I may have mentioned before that I’ve been with U-Pack for almost 10 years. In that time, I’ve gotten to speak with thousands of customers moving long-distance. Through the next several months I’ll let you in on some of the random moving tips I’ve learned throughout the years.
Moving Tip #1
Be Prepared. Carry what you need with you.
Let's face it...moving has a reputation of being stressful, overwhelming and just plain, well…grueling. And sometimes we get so caught up in the process we forget about the important “small” things. But, forgetting the “small” things can turn into a huge inconvenience.
We often get questions about the best way to move a television. Understandably – they’re our prized possessions and the focal point of our living rooms, bedrooms and game rooms, right?
So, here are some tips for moving your television:
Put it back in its original packaging. This is certainly ideal. But how many people actually think (or have room) to keep the original packaging? If you don’t have it, you might try checking with some of the electronics vendors in your area to see if they can save you a box/packaging to fit your television – you never know…you might get lucky!
Use plenty of blankets and furniture pads. If you don’t have an adequate box available, make sure you have enough blankets and furniture pads to cover ... Read More
Are you thinking about selling your house? Then you’ll need to learn, memorize, and frequently repeat the Staging Motto (embarrassing yes…helpful yes…sometimes you do what you gotta do).
The Staging Motto:
“In order to please the masses, I will create a house that is clean, simplistic, and updated. This is no longer all about me, but rather selling this house and maybe making some money on the deal.”
Now, let’s break it down and make this happen.
Clean. It’s the first keyword in the motto for a reason. This applies to both the outside and inside of your home. Your house should look neat and tidy from the curb or nobody will even think about walking in the door. Inside it should be clean by sight AND smell. A fresh scent... Read More
Refrigerators are expensive. If you’re moving one, you want to make sure you do it right to keep it from getting damaged.
Here are some great tips for moving your refrigerator safely:
Preparing your refrigerator to move
Turn it off. 24 to 48 hours before your move, turn off and unplug the refrigerator according to the refrigerator instructions. (Be especially careful if you have a water/ice dispenser – the water will need to be turned off and the water line disconnected.)
Empty and Clean it. Empty the contents and thoroughly clean and dry the defrosted refrigerator.
Stop the odor. Leave the doors open for several hours after defrosting to avoid mildew and a musty odor (you might even put an op... Read More
Get to know your new city So you’re moving to a new home or apartment. What’s next? Once you get there, you can’t just stay in the house all day. And come on, you aren’t going to be at work all day either. What do you do after work and on the weekends? How are you supposed to meet people? You need a strategy to learn the area and have some fun.
Get out of the house. Start by checking out the local newspapers and area entertainment magazines to find events that interest you. Then start taking advantage of the local attractions like parks, libraries, museums and coffee shops.
Get a hobby. If you’re athletic (or want to be), join a gym or a running club. If you’re into crafts, scrapbooking, sewing, pottery – or think it would be fun – look for classes in yo... Read More
It's a great idea to get all of your questions answered before you choose a moving company.
1. How do you charge? By weight, cubic feet, or linear feet? 2. What if I use more or less weight, cubic feet, or linear feet? 3. What forms of payment are accepted? 4. Is a deposit or down payment required? 5. What is the cancellation policy? 6. Am I guaranteed to get the moving trailer on the day of my move? 7. Will my things be loaded with someone else’s household goods? Will it ever be unloaded or transferred? 8. What is the transit time and is it guaranteed? 9. What type of liability coverage or insurance is included? 10. How do you check out with epinions.com, movingscam.com, ... Read More
It’s tax time! Are your moving expenses tax deductible?
If you've determined that your moving expenses are tax deductible, you'll need a copy of your U-Pack delivery receipt. We understand that often in the shuffle of moving, the original gets misplaced. So, if you need a copy of your delivery receipt – with the total amount you paid for your ABF U-Pack move - we can help…and it’s easy.
First, you’ll need your ABF Tracking Number (also called the PRO number). It’s the 9-digit number at the top of your Bill of Lading. You’ll also need your U-Pack Reference Number (also called quote number). It’s the 10-digit combination of letters and numbers at the top of your quote.
**If you do not have these numbers, call U-Pack at 800-240-7422... Read More
Wondering whether your 2008 moving expenses are tax deductible? You may be eligible for a tax break! Take a look at the following moving expenses articles and forms to see if your moving expenses qualify.
I’ve got two amazing kids – a 3 year-old and an 8-month-old. Thankfully, I had the good fortune of working and going to church with other moms and dads who could make child care recommendations when my maternity leave ended. Even so, it was a really difficult choice. I can only imagine what a daunting task it is when you’re moving to a new city and don’t know anyone who can make a recommendation.
So, here are some tips for finding child care in your new city:
Deciding to leave home can be difficult. You question yourself - am I ready? Others question you – are you independent enough? Can you take care of yourself and a home?
Here’s a little advice from someone who’s moved a few times in her life…
Moving Plan – Your Moving Budget You’ll need to come up with moving budget, and once it’s set, stick to it. Make a list of expenses, and categorize them as “N” for necessity or “W” for want. Then, plan for 6 months of savings as a safety net to help take care of the necessities, or your “W’s” go out the window! (It would be nice to be able to dine out or see a movie occasionally!) In these tough economic times... Read More
Oh the holidays . . . There’s a break from school and all of the family is together. Or maybe you just have a few days off from work when you can finally relax and get things done. Either way, the last thing you should have to worry about is moving. But wait! There’s only a limited amount of time before the kids have to be back at school, and the new job starts right after the holidays . . .
U-Pack Guaranteed If holiday moving is on your agenda, one of the easiest ways to remove stress is to know exactly when you’ll have your things back in your possession. At ABF U-Pack, we have an option called U-Pack Guaranteed. Sure, it costs a little extra, but you know the exact date (and time, if you want)... Read More
Long Distance Moving If you’re moving to or from a location that most long distance moving companies won’t service, ABF U-Pack may be able to help. How? ABF has nearly 300 service centers located throughout the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. The wide coverage area means it’s likely your city is a serviceable point - even though most long distance moving companies aren’t able to deliver to your home.
What if your long distance moving location isn’t serviceable? It’s rare that we encounter a location we aren’t able to service direct, but it does happen occasionally. In these cases, the city may be too far from our service center, or a location we don’... Read More
Getting Stuff ED(ucation) Thinking turkey? You’re not alone…Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Lots of people move during the holidays (especially back home); the kids are out of school, people have a few days off, and getting settled before going back to work can be as comforting as a mother’s hug.
Holiday Moving In the perfect scenario, would your shipment get delivered the Wednesda... Read More
Moving Company Research - Confirm and Contact This is basic, but important – before you sign your contract, check to make sure all of your personal information is correct (name, address, zip code, phone number etc.) AND that the contact information for the company who is moving you is correct.
Sometimes people are unsure of their exact destination address – or even the city they are moving to. If you fit into this category, it’s a good idea to get prices going to every destination city you are considering. Sometimes when a city or zip code changes, it results in a change in price. There are also times where one city may be outside of the company’s normal service area – even if it’s close to a city that is serviceable. It’s best to know about all potential price adjustments before signing the contract.
Is my quote in a bind? The consumer awareness website Protect Your Move defines a binding quote as, “An agreement made in advance with your mover, which guarantees the total cost of the move based upon the quantities and services shown on the estimate.” This seems to be the most sought after type. As with all important things in life, make sure to get a copy of the quote before your move to ensure both parties are aware of what services are to be provided. Remember, if any services are added or subtracted, the estimate can change. Go ahead and get in a bind…you only pay the quoted price for the service provided!
What about a U-Pack Quote? In case you’re wondering…a U-Pack quote is a bindi... Read More
If long distance moving has ever been on your radar, you know it’s definitely a learning experience. Doing all the research to find reliable moving companies, calculating your real moving cost (finding the extra fees), and figuring out which moving company can do what you need, when you need it, at the price you need it done for, is a job in itself. Once you start doing the research, you’ll find a whole new vocabulary related to moving. Figuring out exactly what some of these moving terms mean ahead of time will certainly make the long distance moving process easier.
So, I’ll start with a question we get a lot…”What is the differenc... Read More
For as long as I have been talking to customers moving to California about Gypsy Moths, this is still the image that comes to mind.
I can’t help it. But depending on your taste, this is probably a little more appealing illustration than what they actually look like.
No they aren’t that bad, and I’m sure everyone’s mother loves them, but I still can’t help but have a preference for my cartoon version.
Gypsy Moths are a big deal if you are moving to the state of California. It doesn’t matter if you are using U-Pack, a moving company or driving yourself; at some point, you are going to get stopped and quizzed about Gypsy Moths so I’m here to prep you for the exam – ha ... Read More
When looking at your moving contract (or Bill of Lading) it is all about the details of the moving price. The main focus is what’s included and how it can change.
Before signing your contract, you’ll want to have a clear understanding of the following:
What happens if you end up using more or less space (or weight with some companies)?
Is there a maximum or minimum moving price?
What services are included in the moving contract? Are packing/loading/unloading services included? Are moving boxes and packing materials included? Is the company providin... Read More
Just in case you didn't know, ABF U-Pack cannot move your pet. The reason - our trailers are not climate controlled. During the summer months the trailers can get very warm inside and during the winter months they can be very cold. Not ideal conditions for your four-legged or winged companion.
Since there are a lot of details and preparations involved in moving pets, I don’t recommend waiting until the last minute to plan how you’re going to move them from one state to another. To keep things as stress-free as possible for your furry friend (or your scaly or feathered ones too) try to give yourself at least a month to organize how you’re going to move him/her.
When it comes to moving your pet(s) you normally have two options:
1. Take your pet along with you in your car. ... Read More
Knowing the exact dates your move will take place (loading, transit, and unloading) is something that may not seem an important detail initially, but it could be!
Is the date the truck will arrive for loading a guaranteed date? Check for wording on your contract that might indicate that it could be brought to you on a date other than the date you expect it to arrive.
How long will the truck be left at your house for loading? You want plenty of time to complete your loading, but knowing it will be picked up in a timely manner once loading is complete is important as well.
Once the truck is in transit, are you able to track its progress? Make sure there is information on the contract regar... Read More
Researching Moving Companies - Show me your numbers….
When you start researching reputable moving companies, you'll notice that many websites like movingscam.com and safersys.org, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's website, suggest checking up on the moving companies' “numbers”. The “numbers” these sites are referring to are Bond, Department of Transportation (DOT), and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Other numbers of interest include the length of time in business, accurate phone numbers and the size of the moving company. The moving company you are conside... Read More
2. You are moving at least 50 miles farther from your former home than your old main job location was from your former home. (You can find a worksheet on the IRS website that can help you determine if your move qualifies for the distance test.)
3. You must meet at least one of two time tests. 1) As an employee: You must work full-time at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months upon arriving at your new job. 2) ... Read More
When talking with people who are moving, one concern we often hear is that people don’t want to share space in a truck with other people – afraid their stuff will get mixed up or that someone else will have access to it. In a lot of cases, when your goods are being co-mingled with other peoples’ goods, the company will place color coded stickers on the boxes to help distinguish one from the other. For example, Customer A is labeled with green stickers and Customer B is labeled with yellow.
Although companies who use this system find it to be fairly reliable, it can sometimes be problematic. What if a sticker falls off one of your boxes? What if a box is accidentally skipped? What if it’s not possible to box an item? What if your loader is colorblind?...ok, that’s probably not a real threat, but you just never know.&n... Read More
“Back on the Bread Aisle (Comparing Moving Quotes)”
Most of us were raised to be comparison shoppers, me included, so I understand the need to check out different rates. Comparing moving quotes can be confusing when movers use a variety of ways to calculate them.
“Full Service” movers usually load, unload and transport your belongings. They will normally give moving quotes based on the weight of the shipment or cubic footage that they will be loading and include a hefty charge for labor.
Let’s say you are back on the bread aisle. You are looking at two loaves of bread. They are both the same size and make the same number of sandwiches. Each loaf is priced at $1.00 per pound. Until you pick it up and weigh it, you don’t know whether you are getting light, fluffy “Amazing” bread or something that doubles as a do... Read More
This question (worded one way or another) is probably asked by U-Pack customers more than any other question. However, even when I answer that it is one foot of length by eight feet wide by nine feet tall I still get “Huh?”. I think that a mental picture is worth a thousand words of explanation.
A U-Pack trailer is like a loaf of bread with twenty eight slices that are each one foot thick. Each slice is the same width (8 feet) and height (9 feet). Our customer only pays for the amount of footage (number of slices) that they use. Each moving quote has a base price for an estimated amount of space and a price per foot and can be adjusted as you load. To get an idea of the linear footage that you may use for your move you can enter individual furniture pieces and boxes in our ... Read More
