Random moving question

[alison]

I didn't want to put this in Jenn's wonderful thread, but I know that movers don't typically empty out dresser drawers. We've got a media cabinet (with a tv, DVD player, DVDs). Will they empty this out? Or will they just tape the doors shut and haul it with everything inside?

How careful are movers? I mean, I know they pack up your stuff pretty fast, but how careful/careless are they in your experience?

[MrsK]

Our movers told us that we could leave clothing in the dresser drawers but not "things" such as dvd's, etc. They also told us that while it was ok to have clothes in drawers, we could not have clothes in cabinets. You definitely should not attempt to move the media cabinet with the TV or DVD player inside it. Pack the DVD player and DVDs. The movers will move the TV seperately.

[Vishenka69]

Our movers told us that we could leave clothing in the dresser drawers but not "things" such as dvd's, etc. They also told us that while it was ok to have clothes in drawers, we could not have clothes in cabinets. You definitely should not attempt to move the media cabinet with the TV or DVD player inside it. Pack the DVD player and DVDs. The movers will move the TV seperately.

Ditto. Ours said the same thing.

[MarissaNicole]

I'd empty it out and pack it up now because I think that otherwise they will make you empty it out on moving day. Usually media centers are heavy without anything even stored in there!

[medpedspouse]

all electronics, including cds, dvds were packed (by the moving company) in separate boxes and were taped with a tape that had security something or other printed on it. I suppose since this tape was different, if anybody (that should not have) got into these boxes it would show.

[DCJenn]

You have to pack all that stuff. and trust me, you will want to. Unless you want it all stolen or broken.

and if you DO pack it yourself DO NOT put "DVDs" or "CDs" or "very expensive audio equipment" on the outside of the box. Unless of course, you want them to go away. Military movers are required to pack everything so we have them pack it but they make us sign waivers with all of the serial numbers of all of the electronics on the forms. Security for both sides, as it were.

Jenn

[medpedspouse]

We must have been lucky. Everything was packed by the moving company. All our electronics were received in great condition. The only things we packed, were my china (not expenssive but has been discontinued), photo albums and the wine.

[MrsK]

That's funny because the china/crystal is the only stuff I'm having the movers pack. Is that a mistake?

[Deebs]

If your china and crystal are still available to purchase, have them packed. If they are damaged, you will be compensated for that. When we moved here, the movers broke a Waterford bowl (keep anything they break - the auditor will need to see it and possibly take it), a step stool, and a turkey platter. When DH moved from IL to VA, they broke everything and LOST his bed. The moving company ended up cutting him a check for $5000, which was probably way more than what his stuff was worth, and buying him a new bed. The insurance movers have is much better than whatever you may get for a move. You just may have to make a million calls to get compensated.

[medpedspouse]

That's funny because the china/crystal is the only stuff I'm having the movers pack. Is that a mistake?

Like Deebs said, if you can replace it or would not mind replacing it (as in - you want to change patterns) have them pack it.

I love my china and now that it is discontinued, it is priceless to me. So no insurance money would have been able to replace it....same with some bottles of wine (BTW - they do not like to move liquids or batteries) and pictures.

[DCJenn]

The military won't move booze (or matches for that matter.)

We had stuff broken during this last move but- lesson learned- they off-loaded it to a storage unit in Dallas and a different crew picked it up and took it to San Antonio. (I should add that to the list- make sure that you have the same driver if at all possible) So because it was off-loaded and re-loaded we have no idea when things were broken and they refused to deal with it.

Sucked.

Luckily it was nothing valuable or sentimental.

Jenn

[MrsK]

We had stuff broken during this last move but- lesson learned- they off-loaded it to a storage unit in Dallas and a different crew picked it up and took it to San Antonio. (I should add that to the list- make sure that you have the same driver if at all possible) So because it was off-loaded and re-loaded we have no idea when things were broken and they refused to deal with it.

This is one of my concerns about this move. Since the movers are picking it all up next week and have to store it until September, I'm stuck with loading, unloading, reloading, etc. No way they can guarantee the same crew. Just another reason to be annoyed with my Stupid Evil Landlords (who found a new tenant BTW. Life is not fair.)

[KCwife]

IThe insurance movers have is much better than whatever you may get for a move. You just may have to make a million calls to get compensated.

We call our insurance company (State Farm) before each move and our belongings are all covered under our homeowners policy during the move. We just had to let them know the dates of the move, etc. I would think a renters policy would provide coverage as well...

[MrsK]

Agreed. We interviewed three moving companies and they all told us that their standard insurance covered $0.60/lb. China and some other items cost more than that. If you need the movers to insure it, you need to declare it and purchase extra insurance through the moving company. We did not because our homeowner's policy covers it during the storage and during the move.

[alison]

Thanks, everyone. It looks like, when in doubt, to pack valuables ourselves. Dh's argument is "if they're sloppy, I'll tell them to re-pack it, or we'll just take it with us in the car..." My feeling is that it's all going to happen so fast, that we're not going to have the time to oversee every single detail.

It seems like all we do is argue. I have a set way I want to do things, and dh has firm ideas in his mind too. I just want to bring the minimum with us in the car aside from important documents. Dh wants to bring clothes for 10 days, 2 coats, his sound dock, the espresso machine, coffee grinder, toaster, mugs, silverware, and on and on... I have 4 pairs of underwear and socks set aside, and 2 days of clothing. And a bag of toiletries. We'll be on the road from Monday to Thursday, and have our own washer and dryer on the other side. We fight like crazy about this!!!