Consumers Relocation Annual Summer BBQ

What a summer afternoon and evening the employees of Consumers Relocation spent at the Wantastiquet Trout Club in Weston, Vermont! In addition to all the employees and spouses, we were joined by a bald eagle and a family of loons.

Can't wait for the next one.

2 of our Consultants enjoy the waterside cabin and dock with great scenery.

Forbes ranks Best Cities for housing recovery

10. San Jose, Calif.
9. Santa Barbara, Calif.
8. Redding, Calif.
7. Denver, Colo.
6. Bremerton, Wash.
5. San Luis Obispo, Calif.
4. Salem, Ore.
3. Colorado Springs, Colo.
2. Lincoln, Neb.
1. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

For more information see http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/13/recovery-cities-homes-lifestyle-real-estate-housing-recovery-cities.html

Small shipments and minimum weights

Van lines typically have minimum weight requirements for interstate shipments, and minimum hourly rates for local moves. During the busy summer season these minimums are typically higher than during the slower periods.

Minimum weight requirements for interstate shipments set the weight which the mover will charge. This means that you can ship your belongings if the weight of them is less than the minimum weight, but you will be charged for the minimum weight price. Minimum weights range from 1000 lb to 2500 lb depending on the moving company. Your shipment will be weighed after it is loaded on the truck to determine the amount of charge. If your initial moving estimate is higher than the minimum weight, and the actual weight is lower than the minimum weight, you will be charge for the minimum weight.

Local moves will normally have a minimum hourly requirement for a set number of men and a truck. This varies widely depending on the local movers.

Also for smaller shipments, claims for delays of the shipment may have a minimum weight requirement as well. The most typical minimum weight for the payment of a delay claim is 3500 lb. Our contracts with the van lines typically call for a per diem payment or actual expenses for each day a shipment is delayed. If the ACTUAL weight of the shipment is less than the 3500 lb example, the van line will not usually make a delay payment. Even if the original estimate is for more, the actual weight of the shipment will be used to determine the eligibility for a delay claim.

If you have small shipment, we do have other alternatives to use. We do work with some small shipment specialist companies that will move a piano or items that are far below the van lines minimum weights.

If just boxes are involved in a shipment, it is sometimes much less expensive to shipment them through UPS or another similar shipping company.

For any shipment please be sure to call Consumers Relocation and ask to speak to a
Consultant. They will assist you in making the right choice.

Call 800-839-6683 or visit our website at www.consumersrelocation.com and fill out an online initiation form.

New office location for western account management and sales

Jackson, Wyoming opening September 1.

We will now be much closer to some of our largest accounts with our new office. Our account manager will spend much more time face to face with all of our accounts, and also be available during that entire time zone day.

The Account Manager, Amy Velte, spent many summers working at Consumers Relocation. She brings 2 years of corporate experience from the Terra Resort group where most recently she managed their spa in Jackson, and their staff. She also managed some of their larger corporate accounts and their meetings in Jackson. Amy is a graduate of the University of Vermont with a BS degree in Resort Management. Her extensive customer service experience will bring fresh ideas to our service group.

During busy moving season, importance of final walk through

Periodically we hear of items being left behind after the movers have loaded the truck and departed. Particularly, during the busy summer months when movers might be hurrying more, the final walk through is critical.

We tell our customers that they need to participate actively managing their move with the mover. After all, you are hiring the mover, and you should manage, not micro manage, the overall move. This means being sure that all the i

tems you want to be moved are actually loaded onto the truck,. and items that you may not want moved are not on the truck.

During the move you need to be sure that items you do not want moved are placed in an area separate from the to be moved items. If this is not possible, place a sign on the items indicating they are not to be moved. After the truck is loaded and you are asked to sign off on the move with the driver, take the time to walk through all of your house and outside living areas to be sure all items are loaded that you want to be moved. "Walk throughs" for moving are as necessary as those for a home sale closing. Be sure you do it, otherwise you may end of having to arrange for shipping of items that were left behind. With minimum weight requirments during the summer this could be a costly mistake.

Baby boomer moves on their own

Here's an interesting story about a baby boomer moving on their own and having to do it themselves. They should have known about Consumers Relocation and called us!

Follow the link below to the "baby boomer site" activegeezering.com and read the article "Making the most of a monster move"

Picture of Shelburne Bay, Lake Champlain, Vermont- what they moved from....

http://www.activegeezering.com/

Paperwork for your move- read the fine print

All too often we hear of customers presented with the final order for service. addendum or bill of lading just signing without reading and understanding what they are signing. Although they may think they have a verbal understanding with the local agent or sales person, the paperwork that is signed is really what the van line follows in setting up the move and for settling any issues or claims.

Order for service- this document outlines all the pricing and terms under which the move will be serviced. If the pricing is a "not to exceed", "binding", or "non-binding" estimate this is where those terms will be outlined. The agreed upon services will be outlined here as well. Once the local agent presents this for signature, it often times goes to the van lines central dispatch office for assignment of a truck, driver and crew to service the move. This document is the one the actual servicing driver will use as his/her instructions for load and delivery dates, packing and other services. Customers with questions, should call their Consumers Relocation Consultant if they are uncertain about what they are signing after speaking with the agent.

Addendum for service- During the move, sometimes there is a change in the services customers require, and the driver will present the customer with a "change order". This change order may be used for added packing, a shuttle, or other services. This change order must be read entirely and understood. This is another area the Consumers Relocation Consultant will advise on to insure the customer understands what they are signing and agreeing to.

Inventory- At the time loading is completed, the driver will ask the customer to sign an "inventory" sheet showing their agreement as to what has been loaded on the truck and the condition of the items loaded. The same procedure will be followed after the items are unloaded. Customers must understand what they are signing and the notations of the drivers. This listing is used if any claims are filed. The van line claims department will use the inventory to determine if the customer's agreed with the drivers assessment of the condition of items.

At Consumers Relocation, each customer is assigned a Consultant who is thoroughly familiar with all practices and paperwork. They will guide and advise on any paperwork the customer is asked to sign.