Binding vs Non Binding estimates

Many movers provide BINDING (other terms: Firm Binding, Guaranteed Price, etc.) moving costs. A binding estimate is an exact cost for moving services: your final charges will not increase or decrease if your final weight is greater or lesser than estimated . A binding estimate covers only the goods and services listed on the estimate and accompanying inventory. If you add items or additional services are required or requested, the mover may void his original binding price proposal by requiring you to sign an addendum to the original contract. Please read what you are signing very carefully. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact your consultant. The mover may also require full payment for these additional services at the time of delivery.
Some companies may provide you with a GUARANTEED NOT TO EXCEED price (other terms: Binding Not to Exceed, Option binding, Accuquote, Assured Price Protection, etc). The same rules apply to these estimates as the binding estimates. However, should the actual weight and services be less than the estimate you pay the lesser amount. Again, your guarantee is based on the items listed in the inventory and the services outlined on the estimate.
Additional services which would contribute to the cost of the move could include:• Shuttle (also called auxiliary) Service in the event that your new or old home is not negotiable by a tractor trailer and a smaller truck must be used to transport your belongings from your home to the trailer or vice versa.
•If your estimate was based on limited packing by the mover but more is required at the time of the move.
NON-BINDING estimates are not guaranteed. Final costs are based on the actual weight of the shipment and actual services provided at the time of the move Under a non-binding estimate, the mover cannot require you to pay more than the amount of the original estimate plus 10 percent at the time of delivery. You are then obligated to pay any additional charges over this amount within 30 days.
Use caution if you select a company who has estimated substantially less weight and services and has given a binding or guaranteed not to exceed price. If their inventory is not complete or if they have omitted necessary services, the contract could become void when you are loaded and you would be responsible for the actual charges.

Is the real estate market at the bottom? Might be a long winter

October 2009

The statistics indicate that we are at or close to the bottom of the poor real estate market. Existing home sales up 9% last month wow! NAR attributes this primarily to the first time homebuyer incentives. Not feeling it yet in the moving sector. I assume much of the activity for first time home buyers is reducing the inventory of short sales and must sell situations, but not really effecting those families who would normally hire a moving company for a long distance move.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said favorable conditions matched with a tax credit are boosting home sales. “Much of the momentum is from people responding to the first-time buyer tax credit, which is freeing many sellers to make a trade and buy another home,” he said. “We are hopeful the tax credit will be extended and possibly expanded to more buyers, at least through the middle of next year, because the rising sales momentum needs to continue for a few additional quarters until we reach a point of a self-sustaining recovery.”

Green Moving Tips

MOVING? Who knew that even during a stressful move there are easy ways to help reduce waste and reduce the negative impact on our environment. Green moving has become a term well known within the moving industry as we are all doing what we can to reduce our impact.

Follow some of these easy tips to help with short and long-term effects on the environment:

Green Moving Tips
Earth Friendly Ways to Move
by Elizabeth Weintraub, About.com

- This seems obvious, but dont accumulate as much stuff in the first place. less is generally better for the planet anyway, and the less stuff you move, the less gas your moving truck will burn. Green moving can also translate into more "green" for you because you'll likely spend less to move your household.

- Get rid of stuff before you move it. consider holding a garage sale, or selling your unnecessary items online.

- Buy used cardboard boxes. Moving companies generally prefer that customers use new cardboard boxes to ensure stability, which means a lot of cardboard boxes get tossed after only one use. If using cardboard boxes, look for boxes made of recycled material.

These are just a few suggestions for moving green! For more information green moving and living, please refer to www.consumersrelocation.com and click on "We've Gone Green!"

Happy Fall!!

Just Another Day in Jackson, WY

Meet Homer. He is one of our new CRS employees in the Jackson Hole office. Homer was busy answering phones and responding to emails this past week while I was in Southern California meeting with some of our accounts. As new ideas and concepts were brought to the table, you can expect a new CRS E-Newsletter to be published soon! Look for exciting news on the moving front as well as whats happening within CRS. If you would like to be added to our list, please email me at avelte@sover.net. Happy Fall!

Informal survey on moving activity

We posted a question on several Linkedin discussion groups related to moving and relocaton regarding the pent up demand for moving. The question was "When does the large pent up demand for moving start moving?"

A large number of professional responded to the discussion with their ideas on when moving activity will dramatically increase. Most felt that we will start to see a large increase in people moving next spring for sure. Some felt after the holidays. Here are some selected comments from those discussions.

"There are so many signs that things are loosening. Pent up demand should at least start trickling by end of this year, but people will still hold off for holidays, at a guess. I think the beginning of next year could be wild. Hopeful thinking anyway"

"We've had a good summer here in the UK, but that's more because most companies have downsized to cope with the lower volume of work. But now things are definitely slowing down again as always at this time of year. My bet is that people will start selling again at the beginning of next year, so by next spring things will start to go back to normal. If you can hold on for that long."

"The big wheel is starting to move slowly - buyers and sellers are so cautious now. Big corporate relo has changed their MO for moving execs and work forces. Hopefully spring 2010 will really kick off the "new" way of doing business in this field"

"We are getting mixed signals here. But some are saying things may spark after the holidays but I think generally most are thinking next spring. During the last down turn, it was a spring turnaround with a moderately slow winter"

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

One of the greatest days of the year September 19! It's the day many look sailors and pirates alike look forward to! Here is your excuse to have a party on the 19th!!

Getting organized for a move ahead of time

Moving? Here are some helpful hints to help getting organized

When you know you are moving you will need to sort through your household goods to determine which items will not be making the trip with you. Eliminating unwanted articles can substantially reduce the final cost of your move. Completing this task prior to having your moving estimates can reduce the inconsistencies between the estimates.

If possible, schedule your moving estimates about 8 weeks in advance of your intended move date. You don’t have to know the exact date of your move or even know your precise destination to have this step completed. However, knowing the city or county of the state is necessary. When the movers perform their surveys, make sure each receives the same information regarding what needs to be shipped, packed and any special services you may require. This will ensure that you are making a consistent comparison between the estimates.

Once you have reviewed the estimates, if possible, select a mover 4-5 weeks ahead of your move date. Summer time is the busiest season of the year for movers. The first and the last days of each month are busy as well. If you have flexibility, try not to move during the summer or at the end of the month. If it can’t be avoided, scheduling as far in advance as possible will assure the availability. Be advised that the movers will require a spread of several consecutive days to deliver your shipment and potentially, depending on the size of your shipment, to also load the shipment. These time frames are generally extended during the busy summer months.

These helpful hints as well as full assistance when moving can be obtained through Consumers Relocation Services. They will assign you to a move consultant who will guide you through the move process and coordinate all your moving estimates. Members will receive up to 64% discounts on interstate moves as well as full replacement valuation coverage up to $75,000 in value. During the busy summer season your consultant can often find a last minute mover for local or interstate shipments because of their extensive contacts in the moving business. Just call 800-839-6683 and ask to speak with a Consultant. Or visit our website www.consumersmoving.com and fill out the convenient inititation form. A Consultant will call you to get started.