Q1 - What factors contribute to making summer so much busier for movers?
movinggal It is the ideal time to move so everyone wants to do it during the summer before school starts.
movinggal Also most military transfers happen then as well so it makes for a busy season.
GoodStuffMoving @movinggal - Plus, school just ended for many, so there is a lot of reshuffling between May and August.
AllwrightMoving A1: Well the the forces of good weather, school being out and longer days...we rarely get a blizzard in july
jkmoving I'll jump in on that -- school's out in the summer, so it's a good time for families to move.
myBekins Also, for places like the Midwest, it's usually the best weather.
jkmoving @movinggal Agreed - in the DC area especially this year, BRAC will make for even more moves than usual.
PortageCartage Saw a great post from @themovingcost about picking the timing of your move: http://bit.ly/ihRAdQ
PortageCartage In Quebec, July 1 is the one day everybody moves. Movers are in business 24 hrs that day. http://bit.ly/j8LNVg
AllwrightMoving We always move college kids during this time of year.
myBekins @AllwrightMoving do you do a lot of moves in the fall then, moving the students back?
AllwrightMoving @myBekins Some but if we move you to Madison they don't tend to move back. We do a few cross country students too
xpressmovers In Boston it's crazy from mid May thru September 15th when all college moves are done.
PortageCartage @xpressmovers Boston has colleges? :)
xpressmovers @PortageCartage just a few... no big deal :)
Q2 - What advice do you give your customers when they have to move during peak-season?
jkmoving We try to encourage our customers to move on a weekday, since EVERYONE wants to move on a weekend.
xpressmovers A2: Plan ahead, be smart. That's what we tell all of our prospect customers. Always helps and makes things go smooth.
GoodStuffMoving Q2 - Call early, nail down your move date, schedule movers in shifts (manual labor only, then a truck), etc.
PortageCartage We suggest customers avoid arranging house closing dates at month end.
MovePoint Make sure they are prepared in advanced
movinggal Q2 Be patient, be organized and start the process early.
xpressmovers @PortageCartage We all know that's kind of impossible, as most of the closings are towards then end of the month.
PortageCartage @xpressmovers It's sometimes difficult, true, but it's amazing how flexible people can be when they know in advance.
AllwrightMoving A2: We always try and tell the customers that they really need to plan then plan ahead a little more. Book early to seal your date
jkmoving Another tip: try to avoid the last week of the month. It's another very busy time (everyone schedules house closings those weeks).
movinggal Q2 Just launched my website (www.movingal.com) which will help your customers prepare for a move. Pls spread the word.
jkmoving @movinggal Congrats on your new site;l love the concept. That was me who made the comment on your blg earlier today ;-)
movinggal @XpressMovers We use CityGrid as our datasource and everything comes up in relation to the property address.
AllwrightMoving We also try to remind the customer that it is an industry peak season and regardless of which method thy choose do it early.
jkmoving Agreed! RT @portagecartage: It's sometimes difficult, true, but it's amazing how flexible people can be when they know in advance.
movinggal @jkmoving Thanks so much. I am so happy it is up and running.
Q3 - What can customers do to help the crew on moving day during peak season?
xpressmovers A3: Being in the peak season or out of it, customers should be ready to move. And we all know that's almost never the case :)
AllwrightMoving A3: It might sound weird but one of the things my crews like is when the customer has ice for their water, little things..
GoodStuffMoving Q3 - Google Moving Tips. Follow them. Check your mover's site to see what they recommend. Follow that too. Rinse, repeat.
PortageCartage Personal lesson I learned during my last big move: have all your boxes packed the day before.
GoodStuffMoving RT @AllwrightMoving: A3: It might sound weird but one of the things my crews like is when the customer has ice for their water...
myBekins Q3 - simply just being there to answer any questions the movers might have is recommended
PortageCartage @AllwrightMoving Yes! Especially when it's hot, having cool water on hand, or anything with electrolytes, is always appreciated.
movinggal Q3 What has worked for us is providing them lunch & cold drinks. It helps both of us bcause they will stay & work.
jkmoving Try to have someone else take care of your kids & pets the day-of the move. Makes the day less chaotic for everyone.
AllwrightMoving @movinggal The little things like that matter...
movinggal Q3 The more organized & prepared you are, the better it will be. Less time wasted.
PortageCartage Bear in mind that the crew may have other moves to do after yours - keep kids/pets out of the way to increase crew efficiency.
PortageCartage @jkmoving Ah, you beat me to it!
jkmoving @movinggal As a moving company, we'd never ask customers to provide lunch for the crew, tho it's so appreciated when customers do.
jkmoving @portagecartage Ha :-) It's a good tip all year round, but in the summer esp. when kids are out of school & likely to be around.
movinggal Q3 Better coordinating 3rd party contractors so there is no delay of service which delays everyone.
PortageCartage @movinggal Great tip! Their workload peaks just like ours does - we have to remember that.
Q4 - What can moving companies do to help their crews keep stress to a minimum during summer?
AllwrightMoving A4: We have had cook outs when crews will be coming in. We also try and keep the office relaxed so as not to transfer stress.
PortageCartage We have regular summer barbecues, and will run burgers/smokies out to crews who are on jobs that day.
movinggal Q4 Better coordinating services, realistic estimates and providing ample crew support.
jkmoving Show appreciation early & often. E.G., we had our company picnic last week, so crews could participate before it gets too nutty.
PortageCartage We also ramp up hiring well before peak hits to ensure we have trained staff ready to go as soon as they're needed.
jkmoving I am so amused - EVERYONE has their company picnic early -- great minds think alike, as they say!
jkmoving We do the same. RT @portagecartage: We also ramp up hiring well before peak hits to ensure we have trained staff ready to go.
PortageCartage Also, we give everybody at least 1 day off per week, and we won't book any jobs on the long weekends. The guys love that.
AllwrightMoving I will make it a point to dance from my desk to the copier/fax/open computer just to make everyone giggle and relax....
PortageCartage @AllwrightMoving You can't say that without promising a YouTube video of the dance.
jkmoving @allwrightmoving This, I would like to see! The group demands proof.
jkmoving Nice idea! RT @portagecartage: Also, we give everybody at least 1 day off per week, and we won't book any jobs on long weekends.
MovePoint RT @PortageCartage: Also, we give everybody at least 1 day off per week, and we wont book any jobs on the long weekends.
AllwrightMoving Proof? Hmmmm, I will have to work on that?
GoodStuffMoving Anyone have a foosball table in the office?
MovePoint Our sistere company Leaders Moving has a foosball and pool table and two PC's with net access for the movers
PortageCartage @GoodStuffMoving No... but that's a great idea.
AllwrightMoving I want a foosball table...oh well, I will just turn the radio up
Next week's chat: We'll discuss this article: http://bit.ly/mHhr3S - "8 Things Your Movers Don't Want You to Know".
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