I NEED YOUR ADVICE.
Yes,
YOU!
I have roughly (maybe? Oh Marine Corps...) a month before TMO will be coming, this is my first PCS (hubby had everything on the plane with him last time), and it will be over the ocean- so I've got a double whammy. We've got the car covered... but here is what I want to know from you:
- What are your tips for loose thing? (ie: pens/pencils/decorative beads etc.)
- Will they simply pack my remaining clothes in the dresser drawers?
- I have a lot of glass items- bake ware, pitchers, vases, etc... how is that dealt with?
- What are we responsible for providing (bubble wrap, boxes)?
- Anything else I didn't mention.
Alright seasoned PCS pros... please, please, please bestow your advice on me!
I want the nitty-gritty stuff... the stuff that only people who have done this before would know...
[click to enlarge]
THANK
YOU!
=)
PS: Don't forget about the
Veterans Day Contest.
I want the nitty-gritty stuff... the stuff that only people who have done this before would know...
[click to enlarge]THANK
YOU!
=)
PS: Don't forget about the
Veterans Day Contest.
Okay....first things first...try NOT to stress. TMO will do EVERYTHING for you. You just have to keep an eye on the packers as they are packing your things so they don't steal anything. No, I am NOT kidding...it happens all the time! So, make sure you put any jewerly and special items in a "off limits" pile that you put away in a closet or something that you tell them they are NOT aloud to pack or even open the door too.
ReplyDeleteLoose things...you can put anything like that in a ziplock bag, but they will literally pack a loose pencil in about 5 pieces of paper...no kidding either. They pack things oddly sometimes.
Yes...you better make sure they pack your clothes out of your dressers! You should NOT have anything in any of your drawers at all. You are not doing a door to door move, there for they HAVE to pack everything in a box. If they don't....tell them they do! Sometimes the packers get lazy and try and pull a fast one over you. Remember, they work for YOU! Don't be afraid to tell them how you want things packed, these are your items and you want to make sure they do a good job packing up so they don't break anything.
In my experience, they have always done a great job packing breakable items. But just to make sure, when they get to your house, make sure you do a walk through and go room to room with them and tell them that you want certain items packed extra special. Remember...they work for YOU!
You are NOT responsible for providing ANYTHING at all to them! Nothing. Nada.....NOTHING! They bring it all! And do it all!
We always tip our packers when they are all done doing their job. Not everyone tips, but we always do. We also buy them lunch sometimes. Because we have so much stuff, they have to pack our stuff in 2-3 days and then the truck comes and loads us on another day. Just remember to walk around and keep tabs on what they are doing for you. If you don't like the way they packed something, then tell them to repack it. Also, have them label your boxes (or you can label them too) so it makes it easier when you unpack them at your new house.
Let me know if you need more help! I'm a pretty seasoned PCSer.
Since I'm a National Guard wife I have not had to deal with a PCS and (hopefully) never will. (Actually, not entirely true. We had the option to PCS about 2 years ago, but we would have moved like 30 minutes up the road and I was like, No. Not happening. Husband, you can commute to work.) Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment over at Create My Event :)
I just PCS'ed over the ocean, too. So if you have specific questions feel free to email me!
ReplyDelete1. Loose things will probably be bundled up (by the movers) and tossed in a box. They pretty much put random things in random boxes. Don't stress too much about it, though.
2. They WILL pack clothes in your dresser drawers. Be sure to check, though.
3. You are responsible for NOTHING. The packers/movers bring their own boxes and packing material. From my experience, they pack the dishes and breakables REALLY WELL. I've moved twice this year and both times, nothing broke. Including the move over the ocean. =)
4. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT! The packers/movers do this all the time. If you want, you can follow them room-to-room to make sure they put things together in the boxes the way you want. But, seriously, don't stress about it.
5. If you get UCB (unacompanied baggage) use it for all it's worth!!! It took 2 months for us to get our HHG (household goods) and I so wished I had put more in our UCB.
Anything else, just let me know!
I've PCSed a lot too. Make sure they label every box. It might be a generic label, but they are AT MINIMUM supposed to put the room name on each box. It will make a world of difference.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you use the unaccompanied shipment. It could be a lifeline while you wait for the rest of your stuff.
Also, make sure your dishwasher, trash and lawn mowers are empty. They won't take gas things if there's gas in it, and they wont check the dishwasher. They have also been known to pack dirty clothes and trash. Just keep an eye on them and you will be allright.
We also provide lunch everyday they're there, and plenty of drinks. I have never tipped them...
I'm sure I can think of more stuff if you need. The commenters before me had great advice too.
All of these previous comments are great! I recently did an overseas move. I would suggest making an inventory list yourself to document your belongings. I went around and took pictures of all our things to show their condition before the move. I Ziploc bagged all the small items I wanted to stay together. Since there are a few different shipments for an overseas move I used colored post-its to mark which was going in the household goods, express shipment and storage. Watch your movers and don't be afraid to tell them special requests. I always use a closet or bathroom as do not enter/pack area and put a sign on the door. I shipped my Tiffany's china and glassware and hovered over the packers and made sure things were wrapped up nicely. Yes, I was annoying, but everything got to me overseas in one piece. I also made them wrap our couches really well with furniture pads. They tried to sneak one by me that wasn't wrapped correctly and I made them bring it back in and wrap it up. They also have wardrobe boxes that they put all your closet things in so that you don't have to take everything off the hanger and re-do it in your new home. Makes things much easier. They once tried to just shove my clothes into a normal box, and I had to catch them and have them use the wardrobe box. Don't leave your clothes on metal hangers, sometimes overseas the hangers will rust and ruin your clothes. Also, if you have a flat screen tell TMO before the movers come and they will bring a special fancy flat screen box that keeps your tv nice and safe. Be sure to check over the inventory list that they make you sign off on at the end. Sometimes they will say your things are in worse condition then they really are. To compensate for being a nervous nelly I am always very nice and friendly with them and I gave the movers food and drinks and tip each one $20. Good luck with your move!
ReplyDeletePS - this is not my blog, but this woman's post helped me before my move: http://lifelessonsmilitarywife.blogspot.com/2008/03/dont-do-another-military-move-or-any.html
All of these previous comments are great! I recently did an overseas move. I would suggest making an inventory list yourself to document your belongings. I went around and took pictures of all our things to show their condition before the move. I Ziploc bagged all the small items I wanted to stay together. Since there are a few different shipments for an overseas move I used colored post-its to mark which was going in the household goods, express shipment and storage. Watch your movers and don't be afraid to tell them special requests. I always use a closet or bathroom as do not enter/pack area and put a sign on the door. I shipped my Tiffany's china and glassware and hovered over the packers and made sure things were wrapped up nicely. Yes, I was annoying, but everything got to me overseas in one piece. I also made them wrap our couches really well with furniture pads. They tried to sneak one by me that wasn't wrapped correctly and I made them bring it back in and wrap it up. They also have wardrobe boxes that they put all your closet things in so that you don't have to take everything off the hanger and re-do it in your new home. Makes things much easier. They once tried to just shove my clothes into a normal box, and I had to catch them and have them use the wardrobe box. Don't leave your clothes on metal hangers, sometimes overseas the hangers will rust and ruin your clothes. Also, if you have a flat screen tell TMO before the movers come and they will bring a special fancy flat screen box that keeps your tv nice and safe. Be sure to check over the inventory list that they make you sign off on at the end. Sometimes they will say your things are in worse condition then they really are. To compensate for being a nervous nelly I am always very nice and friendly with them and I gave the movers food and drinks and tip each one $20. Good luck with your move!
ReplyDeletePS - this is not my blog, but this post helped me before my move: http://lifelessonsmilitarywife.blogspot.com/2008/03/dont-do-another-military-move-or-any.html
I would definitely make a list of everything that goes in each room (I know that sounds tedious but it's to make sure everything gets there!) and I do agree with all the comments above. I have never PCSed before but I'm talking mostly from moving down to NC to be with my husband and the current process of moving back home. Good luck girl!
ReplyDeleteOhhh....I also remembered to make sure you have ALL your important paperwork...birth cert, ss#, bank info...anything of any kind of importance to you...make sure you take that kind of stuff with you. You don't EVER want to chance loosing things like that.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they will put all your boxes and furniture in crates, so make sure you watch that they put EVERYTHING in the crates! If they say they couldn't fit it all....make them! Anything left loose out could get lost.