Every Tuesday at 1PM Central Time, Portage Cartage moderates a Twitter-based "movechat" for movers and consumers looking for information on moving. The topic of today's movechat was Packing Services. Below is the abridged transcript of the questions and the responses.
Q1 - What are the pros and cons to a customer having the movers pack the boxes?
ScottClendaniel A1- Can be VERY expensive, and packers tend to separate items by accident, and do weird things like pack trash.
HolmanMoving A major benefit of having movers pack is time saving. Also, a good mover will pack items very well, preventing breakage.
ScottClendaniel Is the old rule of thumb that packing services add about 40% to the price of a move still valid?
PortageCartage @ScottClendaniel We'd agree - a full pack & unpack job adds about 40% to the move cost. Many people love it though.
PortageCartage Cons: Like Scott said, packing is $$$. It can be hard to find things afterwards if you don't know what boxes they were put in.
ScottClendaniel One additional advantage is that they inventory all the boxes for you so you have some idea of which box holds what.
PortageCartage Pros: The packers are liable for damage to packed items, and you'll probably have less damage if it's done by professionals.
ScottClendaniel *Inventorying- At least on a room level, not on an item level.
HolmanMoving Excellent reason to hire pros. RT @PortageCartage: Pros: Packers are liable for damage to packed items.
HolmanMoving When I (Paige) moved, I packed a lot of stuff myself, but left dishes, glasses and fragile items to the pros. Saved me some $.
ScottClendaniel Even better, if you can afford it, is to have the movers unpack. Makes the move MUCH less stressful.
HolmanMoving @ScottClendaniel Unpacking is the WORST. Haha.
ScottClendaniel @PortageCartage- Definitely worth it if you have the money. Does packing and unpacking cost much more than just packing?
PortageCartage @ScottClendaniel Yes - if you unpack yourself, you can save about 30%-40% in packing charges.
Q2 - What does a typical pack job NOT include?
ScottClendaniel Q2- Well, the standard list of things you can't transport, such as living things, flammables, firearms, explosives, etc.
PortageCartage We won't pack liquids either, as the risk of leaking onto the rest of the load is too great.
HolmanMoving Or food that can gobad. RT @PortageCartage: Wont pack liquids, as the risk of leaking onto the rest of the load is too great.
PortageCartage Another common misconception is that the unpackers will put every glass, fork, towel, knickknack etc where the cust wants it.
HolmanMoving @PortageCartage There are executive services that will do that, but it's atypical and expensive.
ScottClendaniel @PortageCartage. Well that's no fun! At least they take the empty boxes and packing materials away. =)
PortageCartage Unpacking means that we'll put items on a flat surface like a table or countertop. Most customers prefer this anyway.
Q3 - What's better: new or used packing materials? Why?
PortageCartage I'm going to go out on a limb and say that used packing tape is NOT the way to go.
HolmanMoving Haha! Agreed. RT @QMMAllied: RT @PortageCartage: Im going to go out on a limb and say that used packing tape is NOT the way to go.
HolmanMoving Boxes can certainly be re-used if they are in good condition. It's better because it greener. We offer free used boxes.
QMMAllied A3: Used boxes are alright as long as they are moving boxes in good condition. Used liquor store boxes, etc are not recommended.
ScottClendaniel (1 of 3) I am going to disagree, slightly. Used grocery boxes are usually not good (dirty, flimsy), but used liquor store boxes
ScottClendaniel (2 of 3) can be good, especially the ones with dividers. Used boxes from bookstores and libraries tend to be very sturdy and in..
ScottClendaniel (3 of 3) good condition, and used copy paper boxes are AWESOME! (sturdy, have lids and handles, tend to be very clean)
PortageCartage @HolmanMoving We too offer free used boxes for customers, and can sell them at a discounted rate to the general public.
HolmanMoving @PortageCartage I think its a good program. Hate to see all those boxes go to waste.
MovePoint some companies have a buy- back program fro used moving boxes
HolmanMoving Not sure I would re-use bubble wrap either...
PortageCartage That depends on whether or not my kids got to it first. RT @HolmanMoving: Not sure I would re-use bubble wrap either...
HolmanMoving @PortageCartage Not just for kids! Great stress reliever ;-)
PortageCartage http://www.virtual-bubblewrap.com/bubble-wrap.swf RT @HolmanMoving: @PortageCartage Not just for kids! Great stress reliever ;-)
HolmanMoving I love this! Virtual bubble wrap de-stressor. RT @PortageCartage: http://www.virtual-bubblewrap.com/bubble-wrap.swf
PortageCartage What about packing paper? If it's wrinkled but still clean, can it be re-used instead of recycled?
QMMAllied @PortageCartage I think so, it works really well as crush too
HolmanMoving I agree. RT @QMMAllied: @PortageCartage I think so, it works really well as crush too
ScottClendaniel oh dear. (1 of 3) I'll disagree, slightly. Used grocery store boxes are bad (dirty, flimsy) but liquor store boxes...
Q4 - URL dropping time: Do you have any packing tips videos or articles to share?
PortageCartage We really like the Mayflower packing tips series: http://www.youtube.com/user/MayflowerMoving
ScottClendaniel Well, since you asked....
HolmanMoving We have our packing guide online here: http://www.holmanmoving.com/packing-guide.aspx Would love to hear some random tips though!
ScottClendaniel Packing tips: http://www.movers-edge.com/Packing-Tips-s/1.htm
PortageCartage Here's a freebie: pack your individually-wrapped plates on their sides instead of horizontally.
HolmanMoving Good one. Books too. RT @PortageCartage: Pack your individually-wrapped plates on their sides instead of horizontally.
QMMAllied We have a solid resource section here: http://www.qmm.com/packing-guide.aspx.
QMMAllied Can also check out @alliedvl as they have a robust resource section: http://www.alliedvanlines.ca/moving-tips/moving-tips.aspx
QMMAllied One tip customers need to remember: pack boxes to the top of the box or cut it down! If not, can lead to loss of box structure
ScottClendaniel Ultimate Moving Boxes Guide:http://www.movers-edge.com/Moving-Boxes-Guide-s/36.htm
ScottClendaniel Thanks for all the great links and resources, guys!!!
Next week's topic is Moving Day! Join us to learn tips from the pros and pose any questions you have.
No comments:
Post a Comment