There’s An App For That….

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Brandi

While a common phrase, it’s not one you are probably accustomed to hearing when you talk about your upcoming move, right?

Think again!

I’m a techie-girl and when I got wind there were apps for my smartphone for MOVING, well… I just had to dig a bit deeper!

Don’t get me wrong… the last thing I want to do is move, BUT if for some reason I lost my mind and decided to pick up and move, these apps would definitely be a big help!

  1. Zillow.com has a free app that tells you the price history of a home as well as the tax history.  In addition, it includes pictures of the property as well as “Zestimates” of the monthly house payment or rental payment.  This app also allows you to set-up notifications for price drops, open house dates and when a home is posted on the market.
  2. iInspect- ingenious app that allows you to generate a property report, complete with photos!
  3. Mint.com allows you to record all of your financial transactions associated with your move.  Makes income tax preparation a breeze!
  4. iInspect is an uber-cool app that generates a pre-populated home inspection list.  No stone is left unturned, although it is not a substitution for a  professional home inspector.
  5. iMoving is an application that allows you to create a list of the contents of your home while giving you estimates in weight and cubic feet.
  6. Moving Van allows you to easily identify the contents of EVERY box you pack.  You can take pictures of the contents of the boxes making it easier to stay organized for long-term storage.  Also useful for insurance purposes!

I’m sure there’s a lot more apps out there that will help you during your move, but these are the ones that I found most useful.

Have you found others?  If so, do tell!  If you share, I’ll give you a link back to your site!

 

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To Store Or Not To Store… That Is The Question…

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Brandi

Utilizing a storage facility when moving can be appealing.  After all, out of site IS out of mind.   But, there are some things that you shouldn’t store in a storage facility and we’ve put together a list of some of those things to help you save yourself from a major hassle prior to moving!

  1. Plants.  I’m not sure why you would want to store a plant in a storage unit because most plants need watered and fed (unless we’re talking cacti!) , but because plants attract insects, you can’t store them in a storage unit.  In addition, there are some plants that can’t be transported over state lines.  Contact the Department of Agriculture to make sure your plants aren’t on that list for your state!
  2. Hazardous or toxic materials.  While these two things may seem obvious, you may overlook them simply because you don’t really consider them dangerous.  For example, gasoline left in the spare gas can.  Or, how about kerosene from an old oil lamp?  Paint thinners, paint, and propane tanks too.  (Told you these are two items that are easily overlooked!)
  3. Guns and other weapons.  Some storage facilities do allow you to store guns or other weapons, provided that the ammunition is kept separate from the firearm.  However, I strongly discourage this simply because no matter what type of security the facility has, there’s always a possibility that someone could illegally enter your storage locker and steal your weapons.  You certainly don’t want that responsibility!
  4. Perishables.  This one should go without saying- no food, no kitty litter, no drinks, etc.
  5. High-value items.  While it’s certainly not illegal to store high-ticket items in your storage unit, I consider it very unwise.  Keep your expensive stuff within arms reach and not across town.

Off-site storage can provide an excellent alternative to keeping things underfoot, but save yourself a headache and make sure you don’t inadvertently pack something away that you shouldn’t have!

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Avoid A Moving Broker At All Costs

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Brandi

While the internet has become an indispensable tool for purchasing goods and services, there’s one area to be cautious in: your move.

Many of the sites you’ll turn up when doing a search for moving companies, are sites that look incredibly legitimate- like an actual moving company!  In fact, many sites are merely masquerading as legitimate sites and are acting as moving brokers.

In my previous posts, I discussed important questions to ask when it comes to your move, which were both related to using a moving broker.

And, in those posts I also said that not all moving brokers are bad, but that caution should be exercised.  While you can exercise caution when using a moving broker, I feel it’s best to avoid them altogether and here’s why:

  1. Moving brokers ARE NOT professional estimators.  Since brokers have no moving trucks and have no idea how much space boxes and household goods take up on a truck, they aren’t skilled at giving an accurate moving estimate.  And, if your moving estimate isn’t accurate, you could end up paying thousands of dollars more for your move, depending on what type of quote was given.
  2. No vested interest.  A moving broker has no vested interest in your actual move; they only have an interest in booking your move.  Therefore, they will not do anything to make certain the price of your move doesn’t go up.  In fact, there have been many individuals who’ve gotten caught in this predicament: the moving broker gives a low-ball quote and the moving company can require additional monies on delivery due to certain loopholes in the law.

Personally, I think it’s so easy to find a reputable moving company that using a moving broker is completely unnecessary.  But, if you’ve found yourself in the midst of a moving broker scam, make sure you file a complaint with the FMSCA, pronto!

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Two Important Questions To Ask When Moving – Part Two

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Brandi

In my previous post, I discussed an often overlooked question regarding your move, which was prompted by this recent moving debacle:

The second question often-overlooked IMPORTANT question  to ask is one that plagued the couple in the above video: “when will my stuff be at my new home??”

The couple portrayed above was under the impression that their belongings would arrive in 3 days.  Finally, eighteen days later, they received a call from the moving company demanding….wait for it… MORE MONEY!  Luckily, by being resourceful and thinking on their feet, the couple was able to avoid dishing out more money for their move!

The couple did cite three mistakes during their move that they are certain they will never make again:

  1. They went with the company who provided the lowest estimate.
  2. They didn’t research the company prior to signing a contract.
  3. They used a broker instead of dealing with a moving company directly.

While the above three mistakes prompt great suggestions when you’re choosing a moving company, here’s two more red flags to watch for when being given a moving estimate:

  1. You’re given an over-the-phone estimate as opposed to an in-home estimate.  Although there are legitimate ways to obtain an over-the-phone estimate, the best moving estimate you can get is one that is done in-home.  If someone offers to quote your move without seeing your belongings, this should be your first red flag.  (The exception to this is if you have a moving inventory that you have completed, as I detailed in this post, AND if you initiated the request for an over-the-phone estimate!)
  2. Request for a deposit in advance of your move.  Most legitimate moving companies will not ask for a deposit prior to your move.  Instead, they’ll accept full payment on delivery of your household goods.  If you’re asked for a deposit, be very skeptical.  Often times, this “deposit” is merely the brokerage fee and doesn’t go against the cost of your move!

As I said, there are legitimate individuals and companies in every single sector of business.  However, it’s my recommendation is to avoid a moving broker at all costs and to do the legwork yourself!

 

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Two Important Questions To Ask When Moving – Part One

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Brandi

I’m always on the lookout for ways to help other people avoid moving scams and moving headaches. Frankly, this is one headache (scam may be too strong of a word) I hadn’t really considered because it’s never been an issue for me.  Obviously, I dropped the ball because it is an issue for others and it relates to two important questions.

When you have someone come out and give you an estimate for your move, you need to make certain you ask and understand exactly who will be doing the move.  Is it the company providing the quote or are they merely a moving broker?

A moving broker is just exactly what it sounds like: a company who brokers your move.  That is, they arrange for someone else to move you and have nothing to do with the actual move.  While, it may sound tempting to have someone else take care of all the details of a move, but moving brokers are just glorified salespeople.  They simply quote and book your move and sell it to a moving company.

Using a moving broker can present at least a couple of problems:

  1.  Once your move is sold to the moving company, who on earth do you contact with a problem?
  2. If the moving broker can’t sell your relocation to a local moving company, you may be out of luck, with no moving truck and no help, on moving day.

I’m not saying there aren’t legitimate moving brokers out there.  There’s legitimate companies in every industry, but a LEGITIMATE moving broker will disclose their function during your move when they quote the job.

Because of moving broker scams, in 2009 the Federal Safety and Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented regulations that all brokers must comply with:

  1. Be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA);
  2. Provide you with the FMCSA “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet and the “Ready to Move” brochure;
  3. Provide you with a list of the moving companies they use;
  4. Use only movers that are registered with FMCSA;
  5. Have a written agreement with movers they use;
  6. Base binding or non-binding estimates on the tariff of the mover that will transport your shipment;
  7. Reference in their advertisements their physical business location, MC number, and their status as a broker that does not transport household goods but arranges for this service; and
  8. Have the mover that is transporting your shipment perform a physical survey of your household goods if they are within a 50 mile radius of the mover or its agent’s location, whichever is closer. It is your option to waive this requirement.

If you opt to use a moving broker or you’re in the midst of a move and have discovered that your initial moving contact was a broker, I recommend checking them out to see if they’ve had any complaints against them.  Fortunately, the FMSCA’s website can help you out with moving complaints here.

See Part Two of my “Important Questions” series here.

 

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Saving Money On Your Next Move

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Brandi

 

'Tis the season for moving and saving.

Here’s the best way to cut corners during your move (and no, it doesn’t involve Guido and a pick-up truck!)

  1. Get three, written, in-home estimates and then check their references.  Not only should you enlist the help of big brother for checking out any potential moving companies, but also see what others have to say by reading online reviews via Google.
  2. Pack yourself.  Yes, it’s a pain.  Yes, it’s maddening.  But, if you pack your belongings yourself you can save, literally, thousands of dollars on your move.
  3. Move during the middle of the week.  While it’s not always feasible, moving during the middle of the week can save you a hunk of change.
  4. Move during the middle of the month.  Many leases are up at the beginning and end of the month and demand for moving trucks is higher meaning prices will be higher during this time.  Try to time your move during the middle of the month, if at all possible.
  5. Source your own packing materials.  I HIGHLY recommend contacting your city’s newspaper headquarters and asking if they have spare end rolls of newspaper (don’t worry- your hands won’t get dirty- end rolls haven’t been printed on!)  This type of paper is nearly identical to packing paper sold by moving companies except that it comes on rolls, requiring you to tear it off as you go.  And it’s normally quite inexpensive!
  6. Check daily deals sites!  I highlighted this moving trend in another post.  Daily deals sites like Living Social and Groupon are beginning to feature deals from moving companies in various cities.  While the deal may not be the exact package you need for moving, often times you can leverage the power of these social buys to get exactly what you need at a heavy discount.
  7. Empty your trash.  Ok, I lifted this one from someone else because, seriously?  They recommended making sure your trashcans are empty prior to moving, but I think this is pretty much a given. I’m throwing it out there just in case, in the midst of the chaos, it’s something you’ve not considered.
  8. De-clutter.  I’ve recommended this previously, but there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned de-clutter before a move.  And, if you plan ahead, you can even have a yard sale to sell some of your unwanted items and use the money to fund your upcoming move!

I’m all about saving a buck when you move (or anytime, for that matter!)  Tell me your best money-saving moving tip via the comment form below and I’ll credit you back with a link from the site!

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New Texas Law Enables Immediate Arrest For Movers Who Scam

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Brandi

I just got wind of a nifty new law on the books in the Great State of Texas!

It’s a law designed to help prevent moving companies (or those posing as a moving company) from stealing people’s hard-earned money, their earthly possessions or both!

And, after the plethora of moving scams in Texas, such as this one,  I’d say it’s not a moment to soon (to coin a country crooner!)

Previously, when a moving company attempted to extort one of its customers out of more money in exchange for their goods, there was little that the consumer could do except to pony up more money.  Even a call to law enforcement did little to no good, rarely even resulting in a citation for the moving company.  But, as of May 1, 2012 that has changed!

Now, if an individual encounters a rogue mover in Texas, a call to local law enforcement can result in the rogue mover being arrested and hauled off to jail on the spot.

If a mover can’t produce what is called a “cab card”, they can be charged criminally with a Class A misdemeanor.  If convicted, it means a maximum of a year in jail, plus quadruple fines per offense.  If a rogue mover has 20 offenses, the penalty is multiplied times 20, resulting in a hefty stay in jail as well as hefty monetary fines.

Score one for Texas!  Perhaps other states will soon follow through with similar or even harsher legislation and put the brakes on all these moving scams!

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A New Solution For Storage Woes

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Brandi

Have you ever wondered what you’re going to do with those off-season clothes when you make the season switch-out?  How about those snow skis in the middle of June?  Golf clubs in Michigan in mid-December?

One newcomer to the storage industry thinks they have your answer.

In all fairness, this really isn’t a new storage solution.

In fact, it’s been around for a couple of years, but is recently gaining some momentum-  Storage By The Box.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Box your stuff up (you can use your own boxes or, conveniently, they’ll send you some for a fee)
  2. Print off your free FedEx shipping label and have your boxes picked up right at your door.
  3. Send your stuff to Chicago, IL and have it stored, month to month, for $3/CuFt if you use your own boxes or $5/box if they send you boxes.

Their pricing is straightforward, they allow you to store any size or any weight boxes and shipping is included in the prices above,  up to 25 lbs per box.  Anything over 25 lbs. incurs an extra $1/per pound.

While I think this is a novel concept and certainly created by a problem-solver, there’s a few reservations that I have:

  1. If you are disorganized by nature, like yours truly, and you need immediate access to one of your boxes, it’s much easier to go across town (or likely down the road) to get something out of storage than it is to wait for it to be shipped from Chicago, IL.
  2. If you live in a place like Ohio where the weather is rather unpredictable, changing out your wardrobe for the summer one week could mean you’ll need to buy a jacket the next week when the temperature drops to the mid-40’s.
  3. If you’re also like me, perhaps you thought that one important record was in one box, when it was actually in another box altogether.  (Being well-organized would definitely pay off in this instance!  Strike against me!)

While I applaud the entrepreneurial, problem-solving mindset, in this case I don’t think this would be a solution for me.  On the other hand, if you’re a Type A personality and your organizational skills rival those who run the National Archives, perhaps this could be a feasible storage solution for you!

What’s your thoughts?

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Not As Progressive As They Thought They Were…

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Brandi

I’ve warned you of the bait and switch moving scams cropping up everywhere.  In New Jersey, Progressive Movers and ABC Packing Services, have upped the ante in the bait and switch:

Moving Day Nightmare

What a new low!  Maybe the name Progressive Movers is fitting- a new way to scam people during a move- sex in exchange for YOUR personal belongings.  At least, that’s what one woman alleges she experienced.

She was initially quoted a price of $210 for her in-state move, a total of 12 miles one-way.  (A bargain, right?)  Unfortunately, when the movers showed up at her moving destination (with her goods loaded in their truck still), they demanded she pay an extra $1100.  When she told the movers she didn’t have the money, they offered to settle: if she would sleep with two guys at the moving company, they’d let her pay the originally quoted $210 and unload her belongings.

Another woman was given a quote for her move for $425 by the same moving outfit referenced above.  The moving company then upped the quote to an interim amount of $895.  Upon delivery of her goods, however, they held them for ransom, citing an additional $1200 in packing material costs.

Upon further investigation, it seems that Progressive Movers sweet spot for estimates hovers right at $210, with a total of 87 consumers alleging the bait-and-switch tactic was used on them, some for $210 and some for more.

It’s hard to fault any of these individuals because, in this day and age we’re all looking for the best price on everything.  However, as I’ve said time and time again, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Unfortunately, this isn’t Progressive Movers or ABC Packing Services first moving scam rodeo!  Back in 2010 Konstantin Egorov, one of the owners of Progressive Movers, entered into a consent order with the state of New Jersey agreeing to pay restitution to several consumers as well as pay the state over $20,000 in assessments over a three-year period.  That order also included a $55,000 penalty, which was suspended provided that Egorov didn’t violate the state’s Public Movers Licensing Act.

Fortunately, the NJ Attorney General’s office as well as the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs obtained an order against Progressive Movers, Egorov and all of the names he’s operated under in the past (including ABC Packing Services, Inc., Modern One, Modern One Versatile Expert Relocation Service, M.O.V.E.R.S. Inc., and Modern M.O.V.E.R.S. Inc).  The order temporarily shuts down the defendants’ businesses and sets the matter for hearing on June 15, 2012.  At that time, the judge will decide whether the defendants’ businesses should remain shut down, pending the outcome of the state’s lawsuit.

The state’s lawsuit seeks full restitution for the affected consumers, as well as civil penalties, and repayment for the state’s investigative costs and attorneys’ fees.

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has put together a guide to help consumer’s during their moves which you can find here:

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

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Hidden Moving Scams: Part Two

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Brandi

Continuing on from my previous post…

Here’s why you the cost of your move could be DOUBLED if you choose to allow the moving company to “finish up” packing your belongings on moving day : not only will you pay for the labor involved in packing the boxes, you’ll also pay for the boxes that they use to pack the rest of your stuff in.

In addition, they may not fill those boxes all the way to the top with your stuff, instead they may do a partial fill and then  use packing paper to take up the rest of the space.  They could even use expensive boxes (dish packs) for items that could have been packed in less expensive boxes.  And lastly, the whole packing tape scam… I’m all about reinforcing a box and I LOVE tape (just ask my mom how many rolls I went through as a kid!), but there is such a thing as too much.  Sometimes, moving companies will repeatedly tape a box when it’s absolutely unnecessary.    Instead of caving in and letting the moving company finish up, call on some friends to help you out!  You’ll save a ton of money…. Guaranteed!

Here’s something that most people are confused about when moving: how movers calculate your move.  Instead of using actual weight, some moving companies use ‘cubic feet’ to compute your move.  I don’t know about you, but I can barely tell you what 12 inches looks like- what on EARTH is a cubic foot?  Why not just use WEIGHT?

Here’s why: if a moving company guarantees the price of your move by a certain weight, they have to go to a certified moving station in order to see how much your stuff weighs and, unlike bathroom scales at home, those scales DON’T LIE!

If a moving company uses ‘cubic feet’ as a way to charge you for your move, they may “accidentally” take up unnecessary room by not loading your stuff properly.  And, this presents a couple of problems:

A. You get charged more.

B. If your stuff isn’t loaded properly, it increases the likelihood of damage to your stuff.

How to avoid this?  Go with a moving company that uses WEIGHT to determine the cost of your move.  And, even ask to go with them when it’s weighed.  They can’t bar you from accompanying them to the weighing station- it’s your right.  After all, it’s your stuff!

While these things really are nothing new, I hope I’ve shed a bit more light on the details of some of these “hidden” moving scams.  And I call them hidden, because the premises of a couple actually seem very legitimate… a helping hand in your time of need.  But, what you don’t need is that hand to help themselves right into your pocketbook!

Be aware… and MOVE ON!

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