MOVING TIPS


All Estimates Are Not Created Equal


If you receive several estimates and there is a significant difference in the prices quoted, be sure to look closely before deciding to go with the lowest bid. First, check to see whether you’ve been offered a binding or non-binding estimate. If it’s a non-binding estimate, it’s an educated guess. The amount you’ll be charged will be based on actual weight, distance and services performed, NOT the amount of the estimate.

A good tip that you’ve been “low-balled” is an estimate of the weight of your shipment, or packing time, or packing containers, that is significantly lower than the others.

Even if the low estimate proves to be a binding, or “best price” estimate, the difference might lie in what are known as “accessorial services.” This is a whole array of additional services, ranging from extra pickups to special crating. If one or more of these appear on the other estimates but not on the low one and you choose the low-price mover, you’re likely to be asked to sign an addendum before the movers start unloading your possessions. The addendum provides for these services, but raises the cost of your move. The moving industry is highly competitive, and a low price may be nothing more than that. However, there is generally not much of a price discrepancy between major national van lines. So, if you do get a very low bid, remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!! At TLC Moving & Storage, we strive to provide accurate, fair bids every time.

Specific Delivery Dates Cannot Be Guaranteed On Most Moves

When you contract for a long-distance move, you are given what is known as a “delivery spread.” This is the range of dates within which the mover contracts to deliver your possessions to your new home. Often, pressed by the customer, the sales rep may promise delivery on a specific date. No one other than the corporate dispatcher has the authority to promise a specific delivery date. While most dispatchers do their best to honor a customer’s wishes, even they can be overruled by unexpected weather, traffic conditions or the need to make maximum use of the space of the truck.

If a specific delivery date is essential, you CAN get it by specifying “expedited service” or, if your shipment is very large, “exclusive use of the truck.” However, you are charged a significant extra amount for such service. By the way, if your shipment is delivered LATER than the last day in the delivery spread, and your shipment weight is over 5,000 pounds, you are entitled to monetary compensation for every day of delay.

If you are doing a local move with TLC Moving & Storage, and you plan your move several weeks in advance, we make every effort to move you on the requested date.

More moving tips

For more tips on moving, check the Paul Arpin web site at www.PaulArpin.com or contact: 

TLC Relocation Services                                  tlc@tlcmoving.com
1850 Lefthand Circle, Longmont, CO 80501                 303-776-8529