Last Run/Walk Reminder

We're coming down to the wire, but it's not too late to donate or register for this year's EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women. The Moishe's team will be there bright and early Saturday morning to participate in the 5k trek, and we'd love to see your face as well. It's a great cause and an uplifting experience. To find out more, please visit the Run/Walk's Website for full details.

Packing Supplies

Of course Moishe’s is known for our unbeatable customer moving and storage services, but did you know that you can also buy all the packing supplies you’ll need to prepare your possessions for self storage through Moishe’s as well? From packing tape and peanuts to a plethora of boxes - we offer a wide variety of packing supplies on our website. If you’re about to rent a Moishe’s self storage unit or make a residential move, be sure to check out our packing supplies section for everything you’ll need to get ready.

Avoiding Additional Charges

One of the easiest ways that less-than-trustworthy moving companies manipulate their pricing is by charging a lot of additional fees on the day of a move. Certainly, some of these charges are completely legitimate. Unfortunately however, many un-certified companies will go to extremes, charging exorbitant amounts for services that should only mildly increase the overall cost. That being said, the best way to avoid price gouging is to provide your mover with the most information about your move possible before they give you an estimate. This way you ensure that any additional charges can't be forced on you at the last minute. Below are a few of the common additional moving charges. Review them, note them, and be sure to let a mover know if any apply to your residential relocation.

- Unusually heavy items - Items like grand pianos and huge entertainment centers typically incur extra charges. There's not really much you can do to avoid this, but it's good to know going in that your move might cost more than the quoted price.

- Extra Effort - If you're move isn't as simple as just moving . . . there may be additional costs. What this means, is disassemble all of your furniture, pack all your boxes, and disconnect your gaslines before the movers arrive.

- Extra flights of stairs - Mention to the company before-hand if you live in a walk-up. These moves typically cost a bit more and may change your price quote.

- Narrow street or driveway - This is exactly like it sounds. If your street or driveway is too narrrow for a moving truck to pull in, extra costs will be added on.

- Natural obstacles - Moving companies tack on extra costs if trees or other natural obstacles hinder access to your door.

Shopping Around

The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette is currently running a how-to guide on their website for shopping moving companies. We've seen a lot of these in the news recently with the advent of Spring, but there are some stand-outs that make reading this piece more worthwhile than others. First, it's completely evident that the journalist who put the article together has dealt with a move recently.

She mentions being contacted by movers as soon as her house went on the market (which is common), as well as the fact that a lot of Realtors might be able to get you a discount on your move. Of course, even with freebies, you need to be certain to check the credentials of anyone who might handle your residential relocation. Always remember to check in with AMSA and/or the BBB before signing on the dotted line. And, as always, don't forget about Moishe's if we're in your area.

Don't Forget about the Run/Walk

I'd like to use my post today to remind everyone that the Moishe's-sponsored Revlon Run/Walk for Women's Cancers is fast approaching. Next Saturday, May the 2nd, the Moishe's team will be suiting up, stretching out and walking to raise money for cancer research. The Run/Walk is a fantastic event that is well worth a donation or even your participation. It starts early Saturday morning in Times Square and winds it's way to the top of Central Park. This year's event will be hosted by Jimmy Fallon, and will feature guest appearances by Jennifer Connelly, Jessica Alba and Ciara.

If you're still interested in joining or making a donation, it's not too late. Just go to the Run/Walk website and select Donate to get started.

Earth Day

It's Earth Day, and Moishe's is celebrating by continuing with our Going Green Campaign. Last year we put in motion a number of steps to make us the first green moving company on the East Coast. Today we're proud to say that we are still fully committed to decreasing our carbon footprint.

Earth Day 2009 marks the one year anniversary of our green campaign, and the success has been remarkable. Our moves have gotten greener and more efficient. We've committed to donating to a wonderful charity called Trees for the Future. And, the resources on our website have taught hundreds of New Yorkers how to make their homes greener after we've finished their move. Check it out if you're interested in learning how you can do your part on Earth Day this year.

Tips for a Greener Move

This morning I stumbled upon an article from last week on RiverWired.com that offers some great tips for greening your next move. Since last year Moishe's invested a lot of time and effort into greening our operations, this is definitely an issue I thought worthwhile to pass along to readers. The suggestions made by the author are both inventive and effective, and I strongly suggest giving it a look before you start planning your next relocation. You can save the environment, as well as save some of your hard-earned paycheck. I've posted an excerpt from the intro below, but follow the link for the full list of tips.

From RiverWired:

Moving creates waste, uses oodles of energy (depending on where you move to), and creates a need for disposables. For example, it’s common to see a family eat a ton of take-out, or use paper plates during a move. That said, we don’t always have a choice. Sometimes a move to a new home is unavoidable. In that case, the second best thing you can do is to try and green your move.

Tips for Choosing a Mover from TheCabin.net

It's almost high season for the moving industry, which means we will soon start to see a ton of articles dedicated to all things relocation. Choosing a mover, packing valuables, dealing with the stress . . . all of these topics get covered by a number of media outlets at the start of each summer. Now, with the advent of blogs and the Internet media, the market is filled to the brim with helpful advice. To get some good, sound advice related to your move all you have to do is log on, pull up Google, and search to your heart's content. This article from TheCabin.net is an excellent example of some of the advice you can receive from unlikely sources. The author has provided a ton of good advice, the first three tips of which I've provided below.

From the article:

Tip 1: As soon as your house hits the market you'll start getting promotional cards in the mail and phone calls. Look through them for interesting deals. Research some of the names and see how they fare on consumer review services like Washington Checkbook magazine and Angie's List.

Tip 2: Get recommendations from friends and family. Anyone who's ever used a moving company will have strong opinions about whether they were good or not. Some of the best moving companies just get business through word of mouth, so you won't hear about them through promotions or advertising.

Tip 3: Get several in-home estimates. No company will be able to tell you an accurate figure of how much it will cost to move your stuff over the phone. A salesperson from the moving company will walk through your home, making note of large furniture, breakable items like china and how much furniture needs to be broken down for moving purposes.

Weekly Revlon Reminder

It's Friday, which means it's time for your weekly reminder of the rapidly approaching Revlon Run/Walk for Women. This years event is taking place on Saturday, May the 2nd, and will wind it's way from Times Square to the top of Central Park. Moishe's is once again sponsoring the 5k, and we'll have a number of our employees in Times Square bright and early, eager to walk. If you'd like to join us, you can still register for the event on the Run/Walk's website, as well as in person at The World of Disney Store in Times Square.

AMSA

It's been awhile since I mentioned AMSA on this blog, but it bears repeating. AMSA (The American Moving & Storage Association) is the leading national organization of moving and storage companies. Their website, Moving.org, is one of the most comprehensive moving resources available on the web. When you visit, you'll find moving tips, packing tips, advice on getting a fair and accurate estimate and even referrals. If you're planning a move this spring or summer, you should really check it out.

Moving Advice for Dog Owners

It seems like almost everyone in New York has a dog. There's pups on leashes everywhere in the city, and at least some of them are moving into new apartments this summer. I've mentioned on this blog before that moving with children is a tricky situation, and moving with dogs also has it's difficulties. Pets have a natural instinct to panic outside of their normal surroundings, so uprooting the family pup and relocating it to a new apartment in an entirely different neighborhood in the city can lead to problems. Thankfully, today I came across DreamDogs.com, a website out of the UK that offers all sorts of advice for dog owners. The site offers a handful of articles on moving with your pet, and the piece on helping your animal to cope with a move is one of the best I've found. If you're a pet owner planning a move, this could be an excellent resource for your planning.

Tips from DreamDogs.com:

1.Make sure your new house is the one for your dog. In rented accommodation, landlords can be fussy so check the rules before the agreement is made.


2.Moving from a rural environment where you’re in the quiet countryside to a home in the city where noise is a common factor can a complete contrast and can come as a shock to their system.

3.Do not be surprised if your dog’s behaviour changes or there are ‘puddles’ in your new home. Walk your dog around the house and garden to give them a feeling of security.

Tips from the Washington Post

The Washington Post has a blog post on their website offering readers eight Tuesday Tips for choosing a mover. The author includes some great information, like avoiding holiday weekends for a move and remembering to get insurance. If you're planning a move this summer, this quick and simple post will give you some basic guidelines for choosing a moving company you can trust. If you still have questions, be sure to check out the Moving 101 Section of our website. We've provided some great information there as well.

The first tip from The Post:


The last time my husband and I moved, we hired three guys who were recommended by a neighbor. They showed up in an unmarked truck covered in graffiti to move our pitiful collection of furniture. It was a little sketchy but in the end our stuff arrived at our new house in pretty good condition. Things are a little different now with our second move. We have grown-up furniture and a lot more of it. So after several weeks of researching companies and gathering estimates, here are my tips on shopping for a moving company:

Tip #1: As soon as your house hits the market you'll start getting promotional cards in the mail and phone calls. Look through them for interesting deals. Research some of the names and see how they fare on consumer review services like Washington Checkbook magazine and Angie's List.

Moving the Family Car

Long distance moves can be difficult, especially when there are several cars to worry about. According to statistics, the majority of American households own at least two vehicles, and getting both of them across state lines with all the rest of your belongings can be a major hassle. That's why many moving companies across the country specialize in auto transportation. You hire a moving company to handle your belongings, pack the family into one car, and the second can be moved by an auto transport company. You can find dozens of these businesses by a simple look at the AMSA website or the Better Business Bureau.

Below are a few of the more common reasons people usually invest in Auto Transport:

- You're moving far away and don't want the burden of having to drive your car to its destination.

- You have multiple cars or other motorized transportation devices and cannot move them all by yourself.

- You've ordered or sold a car on an Internet auction and need to have it shipped.

Cleaning House and Making Cash

One of the first things people tend to notice when they start planning a move is just how much stuff they have. Houses across America have a knack for acquiring massive amounts of clutter . . . a box of toys here, a pile of shoes there . . . and most of it goes unnoticed until you need to pack it all up. One of the greatest things about moving is the opportunity it gives you to clean out your closets and get rid of all the extraneous belongings clogging up your spare rooms. Nothing is better for getting rid of all your belongings than hosting a moving sale in your yard or driveway.

One of the simplest ways to clear out that clutter without too much hassle is throwing a moving sale. Pick a day, place a simple ad in the paper and watch as people flock to buy up the stuff you would have thrown out anyway. It will lighten your moving load, put a little extra cash in your pocket and keep you free from guilt over throwing away that hat your great aunt got you ten years ago.

Don't Forget the Revlon Run/Walk!

I'd like to remind all of our readers that Moishe's is once again sponsoring and taking part in this year's Revlon Run/Walk for Cancer on May 2nd. The 5k charity event starts that Saturday morning in Times Square and proceeds all the way to the top of central park. Last year the Moishe's team had a blast, and the stories told and friends met were both effecting and unforgettable. It's an extremely worthwhile cause, and the event raises millions of dollars each year for the research of women's cancers.

If you're interested in participating in the walk you can still register at their website. If you're busy that day but would like to make a donation, that can also be done through the website. If you would like to join the Moishe's team for the day, please feel free to leave me a comment and I'll get back to you with more details.

Move with Moishe's Today

Despite the fact that there's a bizarre wintery mix falling from the sky this morning, spring time is actually here. That means a lot of things of course, but at Moishe's it means that we're almost to the busiest moving season of the year. Every spring and summer thousands of New Yorkers move around town to new apartments, and Moishe's has been helping them get there for more than 25 years.

If you're planning a residential move in the next several months, check out the services we can offer you. All the information you will need on making a local move can be found by visiting our website. While you're there, be sure to get a free estimate on your pricing.

Moving and Cleaning go Hand-in-Hand

Cleaning is a crucial step in the process of every single move. It's common courtesy (and sometimes contractually obligated) to leave your old residence at least as clean as it was when you arrived. It's also hugely important to thoroughly clean your new home before you start unpacking.

And I know this sounds really simple, but you wouldn't believe how many people spend the first two hours in their new home opening box after box looking for the cleaning supplies they packed away when they shouldn't have. To prevent the same hassle, here is a comprehensive list of cleaning supplies that you should keep unpacked and easily reachable on your upcoming moving day

- Rubber gloves. These are for cleaning the bathrooms and anything else you need to use bleach on.

- Disinfectant. This is crucial for cleaning up the new house before unpacking.

- Vacuum, Broom & Mop. The trifecta of important floor cleaning supplies.

- Lots of rags and paper towels. I can't stress how important these are to have around. They make cleaning almost anything easier.

Moving Tips from The Journal Star

If you're looking for some Monday morning moving tips - The Lincoln Journal Star in Missouri is the place to go. On Sunday they posted their almost-mandatory Springtime moving tips story, and it's filled with good advice. From how to get rid of excess clutter and make a few extra dollars to what to do with perishable food items, this is a piece that actually offers some fairly unconventional wisdom. It's a quick read that will go a long way in helping you prepare for that residential move you're planning a few months down the line.

From The Journal Star:

Food is one of the forgotten aspects of moving. You’ve done all this other vile work, and then you realize, “Zoinks, I’ve got to clean my nasty fridge and uproot the mold-deli-meat zombie that’s developed self-awareness and begun to create its own society in my bottom drawer.” (Hint: The only way to kill a mold-deli-meat zombie is to remove its head from its body). Moving your food to a new place is good reason to cleanse and simplify your supply. Wondering why you ever bought that can of cream of mushroom and chicken soup? Take it, and all other questionables, to the Food Bank.

Prepping a Fridge for Your Move

Over the past five days or so I've been re-covering how to prepare your large household appliances for moving day. So far we've covered washers, dryers, stoves and washing machines - but I've saved the biggest task for last. Not a lot of people take their refrigerators with them on a residential move, but it's not unheard of. If you happen to be one of the few New Yorkers who will be bringing the fridge along for your move, just remember that you need to start prepping it at least a few days in advance of the movers arrival. Below are a handful of simple steps that should tell you everything you need to know.

- Clean out the fridge entirely of food (this, I know should go without saying, but people do crazy things)

- Unplug it from the wall and clean out all the removable parts inside. This most often includes the shelves and crisper drawers.

- Give it at least a day to dry out completely. Having moisture inside on moving day is a bad idea.

- Vacuum the condenser or compressor.

- Empty out and clean the evaporator pan.

- If you have a water dispenser, turn off the water and dis-attach the water line.

- Clean out the water tray below the spout.

- When you get to your new home, you may need some copper tubing, a shut off valve and/or new fittings to install the fridge.

- Hire a qualified technician to re-connect the water line to the back.

- Wait 24 hours before using the fridge at the new house. This allows the oil to settle and prevents damage to the compressor

Prepping Your Washing Machine

Continuing on with my 2009 recap on handling large appliances during a move, today I'll focus on the washing machine. Since yesterday I provided the rundown for your dryer, the washer seemed like the next logical step. It's a little more complicated than preparing some other household items for the movers arrival, but if you follow these four simple steps and plan ahead a little, you should have no trouble at all.

- Clean and wash thoroughly, then disconnect and drain the hoses

- Wrap the metal connector ends of the hoses in towels and store them inside of the washer.

- Read your owner's manual to find out how to secure the tub. Preventing it from wobbling and wiggling during transit is key to prevent damage.

- When you arrive at your new home, don't attempt to install the washer yourself. It's more complicated then you think and there is a lot of room for error. Shelling out a few extra dollars to let a professional handle the re-installation is well worth the expense.