It's moving season and Americans are once again facing the stress of packing their lives into boxes and hoping everything arrives in one piece. The U.S. Census Bureau reports Americans move an average of 11.7 times in their lifetimes, with more than 20 percent of those moves ending in a different state.
A recent survey commissioned by The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. franchise network revealed Americans' worst moving fears: broken or lost items (49 percent); moving company surcharges or late delivery (45 percent); watching movers mishandle fragile items (42 percent); and running out of packing supplies during the move (25 percent).
Despite notable concerns about broken items, the survey showed that a majority of Americans still try to get by with packing items in newspaper, clothes, sheets, towels or blankets or tissue paper. Only one-third of those surveyed sought professional recommendations on packaging supplies.
"Moving is tough, but we've found the people who have the most successful moves are the ones who take control," said Cheri Golden, The UPS Store franchisee.
What can you do to take control of your next big move? Golden offers the following suggestions:
* Plan ahead. Get expert advice by calling moving companies for quotes or asking for referrals from friends or co-workers. Web sites like www.amconf.org provide useful tips on moving and finding reputable moving companies.
* Buy enough of the right materials. Don't rely on what's lying around the house to protect your precious cargo. By using the right packing materials, there is less of a chance that your dishes or family heirlooms will end up in pieces. Remember, heavy furniture or bulky items might be stacked on top or up against these fragile items, so be sure they're protected to withstand the pressure.
* Leave it to professionals to handle large, expensive or irreplaceable items. A vast majority of survey respondents - 83 percent - would want professional help moving family heirlooms, electronics and heavy items such as pianos. Places like The UPS Store or Mail Boxes Etc. offer freight services, which can be an affordable and reliable alternative to standard movers.
Taking the time to plan ahead and investing in the proper packing materials can help reduce stress when the big day arrives. - NU
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