How to count your stairs, or more accurately how your movers are likely to count them was covered in some detail here in “How many steps in a flight”. Another important and often overlooked detail necessary for accurate estimating is how far the movers will need to carry your goods to their truck. Many people assume this is the same distance that they park and access their dwelling. While it may be, oftentimes it’s not. The movers are driving a truck that’s in excess of 30 feet and sometimes even longer. Movers cannot necessarily access the same way as their customers.  Keep in mind that if the movers cannot park where you had initially hoped, other factors can possibly come into play such as staircases and immovable obstacles.  Make certain to convey any additional flights of stairs and obstacles to your estimator beforehand for your best price.   Long carries can make a significant difference on the final bill as it can be even more time consuming than stairs. In order to get an accurate estimate then, one needs to figure where their movers truck can legally park. I stress legally too because I’ve run across customers more daring than I, more daring at least until realizing that parking fines can be added to the final bill!  Sometimes a shortcut might cut off a long carry, but do keep in mind that the movers will have to carry and/or dolly items through the shortcut making it impossible.  It’s best not count on shortcuts but they might be a pleasant money saving surprise on move day if feasible.

Making sure to get this correct is yet another assurance that your bill will be as estimated. Other times however, the distance is not easily determined and a common example occurs when elevator situation was not properly accounted for by the customer. Remember that the distance is, the total distance that the movers need to carry the furnishings, boxes etc. This is not the distance from the elevator to the door, but also the distance from the elevator to the dock downstairs as well! (now this is where it can become frustrating for both the mover and customer) Some buildings loading docks are underground or otherwise situated where the truck cannot get close and there can be another added distance not initially accounted for.  They will have to carry your belongings this distance and incur charges.

I cannot stress the importance when getting a flat rate quote to count the distance* from your upstairs (or down) door to the elevator, then from the elevator downstairs to the dock. If everyone’s lucky, that’s where the truck will be, if denied access though, then count from the loading to where the truck can reasonably be expected to park. This can oftentimes be a football field sized carry or more in some downtown Highrises where the parking is at a premium and property lines, streets, other buildings etc govern available space when built. While adding all these factors will increase the estimate substantially, it can be far less than a move-day surprise for the movers, always is. Extra time surprises can often require late arrival discounts for their next customers and schedule flip flops that cost time and money.   Any good mover will spot an honest attempt at a fair estimate and breaks are often given with this along with missed steps.   (Of course this last statement is no guarantee but an honest attempt is like a breath of fresh air!)

* “count the distance” the way the movers do. This is to count each step and divide by three. Of course this will vary somewhat the idea is that the average length of a normal stride is about three feet, counting your steps then dividing by three gives you a fairly accurate estimate of distance in feet.

It took me quite a while to find a postable copy of this one, which supposedly was a cover for one of the more popular magazines of the time, shortly after WWII. I could be mistaken about that though as I’m not nearly old enough to know personally. I have seen this picture in a number of mover’s offices across the country, a sort of inspiration I suppose. Inspiration perhaps, or maybe more along the lines of the compulsion to look a little too closely at a tragic accident. The question is, is this the mover’s dream come true, or a hell on earth… I shudder to think of the damage claims filed in the following weeks.

One thing for certain; in this present economy, when even some of the older and well established franchises aren’t safe, this would be a dream come true. I can hear it now, “but you advertise same-day service!”. Illustrates the old phrase nicely; “when it rains, it pours”.

No booths, no lines and no thugs, just a couple quick clicks on the lower left of each page.  The clever ones at Wordpress created this cool gadget to add live polls, so at the bottom of each page there’s a couple polls. No names nor even email addys are posted so it’s totally anonymous and only takes a second to click. I don’t know about the rest of you but the abrupt end to all the excitement from the recent elections has left me with a little voter’s hangover…… maybe a little hair of the dog, if you will, is in order.

These are the first polls that came to mind and the widget has more potential, but these two can give us all a little idea as to what kind of service we experienced this past season. Thanks for your time in clicking a poll or two while you’re here, maybe even post an idea or two for some better polls?   Would be highly appreciated!

Times might be tough but…

Rogue movers will stop at nothing.  Fortunately consumer aware seems to have risen in the last few years with all the attention focused on scam movers,  so much so that some of these vultures are now feeding on other movers!  This has occasionally gone on in the moving industry for years, especially when times are tough and times have been tough for movers since the mortgage industry meltdown.   Excuses aside, what comes around goes around and a quick call to the proper authorities will take care of this in short order.

The Scam:  What starts out as an innocuous quote (with a little too much information asked) ends up with some shady dealings the closer the move date approaches.  Mr Smith makes a few calls and fills out a form or two to get several (dozens of) quotes from companies X, Y and Z  to finally settle on company Y with the combination of competitive rates, good mannerisms and reputation.  As move day approaches, company X (who took a little too much information for a simple quote) calls and informs Mr Smith that a required deposit was never received and needs to be collected to  guarantee the truck’s arrival tomorrow.  No problem;  simple oversight and the cards charged/checks off (but no memory of a deposit being discussed at booking).  Company X now has two options; 1) go ahead with the farce and not only keep the deposit, but keep the move as well, by…….step 2) Company X calls company Y posing as Mr Smith canceling the reservation,  thus scoring twice on one scam!

There’s many variations only encumbered by the scammer’s imagination.  One common variation, and probably the most likely, is for the unlucky company who didn’t book the move, to slander any other company upon confirming a job that was never booked in the first place.   Upon “hearing” that the another company was awarded the business when “confirming the job”, company X goes on to slander company Y or whatever company.  This company has heard so many complaints about company _________ it would make your head spin.   It could be any company, and it is, these scammers rely on the customer’s state of confusion and panic immediately prior to the move to acquiesce even possibly knowing something a little fishy might be afoot.  These guy’s sure will make it easy for you and cannot believe any mis-communication like this had taken place and cannot recall the last time it did.  They’re quite sure you booked with them!

To avoid these type situations and avoid being stuck with the wrong movers and possibly no movers come move day (minus deposit), take careful notes when comparing movers.  There is no reason for a mover to need to know much to give a simple estimate, when confronted with a nosy mover ask yourself why anyone would need to know this.  Simple info like phone numbers, email addresses and of course names are necessary but addresses are not until you feel comfortable enough to let this person in your house.  When filling out the Online Spam Factories (quotes from multiple movers) take care NOT to give out too much info  (you have no way of knowing who the site is selling your info to and how many times).   Timeshare solicitors at dinnertime anyone?   Make certain to read their DISCLOSURE NOTICE  to understand how the info you supply will be resold and how many times.   Always ask your mover their Spam policy, and any other business you give personal info to.

Much of what’s written on this blog comes down to good old common sense which make’s it frustrating to see  how many intelligent people fall for these scams when moving.   It’s no surprise really when one considers the stress and time constraints involved when planning a move.  The most opportune time for the scammers to manipulate you when your stressed and already feel all the steps have been taken care of.   Here again is where written estimates and guarantees in writing come in handy.   Even the most proficient of scammers clam up when the customer has their act together and their paperwork in order.

Stumble It!

This blog is to provide information and tips about moving in general and the east coast has been my place of business for some time now.   The goal of this blog is to promote integrity and honesty in the moving industry and an insider’s view for consumers. Like minded professionals are encouraged to participate. I’ve been in this industry for longer than I care to remember since turning a summer job into an intense and interesting profession close to two decades ago.   I would love it if someone comments or has questions as I would like to make this a useful resource.

In addition to hopefully creating a useful resource, this blog is sure to teach me something about this great and even sometimes free resource available in the Net. The Internet is growing to be the major marketing venue for businesses and commerce in general.  Not being blessed with the Geek’s intellect creating this blog is foreign territory for me to explore, and it may even net some potential reward too. If nothing else, in the form of experience.

On to the blog….Allow me to reiterate that I’m qualified to help anyone moving in the near future whether or not they have had problems with movers in the past. I’m not interested in blogging any specific company’s actions or perceived slights except.   Company names on any negative comments will not be posted.   Any company that’s performed a good service would certainly appreciate a good report though and those will be posted.  The fact that some companies practice deceit willfully is unfortunate for the rest of us.  I would guess that at least seventy percent of the local industry is made up of honest and competent individuals.

Got a question or want some tips? This is free mover’s consultation from an experienced mover,  with no recommendations which mover to use.  Hopefully some movers themselves will post too which might prove interesting and even educational. Movers themselves and supervisors comments will be greatly appreciated. Another great source of info would be estimators and anyone else in the business that has a helpful comment or two pertaining to moving.

Thanks for reading this, wish you luck and hope your next move is a smooth one.

I appreciate your patience, thanks.