There may be no greater waste of time than for professional movers to shrinkwrap everything in your house. Big moving companies love to do this and it may even be their policy. Two reasons:
1) Traditional moving companies employ a multitude of rookie movers. These guys do not know how to properly carry dressers/desks/sofas etc. If it is the policy of the company to shrinkwrap everything then they do reduce the risk of these guys destroying furniture/homes via their lack of skills.
Aside: Typical true story about rookies... 10 years ago, before All Pro Movers started in Wilmington, NC, I was working at a "circus" moving company fully stocked with idiots. I watched 2 rookies struggle to figure out how to carry a triple dressed down 2 flights of stairs. About 5 feet from the top landing (25 feet in from the ground) they leaned the dresser forward. 6 of the 9 drawers launched out of the dresser and over the side of the building into space. Needless to say, drawers and contents were reduced to atoms. After that incident these idiots began to shrinkwrap everything in sight. They probably still don't know how to carry a dresser. That's why I left.
2) Shrinkwrapping an entire house takes time. Lots of time. On the clock. If a moving company buys a roll of shrinkwrap for $50 and uses it on a few jobs they, after you factor in labor, will sell that roll for about $90,000. Give or take. Annual shrinkwrap revenue for these companies is in the billions. maybe.
anyway,
SHRINKWRAP DOES NOT PROTECT YOUR FURNITURE. Yes, it can be good for holding drawers in place if you don't know how to carry a dresser. But your movers should know how to properly carry a dresser!! Without shrinkwrap!! Anyway, if rookie movers smash your curio into your piano then shrinkwrap is not even in the equation.
It has been witnessed that the shrinkwrapping of couches/sofas/and upholstered items may prove a nightmare when items are going into long-term storage or non-climate-controlled units where humidity is high and variable. Air, not allowed to circulate due to the shrink wrap, traps moisture and harbors mold. Mold can turn a solid colored couch into more of a floral pattern pretty quickly.
Furthermore, in regard to furniture pads - if your movers want to pad all your furniture inside the house before they load it on the truck - look out! Often times this gives them a carefree attitude when carrying your goods/sliding/slamming/grinding. Real movers carry furniture directly to the truck, pad it on the truck (pad pile stays on truck) and load padded furniture accordingly. That is the fastest way to operate. That is how we do it.
One more funny shrinkwrap story, actually this was a conversation that occurred many years ago on a move job, but I still get some laughs when I recall the brief exchange:
CUSTOMER: "Are you going to "shrimp-wrap" my couch?"
ME (chuckling): "We can shrimp-wrap it, but that can be pretty expensive."
MY PARTNER: "Naw, it's a lot cheaper if you leave the heads on."
We were howling. Customer, not so much.
If you need help moving near the Wilmington, NC area please give us a call for a free estimate. We only operate in Wilmington, NC and the surrounding area. 910-232-6052 We don't use shrinkwrap unless the customer specifically requests this service. We do not currently offer "shrimp-wrap" either. It is out of season.
http://allpromovers.biz/
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
TIPPING MOVERS - Gratuity/Tips WHEN & HOW MUCH
Q: "What is a fair tip for the movers at the end of the job?"
A: "The sky is the limit."
Okay that is my answer, but, of course, I am a full-time mover. Let's talk reality...
I was trained in Portland, OR and tips were great for movers. Usually. When we relocated to Wilmington, NC I was hired on at a local moving company. I had 3 years experience at the time I was hired and was instantly, far-and-away, the best mover at that company (the owner included).
My tips plummeted. I am talking ZEROS on 4 out of every 5 jobs. STIFFED.
The movers here told me that "People in the south don't tip." I was astonished daily. The actual problem was that I was hired at a moving company that was what we call a "circus". A constant rotation of idiotic, mindless, criminal, drunk, high, weak, lazy "movers". They drifted between jail, prison, and when they made it to the halfway house, they came out and moved furniture at the circus. And when they get fired they rotate to a different circus. "The longer the job takes, the more they makes." They were sooooo slow. Nobody I worked with had any idea what to do on a move job. They could break anything or everything they touched. These jobs were memorable. Not in a good way. I worked there 3 months and then started ALL PRO MOVERS where, from day 1, we have avoided these sketchy movers altogether by simply not hiring them. But, I digress...
Well, I can tell you that people in the south do tip. People everywhere leave gratuity. You just have to provide a great service.
HOW MUCH?
You should not decide how much to tip until the job is complete. Watch the movers work. Is the job going faster than you expected, or is it dragging? Are the movers doing things to speed up the job or are they intentionally throwing up delays on the clock? Is the crew making your move more, or less, stressful? Is the crew leader adding unforseen charges? Are they taking a lot of breaks? (at All Pro Movers we probably average 1 ten minute break every 2 hours, but this is not a good benchmark for break-taking as we work a lot harder/faster than regular movers). Do they care about your furniture and residence? (that is obviously a critical factor that is easy to observe - are they slamming, dragging, dinging, etc.). Do they know what they are doing? Are they movers? Do they know where they are?
On a quick little local job, 1- 2 - 3 hours, you are probably going to start at $10- $15-$20 per mover for gratuity. Adjust the amount, up or down, depending on the service level provided and the final bill; was it worth hiring this company? If service was very bad, just pretend like you don't know about tipping movers. If the job took 3 hours but it should have been done in 2, then $5 to $10 per mover. Probably $5. (they got the rest of their tip with the extra hour on their paycheck). If the job took 2 hours and you thought it would take 4 or 5, then pass some of the money you saved on to the movers!
On large or long-distance moves you can start at 10% of the bill for gratuity and adjust up or down accordingly.
Feel free, in fact, be encouraged to tip individually. If one guy is clearly a heads-up mover and is running the show like a maestro in a monkey house, then pull him aside at the end and give him extra gratuity as thanks for his efforts. If one guy is slack, stiff him completely and tip the others on the side.
Hopefully this gives you some idea of how much and when to tip movers.
Customers who intend, from the onset, on tipping the movers are well advised to inform the movers of this fact straight out of the gate. At the beginning of the job tell the movers directly that if the move goes quick and clean then the will be compensated, in cash, for their efforts. You are almost guaranteed to have your movers paying attention.
Best of luck.
Visit our website for more tips and ways to save money on moving day!
allpromovers.biz
A: "The sky is the limit."
Okay that is my answer, but, of course, I am a full-time mover. Let's talk reality...
I was trained in Portland, OR and tips were great for movers. Usually. When we relocated to Wilmington, NC I was hired on at a local moving company. I had 3 years experience at the time I was hired and was instantly, far-and-away, the best mover at that company (the owner included).
My tips plummeted. I am talking ZEROS on 4 out of every 5 jobs. STIFFED.
The movers here told me that "People in the south don't tip." I was astonished daily. The actual problem was that I was hired at a moving company that was what we call a "circus". A constant rotation of idiotic, mindless, criminal, drunk, high, weak, lazy "movers". They drifted between jail, prison, and when they made it to the halfway house, they came out and moved furniture at the circus. And when they get fired they rotate to a different circus. "The longer the job takes, the more they makes." They were sooooo slow. Nobody I worked with had any idea what to do on a move job. They could break anything or everything they touched. These jobs were memorable. Not in a good way. I worked there 3 months and then started ALL PRO MOVERS where, from day 1, we have avoided these sketchy movers altogether by simply not hiring them. But, I digress...
Well, I can tell you that people in the south do tip. People everywhere leave gratuity. You just have to provide a great service.
HOW MUCH?
You should not decide how much to tip until the job is complete. Watch the movers work. Is the job going faster than you expected, or is it dragging? Are the movers doing things to speed up the job or are they intentionally throwing up delays on the clock? Is the crew making your move more, or less, stressful? Is the crew leader adding unforseen charges? Are they taking a lot of breaks? (at All Pro Movers we probably average 1 ten minute break every 2 hours, but this is not a good benchmark for break-taking as we work a lot harder/faster than regular movers). Do they care about your furniture and residence? (that is obviously a critical factor that is easy to observe - are they slamming, dragging, dinging, etc.). Do they know what they are doing? Are they movers? Do they know where they are?
On a quick little local job, 1- 2 - 3 hours, you are probably going to start at $10- $15-$20 per mover for gratuity. Adjust the amount, up or down, depending on the service level provided and the final bill; was it worth hiring this company? If service was very bad, just pretend like you don't know about tipping movers. If the job took 3 hours but it should have been done in 2, then $5 to $10 per mover. Probably $5. (they got the rest of their tip with the extra hour on their paycheck). If the job took 2 hours and you thought it would take 4 or 5, then pass some of the money you saved on to the movers!
On large or long-distance moves you can start at 10% of the bill for gratuity and adjust up or down accordingly.
Feel free, in fact, be encouraged to tip individually. If one guy is clearly a heads-up mover and is running the show like a maestro in a monkey house, then pull him aside at the end and give him extra gratuity as thanks for his efforts. If one guy is slack, stiff him completely and tip the others on the side.
Hopefully this gives you some idea of how much and when to tip movers.
Customers who intend, from the onset, on tipping the movers are well advised to inform the movers of this fact straight out of the gate. At the beginning of the job tell the movers directly that if the move goes quick and clean then the will be compensated, in cash, for their efforts. You are almost guaranteed to have your movers paying attention.
Best of luck.
Visit our website for more tips and ways to save money on moving day!
allpromovers.biz
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
If you are going to HIRE PROFESSIONAL MOVERS...
Okay, today I am going to give one simple piece of advice to those of you who elect to hire professional movers.
A common misconception held by the public is that "movers" know how to move furniture. This is, of course, not always true. All movers have to learn the trade. The way you learn how to move furniture, sadly, is by making mistakes (or watching other movers make mistakes). Mistakes on a moving job equate to damage, injury or both. "Rookie" movers, movers in their first year or two, probably account for 90% of all damage on move jobs nationwide. Almost all national moving companies employ rookies because they can pay them a pittance and reap huge, HUGE, profits off of their labor.
When you hire professional movers, your experience with a specific company will be based, most times, on your actual moving crew. You do not know who will arrive. A common 2-man crew, in most national moving companies, will consist of a "veteran" and an (ever-changing) rookie partner. I could tell you horror stories about rookie movers. They imperil everything and everyone on the job site. Beyond that, they will require constant instruction from the veteran. Provided they have dispatched a veteran.
So here is my advice: No matter which moving company you hire, do yourself a favor and ask for an ALL VETERAN CREW. Tell them specifically that you do not want any rookies on your job. The person who is booking jobs for your moving company will know exactly what you are talking about. If they cannot guarantee this stipulation then you need to find a different moving company. No question.
At All Pro Movers, a "one of a kind" moving company working in Wilmington, NC, our name really says it all. Our business model, for 10 years now, has been to exclusively employ true professional movers. No rookies. Potential employees for All Pro Movers must have 3 years proven experience in all facets of moving, pass a criminal background check, and then finally pass a skills test to gain employment with us. We avoid damage by avoiding rookies. You should do the same! Best of luck.
A common misconception held by the public is that "movers" know how to move furniture. This is, of course, not always true. All movers have to learn the trade. The way you learn how to move furniture, sadly, is by making mistakes (or watching other movers make mistakes). Mistakes on a moving job equate to damage, injury or both. "Rookie" movers, movers in their first year or two, probably account for 90% of all damage on move jobs nationwide. Almost all national moving companies employ rookies because they can pay them a pittance and reap huge, HUGE, profits off of their labor.
When you hire professional movers, your experience with a specific company will be based, most times, on your actual moving crew. You do not know who will arrive. A common 2-man crew, in most national moving companies, will consist of a "veteran" and an (ever-changing) rookie partner. I could tell you horror stories about rookie movers. They imperil everything and everyone on the job site. Beyond that, they will require constant instruction from the veteran. Provided they have dispatched a veteran.
So here is my advice: No matter which moving company you hire, do yourself a favor and ask for an ALL VETERAN CREW. Tell them specifically that you do not want any rookies on your job. The person who is booking jobs for your moving company will know exactly what you are talking about. If they cannot guarantee this stipulation then you need to find a different moving company. No question.
At All Pro Movers, a "one of a kind" moving company working in Wilmington, NC, our name really says it all. Our business model, for 10 years now, has been to exclusively employ true professional movers. No rookies. Potential employees for All Pro Movers must have 3 years proven experience in all facets of moving, pass a criminal background check, and then finally pass a skills test to gain employment with us. We avoid damage by avoiding rookies. You should do the same! Best of luck.
Monday, January 31, 2011
INTERNET "MOVE BROKERS" - Warnings, Complaints, Dangers, Risk etc.
Hello again and welcome to the true "inside" of the moving industry. All Pro Movers - solely in Wilmington, NC, is a one of a kind operation designed to provide our customers with the best movers in Wilmington for the lowest cost. We have been saving people money for 10 years by simply showing them faster, cheaper ways of moving - either local or long distance. Please visit our website to find out more. This blog will expose the numerous ways traditional moving companies rip-off their customers time and time again.
Today: INTERNET MOVE BROKERS
If you are thinking about hiring an internet "move broker" to handle your long-distance move let me give you one piece of advice: DO NOT HIRE AN INTERNET MOVE BROKER. There are just too many scams going on. The theives are thick in this neck of the virtual world. Too many people getting burned for thousands of dollars - paying for movers and no movers show up. The scams can be simple or elaborate but, either way, you are going to be the one who pays the price.
The service these companies provide is coordination - simple logistics. They contract with 3rd party moving companies based exclusively on lowest price. Then they jack up the price for the move and bill you. They are charging you a lot of money for something you could do. All you need is access to the internet and a telephone. And you would do a better job finding the BEST movers because you actually care about the move and not just the money. Book your own move or have a friend set it up for you. Get phone numbers online and CALL the moving companies directly. Speak with humans - get rates - it is not hard and, it is so much safer than trusting a move broker who is not affiliated with any actual moving company.
Last piece of advice - GET RATES IN WRITING.
allpromovers.biz
Today: INTERNET MOVE BROKERS
If you are thinking about hiring an internet "move broker" to handle your long-distance move let me give you one piece of advice: DO NOT HIRE AN INTERNET MOVE BROKER. There are just too many scams going on. The theives are thick in this neck of the virtual world. Too many people getting burned for thousands of dollars - paying for movers and no movers show up. The scams can be simple or elaborate but, either way, you are going to be the one who pays the price.
The service these companies provide is coordination - simple logistics. They contract with 3rd party moving companies based exclusively on lowest price. Then they jack up the price for the move and bill you. They are charging you a lot of money for something you could do. All you need is access to the internet and a telephone. And you would do a better job finding the BEST movers because you actually care about the move and not just the money. Book your own move or have a friend set it up for you. Get phone numbers online and CALL the moving companies directly. Speak with humans - get rates - it is not hard and, it is so much safer than trusting a move broker who is not affiliated with any actual moving company.
Last piece of advice - GET RATES IN WRITING.
allpromovers.biz
Friday, January 28, 2011
HOW TO PACK PICTURES & MIRRORS - save money - ALL PRO MOVERS
Typically, the individual packing/boxing of large pictures and mirrors, is just one more way for traditional moving companies to raise your bill. They are going to charge you for extensive packing supplies and the actual packing is going to take time on the clock - plenty of time. Moving companies love this kind of easy cash. They will be happy to box every picture and mirror in its' own custom box. And they may even build additional boxes to put those boxes into, if they haven't run out of boxes at this point.
Let me tell you how to safely, quickly and easily transport large and small pictures in your rental truck. If you are loading a rental truck with your household goods then the odds are good that you will have a mattress/box springs. You may have several sets of matt/box. Mattress and box springs should be loaded across the width of the truck, standing vertically. These create great "walls" in the load for tying off, and are usually loaded at thre back of the truck. Large pictures and mirrors will find a safe home here. take one or more furniture pads/blankets and roll it a few times and place it on the floor of the truck in between the mattress and box springs. Place large pictures/mirrors and stand them vertically on the pad between matt/box. Place pictures "back to back". Depending on the size of the pieces - usually 4 is how many will go safely (2 next to 2) but you can get more by using pads as a barrier when going "face to face".
If you do not have matt/box then you need to "sidewall" the pictures. Tying off most/all pictures in one spot. Stand pictures vertically, on the floor of the truck, on a few pads. Back-to back, largest to smallest with pads seperating all face-to face occurances. Tie this pack of pickled pictures to the sidewall/rubrail of the truck. This can be risky and time should be taken on the order of frame sizes - largest to smallest.
ALWAYS TRANSPORT GLASS/MIRRORS/PICTURES/CANVAS IN A VERTICAL ORIENTATION PLACED ON HEAVY CUSHIONING. PAD AND TIED SNUGLY.
Small pictures go fastest in big boxes. Build large box/boxes and get a couple furniture pads/blankets. Fill the box first with part of a pad. Pack 2 framed pictures "back-to-back", then cover the exposed pictures front with more pad. Then 2 more "back-to-back" and continue until they are all packed and padded. It is a fast way to safely move a lot of pictures. Often times these boxes will not close. Load these boxes on a stout piece of furniture in the truck. Try to keep these boxes off the floor of the truck as they just waste space there.
If you have high value paintings then, of course, you do want them boxed individually, or crated.
Please visit our website for more tips and ways to save money on moving day.
allpromovers.biz
Let me tell you how to safely, quickly and easily transport large and small pictures in your rental truck. If you are loading a rental truck with your household goods then the odds are good that you will have a mattress/box springs. You may have several sets of matt/box. Mattress and box springs should be loaded across the width of the truck, standing vertically. These create great "walls" in the load for tying off, and are usually loaded at thre back of the truck. Large pictures and mirrors will find a safe home here. take one or more furniture pads/blankets and roll it a few times and place it on the floor of the truck in between the mattress and box springs. Place large pictures/mirrors and stand them vertically on the pad between matt/box. Place pictures "back to back". Depending on the size of the pieces - usually 4 is how many will go safely (2 next to 2) but you can get more by using pads as a barrier when going "face to face".
If you do not have matt/box then you need to "sidewall" the pictures. Tying off most/all pictures in one spot. Stand pictures vertically, on the floor of the truck, on a few pads. Back-to back, largest to smallest with pads seperating all face-to face occurances. Tie this pack of pickled pictures to the sidewall/rubrail of the truck. This can be risky and time should be taken on the order of frame sizes - largest to smallest.
ALWAYS TRANSPORT GLASS/MIRRORS/PICTURES/CANVAS IN A VERTICAL ORIENTATION PLACED ON HEAVY CUSHIONING. PAD AND TIED SNUGLY.
Small pictures go fastest in big boxes. Build large box/boxes and get a couple furniture pads/blankets. Fill the box first with part of a pad. Pack 2 framed pictures "back-to-back", then cover the exposed pictures front with more pad. Then 2 more "back-to-back" and continue until they are all packed and padded. It is a fast way to safely move a lot of pictures. Often times these boxes will not close. Load these boxes on a stout piece of furniture in the truck. Try to keep these boxes off the floor of the truck as they just waste space there.
If you have high value paintings then, of course, you do want them boxed individually, or crated.
Please visit our website for more tips and ways to save money on moving day.
allpromovers.biz
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