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By Gina Cappiello www.123Movers.com
Shipping an automobile is similar, but very different from moving your belongings. If you feel clueless about the whole auto transport process, read on for helpful tips on what to do before, during, and after the shipment of your auto:
Are you already covered?
Some auto insurance companies will cover your automobile transport fees, so be sure to discuss your upcoming move with them first and foremost. You may be able to get a fantastic deal from them or find out your auto transport is 100% covered by your existing policy.
Are they covered?
Ask every moving company you want to work with for their insurance certification. Every auto transport company is required to have one by law, so don’t be afraid to ask. Also, ask about their policies especially if they seem vague in the contract.
Get it all recorded!
Get everything in writing from the auto transporter! Even if it seems like common knowledge or a small detail, ask for it to be written down before signing off. If the movers refuse to write the details you request down, move on and find a better auto transporter to work with.
Clean out your vehicle
Remove all of your personal items (GPS, CD player, jewelry, money, etc) from your car before you hand it over to the auto transporters. Not only could these small items add weight to your shipment and damage your car if shifted during transport, but these items are usually not covered if damaged or stolen during transport.
Inspect your car before and after shipment
When you drop your vehicle off, the transporter will perform an examination of your car and write down any/all damages on your car. While the transporter is reviewing his/her list, create your own and compare with the transporter to make sure you both are on the same page. It is also a good idea to take some photos of your vehicle for a visual record just in case. The same inspection happens at the destination to see if damages occurred during transport. This time, check your automobile’s undercarriage and make sure your car starts properly before you accept the vehicle to ensure no mechanical damage occurred while in transport.
Record damages and make a claim
Write down all discrepancies on the bill of lading before you accept the car. If any damage has been done to your vehicle during shipping, write it down on the bill of lading, have the transporter sign it and then contact the auto shipping company for a proper reimbursement. If you are not satisfied with the auto transporter during the claims process, file a complaint with your local Better Business Bureau. You can also contact the U.S. Department of Transportation, but only if your vehicle was transported over state lines. If nothing is resolved from there, take your case to a small claims court to receive the refund you deserve. 
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By Gina Cappiello www.123Movers.com
Having a roommate can be the best or worst thing to ever happen to you. If you need some tips on how to find and live with somebody new, read on for some helpful suggestions:
Be picky
Screen everyone you are thinking of rooming with closely regardless of if the potential roommates are friends or individuals you are meeting for the first time. Create a list of questions and concerns that are important to you and find out how your potential roommates feel about these issues. Do not compromise about your core concerns, either. It is far easier moving in with someone who respects your beliefs and feelings about a living situation than someone who does not.
Establish boundaries
Once you’ve chosen your roommate/s, it is crucial to sit down and lay down the ground rules together. If you can, discuss everything before signing the lease or moving into your new place in case you find out something about your new roommate/s you cannot handle. Divvy up chores, discuss schedules, and clear the air about any potential issues that may arise. It may sound silly to do, but it is imperative to take care of in the beginning to avoid potential arguments or confrontations.
Get your own room
If you can get your own room in your new apartment or home with roommates, do it. It may be extra, but it’s definitely worth the cost to move into a place where you are guaranteed your own living space. With your own room, you’ll always have a place to escape to for privacy and an area of the home to actually call your own. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about anyone but yourself in there.
Have a life
When living with others, it’s easy to limit yourself to hanging out with your roommates exclusively. Break out of this habit and interact with others to avoid getting burnt out on your roommates. This doesn’t mean you have to exclude your roommates from your life, though. Invite new friends to your home and have everyone hang out with one another to help strengthen bonds. Who knows? Maybe one of your new friends will end up becoming another roommate of yours in the future! 
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By Gina Cappiello www.123Movers.com
When looking for a mover, don’t just choose any moving company with a sleek logo and low prices. Do your research! Sure, research can be extremely frustrating (especially while planning a move), but it is paramount when choosing a moving company. Here are some research tips to follow when you’re looking for a moving company:
Find their licenses and insurance
Moving companies in states that regulate moving companies require all of the companies to have licensing from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate. These companies should have a Motor Carrier (MT) and DOT authorization number that can easily be found online. If your state does not regulate movers, you can still research their practices through the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Also, keep in mind that the DOT does not regulate intrastate moves (moves that happen between states), which is why it is imperative to do your research.
Read reviews, write-ups, and recommendations
The best way to find honest feedback about a moving company is through reviews. Some moving companies will have their own employees write positive reviews, so be wary of a company with many similar sounding positive reviews from one or a few different sites. Utilize a variety of moving company reviewing sites, message boards, and blog entries to get a good idea of what a specific company is like before deciding on one. Also, speak with friends and acquaintances for recommendations on moving companies. The recommendations you receive are guaranteed to be honest since the information is coming from your trusted circle.
Get an in-home estimate
Most moving companies will give potential customers a no-obligation free in-house moving quote. This is the best way for them to not only give you an accurate estimate, but also is a great way for you to get an idea of the company you may be working with. This is the best time to ask questions, too, so don’t hold back and ask away. While they answer, listen objectively and observe their body language for any red flags (shifty eyes, nervousness, awkward stances, etc). Since 80% of a message is communicated non-verbally, it is important to observe the surveyors and go with your gut about the first impressions.
These helpful tips should get you started on the process of finding movers and will guide you to the best moving company for your moving job. 
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By Gina Cappiello www.123Movers.com
How much is too much or not enough when tipping movers? Although $20 each (along with a decent lunch and cold beverages) is standard, there are still many factors to consider when tipping a moving company for their services. Here are some questions to consider before handing over a wad of extra cash:
Long-distance move?
If movers are picking your belongings up and have to cross state lines to drop off your stuff, a different set of movers will most likely be dropping everything off at your destination. In this scenario, you should tip both batches of movers. It may be costly, but the movers will not only appreciate your generosity, but will also work extra hard to ensure your move goes smoothly.
Stairs or narrow walkways?
Many moving companies take staircases into consideration while doing your moving estimate. Ask the movers if they charge extra for stairs, narrow hallways, and other obstructions that could make the move a little more difficult. Regardless of whether or not there are extra fees associated with steps/walkways, it would be polite to tip each mover struggling with your steep steps extra for their hard work.
Number of movers?
Use common sense when it comes to the number of movers. If you have 4 movers doing an equal amount of work, a $20 tip for each is standard. However, if you have a lot of things to be moved and only have 2 movers handling everything, consider tossing them a few extra bucks. Be sure to tip each one equally and hand each one their tip directly to ensure that the foreman does not take the lump sum for himself.
Essentially, a tip is based on service regardless of the industry. Use your best judgment for your moving company and moving situation, but consider $20 per mover the minimum tipping amount. Add on more for any of the factors above to be sure that your movers are being compensated right for your move. 
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By Gina Cappiello www.123Movers.com
Your first move is going to be a big deal. It will be the defining moment of your adulthood and the ultimate declaration of your independence to the world. Although it is an exciting occasion, it is probably going to be one of the most stressful, insane, and chaotic days of your life. Fear not! Here are some tips to point you in the right direction and help you keep your cool during your first moving experience:
Don’t be stubborn!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for assistance. Family and great friends want to help you any way they can, so don’t be too proud to ask them for it. They will be flattered and more than willing to assist you for your first move and many more. No family or friends around to help? Schedule your move with a moving company and they can help you ever step of the way from planning to packing and reassembling furniture.
Don’t stress!
It is completely normal (and easy) to lose your mind during your move with everybody running around with your belongings. Take a step back from the situation and sit somewhere alone for a few minutes to gain some perspective on the situation. Remember that this is just one day of your life. Once it is over, you probably will not have to move for a good amount of time. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and remind yourself that you can and will get through this.
Don’t starve!
With the chaos of moving day and anxious feelings about your new home, it is easy to forget to eat. Make sure to start off the day with a healthy (but not heavy) breakfast to get you energized for your move. Try to schedule at least a half hour lunch for yourself and your movers to ensure you are all running on a full tank of fuel instead of adrenaline and caffeine. Also, don’t forget to stay hydrated. Keep numerous bottles of water handy and be sure to drink plenty of them while you sweat and pack away.
Asking for help, staying calm, and keeping your body energized with healthy foods and water will definitely help make your first move the very best one. Good luck! 
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By Gina Cappiello www.123Movers.com
Pssst! Want to get in on some clever tips to help make your move a little easier? Read on to get the 411:
Pack an Overnight Bag
Treat your move as if you are spending the night at your friend’s house. Pack the essentials for a night away along with a set of moving clothes. This will save you tons of time and effort on moving day. Instead of searching through your boxes for a change of clothes during or after your move, just take a look through your backpack to find everything you need. You can also pack a couple of bottles of water and dry snacks to have on hand in case you get dehydrated or a little hungry while moving.
Bring Entertainment
On the first night in a new home, things can be pretty quiet and boring without cable, video games, and the Internet hooked up. Bring a small AM/FM radio, boombox, or MP3 player docking station (with your fully charged MP3 player) so you can listen to news, music, or talk radio while you relax in your new home. You can even play board games, cards, read, or do a few puzzles during your first night to pass the time. Chances are you will be way too exhausted to even want to do anything, but it is great to have some entertainment handy just in case you can’t sleep.
Cheat!
Who says moving has to be done in one day?! Save time by “cheating” a little! If you can, start bringing items to your new home as soon as it is available and empty. This is a great way to start getting set up with your new home, get an idea of where everything can go, and figure out what else you may need for your new home. It is also a nice way to help your moving company out a little bit on the actual day of your move.
Got all that? Good! Now go share these moving secrets with everyone so they can have an easier 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
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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