AMSA News!!!
The American Moving & Storage Association has just launched its new online video service to showcase and connect its members and advise consumers on one of the most important decisions they’ll make."AMSA TV is just the latest example of our expanded outreach efforts to both better serve our membership and provide an important resource to millions of Americans when they choose a firm to professionally pack, transport and safeguard their possessions," says AMSA President and CEO Linda Bauer Darr. "And it’s a great opportunity for us to highlight professional movers and help get their message to the public."The new service features three "channels," each targeted toward its own audience: the Member Channel includes AMSA members speaking out on industry issues; sharing tips, information and ideas with their colleagues; and discussing their companies and whatever else may be weighing on their minds. The Consumer Channel is the place to go for anyone planning a move, whether home or office, for expert advice and guidance on everything from how to choose a professional, qualified mover to what to do when moving day finally arrives. On the channel, AMSA members will be able to spotlight their own charitable work and other community involvement initiatives.AMSA TV’s News & Events Channel provides coverage of the association’s events, conferences and awards ceremonies. It also includes clips about the industry that were featured on local and national TV news programs. "Our members are especially excited about this new venture," Darr says, "so even our international members will be able to hear and see other movers describe their challenges and successes. We’re really encouraging them to submit their own videos and get in on the conversation. I think of it as the You Tube for our industry."The initial clips on the Member Channel are themed around the value of AMSA membership.This Blog is credited to The American Moving and Storage Association and the article AMSA TV is On the Air by John Bisney, Director of Public Relations. I also want to Thank the many customers and future customers we have visit this blog and hope that you find all the information provided helpful. Once again, Thank You for choosing All My Sons Moving and Storage.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
March Maddness...
Looks like we are going to have to wait another year to fill out our brakets, talk about the bubble teams, the bubble busters, and the cinderellas... I gotta tell you here at All My Sons we go crazy for this kind of stuff!!
Just like college basketball picks up in March so does the moving industry!! Here in Indianapolis the weather looks like it is just starting to break out of the winter temperatures and people are starting to realize... IT IS TIME TO MOVE! Needless to say our trucks are leaving the warehouse at 6:30am and sometimes not getting back until 12 o’clock at night! I gotta give it to the guys... they are some of the most driven people I know.
Getting back to basketball...
I am not going to lie to you.. I was a little disappointed with the way the Memphis/Kansas game ended. Does anyone really want to see some of the best college athletes out there shooting free throws... I just hate to see that! I know it is part of the game, and I am not saying I know how to fix it... but it just seems to take something away from a great game!
Well... at least the draft is right around the corner.... GO COLTS!
Just like college basketball picks up in March so does the moving industry!! Here in Indianapolis the weather looks like it is just starting to break out of the winter temperatures and people are starting to realize... IT IS TIME TO MOVE! Needless to say our trucks are leaving the warehouse at 6:30am and sometimes not getting back until 12 o’clock at night! I gotta give it to the guys... they are some of the most driven people I know.
Getting back to basketball...
I am not going to lie to you.. I was a little disappointed with the way the Memphis/Kansas game ended. Does anyone really want to see some of the best college athletes out there shooting free throws... I just hate to see that! I know it is part of the game, and I am not saying I know how to fix it... but it just seems to take something away from a great game!
Well... at least the draft is right around the corner.... GO COLTS!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Moving??? How to get Yourself Ready!!
I pulled this from my company home page... but the information is soo valuable!! This will walk you through your move step by step. I know moving can be stressful, and here at All My Sons we do everything possible to alleviate that stress during the move... but by following these simple steps you can ensure yourself a GREAT move!!!
Six to Eight Weeks Before Your Move
-Choose a moving company (Click here “How to choose a Moving Company”)
-Create a "Moving Planner Folder" file using an organizer folder with pockets to keep track of all your moving details and collect your receipts for moving-related expenses.
-Start to use up things you can't move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies.
-Learn about your new city and community (Click here “Moving to a New City”)
-If you're moving at an employer's request, verify your moving budget and your responsibilities.
-Obtain information about what moving expenses may be tax-deductible.
-Make a list with three columns: items to leave behind, items for moving company to move, and items you'll move by yourself. For each item you are not going to take with you, decide whether you'll sell it, give it away to charity, or otherwise dispose of it before your move. (Click here “Inventory Wizard”)
-Make a list of everyone you need to notify about your move: friends, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
-Begin to enjoy the local paper in your new community
-Locate all motor vehicle registration and licensing documents.
-If you will need to store some of your belongings, make the necessary arrangements now. (Click here “Find Storage”)
-Collect all your personal records (school, medical, legal, and accounting). Ask for referrals where possible.
Five Weeks Before Your Move
-Submit a Change of Address form to the post office. (Click here “Change of Address”)
-Arrange special transportation for your pets and plants.
-Arrange to Disconnect/Connect all utilities (gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV, and trash collection) at your old and new addresses. Keep phone and utilities connected at your current home throughout your moving day. (Click here “Change Utilities Wizard”)
-Arrange for insurance coverage in your new home (auto, homeowner's or renter's, medical, and life) (Click here “Insurance”)
-Plan a garage sale to sell unneeded items or arrange to donate them to charity.
-If necessary make travel arrangements and reservations for your moving trip.
-Collect important papers (insurance, will, deeds, stock, etc.)
Four Weeks Before Your Move
-Create a floor plan of your new home and begin thinking about where you'll want to place furniture. Advance planning eases the stress of making major decisions when your furniture arrives at your new home. Mark and label specific pieces of furniture on your diagram and put it in your Moving Planner Folder.
-If you're moving out of or into a building with elevators, contact the building management to schedule use of the elevators and inquire about any other guidelines that must be followed.
Three Weeks Before Your Move
-If you're packing yourself, ask your moving company to deliver an assortment of boxes, this service should be free and you should only have to pay for the boxes you use. Start packing items you will not need to use until after your move. (Click here “Packing and Supplies”)
-Have your automobile serviced if you're traveling by car.
Two Weeks Before Your Move
-Contact your Moving Consultant to review and confirm all arrangements for your move. (Click here “Moving Consultants”)
-If you're doing your own packing, Start Packing. Label the contents of all boxes and pack carefully. Box essential items together and write "Open First/Load Last" on these boxes. When you move into your new home, you'll be able to easily identify these boxes and find essential items. It's a good idea to let a professional mover pack any fragile and valuable items. That's what they do for a living and they have proven methods for keeping your items safe. (Click here “How To Pack”)
-Arrange to close accounts at your local bank and open accounts in your new locale.
-Don't forget to withdraw the contents of your safety deposit box, pick up any dry cleaning, return library books and rented videotapes, etc.
-Drain gas and oil from power equipment (lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.).
-Some state laws prohibit the moving of houseplants. Consider giving your plants to a friend or local charity.
-Make sure to notify your Moving Consultant if you add items to, or subtract items from, your planned household goods shipment or if there are any changes in the dates of your move.
One Week Before Your Move
-Check back through your Moving Planner Checklist to make sure you haven't overlooked anything.
-Prepare specific directions to your destination for your moving company. Make sure your Moving Consultant knows the phone numbers where you can be reached until you get into your new home. (Click here “Destination Information”)
-Defrost your freezer and refrigerator. Block doors open so they can't accidentally close on pets or children.
-Have your major appliances disconnected and prepared for the move. (Again, your relocation consultant can help with arrangements for a third party to provide these services.)
-Prepare a "Trip Kit" for moving day. This kit should contain the things you'll need while your belongings are in transit. Make sure to load your Trip Kit into your car to avoid it being loaded into the van by mistake.
-Pack a box of personal items that will include all your jewelry and small valuables. Take this box in the car with you.
-Call ahead to confirm the utilities are connected at your new home.
-Contact your Moving Consultant to confirm arrival time of the moving van as well as to notify them of any last minute details.
Moving Day
-Strip your beds, and make sure the bedding goes into a "Load Last" box.
-Make sure that someone is at home to welcome your movers and answer any questions. Your Van Foreman should present you with a “Your Right and Responsibilities” brochure. (Click here “Right and Responsibilities”).
-It's important that an adult be authorized to take your place if you are unable to be present at any time while the movers are there. Let your Moving Consultant know to whom you have given this authority. Be sure that your chosen representative knows exactly what to do. Remember - this person may be asked to sign documents obligating you to charges.
-Accompany the Van Foreman as he or she inspects and tags each piece of furniture with an identifying number. These numbers, along with a detailed description of your goods and their condition at the time of loading, will appear on the inventory. Read your Bill of Lading and Inventory carefully before you sign them. Keep these -- and all related papers -- in a safe location until all charges have been paid and all claims, if any, have been settled.
-It is your responsibility to see that all of your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises until loading is completed.
Move In Day
-Review your floor plan to refresh your memory about where you want furniture and appliances placed.
-Plan to be present when the moving van arrives. Be prepared to pay the mover before unloading. Have payment on hand for your moving charges. Unless other billing arrangements were made in advance, payment is required upon delivery in cash, traveler's checks, money order or cashier's check. Moving Companies do not accept personal checks.
-One person should check the inventory sheets as items are unloaded. A second person should direct the movers as to where to place items.
-Once all items are unloaded, unpack only what you need for the first day or two. Focus on creating a sense of home for your family. Give yourself at least two weeks to unpack and organize your belongings.
-Contact your Moving Consultant and inform them of the level of Quality and Service you received during the moving process.
Six to Eight Weeks Before Your Move
-Choose a moving company (Click here “How to choose a Moving Company”)
-Create a "Moving Planner Folder" file using an organizer folder with pockets to keep track of all your moving details and collect your receipts for moving-related expenses.
-Start to use up things you can't move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies.
-Learn about your new city and community (Click here “Moving to a New City”)
-If you're moving at an employer's request, verify your moving budget and your responsibilities.
-Obtain information about what moving expenses may be tax-deductible.
-Make a list with three columns: items to leave behind, items for moving company to move, and items you'll move by yourself. For each item you are not going to take with you, decide whether you'll sell it, give it away to charity, or otherwise dispose of it before your move. (Click here “Inventory Wizard”)
-Make a list of everyone you need to notify about your move: friends, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
-Begin to enjoy the local paper in your new community
-Locate all motor vehicle registration and licensing documents.
-If you will need to store some of your belongings, make the necessary arrangements now. (Click here “Find Storage”)
-Collect all your personal records (school, medical, legal, and accounting). Ask for referrals where possible.
Five Weeks Before Your Move
-Submit a Change of Address form to the post office. (Click here “Change of Address”)
-Arrange special transportation for your pets and plants.
-Arrange to Disconnect/Connect all utilities (gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV, and trash collection) at your old and new addresses. Keep phone and utilities connected at your current home throughout your moving day. (Click here “Change Utilities Wizard”)
-Arrange for insurance coverage in your new home (auto, homeowner's or renter's, medical, and life) (Click here “Insurance”)
-Plan a garage sale to sell unneeded items or arrange to donate them to charity.
-If necessary make travel arrangements and reservations for your moving trip.
-Collect important papers (insurance, will, deeds, stock, etc.)
Four Weeks Before Your Move
-Create a floor plan of your new home and begin thinking about where you'll want to place furniture. Advance planning eases the stress of making major decisions when your furniture arrives at your new home. Mark and label specific pieces of furniture on your diagram and put it in your Moving Planner Folder.
-If you're moving out of or into a building with elevators, contact the building management to schedule use of the elevators and inquire about any other guidelines that must be followed.
Three Weeks Before Your Move
-If you're packing yourself, ask your moving company to deliver an assortment of boxes, this service should be free and you should only have to pay for the boxes you use. Start packing items you will not need to use until after your move. (Click here “Packing and Supplies”)
-Have your automobile serviced if you're traveling by car.
Two Weeks Before Your Move
-Contact your Moving Consultant to review and confirm all arrangements for your move. (Click here “Moving Consultants”)
-If you're doing your own packing, Start Packing. Label the contents of all boxes and pack carefully. Box essential items together and write "Open First/Load Last" on these boxes. When you move into your new home, you'll be able to easily identify these boxes and find essential items. It's a good idea to let a professional mover pack any fragile and valuable items. That's what they do for a living and they have proven methods for keeping your items safe. (Click here “How To Pack”)
-Arrange to close accounts at your local bank and open accounts in your new locale.
-Don't forget to withdraw the contents of your safety deposit box, pick up any dry cleaning, return library books and rented videotapes, etc.
-Drain gas and oil from power equipment (lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.).
-Some state laws prohibit the moving of houseplants. Consider giving your plants to a friend or local charity.
-Make sure to notify your Moving Consultant if you add items to, or subtract items from, your planned household goods shipment or if there are any changes in the dates of your move.
One Week Before Your Move
-Check back through your Moving Planner Checklist to make sure you haven't overlooked anything.
-Prepare specific directions to your destination for your moving company. Make sure your Moving Consultant knows the phone numbers where you can be reached until you get into your new home. (Click here “Destination Information”)
-Defrost your freezer and refrigerator. Block doors open so they can't accidentally close on pets or children.
-Have your major appliances disconnected and prepared for the move. (Again, your relocation consultant can help with arrangements for a third party to provide these services.)
-Prepare a "Trip Kit" for moving day. This kit should contain the things you'll need while your belongings are in transit. Make sure to load your Trip Kit into your car to avoid it being loaded into the van by mistake.
-Pack a box of personal items that will include all your jewelry and small valuables. Take this box in the car with you.
-Call ahead to confirm the utilities are connected at your new home.
-Contact your Moving Consultant to confirm arrival time of the moving van as well as to notify them of any last minute details.
Moving Day
-Strip your beds, and make sure the bedding goes into a "Load Last" box.
-Make sure that someone is at home to welcome your movers and answer any questions. Your Van Foreman should present you with a “Your Right and Responsibilities” brochure. (Click here “Right and Responsibilities”).
-It's important that an adult be authorized to take your place if you are unable to be present at any time while the movers are there. Let your Moving Consultant know to whom you have given this authority. Be sure that your chosen representative knows exactly what to do. Remember - this person may be asked to sign documents obligating you to charges.
-Accompany the Van Foreman as he or she inspects and tags each piece of furniture with an identifying number. These numbers, along with a detailed description of your goods and their condition at the time of loading, will appear on the inventory. Read your Bill of Lading and Inventory carefully before you sign them. Keep these -- and all related papers -- in a safe location until all charges have been paid and all claims, if any, have been settled.
-It is your responsibility to see that all of your goods are loaded, so remain on the premises until loading is completed.
Move In Day
-Review your floor plan to refresh your memory about where you want furniture and appliances placed.
-Plan to be present when the moving van arrives. Be prepared to pay the mover before unloading. Have payment on hand for your moving charges. Unless other billing arrangements were made in advance, payment is required upon delivery in cash, traveler's checks, money order or cashier's check. Moving Companies do not accept personal checks.
-One person should check the inventory sheets as items are unloaded. A second person should direct the movers as to where to place items.
-Once all items are unloaded, unpack only what you need for the first day or two. Focus on creating a sense of home for your family. Give yourself at least two weeks to unpack and organize your belongings.
-Contact your Moving Consultant and inform them of the level of Quality and Service you received during the moving process.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
All My Sons... Going Green
All My Sons Indianapolis is going GREEN!! That is right... we are implementing a system that will make our customers smile and keep Mother Nature on our good side. In the very near future we will be implementing a used box recycling program. Not only will our customers be able to get the clutter of un-needed boxes out of the house... they can do it knowing that they are helping to keep our sky a little brighter.
Here at All My Sons the importance of the environment is always incorporated into our planning process and it reflects in all of our daily activities... no matter how "insignificant" we think that action is. Whether it is proper route planning to cut down on fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions or simply using recycled paper and cups in the office... everything makes a difference!
At All My Sons we are continually trying to improve our service and this time it looks like everyone wins!!!
Here at All My Sons the importance of the environment is always incorporated into our planning process and it reflects in all of our daily activities... no matter how "insignificant" we think that action is. Whether it is proper route planning to cut down on fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions or simply using recycled paper and cups in the office... everything makes a difference!
At All My Sons we are continually trying to improve our service and this time it looks like everyone wins!!!
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