Charlotte Movers: 5 Tips For a Stress-Free Move

Moving to a new place can be exciting. The joys of decorating and making the house your own. Meeting the neighbors and finding the closest cafés and restaurants. But, before you are moved, the process of changing location can be stressful. If you are moving to Charlotte, check out our neighborhood guides on where to go here. 

 All the boxes and labeling and moving trucks and address change…the list seems to never end. But rest assured, to reduce any unneeded anxiety, we at TNT Moving Systems have a few tips to get you moved without tearing your hair out. 

1.    Change your address at least two weeks before the move. This process seems to be the most forgotten, but it is probably the easiest. Simply stop in to your local post office and ask for the address change form.
2. Keep some essentials close by packing an overnight bag. Chances are you will not be unpacking the same day of the move, so pick out some necessary items to keep separate from the mass of boxes. Things to include: change of clothes, toiletries, chargers, computer, etc.
3. Prevent leaks. Place a layer of saran wrap on the openings of all your toiletries and put the caps back on. You do not want to end up with soggy boxes!
4. Label your boxes. On every box clearly write where the box goes, as well as what is in it. This may take a little extra time, but it will save you in the end. Once the move is in progress, make sure that the boxes are placed in their correct locations in the new house.
5. Electronics. Before dismantling the TV, computer, or any other complex device, snap a quick photo of the wiring intact. This will save you from the heartache of trying to remember where that red wire goes!

Planning ahead is the key to a successful move. Use these 5 tips to get you off on the right foot. And remember, moving does not have to be stressful!

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!

                                                     

Written by Andrae Bergeron, CCP Web Design staff writer

TNT Moving Systems contributor

Charlotte Movers: The Do it Yourself or Hire Professionals Dilemma

Charlotte Movers: The Do it Yourself or Hire Professionals Dilemma

At TNT Moving Systems, we understand the temptation to save a little money, but moving yourself isn’t always the cheap way to go.

If you know you have a move coming up, you are probably starting to investigate the best way to do it. Maybe years ago, hiring a U-haul and moving yourself made the most sense. But years ago, you had a 1/3 of the furniture and maybe a kid or two less.

Now, moving yourself seems like a big headache. 

Here are some things to consider when debating between hiring professional movers or doing it yourself:

1. How much stuff do you have? This is an obvious first question. If you have a lot of heavy furniture, hiring movers maybe the best option. However, if you just have a lot of boxes, doing it yourself might be tempting. The great thing about TNT Moving Systems is we have an hourly flat rate for local moves and charge by the weight for long distance moves. Either way, you are not having to pay for space on the truck that isn’t used or time. 
2.  How far are you moving? If you are moving in town, you may consider having some friends over to help you move the short distance. But with professional movers, you won’t have to worry about no one showing up. At TNT Moving Systems, we can move you down the block or across the country. And we take on the liability. You don’t have to worry about your buddy hurting his back or your good friends breaking your flat screen TV. At TNT, we have a great reputation for delivering stuff damage-free and on time.
3. Packing? Love it or hate it? Packing is probably not on many people’s top favorite things to do list, but it is a necessary evil of moving. Some people swear that it’s best to pack you belonging yourself. But just like most of us don’t pack our own groceries, you might want to leave the packing to us. First of all, we know how to pack so that your belongings arrive unharmed. We use the best packing materials. Also, we label every box. This makes it much easier when you are unpacking.
4. What is your budget? Cost is an important factor to any move. If you’re rich, hiring professional movers makes for a less stressful move. But if coming up with the deposit on your new apartment was difficult enough, moving yourself maybe your only option. Most of us are somewhere in between. Keep in mind that TNT Moving Systems offers services a la carte- that’s a fancy way or saying you can choose which services you want to use. Even though we are a full service moving company and can handle everything from the pack to unpacking, our customers can also choose which services they need.

Hopefully, after asking yourself these questions, you have a better understanding of whether you should hire professionals or get a U-haul to handle your move. For a free estimate or just for more information, give us a call at 704-523-1455.

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.