Calls to the CMSA consumer information line regarding ‘Bandit Movers’ are at an all time high. Eighty percent of the consumer calls are from victims of bandit movers – movers who appear to be legitimate in advertisements or on-line but, in fact, charge below market value prices, engage in unlawful practices, bully consumers into paying outrageous prices once the move is underway, and threaten to sell the personal goods if their demands are not fulfilled.

Most of the abuses result from moves booked on-line. Consumers are subject to potential fraud if they book a move over the phone or on-line without doing their homework. The CMSA suggests the following strategies to validate the legitimacy of a mover:

• Verify the license number with the CMSA or the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the state agency that regulates the moving and storage industry. Touching base with the CMSA is best because the association’s professional team knows its members – about 500 moving companies statewide. Furthermore, if the consumer has a problem with a move performed by a CMSA member, the trade association will intervene on the consumer’s behalf.
• Visit the physical location to ascertain the company’s level of professionalism.

Additionally, CMSA members are licensed, maintain professional liability insurance and workman’s compensation insurance (a must because if a member of the moving crew is injured while on your property you could be held liable if the mover does not have appropriate insurance coverage), provide training for their staff to ensure a professional move, maintain clean moving vans and equipment, and adhere to a strict professional code of conduct to uphold the industry’s standards for service, pricing and professionalism.

May we also suggest that you plan and coordinate large moves at least a month in advance to give yourself time to properly investigate movers and obtain written estimates. Also, take a few moments to visit the other menu topics in this section of the CMSA website. The information provided will help you avoid serious issues with you. relocation.

Tips to Avoid Moving Company Fraud

1. Don’t book your move on-line or over the phone without verifying that the mover has a location in your area. Drive by the location. Go in and meet the company’s personnel. Use your instincts to discern if the company’s personnel appear to be professional and trustworthy. Let your common sense guide you … but don’t stop there!
2. Verify the company’s license. All movers are required by law to demonstrate their legitimacy on all their documentation.
3. Verify the license number with the California Moving & Storage Association (CMSA) or the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
4. Obtain written estimates for moves of three or more rooms. Legitimate movers are price competitive. Make sure the estimates are based on the same factors (i.e. move and pack; move only, etc.) If a company provides an unusually low bid … beware! The company could be illegal, or they may have made an error while estimating your move. If the latter is the case, the price will likely escalate on moving day.
5. Illegal movers may charge by the cubic foot. Legal movers charge by the hour (local moves), and by weight/mileage (distance moves).
6. Bandits “rip off” innocent consumers by charging exorbitant fees for extensive and unnecessary packing on items that should be pad wrapped. Furnishings should be wrapped with shrink wrap or protected with special moving blankets.
7. Bandits will intimidate consumers to tip the crew. Tipping is not customary but it is accepted when the customer has received exceptional service.

How to Avoid Headaches on Moving Day
The Do’s and Don’ts of Moving

DON’T

• Don’t confront the driver about the bill. Get your questions answered in advance with a customer service representative or a manager of the moving company. If you start the move with an adversarial tone, no one will have a good day!
• Don’t micro-manage the move. It’s a good idea to stay nearby and to monitor what is going on. However, professional movers know what they are doing. They are specially trained to handle your personal goods with care and speed.
• Don’t ship perishables (anything requiring refrigeration) or hazardous materials (propane, gasoline, aerosol cans, etc.) on any kind of move.
• Don’t be unprepared on furniture placement at destination. The mover will re-arrange furniture, but remember that you are being charged by the hour.
• Don’t forget to tell the mover about all of the possessions they will move. Remember to specify the conditions at destination (i.e. elevators, stairs, delivery conditions for van placement) which could result in extra charges.
• Don’t expect the mover to perform plumbing or handyman services. You are responsible for unhooking your household appliances including ice makers. Television sets can actually sustain internal damage if they are unplugged fewer than 24 hours before a move.

DO

• If more than three rooms must be moved, ask for a representative from the moving company come to your home, apartment or office. To provide an accurate estimate, the mover must see your possessions and the layout of the location. This will give them insight as to the type of personnel and equipment that will ensure a smooth and successful move.
• Book a move weeks in advance. This lead time will give the mover the opportunity to schedule the proper equipment and labor to ensure a successful move.
• Use the free services of the California Moving & Storage Association to find legal movers in your area. The association includes an on-line profile and directory of nearly 500 movers throughout California.
• Take the time to read and understand the documentation. For local moves (up to 100 miles), the hourly charges begin when the moving van arrives at origin and concludes when the services have been completed at destination. The drive time between origin and destination is doubled to compensate for the time to deliver the equipment and labor to origin; and from the moving destination back to the terminal. Distance moves (over 100 miles) are billed by weight (per 100 lbs) and mileage.
• Keep a copy of all your documentation in the event it is necessary to file a damage claim.
• Buy professional packing supplies from the mover or another supplier. Your possessions can be damaged in transit if they are stored in inappropriate boxes and carriers.
• Use Styrofoam packing chips, bubble wrap, and un-printed paper to protect breakables.
• When doing your own packing, help your mover to be successful by packing heavy items, such as books, in smaller boxes. Light items should be packed in larger boxes. Visit your mover to see specific-use boxes for books, dishes, lamps, paintings, clothing, etc.
• Be courteous and professional to the crew. They are moving your possessions. While it is not necessary to offer them water or sodas during the move, these acts of kindness are important for establishing a positive relationship with your moving team.

Happy moving day!

2. They gave me a good price so I have to go with them.

3. They have a cool name. Any San Diego moving company with a nice name has to be good.

4. They’re website says that they’re honest, fair, careful, safe, hard working, and licensed. So that means they must be good.

5. I just need to pick a company already. It’s way too annoying to do research on moving companies.

These five things are commonly thought by you, the consumer. When you San Diego move you need to have a level head, and do as much research as possible.

•A nice logo does not mean that the moving company is reputable and fair.
•A good quote does not mean they won’t tack on extra costs once the San Diego move is over and refuse to give you your stuff until you pay the inflated price.
•A good name does not equal a good moving company.
•Just because they say they’re the best in the world, it doesn’t mean that they are.
•And most importantly, don’t be lazy. Do the research.
That last one is the most important because when you do the proper research you can find out all the information you need on a particular San Diego moving company. If you can’t find any information, then that should tell you something right off the bat. Read moving company reviews, look up their licenses and insurance, ask them questions, and make sure you just don’t settle.

What happens when you don’t do the proper research is you can find yourself in big trouble. I’ve seen some pretty harsh reviews before where people say how such and such moving company broke their couch, their TV, and their mattress. They also overcharged them by $1000 and delivered their items two weeks late.

As you can see, if you’re not careful with what you’re doing you can get burned.

Don’t be a sucker. Do what you need to do to make sure that you’ll find yourself safe and sound in your new home with all of your things completely intact.

When to Move School Age Kids
When your kids are school age, you might be tempted to plan your move for the school holidays. In reality, this can actually make things harder for your kids. School is most likely the first place your kids can be assured of making friends. Thus, San Diego moving during the school holidays places your child in unfamiliar and new surroundings at a time when their chances of making friends are low.
•As school resumes, your child may feel even more left out. As the first day return to school is filled with the excitement and hustle and bustle that occurs after a holiday vacation, your child may feel like a stranger.
•When you schedule your move during the school year, it allows your kids to go from one social setting to another.
•The teacher and the other kids will be more willing to show your child some extra special attention when they are the only new person.

Does Age Make a Diffrence?
•Generally speaking, the younger the child, the better they will cope with the transition of San Diego moving to a new home.
•Very young children and infants may be confused. It is a good idea to try to explain to them what’s happening and make it like an adventure.
•The biggest worry that school age children endure is whether they will make new friends and fit in easily at their new school.
•Because teenagers’ friends provide them with a sense of identity, it is more difficult for teens to feel comfortable with the idea of moving to a new home.

Before the Move
•As you start making plans for your move, remember to focus on what your kids can look forward to.
•After all, if you see your San Diego move as an exciting adventure, your kids will also be very enthusiastic.
•Right from the start, you might want to take them with you on house-hunting adventures. In cases where it might not be practical to have them tagging along, don’t forget to bring back pictures of hot prospects you’re considering.
•After you’ve found the new home, be sure to take pictures of local places of interest.

Communication is the Key
•Don’t forget to keep the channels of communication open. Before and during your move, encourage your kids to tell you about their uncertainties.
•Most likely, you’re probably feeling a little nervous about moving too (no matter how promising your new situation is likely to be).
•After your move, spend time together with your family. Listen to each other’s stories so that you can be sure how everyone is coping with the change.

Getting the Kids Involved
It’s only natural that your kids will want to be involved with what’s going on. Some examples of ways to get your kids involved are:
•Asking them to help plan for and organize your garage sale. They could make colorful posters to stick up around the neighborhood.
•Allowing them to choose a small number of toys or other items to keep with them on moving day.
•Empowering them by letting them pack and label a few of their own boxes
•Making sure they have a special job to take care of on San Diego moving day. This will help them feel as if they’re making a valuable contribution.
•Allowing them to decide how their new rooms should decorated and arranged.

What About Childcare?
•Undoubtedly you will be offered a lot of conflicting advice whether you should keep your kids with you on moving day or arrange childcare.
•Keep in mind that you are the best judge of what’s right for your kids.

Saying Goodbye
•It is critical that your children have the enough time to say good-bye to the family members and friends they’re leaving behind.
•You should encourage them to exchange contact information. Fortunately, for most of us today, our friends are only a few keystrokes away via e-mail.

Settling In
Understand that it is like that there may be a grieving period for children…it may last a few weeks, perhaps even a few months. Here are a few easy things you can do to make moving easier for your kids.
•Investigate and explore your new neighborhood together. Look for new and exciting things.
•Go to your new child’s school with them beforehand…walk around the new school together to help them find their bearings.
•Accompany your kids on their route to school until they are comfortable traveling by themselves.
•Seek out after-school activities where your children can make new friends with similar interests.
•Don’t forget to encourage them to keep in touch with old friends.

Keeping an Eye Out for Early Warning Signs
•A major change is always difficult for a child. Even the most well adjusted child can have difficulty coping with moving.
•Be watchful, it’s important to pick up on early warning signs that your child may need extra help adjusting.
Here are some things to watch out for
•Withdrawn behavior
•Loss of appetite
•Problems sleeping, or regular nightmares
•Outbursts of anger or tears
•Reluctance to stray far from the house or family
•Difficulty making new friends

Additional Hints for Moving Kids
•There are children’s books that help kids come to terms and understand an upcoming move, and cope with some of the feelings they may be experiencing.
•If you’ve got young children, it’s important to remove dangerous situations and to child proof your home.
•The sooner you teach your kids your new address and phone number, the better.

It’s hard to go through the home buying process without having a good real estate agent on your side. The process of choosing a realtor seems simple enough: you go to the nearest real estate agent’s office and they show you the houses they have available. If you find a property you like, the home buying process is over. If you don’t, you wait a little longer or try another realtor.

But don’t move onto our mortgage articles just yet. There are several different types of real estate agents, each with very different priorities and they’re not easy to tell apart. In order to make sure that you’re getting the best information and the best deal when you’re buying a home you need to know which type of realtor you’re dealing with and which type you want to deal with. Choosing the right real estate agent is almost as important as choosing the right real estate.

The three main types of realtors – and a few tips on what they can and can’t do for you – are listed below:

Sellers’ Agents

Most real estate agents do most of their work as a seller’s agents. This means that they have an agreement with the owners of properties that are on the market: the seller allows the realtor to try to sell their home by showing it to buyers and marketing it to other agents. In exchange, the seller’s agent receives a fee, usually a percentage of the home’s final sale price.

Not surprisingly, the primary loyalty of sellers’ agents is to the seller. Various legal and professional codes require that a seller’s agent promote the best interests of the seller and avoid telling potential buyers anything that may be detrimental to the seller’s interest.

Of course, these same codes require that a seller’s agent not deliberately hide important information from potential buyers. If a seller’s agent knows a home’s foundation is cracking they have to let the buyer know about it. However, throughout the process their job is to get the seller the highest price possible (and thus get themselves the largest commission possible).

If you’re a seller, deciding how to select a seller’s agent means figuring out how well connected, how knowledgeable and how loyal potential realtors are.

Buyers’ Agents

If a seller’s agent is like a prosecuting attorney than a buyer’s agent is like a defense lawyer. A buyer’s agent is a real estate agent whose primary objective is to get the buyer the lowest price possible on the home they want. A buyer’s agent hunts around for homes that fit your needs and when it comes time to negotiate a price, they represent you during the bargaining. Just like a seller’s agent is prohibited from giving away too much information to the buyer during the sales process, your buyer’s agent is prohibited from doing anything that will hurt your chances of getting a property for the lowest price possible.

Occasionally, buyer’s agents may work for the same real estate agency as the seller’s agent representing the home you’re interested in (this is known as a “designated agency” arrangement). However, for the purposes of your transaction the relationship is kept adversarial.

Of course, buyers’ agents have to be paid. In some cases, buyers’ agents simply charge their clients a fee. However, in most cases both a buyer’s and a seller’s agent are involved in selling a home. Oftentimes the seller’s agent will negotiate a deal to split their commission with the buyer’s agent. When this happens the buyer doesn’t have to pay anything.

Dual Agents

In rare cases you can end up with a dual agent. A dual agent is a realtor who is working as a seller’s agent for a particular property and, should you become interested in the property, serves as your buyer’s agent as well. If it sounds a little confusing, it is: dual agents are supposed to simultaneously be representing your interests and the interests of the seller.

In these cases the dual agent is prohibited from sharing too much information about one party with the other. However, if you do contract with a dual agent it’s best to remember that their loyalties are divided. Dual agent arrangements tend to work best when the buyer is prepared to pay the seller’s asking price and both parties want to close the deal quickly.

Waterbed Mattress: It is virtually impossible to completely drain a waterbed mattress. Residual moisture will freeze inside the mattress during winter. Attempting to handle a vinyl mattress before it reaches room temperature can cause cracking or force ice chips through the material, rendering the mattress unusable. The mattress should remain in its box at room temperature for at least 12 – 24 hours before handling or filling.

Washers: Even when the pump is drained at origin, the washer will always maintain some water in the mixer valve, pump housing and internal hose areas. Attempting to operate the machine while this water is frozen can result in damage to belts, pump impeller, hoses and other components. Operating temperature should be above 60°F.

Gas & Electric Dryers: When subject to freezing temperatures, igniters and heating elements become brittle. Attempting to operate the dryer will cause a sudden temperature change and may damage internal parts. Operating temperature should be above 60°F.

Refrigerators – Icemaker: A refrigerator may be plugged in on delivery day. The icemaker, however, should not be connected to the water supply for at least 12 – 24 hours after delivery. Residual moisture in the solenoid valve, supply lines and cold-water reservoir may be frozen and will restrict normal operation. If the cold water reservoir was not drained at origin, it may be frozen solid and damaged. Hairline cracks in the water reservoir housing may go undetected on delivery day. It is prudent to let all components of the icemaker system reach operating temperature so a thorough system check can be completed after hooking up the water supply.

Water Softeners/Reverse Osmosis Systems: Residual water in supply tanks will freeze during winter and units will not operate properly until thawed. The units should be allowed to reach room temperature before installation. Grandfather Clocks: Freezing temperatures cause the oil in the pivot points to gum up. Delicate metal components will contract and restrict operation of moving parts in the mechanism. Attempting to set up clocks on delivery day in cold weather will usually result in a second service call. The clock should be allowed to reach room temperature before setting the mechanism in beat.

TVs / PCs / Audio Video Equipment: Condensation caused by extreme temperature changes can wreak havoc on the high tech circuitry of today’s electronics. PCs, VCRs, TVs, stereos, etc. must acclimate to room temperature for at least 24 hours prior to connecting the equipment to AC power.

It is generally accepted that most family businesses on a worldwide basis have had a traditional male bias and that the rule of primogeniture is still practiced by the majority of multigenerational businesses.

However, past studies completed by Babson College in partnership with MassMutual Life Insurance company indicate that women are taking more leadership positions in family-owned businesses and that this trend is going to continue.

In addition, studies indicate that family businesses that have women family members as CEOs or in top management positions have less turnover, have more family-friendly hiring practices, and twice the business productivity than that of their male counterparts.

Although women are taking an increasingly bigger role in family enterprises, there is still little research that examines women’s roles in family-owned businesses. However, two books have recently been published that address women’s leadership roles in family enterprises: “A Woman’s Place: The Crucial Roles of Women in Family Businesses” (The Family Business Consulting Group, 2008) and “Women in Family Business: What Keeps You Up at Night?” (BookSurge Publishing, 2009).

“A Woman’s Place …” is the collaborative effort of six professional women who consult almost exclusively with family-owned businesses. In their introduction to their insightful book, the authors wrote:

“We also hope that business-owning families, if they have not already done so, will come to a full appreciation of what extraordinary resource women represent and what opportunities may be lost when their talent is not welcomed or developed. It is still apparent in our work that sometimes a son is being chosen over a daughter to run a business when the daughter is clearly more able and qualified. And that’s when a daughter is actually working in the business. Many family businesses still have no women family members working in them at all. What talent and what opportunities are lost to those companies we can only imagine.”

In “Women in Family Business: What Keeps You Up at Night?” the three major authors, two women and one man, address “the psychological, relational and financial issues impacting women in family owned businesses: wives who want their husbands to retire; mothers who want to treat their children fairly; widows who don’t know whether to keep or sell the businesses.” In addition, they address step-family members’ feelings of exclusion and daughters who strive for their father’s approval. (The book is a helpful guide for women thinking about entering the family enterprise, although the way it is organized is a bit challenging.)

Having read through the books, I thought about the interviews I did last summer with three amazing women who are each involved with San Diego-based, family-owned businesses. (I spoke with each of them with the hope that some day I would write this very column.)

I had the privilege of speaking with Kathy Olsen, chief administrative officer of RCP Block and Brick, whose father, Marvin Finch, co-founded the business over 60 years ago; Linda Oakley, president of Oakley Relocation licensed by North American Van Lines and co-owner of Atlas Transfer and Storage in Poway, who married into a family owned business; and Kara Hertzog, business development manager for Innovative Employee Solutions, and daughter of founder and majority shareholder, Karla Hertzog.

In each case, these women gave willingly of their time, shared their own experiences, and provided helpful guidance for women thinking about becoming involved with a family-owned business through marriage or lineage. Although they each had unique stories to relate, the advice they offered was very similar to that provided by the various PhD-authors who wrote the above mentioned books.

Kathy Olsen said she stated working for her dad at age 12 with alphabetizing and filing invoices at the masonry and hardscape products company, RCP Block & Brick Inc. She laughingly recalled, “I was paid one dollar for working in the morning and two whole dollars if I worked all day!” Later at 16 she worked at RCP in the summers and on Saturdays.

Eventually, Kathy learned the family business by working at the sales counter at three different locations: Santee, La Mesa and National City, assisting the credit manager and handling accounts receivables, and eventually, becoming her father’s administrative assistant. She worked full time in the business following her marriage to Eric in 1979 until their children arrived: Erica in 1982 and twins Cassandra and Caroline in 1985.

Once the twins arrived, Kathy worked three days a week helping her dad with industry associations by attending those meetings and becoming more involved with the business banking relationships. Due to his illness in 1995 and subsequent death in 1998, Kathy took over more of her father’s responsibilities and today is part of a successful and talented sibling management team, with her brothers, Mike and Tom, and her sister, Sharon.

As she progressed in levels of management and responsibility in the family business, she said that as a woman family business member, she felt she was expected to meet higher standards than anyone else and was expected to do more because “you were always being watched by the other employees.” She hastened to add that these expectations weren’t those of her — she just felt that more was expected because she was a girl.

Her advice to women joining the family business is to “wait for some sense of identity” before you give opinions or make decisions. She also cautioned how important it was to always remember the importance of the family. She attributes her success to the loving home environment in which her parents raised her and her siblings, as “We never fussed there, so why would we do it at the business?”

Two of her three daughters now work in the family enterprise: Erica as human resources manager and Cassandra in accounts payable, credit department, and accounts receivable. Kathy said, “If they have the ability and desire is there, of course, I would like them to stay in the family business.”

As her family business relies on construction to a great degree, Kathy says now is a good time for her daughters to learn that although this recession is no fun, “they will learn that there are business cycles and that the business will survive, as tough decisions and business changes have been made.”

The next woman working in a family-owned business is Linda Oakley, who in 1976 married into Atlas Transfer and Storage, an Allied Van Lines agent and a family business. Started by her in-laws in 1942, it is a third generation family business (her son Travis now works there) with more than 50 employees and 35 moving trucks.

Even though she was married to the owners’ son, Linda says that she found cultivating an attitude of always behaving as an employee served her well. Although accounting and finance were not her favorite areas, at times during her many years working in this family business, Linda took on those responsibilities as, “someone had to do it and it fell to me to take this on.” By surrounding herself with experts and asking “tons of questions,” Linda became more proficient and comfortable with these tasks, although sales is her preference she says.

She also enjoys developing new service offerings, like the relocation service she launched last year. Having her son working in the business and her daughter, Sara, assisting with the company’s newest service is a pleasure. When her children were younger, Linda feels that her involvement with the family business instilled in them an appreciation for hard work and set a great example of a solid work ethic.

“With great friends surrounding me, sometimes they could fill in for me at school functions, but Tom and I were able to arrange our schedules to be with the children for their sports and academic activities, so I appreciated the flexibility the business afforded when time permitted.” Her advice for women marrying in to the family business includes:

“Sit down with your in-laws and fiancé and talk about expectations so you are sure ahead of time what your role will be, even if it’s not working in the business itself.”

The most difficult challenge for families in business is doing succession planning, Linda says with a sigh. “You want to be sure your children like the business and aren’t just working there out of duty to you or to the family.”

My last interview was with Kara Hertzog, business development manager at Innovative Employee Solutions, a nationwide provider of outsourced payroll and human resources administration services.

I asked Kara when she knew her mom owned a business. She said, “When I was 5, I used to run around the hallways and stuffed envelopes at TOPS (a previous business her mother, Karla, owned which was sold in 1998). I thought everyone had a mom like mine, but as I got older, I realized that my mom was special and was somebody important, even though to me, she was just my mom.”

During her high school years, Kara worked part time in the business working in the front office. The summers after her freshman year in college, Kara worked full time setting up skills testing for the temporary employment candidates and filled jobs for clients. Kara received her B.S. in Business Administration from Villanova University but didn’t go right into the family business.

Following her college graduation, Kara worked as a senior project manager for Fleet Boston Financial and then worked in fundraising and development for the San Diego nonprofit Angels Foster Family Network. She didn’t return to the family business for six years after college, and Kara received no special treatment when she told her mom about her interest in returning full time to the family business.

She interviewed with the president of the company, who is not her mom, for a client services position. Kara added, “The position was needed, but there was not an open rec for it so they did create it for me somewhat.” She also reports to someone other than her mom.

Her primary advice to children thinking about working in the family enterprise is to “go out on your own for several years, because that way you can bring more to the business. By getting to know other industries, you bring more capabilities, knowledge and experience to your family business if and when you do join full time.”

Kara said she is amazed and appreciative that she and her mom don’t talk a lot about the business when they are together for family time. “I think it’s important to understand each person’s role in the business. More importantly, if I have a work challenge and choose to talk to my mom about it, she is very good about not bailing me out — she listens! That’s a necessity, I think, if children are going to develop on their own and learn how to meet work challenges, particularly in a family-owned business.”

Having spoken with these three talented women about their respective roles in each of their family-owned enterprises, I have no doubt that they could successfully collaborate or contribute to a future book written for women in family businesses by women in family businesses. It is certain that their family businesses have benefited from tapping into their talent and resourcefulness, which has greatly contributed to the success of each of their companies!

States are compared against the national average for six crimes, each carrying equal weight.

Here is a sneak peak:

No. 1: New Hampshire
New Hampshire is ranked No. 1 for the second time thanks to impressively low crime across the board. It boasts the nation’s lowest murder rate and second-lowest aggravated assault and burglary rates. 

No. 2: Vermont
Vermont was the safest state in 2003 along with 1994 & 1996. It is back up two spots this year, rising from its fourth place position in 2008. 

No. 3: Maine
The Pine Tree state has been ranked in the top three each of the past 16 years. It has the lowest assault rate in the U.S. 

No. 4: North Dakota
After dominating the Safest State list for the past decade, the Peace Garden state suffered its lowest ranking since 1996 last year — coming in at No. 3. This year it drops another notch to No. 4. 

No. 5: South Dakota
As one of the safest states to live in, South Dakota suffers from a shockingly high incidence of rape, but ranks in the top five in four other categories. 

No. 6: Montana
Some credit Montana’s low crime rate to the high level of gun ownership. Since most criminals are looking for easy targets, this may keep some in line.

See all States…

For more advise on moving and moving to San Diego call or visit Atlas Transfer & Storage Co. – San Diego’s preferred moving and storage compan.

Great news! Booking agents with customers using Allied’s Direct Order Entry Process now receive a new and much improved confirmation of their customer’s order registration. It provides the booking agent with an immediate e-mail confirmation of all pertinent shipment details in a concise one page format. Another new feature enables the customer at time of registration, to direct immediate e-mail notification(s) to interested parties with all pertinent shipping details. The party receiving the e-mail notification is also provided a tracking link to check transit status. These are great new user friendly features for Allied agents in managing their client relationships and customers looking to streamline their communications with their consignees.

Commenting on the new Order Confirmation page, Trish Davis of Clemmer Moving and Storage recently wrote to say, “I really like the new order confirmation page that is sent out to customers. IT looks great and confirms the shipment information all in one place”.

Opportunities Abound for All Allied Agents to Book Special Products:

Every day, Allied agents are exposed to opportunities involving Special Products. Now is a great time to make your customers and prospects aware of the full suite of services that Allied has to offer, which can often open new doors and related business opportunities. The following is a recent success story from Atlas Transfer & Storage.

Recently, Jerry Cooper of Atlas Transfer & Storage developed a Special Products opportunity with a household goods customer that had contracted with Atlas for two interstate relocations within the last year. The first Atlas/Allied move went so well that when it came time to relocate again, he just called Atlas to make it happen.

With two exceptional relocations, the transferee, who happened to be in sales for his company, thought of Jerry for possibly handling his company’s upcoming event marketing logistics needs. In working with the client, Jerry learned that the customer exhibits at theme parks, professional sports venues and corporate events nationwide on a regular basis. Jerry worked through the logistics details and contacted Special Products to prepare a pricing proposal. Judy Gaskin, SPD’s pricing manager, helped Jerry through the online quote process to complete a pricing proposal.

Jerry presented the proposal and has now been awarded his first two moves, one for 10,000 lbs. and the second for 15,000lbs.

In speaking with Jerry about his success, he said, “he always asks for referrals from his customers and more often than not finds his best opportunities from these contacts.” Congratulations to Jerry and Atlas Transfer & Storage for their new win!

In closing, these are great times to pursue Special Products business as many companies are open to looking for new solutions to serve their logistics needs. Let us help you uncover some opportunities in your market place. The entire SPD team is available to provide assistance for your business development needs.

Accessorial (Additional) Services – services such as packing, unpacking, or shuttle service that you request to be performed (or are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these services are in addition to the transportation charges.

Advanced Charges – charges for services not performed by the mover but instead by a professional, craftsman or other third party at your request. The charges for these services are paid for by the mover and added to your bill of lading charges.

Bill of Lading – the receipt for your goods and the contract for their transportation. It is your responsibility to understand the bill of lading before you sign it. If you do not agree with something on the bill of lading, do not sign it until you are satisfied that it is correct. The bill of lading is an important document. Don’t lose or misplace your copy.

Binding/Non-Binding Estimate – a binding estimate is an agreement made in advance with the mover that guarantees the total cost of the move based on the quantities and services shown on the estimate. A non-binding estimate is the carrier’s approximation of the cost based on the estimated weight of the shipment and the accessorial services requested. A non-binding estimate is not binding on the carrier and the final charges will be based on the actual weight and tariff provisions in effect.

Guaranteed Pickup and Delivery Service – an additional level of service whereby dates of service are guaranteed, with the mover providing reimbursement for delays. This premium service is often subject to minimum weight requirements.

High Value Article – items included in a shipment that are valued at more than $100 per pound. These items should be disclosed to the mover to ensure that they are protected accordingly.

Inventory – the detailed descriptive list of your household goods showing the number and condition of each item.

Transportation Charges – charges for the vehicle transportation portion of your move. These charges apply in addition to the additional service charges.

Order for Service – the document authorizing the mover to transport your household goods.

Pickup and Delivery Charges – separate transportation charges applicable for transporting your shipment between the warehouse and your residence.

Shuttle Service – use of a smaller vehicle to provide service to residences that are not accessible to the mover’s normal linehaul equipment (large moving vans).

Storage-In-Transit (SIT) – temporary warehouse storage of your shipment pending further transportation; for example, if your new home isn’t quite ready to occupy. Added charges for SIT service and final delivery charges from the warehouse will apply.

Valuation – the degree of “worth” of the shipment. The valuation charge that you are assessed compensates the mover for assuming a greater degree of liability than that provided for in the base transportation charges.

For trusted and experienced San Diego Movers visit www.AtlasAllied.com and Contact us today!

Aerosol cans.
These can usually be recycled with other cans, as long as you pull off the plastic cap and empty the canister completely.

Backpacks.
The American Birding Association accepts donated backpacks, which its scientists use while tracking neotropical birds (www.americanbirding.org).

Batteries.
Recycling batteries keeps hazardous metals out of landfills. Many stores, like RadioShack and Office Depot, accept reusableones, as does the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (www.rbrc.org/call2recycle). Car batteries contain lead and can’t go in landfills, because toxic metals can leach into groundwater, but almost any retailer selling them will also collect and recycle them.

Books.
“Hard covers are too rigid to recycle, so we ask people to remove them and recycle just the pages,” says Sarah Kite, recycling manager of the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, in Johnston. In many areas, paperbacks can be tossed in with other paper.

Cars, jet skis, boats, trailers, RVs, and motorcycles. If these are unusable — totaled, rusted — they still have metal and other components that can be recycled. Call junkyards in your area, or go to www.junkmycar.com, which will pick up and remove cars, trailers, motorcycles, and other heavy equipment for free.

Cell phones.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fewer than 20 percent of cell phones are recycled each year, and most people don’t know where to recycle them. The Wireless Foundation refurbishes old phones to give to domestic-violence survivors (www.calltoprotect.org); for information on other cell-phone charities, log on to www.recyclewirelessphones.com. In some states, like California and New York, retailers must accept and recycle old cell phones at no charge.

Computers.
You can return used computers to their manufacturers for recycling (check www.mygreenelectronics.com for a list of vendors) or donate them to a charitable organization (log on to www.sharetechnology.org or www.cristina.org). Nextsteprecycling.org repairs your broken computers and gives them to underfunded schools, needy families, and nonprofits.

DVDs, CDs, and jewel cases.
If you want to get rid of that Lionel Richie CD because “Dancing on the Ceiling” doesn’t do it for you anymore, you can swap it for a disc from another music lover at www.zunafish.com. But if you just want to let it go and not worry about it ending up in a landfill, send it (along with DVDs and jewel cases) to www.greendisk.com for recycling.

Fire Extinguishers.
There are two types of extinguishers. For a dry-chemical extinguisher, safely relieve the remaining pressure, remove the head from the container, and place it with your bulk-metal items (check with your local recycler first). Alternatively, call fire-equipment companies (listed in the phone book) and request that they dispose of your extinguisher. Carbon dioxide extinguishers are refillable after each use.

Hangers (wire).
Some dry cleaners and laundromats will reuse them. Otherwise, they can be recycled with other household metals. But be sure to remove any attached paper or cardboard first. 

Holiday cards.
After they’ve lined your mantel for two months, you could throw them into the recycling bin…or you could give them a whole new life. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children (www.stjudesranch.org), a nonprofit home for abused and neglected youths, runs a holiday-card reuse program in which the kids cut off the front covers, glue them onto new cards, and sell the result — earning them money and confidence.

Makeup.
Makeup can expire and is none too pretty for the earth when you throw it in the trash (chemicals abound in most makeup). Some manufacturers are making progress on this front. People who turn in six or more empty MAC containers, for example, will receive a free lipstick from the company in return; SpaRitual nail polishes come in re-usable, recyclable glass; and Josie Maran Cosmetics sells biodegradable plastic compacts made with a corn-based resin — just remove the mirror and put the case in your compost heap.

Mattresses and box springs.
Mattresses are made of recyclable materials, such as wire, paper, and cloth, but not all cities accept them for recycling. (Go to www.earth911.org to find out if yours does.)

Packing materials.
Styrofoam peanuts cannot be recycled in most areas, but many packaging stores (like UPS and Mail Boxes Etc.) accept them. To find a peanut reuser near you, go to www.loosefillpackaging.com. Some towns recycle Styrofoam packing blocks; if yours doesn’t, visit www.epspackaging.org/info.html to find a drop-off location, or mail them in according to the instructions on the site. Packing pillows marked “Fill-Air” can be deflated (poke a hole in them), then mailed to Ameri-Pak, Sealed Air Recycle Center, 477 South Woods Drive, Fountain Inn SC 29644. They will be recycled into things like trash bags and automotive parts.

Paint.
Some cities have paint-recycling programs, in which your old paint is taken to a company that turns it into new paint. Go to www.earth911.org to see if a program exists in your area.

Phone books.
Many cities offer collection services. Also check www.yellowpages.com/recycle, or call AT&T’s phone book–recycling line at 800-953-4400.

Recreational equipment.
Don’t send tennis rackets to your local recycling center. “People may think we’re going to give them to Goodwill,” says Sadonna Cody, director of government affairs for the Northbay Corporation and Redwood Empire Disposal, in Santa Rosa, California, “but they’ll just be trashed.” Trade sports gear in at Play It Again Sports (www.playitagainsports.com), or donate it to www.sportsgift.org, which gives gently used equipment to needy kids around the world. Mail to Sports Gift, 32545 B Golden Lantern #478, Dana Point CA 92629. As for skis, send them to Skichair.com, 4 Abbott Place, Millbury MA 01527; they’ll be turned into Adirondack-style beach chairs.

Rugs (cotton or wool).
If your town’s recycling center accepts rugs, great. If not, you’re out of luck, because you can’t ship rugs directly to a fabric recycler; they need to be sent in bulk. Your best bet is to donate them to the thrift store of a charity, like the Salvation Army.

Shopping bags (paper).
Even those with metal grommets and ribbon handles can usually be recycled with other paper.

Shopping bags (plastic).
“Americans recycled 812 million pounds of bags in 2006, up 24 percent from 2005,” says Keith Christman, senior director of packaging at the American Chemistry Council Plastics Division, which represents plastic manufacturers. If your town doesn’t recycle plastic, you may be able to drop them off at your local grocery store. Safeway, for example, accepts grocery and dry-cleaning bags and turns them into plastic lumber. (To find other stores, go to www.plasticbagrecycling.org.) What’s more, a range of retailers, like City Hardware, have begun to use biodegradable bags made of corn. (BioBags break down in compost heaps in 10 to 45 days.)

Stereos and VCRs.
Visit www.earth911.org for a list of recyclers, retail stores, and manufacturers near you that accept electronics. Small companies are popping up to handle electronic waste (or e-waste) as well: Greencitizen.com in San Francisco will pull apart your electronics and recycle them at a cost ranging from nothing to 50 cents a pound. And the 10 nationwide locations of Freegeek.org offer a similar service.

Tires.
You can often leave old tires with the dealer when you buy new ones (just check that they’ll be recycled). Worn-out tires can be reused as highway paving, doormats, hoses, shoe soles, and more.

TVs.
Best Buy will remove and recycle a set when it delivers a new one. Or bring old ones to Office Depot to be recycled. Got a Sony TV? Take it to a drop-off center listed at www.sony.com/recycle.

Used clothing.
Some towns recycle clothing into seat stuffing, upholstery, or insulation. Also consider donating clothing to animal boarders and shelters, where it can be turned into pet bedding.

Videotapes, cassettes, and floppy disks.
These aren’t accepted. “Videotapes are a nightmare,” says Outerbridge. “They get tangled and caught on everything.” Instead, send tapes to ACT (www.actrecycling.org), a facility in Columbia, Missouri, that employs disabled people to clean, erase, and resell videotapes. You can also send videotapes, cassettes, and floppy disks to www.greendisk.com; recycling 20 pounds or less costs $6.95, plus shipping.

Xmas lights.
Ship your old lights to HolidayLEDs.com, Attention: Recycling Program, 120 W. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1403, Jackson MI 49201. The company will send you a coupon for 10 percent off its LED lights, which use 80 percent less energy and last 10 years or more. And they’re safer, too. LEDs don’t generate much heat, whereas incandescents give off heat, which can cause a dry Christmas tree to catch fire.

For more San Diego Moving and Storage ideas be sure to visit Atlas Transfer & Storage Co.