suggestions for moving day?

Howdy Howdy

In one week, the movers will be here to collect my belongings.  I'm going to keep the things that are staying behind in a closed room as much as I can, but there will probably be a few things that I can't tuck away (like a big dining room table).

I'm dealing with a local broker through Rainier Intl.  At first, the agent said it is OK if I pack myself, and that I should just leave the lids off the boxes so they could verify contents.  Obviously that's not going to work with dishes though.  Now I'm told to simply seperate the YES from the NO, and they'll do the work.

My place isn't much (1 LR/Kitchen combo room, 2 small bedrooms).  What am I supposed to be doing while they pack me up?

Is it in my best interest to inventory my stuff now?  To what extreme?  Do I assign a monetary value to each item?  Not that I'm going to count pens, etc, but if the purpose of the inventory is for insurance, isn't in my best interest to properly value things?  (ie. the difference between my thrift store coat and the new wool one from Bean?)

thanks,
HB

This is too funny...  I am also going thru Rainier International and their Local Mover will be collecting our things on Friday September 12th.  I have just today been E-Mailing both Rainier and the Local Mover today about these very questions! 

My situation may be a little different as DH and I moved in with my Mom in January '08 to save extra money... so the things that are being sent are pretty much all already packed.  The Local Mover told me today that they do not have to re-pack any of the boxes but that I must keep the lid from being taped down as they will need to inspect each of the boxes.  They do this so that they can sign off on the paper saying that they know that nothing illegal is being shipped inside.  However the price does include them to pack everything up so my suggestion to you is... if it's not packed don't worry about it as you are paying for them to do it regardless if they actually have to or not!

If you do have some boxes already packed and do not wish to take everything out you need to make a list of what is in the box.  I was told by the Local Mover that it does not have to be down to "10 Pens" but to list something along the lines of "Office Supplies".  I have a lot of craft items that I am taking and was worried about listing each pad of scrapbook paper/colored pencils, etc.. he said to just list "Scrapbook/Craft Items" and that I will be fine.

Regarding the insurance.. I was told by Rainier to the best of my ability list the value of each large item and or group of items.  Again for example we are taking our LCD TV so I will list the cost of that item.  But as far as the crafts are concerned I will not need to list a price for each craft item but instead make a section called "Scrapbook / Craft Items" and list a price that I believe would cover the cost to purchase those items again in case they are lost/damaged.  I will do this again such as "Clothes" I do not have to list each item out but instead list would it would cost to replace everything sent.

I did also verify with Rainier directly today if I am supposed to be listing the amount that I paid for my items or the cost that it would take to replace the items in the UK.  For example our computer monitor was around $500.00 USD and in the UK the same brand/item would be something like £300.00 GBP which in US Dollars would be more like $600.00.  They wrote back to me today and told me that I should be listing what it will take to purchase the items again in the UK not what was paid in the US.

I hope all of this helps.. and good luck with your move!!  Where about in the UK are you moving to?  Let me know how the move goes and if you learn anything new that might help me! lol   

I used Rainier, too! But my move was back in 2003. I don't remember everything I did in terms of insurance, but I did take photos of anything of value in case of damage. It's always good to have pics as a backup in case you need them - fortunately, I didn't.

Pictures are a great idea!! I am SO going to do that! 

The Local Mover told me today that they do not have to re-pack any of the boxes but that I must keep the lid from being taped down as they will need to inspect each of the boxes.  They do this so that they can sign off on the paper saying that they know that nothing illegal is being shipped inside.  However the price does include them to pack everything up so my suggestion to you is... if it's not packed don't worry about it as you are paying for them to do it regardless if they actually have to or not!

If you do have some boxes already packed and do not wish to take everything out you need to make a list of what is in the box.  I was told by the Local Mover that it does not have to be down to "10 Pens" but to list something along the lines of "Office Supplies".  I have a lot of craft items that I am taking and was worried about listing each pad of scrapbook paper/colored pencils, etc.. he said to just list "Scrapbook/Craft Items" and that I will be fine.

Regarding the insurance.. I was told by Rainier to the best of my ability list the value of each large item and or group of items.  Again for example we are taking our LCD TV so I will list the cost of that item.  But as far as the crafts are concerned I will not need to list a price for each craft item but instead make a section called "Scrapbook / Craft Items" and list a price that I believe would cover the cost to purchase those items again in case they are lost/damaged.  I will do this again such as "Clothes" I do not have to list each item out but instead list would it would cost to replace everything sent.

I did also verify with Rainier directly today if I am supposed to be listing the amount that I paid for my items or the cost that it would take to replace the items in the UK.  For example our computer monitor was around $500.00 USD and in the UK the same brand/item would be something like £300.00 GBP which in US Dollars would be more like $600.00.  They wrote back to me today and told me that I should be listing what it will take to purchase the items again in the UK not what was paid in the US.

I hope all of this helps.. and good luck with your move!!  Where about in the UK are you moving to?  Let me know how the move goes and if you learn anything new that might help me! lol  

Thanks ancmc!  That's helpful.

So I guess it means that I have to do a little leg work since I'm not sure how much it would cost to replace some of my things.  I reckon that as long as the numbers are ballpark, things will be OK.

Is it a bit scary that my last email to Rainier mentioned my move to "Israel"?

Right, I'm going to start on my list. 

BTW I'm going to Bristol.  (in my head, I keep calling it Brizzle    ).    Hows about you?       

Best,
Holly           

We are off to the Bolton/Manchester area.  DH is originally from Liverpool but his family has moved away from there and we are wanting to stay close to them.. at least for the time being

Also wanted to mention that Rainier just told me today that all I need to put on the outside of my boxes was my last name and a description of what room the box should be taken into, i.e. Bathroom/Kitchen/Bedroom/Living Room.