Super Bowl XLIII

The most talked about and looked forward to event of the year takes place on the 1st of February 2009. Super Bowl XLIII is going to be played between the Arizona Cardinals and the team I picked to win the Super Bowl when the season started, the Pittsburgh Steelers. So, the big question is, Who’s Gonna Win it all?

According to the official EA Sports simulation of Super Bowl XLIII (By Madden NFL 09) the Steelers will reign supreme once again. According to the award-winning video game, the Pittsburgh Steelers will win an unprecedented sixth Super Bowl title in a tightly contested game against the Arizona Cardinals, by a final score of 28-24. Holding off a fourth quarter comeback by the Cardinals, the Steelers bring the Vince Lombardi trophy back to the Steel City for the second time in the past four years and for a sixth time in franchise history, setting an NFL record. EA SPORTS matched the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals in a simulation of Super Bowl XLIII. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 3 touchdowns and was named the Super Bowl MVP; joining teammate Hines Ward who was the Super Bowl XL MVP. Steelers coach, Mike Tomlin, became the youngest coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl, at the age of 36.

Of course, there are many different ways to go about making your prediction for who will win a certain game, but there is only one absolute truth…no one knows for sure who will win until the game is actually played. The reason everyone knows the definition of the word upset is because they happen with such great frequency. Given that upsets happen all the time, there are still things you can look at to help predict who will probably win the game. Here are some of these factors that might influence the Super Bowl and which team has the advantage in each.

1. Running game? In the regular season neither team was in the Top 20 in the NFL in rushing with Arizona finishing dead last, so a slight advantage to Pittsburgh there. In the postseason Pittsburgh’s rushing yards per game has increased by less than 3, whereas Arizona has an increase of almost 40 yards per game. Pittsburgh’s star running back, Willie Parker, was hurt for part of the regular season, so you would expect to see an increase in their rushing total with him back, but you don’t. Arizona’s running backs seem to have fresh legs, since they were used so infrequently during the regular season.

Advantage: Arizona.

2. Defense? Statistically, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a much better defense when compared to the Arizona Cardinals, but you can’t just compare the defenses to each other because they don’t play each other. You need to compare the defense vs. the offense it is facing as well. During the regular season Arizona’s offense averaged 365.8 yards per game and scored 427 points while Pittsburgh’s offense averaged 311.9 yards per game and scored 347 points. Quite the difference. Defensively, Arizona gave up 331.5 yards per game and 426 total points while Pittsburgh only gave up 237.2 yards per game and 223 total points. In the postseason, Arizona has improved its defense, while Pittsburgh has remained as stout as ever. Basically what it comes down to is this: One of the best offenses (Arizona) vs. the best defense (Pittsburgh) and a not so good offense vs. a fairly poor defense that is getting better.

Advantage: Pittsburgh.

3. Passing game? Arizona’s: Kurt Warner has thrown eight touchdowns and two interceptions during a dominant playoff run. He does struggle with turnovers when under duress, but the line protects him well. Warner’s quick release and intelligence are blitz-killers and he won’t be fazed by the moment. Pittsburgh’s: Ben Roethlisberger’s up-and-down statistical season mirrors his career. But he thrives when it counts. His career yards-per-attempt average is seventh in NFL history, he throws an awesome deep ball and sheds tacklers. He takes a lot of sacks, but he delivers.

Advantage: Pittsburgh (Barely)

4. Special Teams: Steelers: Jeff Reed is an excellent kicker, but punter Mitch Berger is one of the league’s worst. Pittsburgh’s coverage teams aren’t bad, but their returns struggled during the regular season. Santonio Holmes has given them a big boost in the playoffs. Cardinals: Neil R ackers is an up-and-down kicker, and he’s the highlight of Arizona’s special teams. Their coverage units didn’t excel all season. Like the rest of the Cardinals, they are playing better in the playoffs. J.J. Arrington and Steve Breaston are average on returns.

Advantage: Steelers

5. Intangibles: Pittsburgh: The Steelers’ confidence is sky high; few defenses have played better over a full season. That has translated into a great record in close games. Ben Roethlisberger plays his best in the biggest moments, and the team is almost fully healthy. A decent amount of the Steelers’ players were on the Super Bowl winning team a few years ago, so they know what it is like to be under this microscope. However, that could actually come back to bite them. That Super Bowl was played in Detroit, so they didn’t really have much of an option but to concentrate on the game. This Super Bowl is being played in Florida, so there is a lot more temptation to go to a few parties, hang out at the beach, and generally not prepare as much for this Super Bowl as they did for that Super Bowl. Arizona: The Cardinals have the underdog factor working: No one believed in them! They will hear for two weeks about Pittsburgh’s historic defense, but no one has played better playoff football than Arizona. That should help them play loose and confident. Not to mention, Kurt Warner has played in two previous Sup er Bowls, and Edgerrin James played with a lot of good Indianapolis teams, so he is used to pressure filled games, too. And of course Ken Whisenhunt was the offensive coordinator for the Steelers back in Super Bowl XL. I’m not going to do anymore research, but odds are there are some other players for the Cardinals that have played in a Super Bowl, too. Even if Warner is the only player for the Cardinals to play in a Super Bowl, he knows what it takes to win a Super Bowl, so he will get his team prepared. Also, the Arizona Cardinals are from Arizona, so the warm weather won’t mean as much to them.

Advantage: Pittsburgh.

Here’s my prediction on the game.

Quarter 1: Game starts out slow. A couple of three and outs by both teams, one good drive for both team, and some mistakes on both sides of the ball. Arizona will score on a run by Edgerrin James. When the first quarter is over, the score is Arizona 7 Pittsburgh 3.

Quarter 2: Things get heated up. Both teams are able to move the ball, but Pittsburgh does a little better than the Cardinals. Pittsburgh scores on two passes by Ben Roethlisberger, to Hines Ward. Time for Halftime. The score is Pittsburgh 17 Arizona 7.

Quarter 3: Pittsburgh seems to take control of the game. Willie Parker scores a touchdown, and Troy Polamalu makes an interception at the end of a big Arizona drive. It seems that Pittsburgh has taken control of the game. They play conservative as the third quarter ends. Pittsburgh leads 24-13

Quarter 4: The quarter gets going with about 13 or 12 minutes left as Arizona scores on a Larry Fitzgerald touchdown. The score is now 24-20. People will be questioning if Whisenhunt should have went for two to make the lead only 3. Pittsburgh runs clock a little and scores on another run by Parker to put the game away. Arizona goes for it on fourth down and doesn’t get it. The Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII 31-20, and Willie Parker is named MVP.

Here are a couple of videos for your enjoyment: Steelers Vs. Cardinals Preview, Stopping Pittsburgh, Cardinals Defense, Building the Cardinals, Roethlisberger.

Tell us what you think…. What’s your prediction?

Local Mover Helps Save Home

Hello everyone! So here is the scoop. On April 28th 2008 we had a crew arrive at a home in Daniels Island, South Carolina. The crew consisted of Kenneth McCrory, Timothy McClean & Francis Franklin. They were to pack & load Monday the 28th and deliver in Gainesville, GA on the 29th. On this same day there was a storm moving through the south expected to move through that night. Our men were packing and loading a customers goods when the storm moved through the Charleston area. While upstairs Mr. McCrory was packing the attic when the house was struck by lighting sending a bolt of electricity down the elevator shaft inches from where Mr. McCrory was standing. This bolt of electricity also caught the roof and attic on fire. Mr. McCrory ran out of the house and grabbed a fire extinguisher while the shipper contacted the fire department. Mr. McCrory spent ten minutes trying to put the fire out until the fire department arrived to take over the job. Unfortunately the fire department soaked the entire upstairs but made it clear that had Mr. McCrory not done what he had did more of the house if not the entire house would have been engulfed. This just goes to show how much we care about our customers when we are providing a service to them. Our men did return to the house the next day and finished loading the job successfully delivering the goods to GA on Wednesday instead. I only hope that the shipper will have as much luck with his insurance company. Our prayers and blessing go out to the shipper and his family and we are very thankful that no one got hurt. We would also like to commend Mr. McCrory for his heroic efforts.

Once again I want to Thank all of you for choosing All My Sons Moving & Storage.

Who Are You Rooting For?

Yes, folks it’s March Madness and we are all excited. Our office is comprised of three different fan bases. We have a Duke fan, a UNC fan and finally I am a UNLV fan. Wow! What a difference huh? Here at All My Sons Moving we not only pride ourselves on our work but we are also heavily involved with sports. There as been many discussions on who supports the best team. Of course, this year because I am the odd man out I have taken a beating.. LOL!

We love hearing back from customers on how our men perform, but we also would like to hear which teams our customers support. So please leave a message with a shout out to your favorite team and we will post here on our blog. I have included a link to the NCAA Tournament Bracket should you need to print one out for yourselves.

Once again, Thank you for choosing All My Sons Moving & Storage.

Packing Tips Lesson #3

Here is the final lesson on packing. Below I have provided you with little tips on packing the miscellaneous items such as lamps, plants, electronics and firearms:

Artificial Flowers

1) An arrangement of artificial flowers should be packed in its own carton.

2) Wrap the arrangement/flowers carefully in plastic wrap, tissue paper or paper towels.

3) Make sure you fasten the base of the floral arrangement to the bottom of the carton.

4) Do not forget to label the carton “FRAGILE” & “THIS SIDE UP.”

Lamp Shades & Bases

1) Remove bulbs, harps and shades and set aside.

2) Make sure you handle lampshades by their wire frames only.

3) Carefully wrap each shade in three or four sheets of newsprint or tissue paper.

4) Shades can be nested inside each other, as long as they are separated by paper.

5) Use a sturdy box at least two inches larger all around than the largest shade.

6) Line your box with clean paper, using crushed paper under the lamp shade to create a protective layer, but not around the shade.

7) Wrap harp and finial (decorative knob) with packing paper and tape to the inside wall of the carton that contains the shade.

8) Label cartons “LAMP SHADES” & “FRAGILE.”

9) Wrap the base, harp and bulb separately in newsprint.

10) Place them together in a carton, filling spaces with crushed paper.

11) More than one well-cushioned lamp may be packed in a carton.

12) Label cartons “LAMP BASES” & “FRAGILE.”

Computers, Stereos and other electronics

If possible, pack electronics in their original cartons. As long as proper packing materials are used electronics can be safely packed in sturdy boxes. Refer to the manufactures’ guide or user’s guide for special moving instructions. If you no longer have a user’s guide, visit the manufacturer’s website for an online version or to request a copy.

1) Before disconnecting any wires or plugs, mark the wire or cable and the port you’re removing it from with the colored labels. Color code the ports and cables so you can reconnect them later. If you run out of different colors, you can also write a number on the label that will match the port and the cable.

2) For extra protection, write down detailed step-by-step instructions on how you’re dismantling the equipment so you can refer to it later when assembling it. Keep this instruction guide in the box with the equipment.

3)Place the cables and wires into a sealable bag (i.e. ziplock baggies) and tape it to the piece of equipment.

4) Remove all parts that can be disconnected and wrap each piece with 3 – 4 sheets of paper.

5) Pad the bottom of the box with a generous amount of newsprint.

6) Place the largest piece of equipment on the bottom and fill holes with additional paper.

7) Place smaller protected items on top.

3) Fill all remaining spaces with paper, making sure nothing rattles or that nothing will shift during the move.

4) Firmly seal the carton.

5) Label each box with the contents and which room it belongs in and also label each box as “FRAGILE” & “THIS END UP.”

Note: When you unpack your electronics, let them reach room temperature before plugging them in. Also, Cd’s and software can not tolerate high temperatures. If you have sensitive media, you may want to carry it with you as opposed to moving it on the truck.

Live Plants

If you are fond of your plants it is wise to put some time and effort into making the moving process as quick and painless for them as possible. Almost all moving companies will NOT cover plants. They are just too easy to damage. So, you need to take extra care yourself. You also need to bear in mind that certain movers will not carry plants or may have restrictions on those they carry according to your destination. You can move a plant successfully from one house to the next only to see it wither and die a couple of weeks later. To avoid this you need to do some preparations well ahead of your move to get them in peak condition.

1) Get some sturdy boxes & line these boxes with plastic so that they are ready for your moving day.

2) Assess all the plants you want to transport a couple of weeks before you move and prune them, feed them and administer any pest control treatments to get them into peak condition.

3) Think about the pots they’re in. I recommend that you re-pot the plants into plastic pots.

4) Check that all your pots are whole and not cracked or broken. A cracked pot stands more chance of breaking in transit and thus damaging the contents.

5) Make sure that the pots are not too big for the actual plant. This can cause them to move about and damage themselves.

6) On your moving day (or the day before if you’re pushed for time) make sure that none of the plants are water-logged and drain away any excess water.

7) Pack them snugly (but not too tightly) into the boxes you have set aside and put some packing paper around the pot hold them firmly.

8) Make sure you tell your movers that these boxes contain plants.

9) Plants in large pots should be wrapped in plastic or placed in bags, you can also wrap the actual plant in plastic to avoid damage and to keep the plant together. If you do this be careful to make sure that the plastic is not tied together too tightly, plants still need to breathe!

10) If you’re moving garden plants the best time to dig them up is on your moving day. This minimizes disruption.

11) You should dig up the plant so that you have a ‘root ball’ at the base. Wrap this in plastic and make sure that the earth in it is not too dry.

12) At delivery take your plants out of their boxes and any wrappings as soon as you can.

13) Garden plants need to be put in the garden as soon as possible. Keep in mind you can always move them later.

14) Keep an eye on both house and garden plants for a few weeks after the move and make sure they are well watered and fed as necessary. Your garden plants may be transplanted into soil that is different to that they are used to and they may need extra help and attention.

Firearms

1) You are responsible for transporting handguns and ammunition.

2) Other firearms such as rifles or shotguns must be unloaded.

3) Make sure you get a specific inventory of these items from your driver, also make sure your driver includes the serial numbers on the inventory.

I hope that the tips that I have provided you will help make your move easier. Besides the information I provide on this blog you can also get additional information in regards to moving by visiting the Department of Transportation, the American Moving and Storage Association, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

Packing Tips Lesson #1

If you decide to pack your belongings yourself, make sure you consider the time and effort necessary to properly protect your belongings. In most cases you can save money by doing your own packing, however I strongly recommended that you let a professional moving company pack any fragile(s) or valuable items. When you use a professional moving company, you have the option of doing some or all of the packing yourself, or you can leave it to the experts. Discuss the options available to you with your moving company.

For the next couple of days I will be giving you some lessons and tips on how to properly and safely pack your goods. Good packing is an essential key to having a good move, it’s especially important that you be familiar with the techniques and boxes that will best protect your possessions. Here are a few things to remember if you have chosen to pack your own goods:

• You will need to have everything properly packed and ready for loading when the truck/van arrives.
• Your moving company or carrier has the right to inspect packed-by-owner (PBO) items to ensure they are sufficiently packed to protect your goods.
• If the mover/carrier thinks a container is not packed properly or safely, the mover/carrier may ask you to repack it; or the mover/ carrier may offer to repack the container for you. Keep in mind they will charge you for the service.
• You must report any damage to packed-by-owner (PBO) containers on delivery day. If you fail to do so almost all movers/carriers will decline any claim on PBO containers. This is also mandated by the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC).
• Use only strong, corrugated cartons with tops or flaps that fold shut. Purchasing new, high quality packing materials specifically designed for moving can really make the difference in making sure that your household goods arrive at their destination safely. Moving boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes that are specifically suited to fit a variety of household goods. Check with your mover on prices of boxes for you. You can sometime get used moving boxes at half the price, though I do not recommend you get used boxes for packing your dishes.

What Type of Packing Supplies are You Going to Need?

1. Dish Pack (also referred to as a dish barrel or a dish box) – is a special box used to pack either dishes or any other type of fragile(s). The box is usually double corrugated for more protection and can some times come with inserts for glasses or dishes.
2. Small Box (also referred to as a 1.5 cu. ft. box or a book box) – this box is used primarily for books, allowing them to be filled completely and still easy to handle. You can also use this box for miscellaneous small items.
3. Medium Box (also referred to as a 3.1) – this box is 3.1 cu. ft. (hence the name) it is primarily used as the catch all box. It is strong enough to handle most things and can typically be filled to the brim and still handled pretty easy.
4. Large Box (also referred to as a 4.5) – this box is 4.5 cu. ft. (hence the name) it is primarily used for linens, sweaters, toys, etc.
5. Wardrobe Box – this box is used primarily for hanging clothes. It is not uncommon for carriers and shippers alike to fill the bottom of the box with shoes or other foldable garments.
6. Mirror/Picture Carton ( also referred to a corrugated container) – this box is used to properly pack pictures, mirrors and artwork. Though you can use separate pieces to protect the glass on cabinets and entertainment centers.
7. Newsprint – just another word for paper. It is the same things as newspaper except there is no print on it. In other words its just plain paper.

Getting Started

Before packing cartons, you’ll need to wrap most items to protect them from scratching or breaking. Save old newspapers for packing material, but be careful — the ink may rub off and stain certain items, especially china and glasses. I recommend that you use unprinted newsprint. This is the same type of newsprint that most moving companies will use. You should be able to purchase this paper directly from your mover.

Start by placing a small stack of paper on a flat, uncluttered table or counter top. Round glasses and jars can be rolled up in two or three sheets of paper; always begin from a corner of the sheet and fold the sides in as you roll. Large or odd-shaped items require a similar technique. Place them in the center of the sheet and bring the corners together. It may be necessary to flip the item over and wrap it again from the other side. If in doubt, use more paper! When the corners are brought together, secure them with tape.

Before packing each box, line the bottom with a few inches of wadded paper for padding. Then place large, heavy items on the bottom and lighter, more fragile items on the top. Plates, books and things of a similar shape, should be loaded vertically to utilize their own maximum structural strength. DO NOT overload your boxes; keep them to a manageable weight. Fill in any voids with wadded paper and also top off your boxes with a few inches of wadded paper. Then tape cartons securely to avoid shifting during transportation.

Packing Tips

1. Pack one room at a time. This will help in preventing you from getting confused or overwhelmed.
2. Start with pack things that you do not use often or can live with out. Make sure you do not pack items that you will need until moving day.
3. I highly recommend that you do not use masking tape or duck tape on your boxes. Masking tape is never strong enough for full boxes and will break. Duck tape does not stick very well and when it does stick it is very hard to get open. The most effective packing tape is poly-vinyl chloride or PVC. You can purchase this tape from your mover, but it is usually expensive. You can also purchase this tape from Walmart.
4. Use newspapers only for cushioning not for wrapping items. The ink on the newspapers will rub off and can stain items such as fine china or glasses.
5. Do not over pack you boxes, instead try to limit your boxes to a maximum weight of 50 pounds this will allow you and the movers to be able to move your boxes safely. Make sure your boxes are packed firmly and do not rattle or shift. The top should close easily without force, but should not bend inward. Seal your boxes tightly with tape.
6. Empty all your drawers of breakables, spillables, non-transportable items and anything that would puncture or damage other items.
7. Pack similar items together. For example, do not pack your china in the same box with pots & pans.
8. Keep all parts or pairs of things together. For example, curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts and other small hardware items should be placed in plastic bags and taped or tied securely to the article to which they belong.
9. Wind all electrical cords, fastening them so they do not dangle.
10. Wrap items individually in clean paper, you can sometimes use colored wrapping paper to draw attention to very small things that might otherwise get lost in a carton. Use a double layer of newsprint for a good outer wrapping.
11. Place a two or three inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of cartons for cushioning.
    Build up the layers, with the heaviest things on the bottom, medium weight next and lightest on top. As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly with crushed paper and add more crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer. Once the box is packed place a two or three inch layer of crushed paper on the top for cushioning.
12. Pack small, fragile, individually wrapped items separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper. Place small boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.
13. As you finish with each box, put the name or the room it belongs to and the contents on the side of the box (for easy viewing while stacked). Make sure you indicate “FRAGILE” on on any breakables and “THIS END UP” where appropriate. I recommend that you place a sign on the door of each room at destination corresponding to the box labels so the movers can place the boxes into the proper rooms quickly.
14. Never pack flammable items or non-allowable items. (For example: chemicals, propane tanks, pesticides, etc.)
15. Make sure you pack high value items carefully. (For example jewelry, stamp collections, coin collections, etc.) I also recommend that you transport these items yourself, however, if that is not possible make sure you register these items with your mover/carrier so that they can pay special attention to these items.

Besides the information I provide on this blog you can also get additional information in regards to moving by visiting the Department of Transportation, the American Moving and Storage Association, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the North Carolina Utilities Commission. Check back tomorrow for tips on How To Pack Your Kitchen.

Client Testimonials for week ending 3/2/2008.

It’s that time of the week again. Below are some client testimonials from the week before. Should any of you want to contact some of these people please feel free to contact us here in the office. We will gladly provide you the information to reach theses people for references.

* “The appearance of the crew was excellent. They were very prepared for our move, very friendly and extremely professional.” Monty – Wake Forest, NC

* “The best part of our move was the crew’s endless energy and willingness to please. The crew was extremely professional, curteous, efficient and hard working. Thank You Ronald & Crew.” Kristin – Raleigh, NC

* “This was the most economical way to move furniture purchased on Craigslist. The guys were awesome. I will be calling you again.” Lindsey – Cary, NC

* “The mover’s arrived and started working right away and were very efficient, all the staff from the office personel to the mover’s were extremely professional. The mover’s were top notch. Keep it up!” Shannon – Raleigh, NC

* “Knowledgeable at moving antiques espescially marble dressers and mirrors. Great team! Each move gets better and better.” Barbara – Saxapahaw, NC

* “Everything was handled with expertise. Fast, efficient, courteous no improvement needed. Give your men a raise! Ronald and Vicencio were the best.” Lindsay – Southport, NC

We appreciate everyone that has participated in filling out our surveys. Customers comments are a useful tool for us to strive for perfection. Thank You to everyone that has chosen to use All My Sons Moving & Storage “Your Neighborhood Movers”.

Are You Using a Reputable Moving Company?

Before getting into the moving industry, I personally found out the hard way that not all moving companies are created equal. I moved 7 times in a 5 year period for the Marines, each time I had to use a different mover and each time my stuff was destroyed. I was inexperienced and unknowledgable when it came to movers. Ultimately, because I was paying, I always had to find the cheapest price. Let’s be honest $900.00 a month does not go very far. LOL! Each time I moved and my stuff was damaged, filing a claim was like trying to get a discount on my taxes. Even after a claim was filed, I was lucky if I got anything back. I was fearful of my stuff each time I moved, and investigating movers was not as easy as it is today. I never knew whether or not if the mover I was using was legal or reputable. With the knowledge I now have, I am pretty sure that I was probably using rogue movers 50% of the time and I was lucky that I got any of my stuff back damaged or not.

Rogue movers typically only care about one thing and that’s money. Most of them will give you an extremely low estimate over the phone or internet without ever seeing your goods. Once your goods are loaded on the truck they will demand an exorbitant amount of funds before ever unloading your goods. This is typically referred to as “holding your goods hostage”. Though it is an industry standard to collect funds prior to the delivery of your goods, the difference is the amount the mover wants.

On this page I have provided a number of links and tools for you to use to help you decide on a mover. Also, both the American Moving & Storage Association and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration provide a lot of essential information on your rights and expectations as a consumer. The following is my list of “red flags” to look out for when trying to decide on a mover:

1. When calling the moving company they anwer their phone “Movers” instead of saying the company’s name. For example, they should answer the phone like this “Good Morning, All My Sons. How may I help you?”.

2. The mover provides you an estimate for costs that sounds to good to be true. Typically, if it sounds to good to be true, it is. Make sure they either offer or agree to come out and provide a written estimate. The last thing you should do is except a price without it being written on paper.

3. The written estimate does not provide you with a explanation of charges. If you get a written estimate and it is based on cubic feet & not on weight or it just has a price written on it with no break down, do not use this company. Typically, estimates like this are non-binding and the mover will actually charge you what ever they want and this can sometimes cost you thousands.

4. The moving company requires a large deposit or cash. It is not uncommon for moving companies to collect a deposit on your move but it depends on the amount. A normal amount is 10%. Be extremely careful if a they want 50% or more. Furthermore, most moving companies these day will take multiple forms of payment. I would be very leery if a mover only accepts cash.

5. The estimator does not provide you with federally required documentation. Per Federal regulations all moving companies must provide you with a brochure labeled Interstate Moving “Your Rights & Responsiblities” a Ready To Move Pamphlet, a copy of their arbitration program, a high value inventory form and a complaint and inquiry handling form along with their written estimate. If you are moving within North Carolina it is required that the estimator provide you a pamphlet labeled “Moving In North Carolina Your Rights and Responsibilities” along with their written estimate.

6. Unethical practices by estimators. Should you have an estimator come out and provide you an estimate and he starts drilling you on the other estimates you have received, be cautious. Should you divulge the information and he then goes on a negative rampage about his competition. Be leery. It is extremely unethical for an estimator to “talk trash” about his competition. His only job should be to sell you the services of his moving company. The American Moving & Storage Association requires Certified Movers and Certified Moving Consultants to take an oath to refrain from such actions and also requires them to agree to a specific code of conduct. If they are not certified I would not use them.

7. The moving company tells you that all your stuff is covered by insurance. No moving company sells or offers insurance. All liabilities are covered by valuation protection which are mandated by Federal and State laws. (see my blog on mover’s liabilities.)

8. The moving company’s website does not provide you a physical address, license information or any contact information. A legitimate moving company will have all these things on their website. If they do not it is most likely because they do not want to be contacted or found. Should you find there physical location and the building is an extremely poor condition or if you find out that their physical address is only a p.o. box, do not use that moving company.

9. The moving company is impossible to contact. I had a customer that had used a raleigh moving company and put her stuff in their climate controlled storage. She tried for months to get a hold of the raleigh mover and was unsuccessful, so she called me. I helped her investigate the matter, and we found that the owner of the raleigh moving company just decided to call it quits and shut the doors. No notice was ever given to the people who’s goods he had. It turned into a huge ordeal where the FBI, Police and State regulators had to come out and ultimately return people’s goods to them, once they figured out what belongings were their’s. It took her 9 months to get her stuff. Though this is uncommon, if you can not contact the mover you need to be very careful of using them.

10. Do a thorough investigation. There are many tools out there for you to use. I have a number of links on the side that go to various websites like the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC). Make sure they are licensed by the State and have all the valid Federal licenses needed. I also highly recommend that you only use a “Certified Mover”.

I hope these tips help you in figuring out if your moving company is legitimate and reputable. Remember should you have any questions feel free to post them here on my blog or contact me directly at (919) 875-1700, either way I would love to help you at any time.

Moving is the #1 MOST STRESSFUL experience when purchasing a new home.

You’ve been searching for a new home for months and have finally found it. Now that you have put the money together to put down on your new home, gotten the pre-approval for your loan and conducted the number of walk throughs needed it is coming close for you to close and sign the paperwork. However, there is one more step you must prepare for and that is moving. We all understand how stressful moving can be. Especially during unexpected cicumstances. There are so many questions, it almost feels like there is not enough time in the day to figure out what to do first. Here are some tips:

1) Decide what kind of service you want. For example:

a) Are you going to do the packing of your boxes? Or are you going to have the moving company do it for you?

b) Do you want to pack some of the boxes and let the moving company pack the rest?

c) Are you going to move all your boxes and leave only the furnitre for the moving company?

What ever you decide keep in mind that good moving companies will be able to provide you with multiple options. They should be able to meet your needs at any given point in time. Here at All My Sons Raleigh we strive to be flexible with all our customers. If you fail to get something done do not stress about it. We will help you out no matter what.

2) Get an estimate.

Now that you think you have got the kind of service figured out make sure you get an estimate. You want to have your costs in writing. I always recommend that you get at least three estimates, this allows you to see the fluctuation in prices and the professionalism of the company. Typically you will have a company that is the most expensive, a company that is in the middle and a company that is the cheapest. Remember moving is a service industry and you really do get what you pay for. Sometimes the cheapest is not the best and sometimes the most expensive is not the best. Ultimately, first impressions are the best way to go, and like I always say go with your gut.

3) Schedule your move as soon as possible.

Waiting until the last minute is an additional stress you do not need. Try to book your move immediately once you have decided on a mover. I recommend that you schedule your move at least 2 weeks in advance. Of course, I know that this is not always possible. That’s why at All My Sons you can always count on us. Just give us a call and we will fit you in no matter what.

4) Decide on what kind of Liability Coverage you want.

a) Basic Valuation Coverage. (Typically covered at $0.60 per pound per article.)

b) Full Valuation Coverage. (Full repair or replacement of goods. This will cost you more.)

Here in North Carolina all movers are regulated by the North Carolina Utilities Commission and must provide you some type of coverage. Do not ever let a mover tell you that they are not responsible for damages. A mover is ALWAYS responsible for any type of damage that occurs while you are using their services. The real question is, How much are they responsible for?

If you decide to go with the Basic Valuation Coverage keep in mind that this is the most economical plan as far as cost goes. This is because it is FREE. However, because it is free it has major limitations. This free coverage is only designed to help cover the cost of repairs not to replace items. For example, if you have a dresser that weighs 100 lbs. and a leg gets broken a movers maximum liablity will be 100 lbs. x $0.60 which would result in a check to you in the amount of $60.00. The repair may cost you $125.00 but $60.00 is all you get, the balance of the cost you must absord. I know it does not sound like much but keep in mind that you did not pay for any coverage.

If you decided to go with the Full Valuation Protection than your same dresser will get repaired by the moving company. If it is not repairable than it will be replaced. There is a catch to this. Per North Carolina Rules and Regulations a mover must only replace an item with another item of the same like, kind and or quality. In other words, If you purchased a 50″ Sony Plasma HD TV for $3000.00 the company is not responsible for $3000.00. Instead if the mover can price out a 50″ Magnavox with all the same gidgets and gadgets as the Sony for $900.00 that will be all they are responsible for.

5) Sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

I know this sounds funny but it is true. Most people make the moving experience stressfull by trying to do the work themselves. In otherwords, they are running around trying to tell the movers what to do and how to do it. This also is because the customer does not feel comfortable with the movers. Try not to put yourself in this position. If you have chosen a good company you should be able to do a walk through when the men arrive and than relax and let them do their job. Good moving companies will not need your help until they arrive at the delivery address. Once you get there all you should have to do is show the men where you want specific items and let them do the rest. I constantly work with my men to teach them new tricks to get things done, I also work with them on how to make the customer feel relaxed and relieved so that they can get straight to work. Ultimately, our goal is to turn a stressful situation into a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Even when it has been a long day we still try to make it as fun as possible.

On this blog you will find many tools for you to use. For example, if you need to set up your utilities simply click on “Connect Your Utilities” and that will direct you to the appropriate pages for each company. Need to change your address with the post office click on “Change Your Address” and you will go straight to the United States Postal Service for help. Want to check and see if a mover is licensed to conduct moves in North Carolina click on the “List Of Carriers with a Certificate of Exemption.”

All My Sons is the only AMSA Certified Mover in the triangle and Triad and we look forward to moving you.