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FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to move, and when should I call you?
If there is a choice, most moving companies suggest a time other than summer, the end of the month, or the end-of-year holidays. The heaviest demands are placed on vans, equipment and personnel during these times. If the move can be scheduled for a time when vans and trained personnel are more readily available, we'll be better able to accommodate your preferred schedule.
The earlier you contact us, the better. Though the actual van assignment may not be made until a few days before your move, it's wise to give us four to six weeks' notice, if possible. The more lead time you can provide, the more likely we will be able to meet your schedule.
All moving companies require alternate pickup and delivery dates. We'll do our best, of course, to comply with the dates you prefer or the nearest possible alternative. You will be notified in advance of the loading date, and of the estimated date of arrival.
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Is your storage air-conditioned?
It depends on the location of the warehouse. Our Charleston
warehouse is cooled by huge fans that help control the humidity.
Temperature may vary from summer to winter, but we have had
no damage problems because of the storage environment.
Some other Allied facility warehouses throughout the world are
climate controlled. Ask your moving counselor for their specific
locations.
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How long will my in-home
survey take?
The in-home survey can last anywhere from a half-hour to two-and-one-half
hours. This will depend upon the size of your home, the parameters
of your move, and the number of questions that you may have
of us. We suggest allowing ample time, because the more information
we have about your move, the better service we can provide.
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How long does it take
before I get my belongings?
This depends on many factors, such as the time of year, weather,
size of your shipment, time required to load and unload, and
the direction and distance your shipment is traveling. Because
the furnishings of the average household will not fill a van,
it is often necessary for two or more shipments to be loaded
on the same van. Each shipment is carefully sectioned off from
the others.
With the help of Azalea's computer-assisted
dispatching system, pickup and delivery dates are scheduled
according to the origins and destinations of individual shipments
on the van, as well as their shipment weights.
When your move is first booked, it is difficult
to estimate exactly when the driver will arrive at your home.
We will give you a range of 3-4 days during which the driver
will arrive. You will receive notification one day in advance
of the day that the driver will arrive at your new home. Before
your belongings are loaded on the truck, you and your moving
counselor will have agreed on a delivery spread of anywhere
from 1 to 10 days.
You, or someone you have designated to
take your place, must be present to accept delivery and pay
all charges. In the event that no one is available, your shipment
could be placed in storage at an additional charge. Be sure
that your moving counselor has the telephone numbers where
you can be reached throughout the move.
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What type of insurance
do you offer?
Occasionally, some minor damage occurs during shipping. We have
several options to protect your belongings. Review the coverage
plans with your moving counselor to select the plan that best
fits your needs. A valuation of 60 cents per pound is provided
at no charge, but we recommend that a higher valuation be declared
to adequately cover your belongings in the event of damage.
For example, suppose your new television cost $500, weighs 50
pounds, and is damaged beyond repair. Minimum coverage of 60
cents per pound would entitle you to $30. Allied does offer
additional protection plans that will more adequately fit your
needs. Ask your moving counselor about Declared Value Protection
and Extra Care Protection/Customer Transit Protection.
Extra Care Protection (ECP) provides for the full cost of
repair, or the full cost of replacement of any household item
that may be damaged or lost during your move, up to the amount
that you declare to be the total value of your belongings.
Minimum valuation under this plan is $5.00 times the weight
of your shipment. Replacement, if necessary, is at today's
prices, not at depreciated cost. This full replacement protection
includes many matched sets and pairs, such as candlesticks,
lamps and chairs.
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Will my shipment be
the only one on the driver's truck?
On local and intrastate moves, your belongings will almost always
be the only goods on the truck.
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Can I take plants? If not, then what
should I do with them?
We cannot accept responsibility for moving your plants safely,
because, chances are, they will suffer from a lack of water
and light, as well as temperature changes, while in transit.
They may also harbor contaminates that could get into the
rest of your shipment. You may want to transport your houseplants
in the family car or ship them by plane. Some states prohibit
the entry of all plants, while other states will admit plants
under certain conditions; still others have no plant regulations.
Be sure to check the regulations of the state to which you're
moving.
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Can you take my car
in the van along with the household goods?
It is possible to transport your automobile with the rest of
your belongings - provided there is enough room. Please consult
your moving counselor for more information.
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Can my possessions
be stored temporarily?
If you are unable to take immediate possession of your new residence,
we can store your belongings in a local Allied agent's warehouse.
Allied agents throughout the world provide safe storage facilities
for holding your goods until you're ready for them. However,
you are responsible for the storage charges, as well as warehouse
handling and the final delivery charges. If your goods are placed
in storage, there will also be an additional charge for the
valuation or insurance coverage provided for your shipment.
The type of coverage and cost will depend upon whether the shipment
is held in temporary or long-term storage.
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Do you give free
estimates?
Yes! We will be happy to provide you with a free written estimate.
In most cases, we will give you a guaranteed price.
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Do you move locally?
Yes. We can move you locally, within the same state, interstate
(between states) as well as internationally.
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Can I put anything
in the drawers of my dressers?
All loose items must be packed in boxes to prevent damage during
transport. Non-fragile, lightweight items such as clothing and
linens may be left in dresser drawers.
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Who can I call if
I have questions while my belongings are being shipped?
We suggest that you call your moving coordinator at any time
throughout your move. They can answer any questions, or find
the answers to any questions you may have. There will be an
average of 30 people at Azalea and Allied Van Lines involved
in the various phases of your move, so this single source of
communication is the best route to take.
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What is a load spread?
A load spread is the predetermined span or choice of days that
we need to load your belongings. Because there are normally
multiple families' belongings on the van, we need a range of
days to ensure that we can directly load and unload your goods.
The same applies for delivery spreads.
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Will my belongings
ever be transferred from one van to another?
Normally, your belongings are not handled on more than one van.
This is time consuming and increases the likelihood of damage.
There are occasionally times, however, that we are unable to
service your date requirements by direct loading. Because we
have made a commitment to service your particular dates, we
will have our local agent pick up your belongings and hold them
for the van that will directly deliver your goods.
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Should anything be
done to my appliances to prepare them for moving?
Appliances such as washers, dryers and refrigerators must be
disconnected, and the washer must have a stabilizer installed.
Again, your moving counselor can refer you to an appropriate
professional to perform these services.
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Do I have to be there
when the movers come?
You must be at your residence at the beginning of your move,
and at the end, to ensure that all services are performed and
that the paperwork is filled out properly. We do not require
you to be present throughout the whole move, but suggest that
you are there as much as possible, since questions can arise
at any time.
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Can I pay with personal
check?
Most moves require payment upon delivery by cash, certified
check, credit card, or money order. Your moving counselor can
help you select which works best for you. If your employer is
paying for the move, the employer may pre-arrange for billing.
Whatever option best meets your needs, be sure that all the
arrangements are made before your belongings are packed and
loaded.
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What should I do
to prepare to move my waterbed?
Waterbeds need to be drained completely. Fiber-filled waterbeds
need to be professionally vacuum-drained in advance of your
move date. Your moving counselor can refer you to a professional
to perform these services.
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I have white carpet.
What will be done to prevent soiling?
We will cover the carpet with rug runners to prevent soiling.
Be sure to mention this concern to your moving counselor.
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How will Allied protect
my upholstered furniture?
Allied uses a special product called Stretch Wrap. It is a heavy,
clear plastic wrap that protects your furniture from being soiled.
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How long will it
take the packers to pack our items into cartons?
It depends upon the size of your move. Normally, allow one full
day for packing, then another full day for loading the van.
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Can you move my jewelry
and other valuables?
Items of extraordinary value such as jewelry, money, antiques
and stamp collections can be included in your shipment, provided
you notify us of these items prior to packing or moving day.
However, we strongly recommend that you carry irreplaceable,
expensive, or sentimental articles with you, or make other arrangements
for their transport.
In the moving industry, items worth more than $100 per pound
are considered to be articles of "extraordinary" value.
To assure that a claim involving these articles is not limited
to minimum liability, complete and sign the High-Value Inventory
form and sign the "Extraordinary (Unusual) Value Article
Declaration" box on the Bill of Lading. If no articles
of extraordinary value are included in your shipment, simply
write "none" on the High-Value Inventory form and
sign it.
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Is there anything
that I can't have moved?
Plants and pets, for obvious reasons, can't be transported on
the truck. In addition, there are many household items that
are considered hazardous materials and cannot be moved with
your other belongings. These include aerosols, gas cans, paints,
varnishes, corrosives, batteries, matches, nail polish and remover,
ammunition, explosives, cleaning fluids and detergents. Please
consult your moving counselor if you think you have anything
else that may not be safe to transport on the moving van.
Be sure to carry enough clothing, medications, toiletries, etc.
to last from the load date until the last day of the delivery
spread. We do suggest that you keep small valuables such as
jewelry or family photographs and videos with you during the
move. Allied also recommends that you pack a survival
box.
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