If you've moved with movers

[bonquiqui]

They did not allow us to help pack for liability reasons.

[Nicole]

I used movers when my exH and I split. I packed everything myself bc they charged an arm and leg to pack things. I believe the insurance did not change bc of that. But I suppose every mover is different so definitely call. Also, they charged to "pack" my flat screen Tvs so I moved those myself bc the charge was insane. My advice if you do pack yourself is to pack every single thing you can. Anything that can be boxed should be. I moved my Tvs and large paintings/mirrors myself.

[bonquiqui]

To be clear if you just use movers to move of course you can pack, but at least my experience with North American Vanlines, if you pay them to pack for you, you cannot assist. I only had a full service move once. All of the others, including my move in two weeks, I'm packing myself. All they are doing is moving everything.

[bonquiqui]

Nov 22, 2014 10:05:40 GMT -5 ste said:

Nov 22, 2014 10:02:27 GMT -5 Nicole said:

I used movers when my exH and I split. I packed everything myself bc they charged an arm and leg to pack things. I believe the insurance did not change bc of that. But I suppose every mover is different so definitely call. Also, they charged to "pack" my flat screen Tvs so I moved those myself bc the charge was insane. My advice if you do pack yourself is to pack every single thing you can. Anything that can be boxed should be. I moved my Tvs and large paintings/mirrors myself.

I have a moving allowance (assuming I ever get a final written offer...), so it's not our money. Otherwise there's no way we'd have them pack!! lol

bonquiqui I wonder if we already have boxes packed when they come give an estimate, if that would change things? Gah. Good to know about your experience, though.

That might be different. I would definitely ask them.
I remember feeling so awkward sitting there wanting and offering to help, but they wouldn't let me. Lol.

[Deleted]

Please remember to pack and store away your valuables in a locked, safe place, before they come into the house. Jewelry boxes and such, in the trunk of your car.

[youbetcha]

I've moved twice in the last 18 months and both times the movers said that what I pack is not insured. So I packed everything that wasn't breakable. Like books, linens, and toys. I left most kitchen things to them and picture frames, etc. I was surprised at how much I could pack myself. It did reduce the bill quite a bit. If you're trying to stay in an allowance that might help. I did take my jewelry and important papers with me in my car. I also packed my own underwear drawer. Lol

[dragonfly08]

I packed anything I was taking with me in my car. I also packed my underwear drawer, some books, and a lot of kitchen utensils.

Mostly I did that b/c I was home alone (DH had already moved) and I was bored at night. Fortunately 80% of what I packed wasn't fragile, because when the movers arrived they told me that their insurance would not cover breakage in that case (it would have covered loss in transit, however, since that had to do with their taking possession of the items). Which is they suggested I allow them to repack two of my boxes, ones containing breakables, so that I'd be covered.

[mich1]

Nov 22, 2014 9:39:01 GMT -5 ste said:

and they packed your stuff, did you pack anything yourself? Did it affect the insurance at all?

We need to start packing to declutter in the event we list the house. We don't have movers yet, so I can't call and ask. But I'm concerned they're going say anything we pack ourselves won't be covered by insurance if it breaks (although well mostly leave breakables to them to pack, but not all).

They packed everything other than the stuff that they couldn't (like jewelry, which I hand carried) and cleaning supplies/candles.

My stuff got here all intact, even the incredibly delicate wine glasses I inherited.

[FishChicks]

We moved with movers last year. I have a hobby with lots of high value equipment. I bought about 15 large plastic totes and packed and labeled my equipment within the totes. The movers then moved the totes without any insurance concerns. The smaller plastic totes I used were packed into boxes by the movers.

One warning: when they pack, they pack everything. My mother in law was supervising the packing, and she set down her coffee cup, still warm and still full. When she walked back, they had dumped it into the sink, wrapped it, and we're putting it in a box. I got it, slightly moldy, a week later when it arrived in our new state!

[sara76]

They mostly repacked everything I packed, like the dishes I had in boxes. If I had things packed in storage containers they still secured everything with paper and tape.

[youbetcha]

When these guys pack, they mean business. They will pack your breakables like you never imagined. Particularly if you happen to be moving from an area with a big military population. In those areas they really want to keep their military business, so they generally keep high standards for all, in my experience.

[lilac05]

We store lots of stuff in totes...and have had stuff still in boxes from a previous move before. They open the box, shove paper in the top to make sure it's full and secure, tape the lid on it, and slap a sticker on it. No one ever mentioned anything about insurance. I'm sure if you asked, they'd tell you not to pack anything, though.

I agree with PP, they took MUCH better care of my breakable stuff than I ever would have! Partially because they don't want to lose business contracts (we're not military), and partially because they get paid per box packed. Sometimes it's funny how few things they'll put in a box!