Shopping Around

Why We Love, Love, Love MovingCompanyReviews

MCR (MovingCompanyReviews) changed the moving review’s game for the better when they first launched in 2012. See, the problem movers have (had!) with online review giants is validation. Essentially, and very easily, anyone can hop online and write a review, good or bad. There’s no verification process. It suuuucks. Why does it suuuuuck? Well, mostly because very few customers go online and publish positive reviews and, believe it or not, there was this awful period of time where movers would go and publish fake reviews bashing other companies. THE ORIGINAL INTERNET TROLLS!

 

Anyhow, fast forward to 2012 when MCR launched. They decided that it was time movers received the praise they deserved. As they so accurately write on their About Us page, “MCR verifies every review with a Bill of Lading (move receipt) to ensure it was written by a real customer for a real move.” They even reward people who post a review with a gift card, or better yet a PIZZA! If only you guys came around sooner!

 

I’ve seen a lot of good come from MCR. Most specifically, we had the chance to move MCR’s Founder, Doug Breaker. He actually wrote about it here: http://blog.movingcompanyreviews.com/how-finding-a-great-mover-took-me-3-years/. The best part…we didn’t know until after we moved him! Don’t you just love it when someone really believes in their own product? We sure do!

 

Thank you MCR for trying to fix an issue the moving industry has been facing for quite some time now.

by Roey Hazot

Featured

Packing Tips

What the Heck is Partial Packing?

Partial packing is the most cost-effective packing-of-furniture solution out there. Its aim is to make a customer’s relocation as smooth a transition as possible. Partial packing service covers all basic household furniture. It includes moving pads and blankets, industrial sized bubble wrap, durable shrink wrap, and specialized packing tape.

Moving pads and blankets are the most regularly used protector for furniture during the transportation phase. The most common furniture item that is packaged with a moving pad is wooden furniture. China cabinets, dining tables, office desks, and anything of the like will be securely packaged in blankets. Aside from what was just mentioned, items that are irregularly shaped will be covered as well. An irregularly shaped item can be as common as an office chair, to a disassembled bed frame, or even a BBQ. The moving pad is the most versatile tool a packer has.

Bubble wrap is used on any and all fragile items. When it comes to packing glass/fragile items extra protection has to be accounted for. This is why a mover can’t use generic wrapping, rather the industrial standard of bubble wrap. This type of wrap will protect anything from a TV, to the glass top on your coffee table. All mirrors that are part of your moving list will also have a layer of this security wrap. Fragile items that are packed with bubble wrap give those moving the reassurance that their most delicate belongings will remain undamaged.

Upholstered furniture requires special protection from the elements. The shrink wrap movers use will keep your most cherished upholstered furniture clean and safe during transportation. Common items that are wrapped in shrink wrap include sofas, mattresses, and floor lamps. Dust, rain, and dirt stand no chance against multi-layering of shrink wrap on your belongings.

The most important tool a packer has is tape. Tape is used on almost every single item. Special tear-resistant tape helps movers secure their specialized materials to all of your furniture. When it comes to using tape, movers aren’t sparing.

by Roey Hazot
Packing Tips

Packing Boxes! WOOHOO!

The 6 most common type of boxes are:

  1. Small (Book) Box
  2. Medium Box
  3. Large Box
  4. Wardrobe Box
  5. Picture Box
  6. China (Dish Pack) Box

Small boxes should contain your heaviest items, that aren’t super fragile. Make sure you stuff these guys with smaller items that carry weight, i.e. books, CD’s, bricks, etc.

Medium boxes should hold everything else that you wouldn’t put in a small or large box. All miscellaneous items, such as: contents in your drawers, remotes, cable boxes, kid’s toys, etc.

Large boxes should be filled with anything that takes up a lot of volume, but isn’t too heavy. Common items that go in large boxes are shoes, clothing, linens, etc.

Wardrobe boxes hold articles of clothing that are on a hanger. This tall box has a metal rod near the top that can support 25-50 hangers.

Picture boxes are used to carry pictures, mirrors, and/or TV’s. Depending on a picture/mirrors size, you can fit anywhere from 1-5 pieces per box.

China boxes are meant to hold any fragile items. These range from dishes and china, to lamps and fragile decorative pieces.

Most movers offer a full pack options. Taking this route means that the movers will bring their own boxes and pack every last item in your home. WHOA!

by Roey Hazot
Shopping Around

Choosing the right local mover in Chicago!

 

You know that feeling when your car is low on gas and you happen to be at an intersection that has four different gas stations all adjacent to one another? Yeah, search the web for movers in Chicago and you’ll feel the same way. Moving locally in Chicago can be easy; Moving in general can be stress free. When looking for a mover, here are the most important questions to ask:

 

  1. How does your company charge for a move? By default, and within Illinois, a company that moves you locally has to charge based on a set hourly rate and the amount of time that it takes to complete your move. Most companies will have a minimum amount of hours, which range from 2-4. In addition to labor charges, it’s common for a mover to have a set charge for the truck rental.
  2. What packing materials does your company include for free? Moving pads are the most common and versatile furniture padding a mover will use. A moving pad is a thick quilt that can be affixed to most household furniture pieces. The problem is: a good (but bad) amount of movers will tell you that this is all you’ll need. Come move day and they’ll charge you for tape, shrink wrap, and bubble wrap.
  3. Are you licensed/insured and/or bonded? A true pro mover in Chicago will be licensed and insured. If they are, they should be able to provide a COI (certificate of insurance.) A COI will reflect a relocation expert’s level of coverage. A bonded mover is one that is unionized. This isn’t a necessity, but does speak nicely about the quality of their movers.

 

Regardless of the above, the most important factor (aside from the overall cost) is the feeling you get from the relocation consultant you get in contact with. If you don’t feel the connection and the rep constantly rushes you, keep shopping around.

 

Good luck and happy moving!

by Roey Hazot