car in the USA will not get you any ware but directed to call Customs and/or the DMV.
Well, you will also probably get frustrated.
Due to Canadian law, US moving companies generally Can Not move you from Canada into the USA. I think it has something to do with taking work/money from the country, but don't quote me on that.
If you don't want to run around, or be run around, the best bet would probably be to contact the customs agency or either your country and/or the one you are moving to and deal directly with them. Then after, or while you are getting that information you should contact a moving company near you if you are planing to move your household goods.
Because contacting a moving company at your destination is a whole 'nother can of worms.
Canadian Customs
USA Customs & Border Protection
USA Department of Motor Vehicles
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Customers and the word No.
Telling a customer ‘no’. Some people dream of this day, others not so much. Then there are people in professions who absolutely dread even the thought of telling a customer ‘no’. That’s because a lot of companies have a ‘never say no’ policy. Or even worse ‘the customer is always right’ policy. Or because it sometime easier not putting up a fight and giving the customer what they want and when they want it at your companies expense.
Most customers do not like being told ‘no’.
Whether or not this is caused by the ‘get it now’ existence some are lucky enough to live or from children being raised to be the center of the universe… Customers just don’t like to be told that they cannot have what they believe is their due.
Personally I try for a method of saying ‘no’ that implies ‘you have my complete condolences but sadly that there really isn’t anything that can be done’ to the customer. Note that trying and succeeding are very far apart but fortunately if it gets to this point my voice can sound as if they have put the fear of god into me. I will generally sacrifice my dignity over the phone to have an easier time going about saying ‘no’.
But sometimes you get the more… determined customers will ask (see: demand) to talk with a supervisor, manager or even owner to get their way. This can be easier to deal with as it’s no longer on your head if they tell the customer ‘no’. Sometimes it can even be therapeutic when after your boss finishes talking with them, they agree that you were right in sending the customer their way.
Unfortunately if you ever get comfortable saying ‘no’… then you could be in for a whole lot of trouble. It is a double edged sword that should be wielded with caution.
Most customers do not like being told ‘no’.
Whether or not this is caused by the ‘get it now’ existence some are lucky enough to live or from children being raised to be the center of the universe… Customers just don’t like to be told that they cannot have what they believe is their due.
Personally I try for a method of saying ‘no’ that implies ‘you have my complete condolences but sadly that there really isn’t anything that can be done’ to the customer. Note that trying and succeeding are very far apart but fortunately if it gets to this point my voice can sound as if they have put the fear of god into me. I will generally sacrifice my dignity over the phone to have an easier time going about saying ‘no’.
But sometimes you get the more… determined customers will ask (see: demand) to talk with a supervisor, manager or even owner to get their way. This can be easier to deal with as it’s no longer on your head if they tell the customer ‘no’. Sometimes it can even be therapeutic when after your boss finishes talking with them, they agree that you were right in sending the customer their way.
Unfortunately if you ever get comfortable saying ‘no’… then you could be in for a whole lot of trouble. It is a double edged sword that should be wielded with caution.
Monday, May 10, 2010
About Me.
This is just a quick run-down of why I'm writing this Blog.
In the past I have worked in a factory setting and once with a parcel delivery service. 'Eye opening' doesn't even begin to describe working with some of the people that I worked with. But at that time there was little contact with customers out side of an order. Probably a good thing.
Currently I'm working as an Receptionist/Administrative Assistant/Customer Service Rep. Not always in that order and not always as cut & dry as it sounds.
Actually it's never as cut & dry as it sounds. Ever.
This Blog is about the things I learned, experienced or should have feared in dealing with the working world. Experiences range from the simple things to the not-so simple.
Most are stories on dealing with customers with the occasional 'how it works' or 'how it doesn't work' type segments. These will mainly be on planing, cost and possibly haggling in the business world.
There will also be some advice on dealing with upset customers. The customers will range from 'just a little put out' to 'screaming profanities'. Unfortunately most of it was learned during trial & error... So... Caution will be advised.
Actually, when dealing with the working world, caution is always advised.
In the past I have worked in a factory setting and once with a parcel delivery service. 'Eye opening' doesn't even begin to describe working with some of the people that I worked with. But at that time there was little contact with customers out side of an order. Probably a good thing.
Currently I'm working as an Receptionist/Administrative Assistant/Customer Service Rep. Not always in that order and not always as cut & dry as it sounds.
Actually it's never as cut & dry as it sounds. Ever.
This Blog is about the things I learned, experienced or should have feared in dealing with the working world. Experiences range from the simple things to the not-so simple.
Most are stories on dealing with customers with the occasional 'how it works' or 'how it doesn't work' type segments. These will mainly be on planing, cost and possibly haggling in the business world.
There will also be some advice on dealing with upset customers. The customers will range from 'just a little put out' to 'screaming profanities'. Unfortunately most of it was learned during trial & error... So... Caution will be advised.
Actually, when dealing with the working world, caution is always advised.
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