Charlotte Movers: How to Shop a Yard Sale

Charlotte Movers: How to Shop a Yard Sale

It’s yard sale season in Charlotte, NC and there are bargains to find! At TNT Moving Systems, we often advise our clients to sell their unwanted stuff at a garage sale before they move. “We always recommend getting rid of unwanted stuff before you waste time hauling it to your new house!” said Tom Koepke, co-owner of TNT Moving Systems. If you want tips on how to have a successful yard sale, check out our blog here.

But if you want to know how to get a good deal at a yard sale or estate sale- keep reading!

Find the Right Yard Sale. The old way of getting the newspaper and driving around town is a little outdated. We recommend scoping out local yard sales online. Check the Charlotte Observer online because a lot of local will still advertise their yard sale there. But also check Garage Sales Tracker, Yard Sale Search, and of course Craigslist. 

If you are looking for something specific- furniture, baby clothes, etc- these apps and sites can help lead you to the right place. 

Get Cash. This might go without saying, but most yard sales are a cash only industry. Try to bring small bills. Bring only what you are willing to spend. This will help you stay on budget.

Learn to Negotiate. Yard sales are fun because you can haggle! People usually have a yard sale to get rid of unwanted items. So they are more likely to negotiate on price. 

• Show up looking poor- not disheveled or unkempt- but don’t wear your best clothes or shoes.
• Start a collection of items, instead of just buying one thing. You can often get a better deal by buying in bulk. Ask the seller how much for all the items you have.
• Be Willing to Walk. When you negotiate, be reasonable. Don’t offer $5 for something tagged at $50. Offer a reasonable starting point like $30 and go from there. If the seller won’t budge be willing to walk away.

Timing is Important. The old saying the early bird gets the worm is applicable here. If you have specific items in mind or want something the seller advertised online, get there early! Yard sale goers get there early to clean up the nicest stuff. However, you can often get a great deal at the end of a yard sale. Most yard sales start to die down between 11am-2pm. Showing up late might mean you can get the best deals especially on clothes, books, and CDs. 

These are the best tips in getting a great deal at a yard sale this spring. Of course, remember everything you buy, you’ll have to move eventually. If you ever find yourself in need of movers in Charlotte- give TNT Moving Systems a call 704-523-1455.

Moving to Charlotte? Get Insider Information

Moving to Charlotte? Get Insider Information

At TNT Moving Systems in Charlotte, NC, we know all about getting you here. We offer the complete moving package- from packing to unloading. We know all about how to wrap up your precious belongings and deliver them safely to your new home. You can get a free quote by visiting our website at www.tntmovingsystems.com or call us at 704-523-1455.

But once you move to Charlotte- you might be thinking what next?

Here are some suggestions for newcomers to the big city of Charlotte, NC:

   Get to Know your Neighbors. Charlotte maybe the biggest city in North Carolina, but we are small town at heart. Charlotte is a friendly city with lots of newcomers, so be bold and say hello. For the extroverted, go ahead and knock on your neighbor’s door and introduce yourself. For shy newcomers, start out by waving a hello or go on a walk. Lots of folks in the South like to sit on their porch. Be sure to wave at everyone and before long you’ll be having conversations.

   Ask Questions. Charlotte is always growing which means something is always happening. Get the 411 from your neighbors on restaurants, gyms, lawn services, etc. Even folks at the local grocery store will have an opinion on the best BBQ in town. Ask your new co-workers about the best daycare or plumber. Charlotteans love their city and can give you the inside scoop. 

   Eat. Living in the South is a culinary delight and Charlotte has a lot to offer. There are uptown favorites like Mimosa Grill or Alexander Michaels. Unique Burger and BBQ joints like Pinky’s West Side Grill, Mac’s Speed Shop, or Midwood Smokehouse, are in just about every neighborhood. If you are looking for something a bit upscale check out the Fig Tree or the Capital Grille. 

 

   Join the Y or a Church. Joining an organization like the YMCA (there are several location in and around Charlotte), or finding a religious place for worship can really plug you into the new city. Charlotte is an active place with greenways and large venues for concerts or professional sports, but getting involved on a local level can really make a difference.

   Enjoy the Culture. Charlotte has a lot of culture for all tastes. Whether you are a sports buff or into the art scene, you can find your home in Charlotte. Check out websites like charlottesgotalot.com for weekly events. Go to a game- we’ve got the Panthers (football), the Hornets (basketball), the Knights (baseball), and the Checkers (hockey) from which to choose!  Go to at art crawl in Southend or NoDa. 

Charlotte is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. It’s got a popping nightlife for young professionals and is emerging as a great culinary destination. Let us help you move here, you won’t be disappointed!

Official Movers of the Carolina Panthers Ready for your Next Move!

We have the privilege of once again moving the Carolina Panthers' equipment to an away game coming up on February 7th. But this isn't your typical away game- it's the game of the year: Superbowl 50! That' right, the Carolina Panthers are in the SuperBowl- as if you haven't heard!

But when TNT Moving Systems isn't moving the precious cargo of super star athletes, we are your local everyday moving company. Check out all the services we offer:

Local Moving
Long Distance Moving
Piano Moving
Packing Supplies
Storage
Area Guides

At the heart of what we do at TNT Moving Systems is get you ready for your next phase in life. Maybe you and your family are moving to a new home in a new neighborhood in or around Charlotte. We can handle it. Or maybe you are moving a little further away- to a new city or state. We can handle that too. We've been doing it for over 20 years with the Carolina Panthers and for families just like you.

Here is what some of biggest fans are saying:
“T-N-T has been handling our equipment transfer to and from football games with extreme care and professionalism since 1995. Our players, coaches and staff members have been pleased with their performance and customer service. I recommend them for all of your moving needs.”Jackie Miles
 
"The Betts Byrnes Team, Kathy Byrnes and Patti Betts recommend TNT Moving to all our clients. They not only offer fair prices they do a great job and leave our clients happy. That makes us very happy." - Kathy Byrnes

Click here to get a quote for your next move!

TNT Moving Systems Reveals Moving Scams

Charlotte, NC- Moving can be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. And scammers are all too ready to take advantage of it. TNT Moving Systems of Charlotte, NC has some advice on how to avoid a moving scam and hire a reputable moving company.

“We have over 20 years’ experience in the moving industry and know how to spot a scam,” says Todd Koepke, co-owner of TNT Moving Systems, “ It seem that every other month, we are hearing about some moving company that ran off with people’s stuff or money or both!”

Moving scams from Florida to New York have recently been reported. According to news sources, a woman hired movers from Craigslist and the movers loaded her stuff and never showed up at her new home. Another scam in Charlotte, NC involved a deposit that was never returned even though the movers never showed up to help. Another moving company in Florida preyed on patriotic Americans wanting to support veterans. The moving company, called Marine Movers, was not licensed, bonded or insured and according to reports damaged clients’ belongings and did not deliver all of their stuff. Other reports tell of moving companies holding people’s belonging ransom and demanding more money before delivery.

“Most people are looking for the lowest price when it comes to movers, but cheap can often cost you a lot more in the end,” says Tom Tulowiecki, co-owner TNT Moving Systems.

Moving scams are nothing new and have been reported all over the country. However, technology and websites like Craigslist have made it easier for scammers to find potential victims. “Nowadays people can put up an ad or a website and even take credit cards- but it doesn’t mean they are legit,” says Koepke.

Tom Tulowiecki and Todd Koepke, owners of TNT, advise people to follow these simple rules to prevent becoming the next moving scam victim:

1.      Research – “Look for a company with a long standing in the community and thoroughly check them out first,” says Koepke. He suggests researching on the web- Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List, Reviews on Facebook, Yelp or Google- and driving by their location before signing a contract. “Make sure the moving company has an office and isn’t just some guy with a truck and a cell phone.”

2.      Get a Contract- A contract will help ensure that there won’t be any surprises and can be useful is something goes wrong. TNT gladly provides free estimates to their customers and a contract before moving services are provided. For long distance moves, which require that they charge by freight weight, they provide a ‘not-to-exceed’ amount to their customers before they get on the road. “You especially need a contract if doing a long distance move,” says Koepke, “Scammers could get your stuff out of state and you might never find it.”

3.      Don’t go Cheap- “If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is!” warns Tulowiecki, “Cheap movers in Charlotte could end up costing more through property damage and hidden fees.” TNT recommends hiring a company that has proof of insurance and an itemized cost list for packing, loading, unloading, and equipment.

TNT Moving Systems has been serving clients for over 20 years in Charlotte and the surrounding area: Matthews, Pineville, Lake Norman, Mooresville, and Huntersville. They offer local and long distant moving services as well as packing and storage. Clients can get free estimates on their website www.tntmovingsystems.com or call them at 704-523-1455. 

How to Pack Up Christmas

How to Pack Up Christmas

The Holidays are over and now it’s time to pack it up! Unless you are like my Aunt Wanda and leave the tree up until March, most of us take down the Christmas decorations around the first week of January. In Charlotte, the city will pick up your natural Christmas tree on the curb during their regular scheduled trash pickup- starting the week of January 5^th. So it makes sense to get all the decorations down before then. 

Here are some tips from the professional packers at TNT Moving Systems:

Ornaments: Try to keep the original packaging for ornaments. Storing the ornaments in the original packaging can help protect them from damage. If the packaging has already been tossed, then place each ornament in a sandwich bag and use partitioned cardboard boxes like wine or liquor boxes. If you are packing homemade dough or macaroni ornaments, store them in an empty cookie tin. This will help protect the food-based ornaments from humidity and rodents. 

Lights: First off, try to label each set of lights near the plug with the type and number so that you can easily replace bulbs next year. To store Christmas lights, wrap them around a piece of sturdy cardboard or an old coffee tin. This will keep them from tangling up and will be easier to trim the tree next year. 

Lawn Decorations: Big, Bulky lawn decorations can be tricky to store. And they tend to gather dust all year round until you use them again. To help solve this problem, pack the oddly-shaped decorations in zippered garment bags from suits or dresses. You can then hang them on a nail in your garage or attic. If storing things in your basement, be sure to store in plastic containers that have a tight seal. This will help keep moisture out. 

Linens and Stockings: The last thing you want to do before putting away Christmas decorations is laundry- but the best way to keep your fabric decorations fresh is to launder them before you put them away. Table lines, tree skirts, stockings, and Christmas towels should be thrown into the wash before you store them. Also, it’s a great idea to iron your linens before you fold them up and put them away.

Hopefully, these tips will help preserve your Christmas decorations for years to come! And if you need help moving them or storing them- give us a call at 704-523-1455.

*Sources: Real Simple and Yahoo!