Hi Linda,

I have recently used your company to move my furniture from Las Vegas, Nevada to Flemington, New Jersey.  I have had the pleasure of dealing with Karen Snyder, one of your agents, who has taken care of the move from the start.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to tell you what a pleasure it has been to work with her.  She is professional and courteous and I am sure she goes far beyond her job description to help people.  It is quite a stressful experience to move your belongings across the country and as you probably know, many things can go wrong.  Karen was right there to assist me with a small glitch and made sure that everything was taken care of quickly and efficiently.  Her follow-up is truly impressive.  I, too, am in the "client service" area and can appreciate a job well done.   I truly can not sing her praises enough!

In this day and age when there are so many people ready to complain, I thought it might make your day to know that you have a wonderful employee in Karen.  Every step of the way - from the quote - to the walk through - to the crating - to the actual move, I can honestly say went effortlessly.  She even provided her personal cell number over the weekend to ensure that my order would be completed before I had to fly back to  NJ.  Too little times are people acknowledged for the good things they do.  I know that Karen is probably paid according to your company policies but I can assure you she is not paid enough.   As far as I am concerned, she went above and beyond what she probably needed to do.

I hope this letter will be put in her file for future consideration when raises come due.  Because of her excellence in dealing with my entire move, I would recommend your company very highly to anyone I know who would be making such an extensive move.  Peace of mind is a wonderful thing!  This may sound silly, but she was so kind and I will miss talking to her when our business finally comes to a close.

Thank you for your attention,
Joan Bracchi

As you know, clutter can often make or break a sale! Let’s work together to educate your clients on the best ways to de-clutter a home. You’re the real estate expert and we’re the storage expert - so this e-mail, part of our e-mail series on working with movers, offers some “home de-cluttering” tips that you can modify or update, and then share with your clients.

 

3 Quick Ways to De-Clutter Your Home

 

1. Have a Garage Sale:

   Before putting your home on the market, think about having a garage sale. There are more advantages than just getting rid of items that are cluttering your home, you'll pocket some extra cash to off-set your moving costs and it will lighten your load on moving day, which could save you even more money!

2. Ask an Expert:

   Your real estate agent will help you by doing a walk-through of your home to identify any problem rooms or areas that need to be de-cluttered.

3. Use Storage Services:

   Want a surefire way to make a small room look larger? Storage could be your answer. Working with your real estate agent, you should determine which rooms would benefit from furniture storage. By eliminating large pieces, you will be able to open up your floor plan and make your house look noticeably larger!

Move to the island paradise of Hawaii or back to the continental US with Oakley Relocation.

We are here for your interstate move from California to Hawaii or Hawaii to California. With our expertise, we can help your high-quality relocation and provide storage for your valuables until you arrive. We can keep our competitive so you can enjoy your new home. We offer a full range of moving and storage services so that your move can accommodate your unique needs. Our Hawaii moving services include, but are not limited to:

• Free In-Home Estimates
• Free Residence Protection
• Packing Options
• Custom Crating
• Systematic Loading/Unloading
• Relocation of Medical Beds, Wheel Chairs, Sub-Zero Refrigerators, Safes, etc.
• Piano Shipping
• Vehicle/Boat Shipping
• Short and Long-Term State-of-the-Art Storage
• And, So Much More!

Learn more about the services we offer by clicking on the following links:

Local Moving: A local move handled by the professionals at Oakley Relocation can be as cost-effective as doing it yourself.

Intrastate Moving: We can move goods all throughout the island of Hawaii quickly and on-time.

Long Distance Moving: Securely transport your goods cross-country with Oakley Relocation.

International Moving: We are the international moving company of choice.

With Oakley Relocation, you're making the right move. Contact us today to learn more about our capabilities as an Hawaii moving company, serving the city and surrounding areas for residential or commercial moving needs. We are proud to offer complete Hawaii moving and storage services for local, nationwide and global relocations. Fill out our online quote form today for your FREE moving estimate, or Contact Us today for more information.

You spent your life savings paying for your home and used your rainy day fund to pay the moving company. Trying to figure out how you can afford a few furnishings? Luckily, interior decorating isn't just for those who have the money to pay professionals. In fact, really good home décor - getting your home to reflect your personality - is in some ways easier to do when you do it on the cheap. When your financial resources are limited you have to make up for it with creativity: use your own, inexpensive interior decorating ideas and combine them with some used furniture and discount paint to make the space come alive.

Don't be hesitant if you don't know where to start. Before you begin decorating your home it's best to ask yourself a few important questions. Do you plan to be in the home over the long term, or is it just a starter home? What furnishings can't you live without? What home décor ideas have you seen elsewhere and might like to adapt to your home? The answers you come up with should guide your interior decorating ideas. Once you've got your home décor ideas all lined up, it's time to pull together the materials.

Since you can't afford Pottery Barn, or even Pier 1, you'll have to find inexpensive, unique furnishings and discount furniture somewhere else. Check out the following tips to find out where to shop:

Shopping for Discount Home Décor

• Consignment shops - stores where private owners sell their used furniture - are becoming more and more popular. Check if there are any in your area. The inventory is one-of-a-kind, so if something catches your eye be prepared to buy. If you get to know the manager they can let you know when the sort of home furnishings you're looking for come in.
• If your new home is in a pre-planned community, check out the developer's model home for pieces you like. They may be a bit worn, but often the developer will sell off the home's furniture after a period of time. It's a great way get room sets that are already coordinated.
• Many big furniture stores have scratch and dent rooms: sections where they keep slightly damaged (but very inexpensive) models. Also keep in mind that most furniture stores periodically sell off used furniture (again, comparatively cheap) when they get rid of "showroom samples" or "floor models." Ask about both possibilities when you shop retail.
• If you have any wholesale furniture warehouses in your area, consider stopping by. Buying wholesale furniture is almost always cheaper than buying retail.
• When looking at used furniture - or any used furnishings - don't think of what they look like now, but what they could look like with a little refurbishing. Maybe that coffee table wouldn't fit your living room now, but sand it down and add a coat of stain and it might not be so bad.
• Flea markets can be a great source of inexpensive, one-of-a-kind interior decorating materials. But finding a bargain at one can involve a lot of time and a lot of effort. Preparation always smoothes the way. The next few tips show you how.
• Nowhere is the expression "the early bird gets the worm" more apt than at a flea market. Vendors' best used furniture and bargain furnishings often go quickly, leaving late arrivals with the leftovers.
• Some flea markets can be huge and it's easy to lose focus. Take along a list of the furnishings you want before you set out. It also helps to take along sketches of the rooms you need to decorate, complete with dimensions and a tape measure to see whether the furniture in front of you will fit with your plans
• If you fall in love with a piece of discount furniture at a flea market, bear in mind that moving it can be an issue. Some vendors will deliver, but only at the end of the day and only for an additional fee. Thus, you'll want to bring the biggest vehicle you have available (i.e. a pickup truck or a van) or consider renting one.
• When you're moving a piece of furniture home from a flea market, you'll want to take all the packing precautions you normally would when moving furniture. Before you head out to the flea market, make sure to bring a few old boxes, blankets, tarps, tape, twine, bubble wrap and a box cutter with you for the ride home.
• People selling antiques out of the back of van usually don't take MasterCard or Visa. When you're going to a flea market, bring cash.
• Don't be afraid to bargain. Flea market vendors expect it, and with a little negotiation inexpensive items can become even cheaper.
• When perusing home furnishings, try to think outside the box. You might not want to eat off that set of ceramic dishes, but they might make colorful, unique wall hangings.

Changing your address isn't the hardest part of moving (at least compared to lugging your grand piano down three flights of stairs), but making sure everyone who needs your new address has it isn’t as easy as you might think. Unless you fill out an official US Post Office change of address form, your mail won't follow you to your new address. And unless you remind yourself to mail out change of address cards to all the companies you do business with, your magazine subscriptions will be worthless in a few months.

Of course, that's all common sense. But did you know you don't have to go down the post office to get the change of address form? Read over the following tips to make sure that when you move your mail will be moving with you:

Before you've even begun your relocation, head down the post office and take a minute to fill out the US postal service's official change of address form (also known as PS form 3575; if you don’t see them out, just ask a clerk).

The most important part of filling out the US postal service's change of address card is including your old address and your new address. However, it's also vital you remember to include the names of anyone else who is moving with you. If you only include your name, your husband / wife's mail won't follow you.

If you don't feel like waiting in line at the post office you can have your mail forwarded from the comfort of your own computer by completing a short form at the US postal service's address change webpage .

Think you're done? Sorry, nothing involving official government documents is ever that easy. Turning in your change of address form to the post office only means that your mail will be forwarded for a limited time. First class mail – letters and such – are forwarded for one year. Periodicals – newspapers and magazines – are only forwarded for 60 days. After the forwarding period expires, anything that arrives for you will either be sent to the post office's dead-letter room or stay with whoever's moved into your old place.

If you're a college student who is relocating to a new school (either for the summer or for good) check with the campus mail service to see what their mail forwarding policies are. Colleges and universities have their own delivery systems, separate from the post office, and usually their own forwarding policies.

To keep receiving your mail after the US postal service stops forwarding it, you need to send out change of address cards to everyone you do business with. These change of address cards are available at the post office for free.

Most of the bills you receive – from your utilities, your credit card company, your insurance carrier – have a section where you can update your address information. Take advantage of it and you’ll save yourself a little trouble down the road.

Keeping track of who you've given your new address to and who still needs it can get pretty confusing pretty quickly. Make a checklist of all the companies that need your address (don’t forget the IRS) and all the friends and relatives you want to keep in touch with before you start mailing anything out. Keep your change of address checklist after you've moved into your new home, so if a few months down the road you can’t find your current phone bill, you’ll know exactly why.

One could never be too safe and secure, especially when it comes to home security systems. Moving can be draining and distracting but don’t forget that there are numerous ways to protect your home and all your valuables. Don’t let your valuables or your family rest in the hands of your town’s common police force. Take precaution. How you go about protecting your home and everything in it is up to you of course, but keep in mind the wide array of options that sit in front of you.

Depending on how much money you’re looking to spend, you could have your regular indoor security, or you could have some outdoor security. Your windows could be protected with grilles or iron gates. Closed Circuit TV, otherwise known as CCTV, would allow you to monitor your premises from your own home. If you would want take a little precaution without putting a dent into your pocket is simply placing those fun ‘Beware of Dog’ signs on your front lawn, or signs indicating your home is protected by your new home security systems. If you’re a pet lover, you could delve into the guard dog industry and use a gristly canine patroller.

Indoor/Outdoor Security Systems

Indoor security systems obviously monitor the behavior inside your home, which is normally, if not always conducted with motion sensors. Indoor systems are usually placed and installed in the doors and windows.

Outdoor security systems monitor your grounds with flood lights. Thanks to our modern technology, the systems are able to detect the height and weight of anyone partaking in suspicious activity.

Windows

If you decide to place grilles or iron gates on your windows, make sure you have a plan b just in case those forms of protection do not hold up.

CCTV

Closed Circuit Television allows you to be one step ahead of anyone who tries to put you in danger. CCTV has the ability to monitor and even record something you might be suspicious of. CCTV is the result of fiber optics, electrical cable and a television signal; it’ll allow you to watch several areas around your new home from one room.

Signs

Whether it’s a ‘Beware of Dog’ sign or one of those ‘This home is protected by neighborhood security’, even if you do not have a dog or any security protection, these signs should be able to thwart off any novice thieves.

Door Hinges

There are specific hinges for doors called setscrews that prevent the hinges from being popped out of place like normal hinges once the door is closed, this is the case for exterior swinging doors. It’s a primitive form of protection but durable nonetheless.

Guard Dog

If you want a pet and a body guard, a guard dog may be the way for you. Dobermans, German shepherds are examples of guard dogs. However, you must be careful when it comes to purchasing a guard dog because some dogs may just be watch dogs. Watch dogs alert people by barking at intruders. Guard dogs will attack intruders. Other examples of guard dogs are

• American Bulldog
• Rottweiler
• American Pit Bull Terrier

Whatever route you decide to take make sure price isn’t your number one priority. There are many options in securing your new house, evaluate as many as you can. You don’t want to wake up one night to suspicious sounds coming from your living room because they were able to manipulate your affordable home security system.

Hot tubs ooze rest and relaxation but to get to that point, you’re going to have to move your hot tub. Hot tubs aren’t cheap and spending more money on finding someone to help you with your hot tub move might discourage you. If you do decide on moving your hot tub, you must know your hot tub well, on the inside and out.

There are moving companies that do move hot tubs but some, if not most, aren't specialized in the field. Hot tub moves do require substantial man-power and even some brain power as well. If you're trying to move your hot tub from one home to another or simply outside on a patio, understand what hot tub you have. There are different types of hot tubs and they're constructed differently. If you aren’t using a moving company to move your hot tub, get in touch with the manufacturer to learn how to dismantle a hot tub properly.

The first thing that needs to be taken care of is the equipment pack of the hot tub. The equipment pack consists of a heater, one or more filters, a pump, a blower as well as electrical and plumbing units.

If you don’t remove the equipment pack it could get severely damage during the hot tub move. Some hot tubs don’t need it to be removed though, it’s actually best to leave it attached to the hot tub. However, if you do decide to remove the equipment pack of the hot tub, make sure all the items are drained and packaged separately so they can be safely reinstalled into your hot tub once the move is complete.

Once you’ve removed the equipment pack, you can now safely and securely relocate your hot tub. However before you start moving your hot tub, use a vacuum to suck out any water that might be left in those hard to reach places. Not all water escapes when you initially drain the hot tub. From this point you should have no problem moving the hot tub.

If you decided to use movers, they usually will drop the hot tub in the location you’d like it to be in permanently. Also, before the movers leave your home and hot tub forever, check the hot tub for any damage that might have occurred during the relocation of the hot tub.

If you don’t feel comfortable moving an expensive item such as a hot tub, don’t risk it, use moving services. Some moving services are extremely affordable. If you did decide to move the hot tub by yourself, be ready for arduous work, though it’ll make sitting in the hot tub worth it in the end.

This year has gone by fast, to say the least.  By now, you are probably noticing that Christmas decorations are out. The temperature is getting colder. Everyone seems to be extra generous and cheerful as the holidays quickly approach. The holiday season is a great time to reconnect with your prospects and customers, but as any holiday shopper knows, the holidays can also be disastrous.

To help you keep your holiday marketing on the smart side, here are some marketing campaign mistakes your moving company should avoid:

1. Running the Same Holiday Campaign Each Year

That picture of your employees wearing ugly sweaters was funny the first year. In fact, it even deserved a chuckle the second year. But after that, you should really think of something newer and more original. Holiday campaigns are an awesome chance to get the attention of people who may have put the idea of your product or service on the back burner. These campaigns remind them that you a remarkable company doing interesting things and that you deserve their attention. Get creative with holiday campaigns, and don't be afraid to do something "out there." Kicking off a campaign that includes multiple components that get released strategically throughout the holiday season is also a great way to keep your content new and fresh.

2. Forgetting to Reach Out to Your Network

Need an excuse to call a lead you haven't spoken with in a few months? Or do you just want to reconnect with your customers? Maybe you want to increase employee engagement and get everyone at your company in the holiday spirit. It doesn't matter who you want to connect with; holiday campaigns are a great way to do it. It reminds people about your moving company and gives them a sneak peek into an interesting (make sure it is interesting!) campaign. Don't make the mistake of missing out on this valuable marketing opportunity the holiday season offers.  Why wait, you have the resources (Postcards, eNurture, Restaurant.com promo, etc.) available to you, right here on Allied AMP!  Keep an eye out for the holiday card (print-on-demand and eCards) that will be available for you to send out to your contacts!

3. Forgetting to ask how your clients are doing

This is something that most businesses completely miss the boat on; they do not survey clients and customers from the current year to see how they can improve in the future. How are you going to know what worked and didn't if you don't ask? If you keep doing what you have always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten. Find out what worked and what didn't, look at your systems and your marketing, and then make improvements and enhance your current offerings. Surveymonkey.com has great online survey templates. Offer a free gift or incentive to customers who take the time to complete your survey. It’s building that relationship and keeping it.

4. Forgetting That Not Everyone Celebrates the Same Holidays

When the holiday season starts, it might feel like everyone is celebrating Christmas and only Christmas. But as a marketer, remember that you are marketing to people with various religious beliefs and backgrounds. Remember that even though the majority of people may be celebrating Christmas, there are still other holidays being celebrated, such as Chanukah and Kwanzaa. Remember to be sensitive about this issue when you're working on your holiday marketing campaign.

5. Neglecting to Make Your Holiday Marketing Campaign Strategic

Creating a holiday marketing campaign for your relocation company is easy. Creating a strategic holiday marketing campaign to reach your target audience, engage with them, and achieve your measurable goals is a bit more difficult. Planning months ahead (yes, even when it's still warm outside) is the best way to kick off an awesome, results-driven campaign. You need to figure out what your objectives are, how you are going to measure your success, and who you want to reach. Then create deadlines to make sure your campaign achieves everything you wanted it to. Again, there is a ton of resources to help you build that campaign, right here in Allied AMP.

Now that we've covered what to avoid, what are some of the best holiday campaigns you've seen over recent years?

For questions about how to best build an optimal marketing campaign to meet your needs, please contact me @ danny.lysouvakon@sirva.com.

Are you moving to San Diego and just not sure what to expect on your new journey? Not sure what it’s like to shop, travel, or move around the city. There is nothing worse than moving to a new city and not having any guidance to help you get settled. No matter if you are moving to the heart of San Diego or outside the perimeter, we have some tips that will help make your transition the easiest it has ever been.

Selecting a San Diego Mover

Before relocating to California, you have to find a mover who is familiar with the area to get your belongings to your desired destination. Not to worry, finding a moving company in San Diego isn’t as hard as it seems. Get free moving quotes from San Diego moving companies.

When you are searching for a San Diego moving company, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Only speak with movers who are certified and have moving permits on hand.
Make sure each moving company you select makes a personal visit to your home and provides a written estimate. Never receive quotes over the phone.
Have a backup moving company in mind just in case.
Select a moving company that offers valid insurance. Just in case something breaks, you need to make sure you are covered.
If you are moving from another state, use a San Diego moving company with GPS trucks so that you can easily track their progress.
Contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of San Diego or (AMSA) American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) to make sure the San Diego moving company is reliable
During your moving process, if you feel like you have been a victim of moving fraud, please contact the County of San Diego Department of Consumer Affairs. Moving companies in San Diego can receive a fine up to $30,000 or revocation of their license for theft or fraud. For more information, click here or call (800) 593-8222

Switching Your License

Once you are finally moved in, you will need to change your license with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of California. Just in case you were concerned about cost, it is absolutely free to change your address but there are a fees associated with getting a new license. Here is a list of fees.

How To Notify The DMV
There are three ways to notify the DMV of your new address:

By Mail: Fill out a short Notice of Change of Address form and mail it to the address at the top.

In Person: If you don't feel like paying for a stamp, drop in to your local DMV office and complete a Notice of Change of Address form there.

Online: Under certain circumstances you can access the online CA DMV change of address system.

For more information you can contact the DMV of California by calling (800) 777-0133.

Commuting in San Diego

Everyone that moves to California has a major concern for commuting, especially the metropolitan area of San Diego. Depending on where your home is located, your commute to and from home, work, or school can either be extremely excellent or dreadful.

San Diego traffic is something you may not want to go head-to-head with. Get a plan together on how you plan to handle your daily commute throughout the city of San Diego.

Finding the Right Neighborhood

Finding a neighborhood can be hard if you don’t know what you are looking for. No matter if you are looking for a house or an apartment, you have to know exactly what neighborhood is fitting for your lifestyle.  Here are a few questions to keep in mind:

How long am I willing to commute to work?
How close are schools, grocery stores, and gas stations?
How are there any good schools in the area?
How far am I from the nightlife scene?
How far am I from public transportation?
What is the crime rate in the area and surrounding neighborhoods?

Even if you have the answer to all the questions above, still make it a point to do as much research as possible and visit each community to see which San Diego community interest you.

Searching for a Home

As the second largest populated city in the United States, finding an apartment or home in San Diego can be quite the challenge if this is your first time. Finding an apartment can seem like an overwhelming process, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some other great ways to find a home in San Diego:

Apartment Guides – You can always rely on apartment search resources like ForRent.com. These general references are great for apartment hunting right from your computer.

Brokers - One of the most common methods of finding an apartment in San Diego is using a real estate broker. If you know what neighborhood you want to live in, it's usually best to find a broker based there. Many brokers also have Web sites where you can view available apartments, sometimes even with photos and detailed descriptions. If you have decided to use a broker, keep in mind that you will probably have to pay a brokers fee which is usually one month’s rent.

Word-of-Mouth – If you know someone who currently lives in San Diego, getting references from them could help out substantially. Finding an apartment through word of mouth is a lot cheaper than using a broker. Ask your friends and family if they can provide any help with your search.

Local Guides and Reviews - Area guides will certainly point you in the right direction to finding the right place. Make sure to check out the web sites of local papers and online message boards like sandiego.craigslist.org. For a better overview of the city, look for a Thomas Guide, a grid-by-grid map of the vast landscape that is Southern California.

Apartment Referral Service - For the savvy hunters who are comfortable searching the Internet, there is an apartment referral service. For a monthly fee, referral services will provide you with a list of no-fee apartment rentals as they become available.

For other housing options, check out these great resources:
San Diego Housing Department - Affordable Housing Program
Housing Authority of the City of San Diego – Public Housing
Housing Authority of the County of San Diego – Housing Programs

Apartments are in high demand, making the search for openings a time-consuming task. Give yourself enough time so you won’t feel rushed to make a haste decision.  After you find the right apartment, contact licensed moving companies in San Diego.