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All in the Family Moving specializes in long distance moving to states like Florida, New York and other east coast cities. Moving long distance is a challenge and we provide these articles and tips to make your long distance move a better experience.

How to Take the Stress Out of Moving

by Joe Harrison, President, American Moving and Storage Association

Moving is one of the most stressful events in a person's life, ranked
by researchers as high as the death of a loves one or divorce. But with
the right kind of planning and care, you can take the stress out of your
move.

While the advice in this article primarily covers interstate moves (a
move between two or more states), many of the tips apply equally to local
and intrastate (within the same state) moves and international moving
as well.

The biggest mistake most people make is failing to plan ahead. Waiting
until the last minute -- especially during movers' busy summer season
-- limits your options and can result in disappointment when it comes
to securing the services of the mover you want at the date of your choosing.
It also causes people to be less careful in selecting a mover - leaving
them open to become victims of criminals who pose as movers to rip people
off.

We suggest you begin making arrangements at least four to six weeks before
the moving date. A planning checklist and planner, called Countdown to
Moving Day, and other useful advice, is available at the American Moving
and Storage Association consumer advice website, http://www.moving.org

And here is an inside tip from someone who knows the moving industry.
Most people want to move during the summer, when the kids are out of school.
This means that from May to September movers are extremely busy. If you
can arrange for your move at another time of year, you have a much better
chance of securing a high quality move from the company of your choice.
Also, most movers offer lower prices between the months of October and
April.

Similarly, most people want to move at the beginning or end of the month,
because most rent and mortgage payments are due on the first of each month.
However, if you can arrange to move in the middle of the month, you will
not only increase the likelihood of getting the mover you want and a top-notch
crew, but the pickup and delivery dates you require.

How to Find a Professional Mover

AMSA does not recommend one moving company over another. However, when
selecting a mover - especially an interstate mover -- we encourage consumers
to choose a moving company that is a member of AMSA. Members of AMSA are
required to follow all federal consumer protection regulations and participate
in the loss and damage Arbitration Program sponsored by our organization.

We also urge you choose from among AMSA members that participate in the
AMSA Certified Mover and Van Line Program. AMSA Certified Movers and Van
Lines have voluntarily agreed to abide by a Code of Conduct that requires
complete disclosure of moving information to consumers, timely service
and prompt response to claims and complaints.

Not all movers participate in this program. Certified movers are listed
at http://www.moving.org

To make your search easier, AMSA has a Referral Service available on
the www.moving.org website. Simply type in move profile information to
obtain a listing of professional movers in your area. If you wish, your
move profile can be emailed to these movers to contact you for a free
estimate.

If your shipment is to be moved within one state (intrastate) or you
are moving out of the country (international move, many AMSA members perform
this service as well. Also, you can contact your state's moving association
for a reference to their member movers.

How to Avoid Pitfalls - And Criminals Posing as Movers

You've probably seen news stories about the proliferation of scam movers
who have abused customers across the U.S. These are criminals who pretend
to be movers. Typically, they offer an estimate much lower than legitimate
movers. Then, when they arrive at destination, they significantly boost
the price and refuse to unload the truck unless you pay the new, much
higher price, usually demanded in cash.

This is against the law. Most local law enforcement agencies will not
intervene in these cases because they believe they involve private, contractual
disputes. Federal officials responsible for enforcing the law will take
your complaint, and eventually investigate and will try to help you get
your possessions back, but it is a difficult process.

As a result, the best way to protect yourself from these rogue movers
is don't get involved with them in the first place. Here are dead giveaways
to look for - along with good advice on how to make sure that a move handled
by a legitimate mover goes smoothly and with the minimum of stress.

The website looks very professional, but you've never heard of
the recommended movers. Today, the Internet is the favorite tool of rogue
movers for luring victims. Typically designed to look like professional and
legitimate, these websites are operated by rogue movers or brokers who
assign your shipment to a mover, which can be a rogue mover.

If you use one of these sites, be sure to ask if your shipment will be
brokered and insist on learning the identity of the licensed mover. Although
some sites are legitimate, few bother to weed out rogue movers from who
they work with. To be safe, avoid Web-based brokers and deal directly
with known, well-established movers that either are located in your area
or movers (agents) in your area that represent established van lines.

If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
We're trained as consumers to look for the lowest price. While honest
movers are competitive and their prices differ, they will be within a
reasonable range. If a mover comes in with an estimate way below all the
others, that should send up a red flag that this is someone to avoid.

To put the typical cost of moving in perspective, the examples below
show ranges of average costs of interstate moves between four major cities
by approximate size of a household.

TYPICAL AVERAGE COST OF MOVING
PLUS PACKING

What is important to understand is that if you are moving and you obtain
three estimates and one estimate is more than 50% below the other estimates,
it's likely that the low-ball estimate is being provided just to get possession
of your household goods to put a rogue mover in a position to demand thousands
of dollars more prior to relinquishing your goods at delivery (since the
estimate is not anywhere close to the actual moving cost). Also, in addition
to the pricing tactic the moving service itself may not be satisfactory.
There are sometimes circumstances that may justify a much lower price
being provided by another mover, but a significantly lower estimate warrants
much more scrutiny than just your uninformed acceptance.

Watch out for required deposits.  A legitimate mover generally doesn't require
a deposit before moving you except in extraordinary circumstances; however,
scam movers frequently require significant deposits even for the simplest moves.
If a mover requires you pay a significant deposit before your move to "hold your dates"
or to insure "prompt service" you may want to use another mover.

Read the paperwork. Interstate movers are required to provide you with a booklet
called "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" and information on their
arbitration program. Read the information over carefully. If the mover you are
considering using doesn't provide you with this information, you may want to choose
another mover.

Ask about payment options.Federal regulations require that when
the mover arrives at your new home (or if your shipment is placed in a warehouse),
you must pay for the move before the shipment is unloaded. It is customary for
movers to require payment in cash, by certified check or money order

The reason is simple: Just as criminals pose as movers to rip people
off, unfortunately some customers try to cheat legitimate movers. On an
interstate move, once the truck and crew return to another state it is
difficult if not impossible for the mover to collect on a bad check or
canceled credit card payment. As a result, most movers will not accept
personal checks. While some movers accept pre-approved payment by credit
card, don't automatically assume a credit card will be accepted for payment.
Ask your mover.

Beware of prices based on anything but the shipment's weight.
Legal interstate moving estimates are based on the weight of your shipment,
but scam movers often base charges on the cubic feet your goods take up
in the truck, then adjust them to their advantage. Under law, shipment
weight must be determined on a scale certified by a state agency. If the
mover bases his price on cubic feet (which means you can't verify the
amount you're charged), you may want to use another mover. 

Keep in mind that pricing of local, intrastate and international shipments
can differ from interstate shipments. Also, intrastate moving is governed
by state - not federal - regulations. Local moves and some intrastate
moves are usually priced by hourly cost of labor needed. International
shipments are priced on a rate per hundredweight times the total size
of the shipment for all services, which includes ocean transportation.

Never rely on a price estimate made over the phone or over the
Internet. Federal rules require a legitimate interstate mover
provide a written estimate. While some legitimate movers may offer a survey
over the phone, we recommend you ask them to send a trained, experienced
estimator to your home for a more accurate estimate, if possible. This
is where planning ahead helps. The Internet is a wonderful tool for research,
but obtaining a moving estimate over the Internet is very risky.

During the estimate, show the estimator every single item to be moved.
Don't forget the attic, basement, garage, closets and under beds. Reach
a clear understanding about the amount of packing and other services needed.
Anything omitted from the estimate but later included in the shipment
will add to the final cost.

When it comes to time to move, even if you use a legitimate mover you
can be in for an unpleasant surprise about the price if information you
provided during the estimate isn't complete and accurate. For example,
some people say they will pack everything themselves, but then don't get
around to it. Remember, if the mover has to do extra packing on the day
of the move, you have to pay for it. Also, any move will cost more if
you forget to mention that the destination is located on a street too
narrow for a large truck. Be sure to include this information when you
talk to the estimator.

Understand binding and non-binding estimates. Binding
estimates guarantee the cost of the move based on items to be moved and
services listed on the mover's estimate sheet. Remember, any items or services
added later will result higher charges and may cause delays. By law, once
the mover arrives at your destination, the driver cannot ask for payment
that is more than the binding estimate before unloading the truck unless
you have added items or services that were not included in the binding
estimate.

A non-binding estimate, on the other hand, is not guaranteed. It is an
approximation of the cost based on the mover's survey of the items to
be moved, with the final cost determined after the shipment is weighed
on a certified scale. With a non-binding estimate, there is no guarantee
that the final cost will not be more than the estimate. However, under
law the driver cannot ask you to pay more than 110% of the non-binding
estimate before unloading the truck. You then have at least 30 days to
pay any remaining charges.

Another type used by many movers is the not-to-exceed estimate, sometimes
called "guaranteed price" or "price protection." This
is based on a binding estimate or actual cost (at discount, if applicable),
whichever is lower. Like a binding estimate, a not-to-exceed estimate
must be provided to you in writing and is binding on the mover. The driver
cannot collect more at destination before unloading the truck.

Further, under federal regulations governing interstate shipments, if
you are given a non-binding estimate, your mover cannot require you pay
more than the amount of the estimate plus 10% to have your shipment delivered.
You will then have 30 days to pay any remaining balance.

Be present when your goods are packed.  Proper packing by a trained
packer using specially designed cartons and materials is crucial to a good move.
Schedule packing with the mover a day or two before the moving van is loaded.
If you are packing yourself, it is never too soon to start. Although packing
yourself can save money, movers usually won't accept liability for damaged items
packed by owners. If you want to save money, consider packing non-breakable
items only, like clothes and bedding.

The driver will make an inventory of your goods and it is important to
resolve any disagreements prior to signing it. Make sure all copies are
legible and all items are numbered. List valuable items separately. Some
appliances may require servicing prior to the move. Your mover can schedule
these services for you.

Your mover may ask you to select several consecutive days for loading,
and a second series of dates for your goods to be delivered. A spread
of days gives you and your mover the flexibility needed to keep your move
on schedule.

Adequately insure your goods. There are several options
for insuring your goods against possible loss or damage. Unless you purchase
additional coverage, keep in mind that all interstate household goods
shipments move under limited liability, which is 60 cents per pound. Without
additional coverage, for example, if a 10-pound stereo component worth
$1,000 is lost or destroyed, your mover would be liable for no more than
$6 (10 pounds times 60 cents).

For this reason, we recommend that you purchase full (replacement) value
protection, the most comprehensive protection plan available. The cost
for this protection depends on the value you declare for your goods that
you are shipping. Articles lost or damaged will be repaired, replaced
with articles of like kind and quality, or a cash settlement made for
repairs or replacement of the articles at their current market value,
regardless of age. Ask your mover about this recommended coverage.

For a more complete explanation of loss and damage coverage options,
see the section on this subject at AMSA's consumer advice website, http://www.moving.org

Report loss and damage promptly. If any of your goods are
damaged or lost, report the facts promptly and in detail on the driver's
copy (original) of the inventory sheet before you sign it. If you notice
damage after unpacking, a claim must be filed within nine months after
delivery. However, it is to your advantage to report damage as soon as
possible.

The mover must acknowledge receipt of your claim within 30 days and must
deny or make a settlement offer within 120 days of its receipt. When making
a claim or considering a settlement offer, keep in mind the amount of
liability that you declared on your shipment. For example, if the value
declared on your shipment was $10,000, the mover's maximum liability for
loss or damage to the articles is $10,000.

What to do on moving day. When moving day arrives:

• Be on hand when the movers arrive.
• Discuss the delivery arrangements fully with your mover.
• Have beds stripped and ready to be packed.
• Save your energy-let the moving crew disassemble goods.
• Read the Bill of Lading (the contract) before you sign it.
• Tell your mover how to reach you at your destination.
• Keep in contact with the mover at you destination while you are in
  transit

Sometimes your belongings will be transported in a van along with other
families' that are heading in the same general direction. This keeps your
costs down. Delivery is made on any of the several consecutive days that
you and the mover agreed upon before the move.

Make sure the mover knows how to contact you to schedule actual delivery.
If you cannot be reached at destination, the mover may store your goods
to avoid delaying other shipments. This can mean additional charges for
storage and handling.

Upon delivery, check your goods for damage. Do not sign the inventory
until you have inspected your furniture and the exterior of the cartons.

All in the Family Moving specializes in long distance moving to states like Florida, New York and other east coast cities. Moving long distance is a challenge and we provide these articles and tips to make your long distance move a better experience.