During this Thanksgiving week, we at Stevens Moving & Storage - Greater Detroit are reminded about all of the things for which we are thankful – the company of family and friends, the bounty of good food, and the privilege to celebrate this important American holiday. Most importantly, we are thankful for our employees, our nationwide network of moving agents, our affiliated partners and our customers – who have trusted us with their moving needs since 1905.

Will you be moving this summer – or even later this year?

With about 37.5 million Americans – about 12.5 percent of us – moving to new homes in 2011, there is a good chance that you or someone you know might have a new address soon.

And no matter if you are moving around the block, into a dorm room or across the country, you need to pack your belongings in something.

Boxes are the obvious choice.

Sure, you can lurk around the fruit market and scavenge for old banana boxes or nab the cartons for paper that stack up by the copy machine at work.

But, the produce boxes can be sticky or buggy; not much fits into copy paper boxes; and when it’s time to pack the them into a moving van, a rental truck or the mini van, the cartons are different and awkward sizes and don’t stack conveniently.

Boxes made especially for moving make the task of getting your stuff from here to there a lot easier.

Specific sized boxes are designed to accommodate particular types of household items and the boxes are sturdy, clean and easily modular.

Stevens has easy solutions to all of your box and packing needs. Stevens has a variety of moving boxes and packing materials available at www.stevensmovingboxes.com.

We even have specially designed moving kits that are customized to move the number of rooms you select with different combinations of box sizes and supplies to meet your specific needs.

No matter what you are packing, it’s best to remember a few rules of thumb.

• The bigger the box does not necessarily mean the heavier the items in it. It is always best to pack heavier items in smaller boxes. For instance, a small box filled with books still will be heavy, but manageable. A giant box packed to the brim with hard covers and paperbacks will be unbearable to carry.
• Don’t pack too heavy or too light. Boxes that are too heavy can break open; those too light can crush when stacked.
• Remember to use enough packing paper or other cushioning material to pad and protect items in the boxes you pack.

Everybody likes to save money and nobody wants more stress in their life.

While the above statement may not have the certainty of the adage about death and taxes, I’d say it’s close. And given that moving can be a stressful and costly undertaking (it can be but it doesn’t have to be), in this post I’m going to offer you three tips for holding down costs and minimizing stress.

Here we go.

1. Lighten your load. (You can’t do anything about the miles but you can do everything about the weight.) – Stevens and every other reputable mover calculates the cost of your move based on the weight of your belongings and the distance those belongings travel. And whether you’re moving across town or across the country there’s nothing you can do about the distance. As the saying goes, it is what it is.Weight, on the other hand, is entirely within your control. Theoretically you could sell all of your household possessions and not even need a mover. Odds are you won’t do that. But here’s something everyone can and should do: Take a careful and considered inventory of your belongings. You probably have things boxed up and packed away in the attic or basement – things of little or no sentimental value – that can be easily disposed of through a garage sale or donation. This is a good start, but if you want to drop some serious weight consider the following: Furniture – Think about whether it’s time for an upgrade or a remodel. If your furniture is in good condition, it should be relatively easy to sell. An ad on craigslist will probably get the job done. Appliances – Here’s an opportunity to shed some hefty pounds from your move. Of course, if you’re selling a home, you may be able to include your appliances as part of the sale price. If your buyer isn’t interested in that deal, it’s back to craigslist and other means of peddling your wares.
2. Do all of your own packing, or most of it. – Pack everything yourself and you’ll eliminate all packing charges. On the other hand, major moving companies, including Stevens, offer expert packing services. (Stevens personnel receive extensive training in this area.) We can pack all your household items or work with you on a customized packing plan.For example, maybe you want us to pack your fragile items such as dishes, fine china, glassware, mirrors, etc. while you take care of everything else. Or, you can pack your fragile items and have us take care of the rest. The choice is yours; you pay for only the packing services you use. (Most other reputable movers offer the same options.)Three points worth noting: (1) For any item that Stevens personnel pack we are fully liable for any damage. (2) For any item packed by the customer we are only liable if there is obvious damage to the outside of the box. For instance, the box was crushed, smushed or something along those lines. (3) For a fee, Stevens personnel will check customer-packed boxes before they are sealed. Once we approve the packing and the box is sealed we are then liable for any damage.
3. Answer two important questions: (1) Can my mover get in and out? (2) Will my furniture and appliances fit? – Whether you’re moving from one permanent residence to another – and especially if you’ll be occupying temporary housing for a few months such as an apartment or condo –  there are two things you want to keep in mind:

                           i.          Vehicular access – In picking out your temporary housing consider the area in the immediate vicinity of your new residence. Is there room enough for a 53-foot moving van to safely maneuver? If not, the driver will have to park the van as near to the delivery location as he can get. Then, rent a smaller truck and shuttle your goods to your residence. All this will add considerable expense to your moving costs. Plus, finding this out at the last minute is a nasty surprise that can cause you more than a little stress.

Access can also be a problem if you’re moving into a permanent home – for instance, one in a gated community. Or, for that matter, any development that doesn’t easily accommodate tractor-trailers. It shouldn’t keep you from purchasing the home you want, but knowing the circumstances ahead of time will mean less stress. And, enable you to better budget for the added moving expense.

                         ii.          Furniture and appliances – Sometimes the furniture and appliances that fit so beautifully in your old home can be difficult to impossible to fit into your new residence. This is a problem we run into more often than we’d like.

For example, that big armoire you want to put in the upstairs bedroom. It just won’t fit. Or the only way to make it fit is to hoist it up over a balcony and through a larger entryway offered by a sliding door. At added expense to you of course. Then there are the double refrigerator systems that are so popular these days; they can be a problem as well. More so if you’re moving into in an apartment, condo or older home.

Another issue that crops up is moving exercise equipment out of the old home. In many cases this equipment, an elliptical machine for example, was bought and transported home in a flat box. And then assembled in the basement. Problem is you often can’t get it out of your basement unless you take it apart. So in the middle of this very busy day you’ll have to drop everything and take it apart – or pay to have someone come out and do it for you. It’s just one more headache you don’t need.

Oh, and one other thing. Don’t forget about that nice workbench you built for yourself. Odds are, if you’re going to get it out of the basement, you’ll have to take it apart as well

There you have it. Those are my three tips for managing your move so that you can hold down costs and minimize stress. As with my previous post on preventing identity theft when you move, these tips are grounded in good old-fashioned common sense.

As with any undertaking, a little planning, preparation and forethought goes a long way towards helping you ensure that you and your family enjoy a smooth move. One that stays within your moving budget and causes everyone the least amount of headache and hassle as possible. That’s what you want, and that’s what your moving team here at Stevens wants as well.

Author: Stevens' corporate writer

Congratulations! You’ve just earned yourself a big promotion with a hefty hike in pay. And here’s the icing on the cake: Your promotion includes relocation – from Fargo, North Dakota to the more temperate clime and scenically appealing locale of Seattle, Washington. Now for the not so good news: Your relocation puts you at increased risk of identity theft, and that’s the case even if you’re just moving across town.

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 11 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Given these numbers, it’s important that you make a constant effort to safeguard yourself against this crime. But moving is an event that literally puts your life and possessions in a state of flux. During this transition it’s especially important that you take steps to minimize the risks of identity theft.

As with many things in life, when it comes to protecting yourself against identity theft, common sense will serve you well. So in today’s post we offer 7 Common Sense Tips For Preventing Identity Theft When You Move.

1. Take a “mailbox inventory” – Take note of the all the bills, statements, notifications, magazines, etc. that you get in the mail. Make a written list of these mailings, which will include banks, brokerages, insurance companies, mortgages companies and so on. Check them off one by one. You might even want to skim over several months of your bank ledger to make sure you didn’t overlook anything. Once you’re certain your inventory is complete notify each of these entities of your relocation. Instruct them to redirect all future correspondence to your new address.
   
   On a related note, consider switching to online statements. The 2010 Identity Fraud Survey Report from Javelin Strategy & Research determined that consumers with electronic statements were able to detect identity fraud sooner. Plus, these people enjoyed lower annual costs ($116 vs. $274) than those dealing with paper statements. Also, you’ll save a few trees.
2. Fill out a change-of-address form and submit it to the U.S. Post Office – Admittedly, this one is a no-brainer. Here’s the key, though. Once you’ve filed the form be on the lookout for the USPS confirmation to (a) make sure your request has been processed and (b) verify that your new address is listed correctly. If everything is in order, your mail should start showing up at your new address within seven to ten business days of your change-of-address submission. At that time review the mailbox checklist you made earlier to verify, in fact, that everyone you notified is now sending your mail to your new address.
3. If you’re not taking it with you and you wouldn’t trust it with a stranger: Shred it! – One of the reasons the threat of identity theft increases when you move is that useful (to a criminal) documents are often just thrown away. According to the Federal Trade Commission brochure, Deter, Detect, Defend: Avoid ID Theft, dumpster diving is one of the top five ways identity theft happens.
   
   So, if you haven’t done so already, get a shredder. It’s well worth the $60 - $75 you’ll spend. Then, any document you have that you wouldn’t feel comfortable handing over to a stranger – shred it.
4. Do thorough due diligence on your moving company – One mover held a truckload of a family’s furniture for ransom. Another used $600 of packing tape before they finished loading the truck. Another mover never even bothered to show up. Sadly, these are all true stories. Moving industry experts estimate that every year thousands of Americans become victims of unscrupulous movers who don’t live up to the promises they make to customers. But, with proper due diligence you can be sure you hire a thoroughly professional and highly capable mover. One that will make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible.
   
   You can start by getting recommendations from people you know who have used the mover. (Here’s a spot where your social media connections may be helpful.) When you have the recommendations in hand you’ll want to, among other things –

• Check the company’s license and insurance

• Get written estimates from at least three companies

• Determine if the estimate is binding or non-binding

• Go over the fine print

In addition, Stevens Worldwide Van Lines offers these suggestions for avoiding disreputable movers and moving scams: (www.stevensworldwide.com)

• Get in-home written estimates. While there are several online “moving cost estimators,” almost always the only legitimate estimates are those offered by a professional mover who visits the customer’s home.

• Use a company that is certified by the American Moving & Storage Association as a PROMOVER or is an agent of a certified PROMOVER.

• Beware of movers who require a large deposit or require payment upfront for a move or demand cash payments. These are not typical practices of legitimate moving companies.

• Beware of companies with names similar to those of large van lines or well-established moving businesses. A similar name does not mean that the online company is affiliated with a reputable company.

What does this point have to do with identity theft? In general, everything. Because it speaks to the key issue of integrity.

5. Secure your computers – If you’ve done your due diligence and hired a reputable mover this probably isn’t an issue. Then again, all it takes is “one bad apple.” So don’t leave yourself vulnerable. Make sure the family desktop computers all have strong password protection. As for laptops, smart phones and other portable device where sensitive information may be stored, pack and transport these devices yourself. Do the same with sensitive documents such as wills, insurance policies, stock certificates and bonds.
6. Scrutinize post-move bank and credit card statements – This is something we should all do every month anyway. But post-move is a very busy and hectic time, even more so if it involves a new job or new position in a new city. So make sure you sit down and carefully review these documents for anything that doesn’t look exactly right.
   
   That said, credit-related fraud accounts for only about a third of identity theft cases. Most problems don’t even involve credit cards. Instead, thieves will use your personal information to get new cell phone service, open a bank account, get utilities turned on, get a fake driver’s license – and the list goes on. So, be vigilant. Jump on all of those statements as soon as possible after they hit your mailbox or inbox.
7. Get a copy of your credit report – Three months have gone by. Your new job is going great. You’re comfortably settled into your new place and it feels like home. As best as you can possibly tell your identity is still exclusively yours and yours alone. Just to be on the safe side, and for added peace-of-mind, now would be a good time to get a copy of your credit report. As you probably know, you’re allowed one free credit report per year from each of the three credit bureaus.
   
   These reports will list any inquiries made to your credit. Any recent credit report request using your old address is a red flag and you should immediately report it to the creditor and credit bureaus. This activity could be a sign that an identity thief is trying to open an account in your name.
   
   Here are the three credit bureaus and their contact information:
   
   Equifax: www.equifax.com; 1-800-685-1111
   Experian: www.experian.com; 1-888-397-3742
   TransUnion: www.transunion.com; 1-800-680-7289
   
   A final note along these lines: Consider subscribing to a one-year identity-theft protection plan offered through Experian and available at a reduced cost through Stevens Worldwide Van Lines. This service provides you with timely notification of any suspicious credit-related activity and includes copies of your credit reports.

We live in the most mobile society in the world and I for one believe that’s a good thing. It’s a clear sign of the freedom and opportunity available to us as Americans. And even though moving can bring added headaches and stress, you needn’t become a victim of identity theft in the process. Acting on these 7 Common Sense Tips For Preventing Identity Theft When You Move will help you keep your headaches and stress to a minimum. And your identity exclusively your own.

Author: Stevens' corporate writer

This week, Stevens Worldwide Van Lines named Charles Austin as the company’s “Professional Van Operator of the Year” for 2010.

Austin works for Stevens’ agent Gasperson Transfer & Storage in Asheville, N.C.

Achieving this status means that Austin ranked the highest among all Stevens’ professional van operators in a strict set of criteria that includes safety, customer service, number of shipments, weight hauled and claims.

Austin is a resident of Balsam, N.C., and a 30-year veteran of the moving industry.

Others Stevens Professional Van Operator of the Year honors include:

First Runner Up: Julius McGhee, Stevens Worldwide Van Lines Headquarters, Saginaw, Mich.

Second Runner Up:  Shaw McSweeney, Stevens Worldwide Van Lines Headquarters, Saginaw, Mich.

Third Runner Up: Tim Evans, Stevens Worldwide Van Lines, Cleveland, Ohio

Honorable Mentions: Curtis Pitts, Stevens Worldwide Van Lines Headquarters, Saginaw, Mich.; Thomas Graham, Stevens Worldwide Van Lines Headquarters, Saginaw, Mich.;  Francisco Santos, N.L. Wilson Moving & Storage, Overland Park, Kan.; Johnny Norman, Sr., Stevens Worldwide Van Lines Headquarters, Saginaw, Mich.

Despite a similarity in the names of companies, Stevens Moving & Storage-Grater Detroit is not connected in any way to recent arrests involving scams of internet-based moving companies in California.

Five people were arrested in mid-January on theft-related charges involving moving companies operating in Santa Clara County in California.

One of those arrested is known to be affiliated with an internet-based moving company called Stevens Moving and Storage. That company has no connection to Stevens-Grater Detroit. Stevens-Greater Detroit is a company-owned division of Stevens Worldwide Van Lines.

Stevens Worldwide Van Lines is certified by the American Moving & Storage Association as a PROMOVER.  The Stevens Worldwide Van Lines US DOT number is 72029.

Stevens-Greater Detroit reminds those who are moving to be careful when selecting a mover:

• Beware of companies that offer prices or deals that are extremely low or seem too good to be true
• Get an in-home written estimate for your move
• Beware of movers who require a large deposit, upfrong payment or demand cash payments
• Be cautious of companies with names similar to those of large van lines or well-established businesses

Angie’s List, which collects consumer reviews on service providers and medical professionals in more than 500 categories, recently presented Stevens-Greater Detroit with its 2010 Angie’s List Super Service Award.

Annually, Angie’s List gives the Super Service Award to only about 5 percent of companies that receive reviews through the organization.

Stevens-Grater Detroit had to meet a variety of criteria, including exemplary ratings from customers, to receive the award.

This week Stevens - Greater Detroit launched its new web site.

The new www.stevens-greaterdetroit.com features easy calls to action and simple navigation to information about Stevens - Greater Detroit services and capabilities.

The new features include:

• An easy to use moving estimate form
• Access to Stevens - Greater Detroit news
• Information on all new Stevens - Greater Detroit programs