The Professional Movers Blog

Automobiles that men like to drive range from the ferocious Ferraris to the ruggedly handsome Hummers. These cars have etched a special place in men’s choosy nature when it comes to driving vehicles. This fact is anchored on the craving of men for showy performance and lots of power under the hood. The domineering aspects of these cars boost every man’s desire for action and adventure.

“So many of these cars are prototypical ‘guy cars’ – it’s kind of funny,” said Imre Molnar, the dean of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Mich., where he oversees one of the world’s largest transportation design programs. Molnar called ‘men’s vehicles’ bold and assertive. “But with some of these cars, you can’t help but see cliché qualities coming to the fore,” Molnar added. “They affirm the aggressive male stereotype.”

In 2006, the CNW Marketing Research, a Bandon, Ore.-based firm, conducted tens of thousands of phone surveys on a range of topics about car buying and ownership. The survey data revealed the highest percentage of male drivers based on the number of respondents who said they were the primary driver of a particular model.

The list of the most preferred cars by men points to one thing and that is no less than power. This settles the love affair of men with muscle dream cars that could deliver more than 400 horsepower.

According to CNW data, women are not as concerned with making a statement about their image when buying a luxury car. The data shows that a high percentage of well-heeled female drivers prefer cars such as the Audi A6, Lexus LA and various Volvos – cars that are speedy, fashionable and luxurious, but that have understated design and quiet sophistication. Audis’ comfort, Lexus’ technology, and Volvos’ safety draw women closer. The Audi radiator, Lexus exhaust and the Volvo head gasket as well as pampering accessories and amenities are just some of the reasons that lure women. They are not just attention-grabbers like a yellow Lamborghini or a stretched Rolls-Royce.

“This list is filled with ‘image vehicles,’” said Art Spinella, the president of CNW. “Men don’t seem to be basing their decisions on practicality; their choices are pretty testosterone-based. Women are more practical.” Molnar concurred, “Men’s identities – the way they see themselves – are often tied to their cars. Women don’t see perceived value in macho, boys’-boy qualities.”

The Mercedes’ G Class and the GL Class were not primarily built for men but they are loved by males. “Both these vehicles have a rugged-luxe persona that’s reflected in their styling, athletic stance on the road and – particularly with the G-Class – their off-road capabilities,” said Joe Richardson, the spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz. “The G- and GL-Class attract those who aspire to lead a similarly adventurous and refined lifestyle, regardless of whether they happen to be men or women.”

Other manufacturers are more unabashedly embracing the male aficionados who love them back. “No other name in automotive history says ‘muscle car’ like the three letters ‘GTO,’” said Michael Albano, the spokesperson for GM and Pontiac. “The distinctive, tautly stretched exterior, the aggressive lowered stance and sleek, simple form all help express the clean, athletic styling direction of Pontiac – a design formula that has attracted men to the GTO for years,” he noted.

Whether you are moving a short distance or across the nation, proper packing, loading and transportation is your best insurance against damage. If your last move didn’t go as planned or smooth as expected then you should take my advise and remember that proper planning and thoroughly paying attention to the details of written estimates makes all the difference for a successful move when having to rely a moving company to pack, move and unpack all your worldly possessions.

In my experience and let me tell you that I have moved quite a bit in my short lifetime to advise you that if you educate yourself with moving terminology and terms even a little bit it will help you in the long run not to be taken advantage of. Make sure all estimates are written and can be clearly defined

Proper planning is the key to any successful move or situation. Any one will tell you that but what exactly does that mean. It means that you need to locate Packers and Movers who have professional packing and shifting experience and professional moving services for door-to-door packing and all aspects of moving requirements.

If you are searching the internet for companies go to their specific site and look for customer satisfaction testimonials posted. Make sure that the company has an 800 customer service number for you to contact any time of the day or night. This is an indicator that the company has your best interest in mind.

Go behind the scenes of what a moving company will try and tell you and search the Better Business Bureau for information. They have all information available to you to make an educated decision.

If there are any complaints filed against a company you will find them posted with the Better Business Bureau. Look to see how well the company handles disputes and how well they worked to resolve the issue.

Most reputable and reliable companies will have on hand all the necessary paperwork for you to fill out for your move or relocation and have agents on hand to help guide you through the process. This is extremely important especially if you are having your car transported and need to hire a car transporting service.

Have an agent arrive at your home at a time that is convenient for the both of you. This way both of you can stay relaxed and not feel pressured or rushed through the process of noting everything that is to be packed and moved. This is a very important part of the process so please make ample time for this.

If you plan on packing your personal possessions yourself and plan on using moving pods make sure you allow plenty of time to gather packing materials and have everything packed. This way you can be better prepared to have the pod picked up and delivered door-to-door to your new location at the expected date.

Spring is here, final exams are not far off, and soon college students who plan on returning home for the summer will have to answer that all-important extra credit question: What do I do with my stuff? This is important, because college students today tend not to settle for the Spartan dorm rooms and apartments of old. When the semester ends, they may have furniture, big-screen TVs (with accompanying video game systems, of course) and multiple boxes of clothes, books and assorted odds and ends to take care of. So what’s to do? Talk to a mover if you’re considering any of the following three options: Shipping it, storing it, or selling it.

Shipping it Long Distance

Since it’s hard to box furniture or other large items, find a long distance furniture mover who specializes in small moves. A long distance small move specialist will put your furniture (as well as TVs, boxes, whatever) on a truck with other loads. It costs a fraction of what a full-load mover charges. And guess what – it can even cost less than a U-Haul truck. Sure, a truck rental is cheaper up front, but it rarely costs less in the end – not when you consider what you don’t save in terms of gas, time and sheer hassle. Bonus tip: If you don’t have furniture and can box all of your stuff, the cheapest way to ship is usually with a freight carrier. Your local UPS Store can hook you up, but they’ll charge a markup. If you go direct, you’ll save. Search for “freight shippers” online. You’ll have to carry your boxes outside for the pickup and maybe help the driver load.

Storing it Until Next Semester

This is a pretty common practice, actually. And with more than 50,000 self storage locations in the U.S. (according to the American Moving and Storage Association) that means there is definitely one near you. But be careful – self storage places usually offer some kind of great upfront incentive (”First month free!”) but you’ll only get it if you sign a six-month or longer agreement. So where does the mover come in this time? Well, local moving and storage outfits often offer package deals whereby they’ll pick up your stuff, store it, and bring it back next semester, all for a single price. They’ll charge less for storage because they’re getting the moving business, so you can probably save money. And it’s definitely easier.

Selling it Locally

You can generate a few dollars for next semester’s tuition by posting at the usual online locations like Facebook or Craigslist and selling your items. But first contact one or more movers to find out what they would charge to move the items locally. Why? Because your buyer may need a mover to get the stuff from your place to his, and he’ll want to know his total cost. If you can answer that question up front, you’ll smooth the way toward sealing the deal.

So whether you ship it, sell it or store it, remember that even movers go to college – when you need them to.

Planning to move into NYC needs patience, tolerance, and gumption. To move successfully in NYC means you need to undertake a lot of preliminary research to ensure reliability, efficacy, and cost control. According to NYC Insider complaints to the Better Business Bureau about movers is not uncommon.

What you need to do is contact a number of movers recommended by people you know. Next be sure to ask for estimates and sample contracts. Always make an effort to check out their credentials with the references they provide and with the DOT, State Department of Transportation. Never choose a mover because his estimate is the lowest. Always choose a mover because he is licensed, is professional in all aspects, lays the cards on the table, has no hidden clauses in the contract, answers all your questions satisfactorily, and has been in the moving business for quite a while.

A professional mover will always suggest a pre-estimate visit and will never give an estimate based on facts got over the phone. He will suggest that you consider additional moving insurance if the objects being moved are too valuable or fragile. Always pay heed to advice given on packing and scheduling the moving offered by the mover.

Well before you begin selecting a mover you need to consider whether you want to attempt handling the move yourself. Calculate the pros and cons carefully before deciding. Very often in the long run hiring a professional is more economical.

You must however ensure that the mover has insurance for his workers and trucks; that he will handle the assignment himself and not sub let it; and that there are no complaints against him with the Better Business Bureau. Always insist on a written estimate and guarantees. Be sure to check if he offers discounts for moving in the middle of the month or off season, or if there are special rates applicable because you belong to a certain club or institution.

Most movers who are established are members of organizations like LIMSA, Long Island Moving & Storage Association. And, they adhere to the “code of conduct” drawn up by the organization they belong to. If you make an effort then you can find a mover who will do the needful without giving you any heartache.