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September 2009 - Posts
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By Gina Cappiello www.123Movers.com
When working with any moving company, you have to remember that communicating effectively is vital to a successful move. Here are some simple ways to communicate effectively with your movers:
Be clear
Write down every single item you will be moving and put asterisks by all of your items that are heavy, fragile, or important. Invite moving companies over to your home for an in-person estimate so they can see what needs to be moved. Explain to them what you need moved and how you want everything moved. This will guarantee that the movers will know exactly what needs to be taken care of for your move so they can prepare and quote you accordingly.
Listen up!
Respect your movers’ thoughts and opinions throughout the moving process. They only want what is best for you and your possessions. If they recommend that you pack your fragile items a certain way, hear them out and give it a go. Chances are their way is the best way.
Stay in touch
Check in with your movers once or twice before you move to be sure you are all on the same page. You’re not being a pest, you’re being proactive. Your movers will not only appreciate your concern, but will be the first ones to reassure you that everything will be fine.
Be respectful
The most important thing to be is respectful. Your movers may be working for you, but that does not mean you can treat them poorly. A little kindness (like providing cold beverages and snacks for your moving guys) will go a long way.
Working with a moving company does not have to be a complete nightmare. Be clear about your needs, listen, keep in touch, and be kind to your movers to guarantee a great working relationship and move. 
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By Gina Cappiello www.123Movers.com
Don’t let the ice and snow of winter sabotage your next move! Stay warm, safe, and smiling during your winter move simply by following these helpful tips:
Bundle up!
It’s always great to have a few warm pieces of clothing on hand during your winter move. Have sweatshirts, socks, sweaters, blankets, coats, and boots remain in your home until you are ready to leave permanently. You never know if your heater will break the day of your move or if the wet weather will soak you to the bone.
Don’t slip
Shovel and salt walkways, steps, driveways, and anywhere movers will be walking. A slip and fall while moving is not only embarrassing, but extremely dangerous. Even with freshly shoveled walkways to guide you, walk slowly and carefully throughout your move in case you missed scraping up a slippery spot.
Stay warm
Be sure your heat will be on for moving day at your current and new home. If the heat is not yet on in your new home, bring along some space heaters to hook up before you begin moving your belongings inside. This way, you will have a toasty home to relax in after the move and won’t freeze during your first night in your new home.
Drink (and eat) up
Keep a kettle of warm water for tea or a pot of hot coffee on hand to warm your movers up with. If you want to go above and beyond for your movers, have some soups (Ramen noodles will suffice) and a loaf of crusty bakery bread ready for them to eat during a lunchtime break. They will thank you for the warm gesture during the chilly move!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't forget about our other seasonal moving story, Moving in the Summer. 
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By Gina Cappiello www.123Movers.com
MP3 players, flat-screen televisions, surround sound speakers, and video game systems are pretty tough, but can get destroyed easily if they are not packed safely for a move. Follow these simple guidelines below to protect your prized (and pricy!) gadgets during your next move:
Packing
The best way to pack your pieces is back into their original boxes with their own pieces of packing foam. This guarantees that the item will safely fit into the box while being protected. If you no longer have the original box or packing foam, get creative. Cushioned packing blankets and durable tape are perfect tools to use to wrap large fragile items like flat-screen TVs and computer monitors up tight. If you do not feel that your items are protected enough by blankets, place them into a box filled with packing peanuts for extra protection.
Moving
If you can afford the extra expense, hire a separate moving company that specializes in moving fragile items. Be sure to choose the company you feel the most comfortable with and that has the most experience with moving high tech items. Do not choose a mover solely based on their estimate. You may be getting the best price on a mover, but you may end up with damaged goods because of it. If hiring a separate company is out of the question, do it yourself! Pack your items into the car in size order (big to small) and use extra blankets or pillows in between empty spaces to reduce wiggle room. If you are using a car that does not have collapsible backseats, don’t worry. Bigger items can be put onto the backseat and strapped in accordingly while smaller items can be placed on the floor or front seat of your car.
Unpacking
It is very important to be patient and work slowly when unpacking everything from your vehicle. Just like packing, unpacking gadgets can be extremely tedious. Before moving your sensitive items into your new home, make sure there are designated spots for them to be placed. Keep all of your items wrapped up until everything is moved into your home. To avoid accidents during the rest of your move, keep your electronics in an area of the house where there is the least amount of moving traffic. If setting up places for your gadgets is impossible to do during your move, keep your fragile items packed (and locked) away until everything else is safely moved in.
Moving is a high-stress activity. Don’t let your high-tech items get damaged during it. Follow the tips provided to guarantee a problem-free move for you and your electronics. 
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By Gina Cappiello www.123Movers.com
Moving does not have to be a negative experience. In fact, a move may be most exciting and important step you take in your life. Take a look at 5 fantastic things to look forward to during your next move below:
New neighborhood
Moving to a new town, state, or city means new surroundings. Think about all of the amazing new restaurants, shops, and places to hang out at that you will soon be discovering. You will also have new neighbors to meet and a brand new living space to make your very own.
New friends
Finding a new group of friends can be daunting and scary, but it is also a very liberating experience. You will now have absolute freedom to choose who you want to be close to without any pressure from your existing core of friends. New friends also mean new perspectives and stories to learn from, which will help you flourish in your new town.
New opportunities
There may be a bevy of different businesses in your new town depending on where you move to. Your move could mean a brand new job in the future with a fascinating company. There will also be new organizations to volunteer for which may unlock a new found love for a cause you never knew was there before.
New you
You’re reinventing your life by moving, so why not reinvent yourself? With a move, you are free to adjust your personality, style, and beliefs to become a whole new person without worrying about your current friends and neighbors judging you.
New culture
New accents, languages, ideals, and traditions will most likely be found in your new surroundings. Embrace your new town’s unique culture and learn as much as you can from it. You will probably become part of it eventually, too!
Moving does not have to be the worst thing to ever happen to you. Focus on the positive aspects of your upcoming move and get excited for the future instead of thinking your move is the end of the world. 
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By Gina Cappiello www.123Movers.com
What is the first thing to do when you find out you are moving? Tell everyone! Regardless of it is a local or a long-distance move, announce it in a novel way with one of these ideas:
Throw a “Surprise Party”: Send out invites for a surprise party but don’t tell anyone who it is for or why it is being thrown. Ask everyone to bring a food or drink that is easy to “move,” like appetizers, pastries, or cookies. When it is time for the big “surprise,” tell everyone to hide. Say you are going to escort the guests of honor in. When you have been gone for a minute or two, come back into the house and surprise everyone with the news. It’s a fun twist to put on the party and a great way to share the exciting news with everyone.
Send eCards or Personalized Greeting Cards: There are numerous free eCard websites to use to create a fun moving announcement. Some moving companies even provide an eCard template for their clients to customize and send out. If you are feeling ambitious, pick up a pack of cards and personalize each one with a fun message about your move along with your new contact information.
Drop Hints on Social Networks: Everybody is connected through social networking sites online, so why not announce the news creatively there? Start tweaking your online profiles to see if anyone catches on. After revamping your profiles, start dropping little hints in your news feeds, like the name of your new street or referencing the town you are moving to. This will get everyone involved and curious. When you feel like everyone is at the edges of their virtual seats and cannot take the suspense any longer, give them the great news!
No Time Before Your Move?: You can always throw a “moved in” party at your new home. Invite friends, new neighbors, and family members over to mingle. Have a notebook out for your party goers to write well wishes and their contact information in. Be sure to take photos of everyone at the party and post them on a free photo sharing website for all to see. Send out thank you notes shortly after with a favorite photo of the party and your new contact information. A moved in party will not only help you feel more at home, but it will also help bridge the gap between your old and new friends.
Do not forget that the most important part about telling everyone you are moving is keeping in touch after the big move. The Internet and cell phones make it easy to say hello to anyone around the world, so be sure to stay connected and involved with all of your loved ones. No excuses! 
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