Moving & Department Store Pick Ups

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Moving, some assembly , light painting and some repairs and restoration.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. pact well, for example if you want a large item moved don't leave things on top of that item on the day of the move. If you're being charged by the hour you're facing a rise in the cost. I usually suggest using tags if you're unable to physically be there in directing the placement of your items in specific rooms. that is using red tags for example for an entire room and placing a red tag in the room they're intended to be in.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. honesty and how to pack play a major role in the overall cost . for example a person might not reveal if there are steps involved, broken elevators or difficulties involving the move. I often run into situations that warrant an increase in cost, but unable to renegotiate because of their lack of knowledge or sometimes dishonesty.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Become knowlegeable in whatever it is you're trying to get accomplished whether you have hired someone for the service, enlisted help or working solo.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. first off I always charge a little less than most others, second once on the job I always find myself going beyond my scope by doing the little extras.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. The freedom of helping folks that are usually under the stress of moving usually due to hardship.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. How much and how long? They're usually surprise about my price and flexibility and further surprise @ my effeciency.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. while there are no favorite stories ,I always feel good about being praised for a job well done, but I guess anytime the customer is fully involved in directing the placement of goods and at times physically helpful is always a good story.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. That I'm different and always think that the move is like moving myself. and that the profession is unpredictable, things don't always go the way it's suppose to, rain can prolong things(without compensation) and you're still obligated to finish the task while having to cancel another job with the prospect of losing out or worse being branded unreliable. without the customers input the job can become difficult for example : placing things in the wrong room only to relocate them somewhere else. etc.....

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I actually was an independent contractor for a major company and owning my own truck provided me the opportunity to make extra income and fully immersed myself by obtaining the proper equipments and gained more experience in packing and safely moving things.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I just moved my neighbor and she was so happy and she praised me for a job well done and without any problems what so ever, but I was particularly proud of receiving a lovely card from her with further praise and thanks.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. no I do not , however every challenge actually teaches you how to handle the same situation more efficiently and great timimg. for example a client didn't reveal the difficulties in getting his furniture in a basement that was almost fifty yards from the street and the wet grass that resulted from the previous days rain. I had to obtain special boards to walk on in order to avoid tracking mud in the home and worst, falling while handling a clients precious stuff and injuring myself or others.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. I'm actually trying to obtain a patent for a product that could be extremely helpful in the industry, also looking for someone to help me help not only the industry but everyone in need of moving . (details cannot be revealed at this time).

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. I recently took a good look at my outdoors benches that were falling apart, I went to a supply store and purchased sand paper , brushes and sealant/ wood finish to restore them to their former glory. I had to strip them clean with sand paper (rough and smooth), cleaning them, apply a sealant/wood finish, allowed time to dry, a little extra sanding and reseal for a glossy finish and allowed for more drying time. total cost $ 22.00 and it took about a week in labor.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. My pricing system is usually a flat rate but a frank customer always gets a good price by answering simple questions like are there steps and how many. Distance of move, tight places, small entrance ways that may require the removal of doors and or taking apart a large item for proper fitting, distance from street to destination and placement of product etc....

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. To be ready to deal with any obstacles, learn to work with people and be tactful in listening and getting the clients wishes accomplished.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. as a customer are there ways I can reduce my cost? yes there are: by leaving only what you want moved ready to go and by ready I mean not leaving stuff on top of them, wrap things on your own especially fragile stuff, move little and light things in your vehicle, throw out unwanted things before your scheduled move and more....

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. how do I save myself time and money in a move ? help yourself by doing anything you can that may escalate your cost and that reduces the service providers time,avoid having extra things that would take more time than contracted for.