LocalMovers Blog

Why Summer Moving May be Overrated

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:16:00 +0000

Moving during the summertime does have its perks: the kids are out of school and the roads are not covered in snow and ice. However, for these benefits, there is a heavy price to pay. In the literal sense, that price could be up to 40% more, but figuratively speaking there are many other great costs associated with peak season moving.

The busiest time for movers is June through August, although by May most are already charging peak season rates. This means that scheduling is difficult, some delays in pick-ups and drop-offs are inevitable, and movers are less likely negotiate the additional services you may require. If you are working with a broker beware because moving companies are busy with their own customers. They will have less of a need for broker jobs, leaving your pick-up as one they will only “squeeze in” when they can. Even if you are moving yourself, most truck rental companies and DIY services charge based on the season. Of course if you are moving in or around one of the northern states, it may be worth it to deal with all this because you will probably have even more issues with the winter weather. If you live around the southern states like Florida, then winter moving deserves some serious consideration.

For example, LocalMovers.com is based in sunny South Florida. If we were to be planning a move, what sense would make to pay the extra cash and deal with all hassles just to move when it is hot, muggy, and, as summertime in Miami always is, very rainy? During the summer months we have the constant concern of tropical storms and hurricanes that can bring all Miami movers to a standstill. The only upside is that the children are out of school, but then again, Miami local movers don't mind working winter break. Winter in Florida is dry and temperatures remain favorable with lows that only occasionally dip into the upper 40’s. This is great moving weather whether you are doing it yourself or hiring professionals. Prices during these times are at their lowest, especially from December to February.

With that said, if you don’t have a need to move in the summer, don’t. So do yourself a favor, if you are looking to hire Miami moving companies or any other southern moving services, or even if you are just planning to rent a truck and do it yourself, avoid the peak season. You will only cause yourself extra stress and aggravation on top of the anxiety that naturally accompanies any relocation, and all you will have to show for it will be a lighter wallet.

Professional Courtesy and why it Matters to the Consumer

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:09:00 +0000

When people ask friends and neighbors for referrals on services, they are usually just concerned with the way the company in question treats its customers. They normally don’t question how they act towards their colleagues and competitors. The problem with this logic is that businesses these days are remarkably interdependent. When you work with a real estate agent to purchase or rent a home, he or she will likely have to work with another agent to get the deal done. Likewise, when you contract a moving company for relocation it is quite possible that that business will have to work with others in the field to get that job done. This can include the advertising firms that connect the movers with their customers (as in many of the online moving directories), the sales people/estimators, the dispatchers who are responsible for the logistical details, and even other agents as maybe required for special circumstances.

I bring this up because of a recent experience with a very angry and vulgar mover based out of Vermont. As you can see with our website, we post information about movers in different cities so as to assist our customers in finding local businesses. This way if you are in Florida you can find Florida local movers; if you are in Vermont you can find Vermont local movers, and so forth. One certain Vermont mover, however, was not happy to be listed without a direct link pointing back to his site. He called our office afterhours using the kind of profanity that would make a sailor blush to a female who answered the call. Despite his vulgar insults she explained that while it was not our policy to provide links for all the movers in our listing, she would remove that moving company’s listing if he so desired. His angry rant did not quite end there. She requested the page url, and he proceeded to threaten her and insist she should know it (very difficult when you have over 200,000 pages). She took the verbal abuse in stride and finally coaxed it out of him and removed the listing.

We were certainly not customers of this mover, but this ordeal made me wonder how a company with such a lack of professional courtesy treats its customers. I imagine that if everything goes smooth and the customer does not complain it is possible that everyone will walk away satisfied with the moving experience. However, if the customer does have an issue with something, how will this mover react? It seems as though he is short on patience and temper, and acts on impulse and aggression. While the importance of professional courtesy from the customer’s standpoint is just a theory of mine, I would not want to test it with the man who has all of my belongings in his truck.

Move easy!

P.Harris

http://www.Localmovers.com/

Need a Fresh Start? Some Things to Consider when Relocating to Start Over

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:47:00 +0000

In this difficult economy, many people are wondering if moving out of their high-unemployment-rate city would be a wise choice. Moving to the city of Dallas, TX, one of the U.S.’s top moving destinations, has become the option that many American families are considering. The act of moving itself has a significant cost associated once you consider locating new housing and selling or renting out your current residence, packing up, finding Dallas local movers, and relocating, getting set up in your new location, and of course all the time it will take to get all these things done. If you feel strongly that leaving your present town will help you and your family find new and better opportunities, then it may just be worthwhile to make that change.

Dallas, one of the largest cities in the U.S., is located in the heart of the country. Even in the face difficult economic times, Dallas has managed to maintain a relatively stable economy, making Dallas an attractive option for relocating families. The city of Dallas along with its surrounding metropolitan area provides a diverse atmosphere with a cost of living that has remained quite manageable over the years. The school system is amongst the nation’s best with 5 Dallas public schools named in Newsweek magazine’s list of best public schools in the United States in 2007. Crime rate and unemployment rate are relatively low when compared to other large cities and the climate is especially favorable; winter highs are in the 60’s and the summer, while hot, stays pretty dry.

If you are looking to make a fresh start, this may be the place for you. Be sure to begin preparations in advance and take the time to do this right. Do your research and hire professional Dallas movers who are qualified and licensed to operate in Dallas. When it comes to moving all of your personal things, do not just settle for anyone who gives you a cheap price. Find a reputable Dallas moving company by asking friends and neighbors for referrals or looking online. Check all licensing and insurance credentials and make sure you get an in home estimate.

There will be much for you to do in your moving process. You will need to find new schools for your children, make arrangements for transporting your pets, and locate new doctors, dentists, banks, etc. These things will keep you quite busy so make a list, plan in advance, and get quotes from professional Dallas moving companies to move your belongings. In the end the cost of the mover will be worth the expense once you consider the added stress of moving yourself.

LocalMovers Blog: Long distance vs. Local Relocation: What's the Difference?

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:23:00 +0000

LocalMovers Blog: Long distance vs. Local Relocation: What's the Difference?

Long distance vs. Local Relocation: What's the Difference?

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:22:00 +0000

The question of what is the difference between what movers consider a long distance move and a local move seems like common sense. A local move means you are moving nearby and long distance means you're going far away, right? Well, sort of.

If you are relocating cross-country, then yes, that would constitute long distance moving. Likewise, if you are moving next door, then that is a local move. What is less clear-cut, however, is how we treat all those places in between, and that it what I will discuss here.

First thing to note is that any move that crosses state lines is ALWAYS considered a long distance move. It does not matter if your destination is so close that you can see it from your doorstep, it will be treated as a long distance move and it will be subject to all regulations that apply to interstate movers. Also, as with any long distance move, you will pay based on what you are moving (preferably by weight, not cubic feet), and not by the hour as is the case with local moves.

Now to the more grey area...

When moving within the same state, if the distance is greater than 100 miles, it is a long distance move. Your mover will be regulated by state regulations and will charge by weight preferably, although there are those that use cubic feet (not recommended).

When moving out of state, but within the continental US, it is a long distance move, simple as that. But if you are going to Hawaii or Alaska, then it will be treated as if it were international moving because of the shipment must be taken to and then loaded in a container to be transported across water to the destination, and then transfered to a truck for delivery.

Movers usually classify moves based on needs required and regulations which must be adhered to, and not necessarily iby whether or not the distance to be traveled is long or short. Why it matters to you, the consumer, is that understanding what is invloved in each kind of move and how prices should be quoted(and then charged) can help you in your selection of the appropriate relocation company that will best be able to handle your move.

LocalMovers Blog: Reasons why you should always hire a Local Mover

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:34:00 +0000

LocalMovers Blog: Reasons why you should always hire a Local Mover

Reasons why you should always hire a Local Mover

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:51:00 +0000

The advantages of using a Local Mover are numerous. Here are just a few:

Out-of-area moving companies cannot provide on-site (physical estimates), therefore any quote given will be a non-binding estimate. (non-binding estimate: actual cost may change. Customer is advised to be prepared with additional cash in case of overage. Payment for services due upon delivery in cash or certified funds only, which causes additional hassle for customer when actual price is unknown).

• Out-of-area moving companies may not be as familiar with city ordinances requiring permits or restricting truck access or road conditions. Roadways can be very narrow, rough, steep, or be dirt roads; unfamiliar companies may have difficulty with these or may even cause damage to customers' furniture or property.

• Out-of-area movers often subcontract their jobs to other companies when they can't service them. Customers in this case haven't gotten to check out the new carrier on BBB or FMCSA because they won't know of the change until the new guy is at their door.

• Brokers only subcontract the jobs they book; they own no moving trucks or equipment. Once a job has been dispatched to a hauler (mover), the carrier adopts the moving estimate as its own, forcing the customer to deal with this new company for any customer service issues (trust us, you will hate that). When problems arise, as they often do, the broker will direct the customer to the mover and the mover will then tell them to contact the broker leaving the customer in middle with little options to resolve issues.

• A job accepted by a mover from a broker is usually a low priority for that mover. If the mover comes across a better job that interferes with picking up the broker's job, he will drop the broker's job even if it is just hours before pick up leaving the customer stuck on the move date. The mover knows that the customer complaints will usually end up on the broker since the customer probably doesn't even know the moving company 's name.

• Brokers and far away companies alike, tend to take large upfront deposits at the time of booking, while local moving companies charge significantly smaller deposits.

• Local companies tend to try harder to please since most of their customers come from their own areas and they are concerned about a bad reputation in their hometown. A company will also act differently when it is located in a place where a customer can drop in and complain in person. Angry phone calls and emails are easy to ignore and avoid; a person walking into your place of business, not so much.

These are some of the reasons why using a local moving company usually results in an easier move. Even though that voice on the other end of the phone line may sound friendly, reassuring, and knowledgeable, the truth is there is no way that person can promise you everything will be fine and that your move will go exactly as planned from so far away. Only a Local Mover, with its local ties and local familiarity, can give cater to your specific moving needs.

Miami Moving Companies

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:58:00 +0000

There is alot of competition between movers in Miami.So as long as you find the moving company you can definitely get a great deal. I have actually called a few to get price and found we have some of the cheapest prices in the country.One good way to find the best mover is throught a friend or re - feral.I have also found out that when you mention to the movers you were recommended through someone the price goes up for some reason.So if you do find a good moving company don't even mention your you were refereed.Just call them up get the quote yourself.The Quality of work will be the same you just mite save some money.
Have A Great Move
http://www.localmovers.com/

Bad Moving Companies

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:20:00 +0000

Just about everyone has heard about the horror stories that come along with moving. This is what gave the industry such a bad rap. Altough there are some shady companies out there, there are still plenty of good movers out there. You just have to know where and how to look.

The most important thing to remember when getting quotes is: if it's too good to be true, it probably is. It may be tempting to book the mover with the lowest price, but trust me, they are not all created equal. Get at least 3-4 estimates and make sure the estimates you are comparing are all based on the same weight, and that all additional or accessorial services are included on each as well. If one estimate lists a charge for something that the other does not, ask why not. If the truck shows up on moving day and has to provide that service, they will charge you whether it was on the quote or not. This especially holds true if you were quoted by phone. It is better to know the price upfront than to be suprised later.

These days with the economy in the shape that it's in, we have seen movers doing whatever they can to survive by getting your business. This surge in competion may be great for the consumer, but it is important to be cautious. If any one quote is drastically lower than the others, be wary. Also, find out what the regulations are for your state. For intrastate moves, some states require separate licensing. For interstate moves, all moving companies are required to be registered with the FMCSA Division of the Department of Transportation and must have an MC and US DOT number.

The best way to save money and aggravation during your relocation is to do your research, know your rights, and be realistic. Check your mover out with the FMCSA to make sure they have authority to operate, and make sure you receive Your Rights and Responsibilities When you Move handbook (your mover is required to provide this to you).

Have a current problem with a moving company or need help finding the right carrier? Post your questions and I'll be happy to answer them. Be sure to also check out our Moving Guidebook for more tips.

Have A Great Move
http://www.localmovers.com/

Local Movers in Florida

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Moving in Florida can be very tricky. There are alot of regulations in this state so finding the right moving company might not be as easy as you think. For example, moving companies providing intrastate (pick up and delivery are both in Florida) relocation services must be registered with the Florida Department of Transportation and must have a FL DOT number. A US DOT number alone will not allow them to legally act as an intrastate carrier . If they are operating in South Florida, they must be licenced in each county they service (Dade,Broward and Palm beach). Also, if the moving company you decide to use is located within 50 miles of your pick up location, they are required to give you a physical estimate, or an estimate performed at your home or office where an estimator can view the belongings to be transported. A physical estimate, also refered to as an in-home estimate, will give the moving company a better idea of what needs to be done to transport your things safely. A good mover will know exactly where to look while doing a walk-through. He/she will check in closets, cabinets, attics, outdoors, etc. to make sure nothing is left out of the quote. The estimator will also calcualte the number and type of boxes necessary to do the job.

For more tips on moving or to search for licensed and insured moving companies in Florida go to www.localmovers.com/local-movers/florida.aspx .

Don't have the time to call around for quotes? Just go to http://www.localmovers.com/FreeQuotes.aspx and get quotes from movers servicing your area.

Have A Great Move
http://www.localmovers.com/

Local Movers in New York

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Most people don't realize that moving in New York City can be a very difficult process. There are many restrictions involved when moving to or from this city. For example, if you are in Manhattan, you are only allowed to use a 28-foot truck or smaller. Also, you will need to get a permit to park the truck on your block or risk getting a costly ticket.

There are movers out there who don't know the regulations which are specific to New York City, and many of them will add the unexpected expenses to your bill. If they receive a ticket for parking without the required permit, they will charge it to you. In the case of a long distance move, if they need to park further away, you will be charged for a long carry (when the truck must park more than 75 feet from your door or entrance to your building). With a local move (pick up and delivery are less than 50 miles apart and are within New York state), you will be charged by the hour, and of course, parking a block or more away will increase the amount of hours necessary to perform the job.

Avoid unexpected charges by seeking a company who is familiar with both your pick up and destination cities. This way, if there are additional expenses because of permits, long carries, or any other costs associated with your move, you will be aware so you can budget accordingly. You can go to www.localmovers.com/local-movers/New-York.aspx to find more information and moving tips. You can also search licensed and insured movers serving your area.

I have been in the moving industry for over 10 years. I have seen everything in the business- the best and most reliable companies and the biggest scammers. I know that relocating can be a very tedious and stressful process. I am here to help you with any questions you may have about moving, moving companies, or any aspects of relocation you may be concerned about. If you have had an experience in the past with a great or a terrible move, I would like to know.

Have a great move.
www.LocalMovers.com

Information Handbook

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 05:17:00 +0000

Information Handbook

Have You Recently Had A Good Moving Experience?

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:14:00 +0000

Other than death, I believe that the entire moving experience is one of the most stressful things in life. Uprooting your entire family just seems like a hard and difficult time in one's life especially in these difficult economic times. Even when thoroughly planned moving can still be very stressful experience. So we would like to know if anyone has recently had a "pleasant" moving experience? Tell us how you were able to accomplish a satisfying move. Did you plan far in advance? Did you start packing a month in advance? Did you greatly downsize and get rid of a lot of junk? Let us know honest thoughts.

And speaking of difficult economic times, did anyone watch the CNBC interview with Warren Buffett last week? I watched the entire show intently and found his comments and remarks very insightful and cause for hope in the near future. Many Americans are afraid to spend any money on non-essential items; so many are afraid of losing their jobs that we are hanging on to every penney. I think what Mr. Buffett said about the President coming out and reassuring the American that the stimulus package will work would, I think, bring back confidence to the general public that our economy will rebound and be much stronger because of the large investments being made into the sorely taxed infrastructure of our country. Unfortunately, many Americans will be displaced during this changing economy and will be forced to move to various parts of the country or even the world.

Local Movers-How to Find the Best Mover For Your Relocation

noreply@blogger.com (LocalMovers) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:06:00 +0000

Welcome and thank you for visiting LocalMovers website. From LocalMovers you can find professional and experienced moving companies serving all of your relocation needs. Whatever your packing, transport, storage or delivery needs are, we have highly trained teams ready to provide you with superior service.

LocalMovers has a huge database of fully licensed and insured moving companies that offers local and interstate, residential and commercial moving services. In addition, you also can find long- and short-term storage companies.

To visit Our Website Click Here