Competition in an Open Marketplace

An online marketplace is a great way to find the kind of service you can receive for a price that you can afford from various shipping companies. Online auctions allow qualified and experienced shipping companies to compete for your job by posting price bids. These "bids" are the price you will pay for the moving company if you accept their bid.

Using this option also allows you to research a shipping company's reviews and references from others. These reviews will be posted near each providers bid so that you can read them before you decide which shipping company to hire.

An open marketplace is a great way to save money on your shipping costs, as well as receive personalized service from a customer oriented shipping company.

Types of Shipping Boxes

A box is a box is a box, right? Not necessarily. Using the right box can make a big difference in the ease of packing and unpacking, and in the safety of the items being shipped.

For household moves, wardrobe boxes -- which have a bar inside on which clothes can be hung, closet-style -- can be very convenient. The structure of the box is meant to support the bar, so be sure not to overload the bottom of the box with shoes or heavy items.

Mirror boxes, available at truck rental facilities, can also be used for paintings, while super-sturdy boxes are available for large or heavy shipments.

While many boxes can be reused, avoid shipping in boxes that have been used for liquids. Any spillage in transit will have weakened the box. Be sure to use a permanent marker to hide any bar codes on the box, to avoid confusion in transit.

Shipping Large Appliances

Before you move a large appliance, be sure to measure and remeasure the appliance and the space to be sure it will fit. Also, measure any doorways through which it will need to pass on its way to its destination. Finally, make sure there is a properly grounded electrical outlet which matches the fittings on the appliance.

Appliances should be well crated before shipping. Be especially careful of glass cooktops. In many cases, it may be preferable to have a professional move and ship such items.

When working with a freight shipper on a large-appliance move, be sure you understand how far they will transport the appliance -- will they leave it on the sidewalk for your mom to wrestle into the house by herself, or will they bring it in and set it up?

Do not allow delivery teams to uncrate and set up appliances without being there yourself. If the appliance appears damaged, refuse the shipment and insist on returning it for an undamaged one.

Insurance for Your Move?

Your homeowner's insurance covers the cost of your goods while they're in your hands, but not while your movers have possession of them. So if you're using professional movers, even if they have insurance, it may be worth purchasing some additional protection to cover your furniture freight during transit.

Even if you're not purchasing separate moving insurance, it's a good idea to create an inventory of the items you're moving. This will be a useful reference to make sure everything arrives safely at its destination. On your inventory, describe the item, note its approximate weight and estimate its replacement value. For antiques or other much-valued items, it may even be worthwhile to have a friend with a digital camera document the item's condition before being loaded.

When to Hire a Professional Packer

Hiring a professional to pack and crate your antiques is a considerable expense, but worth it in some cases.

The first consideration, of course, is the value of the item. Professional packers are advisable for antiques that are worth a great deal of money, but also for ones that have a great deal of sentimental value. Take a moment to picture the worst. If you would be devastated to get a scratch on Great-Aunt Jane's rolltop desk or the Buddha statue your parents brought from China, then hire a pro.

Second, think about how fragile your antiques really are. Your ancient Roman coins may be valuable, but they're not that easy to damage, and you may be OK packing them carefully yourself. On the other hand, that 1960 purple Stratocaster guitar could get damaged in any number of ways. Call a professional to get it there intact.

Becoming a Licensed Mover

If you will be moving household goods on a regular basis, you must first have a commercial driver's license (CDL). Next, you will need to register as a common carrier, and obtain authority to transport household goods. If you plan to do this across state lines, the US Department of Transportation Authority can file for you for a flat fee, obtaining your US Department of Transportation authorization number and your motor carrier license number.

Once this authority is established, you can go through the Single State Registration System on the same site to pay a fee to 38 participating states for each vehicle you will operate in their state during that year.

Before you begin doing moving jobs, you will also need to obtain liability insurance of at least $750,000 (more if you transport hazardous materials). Finally, you must publish a "tariff" (schedule of rates) which must include any charge you plan on assessing from a customer.

Save on Shipping

The easiest way to save money on shipping is to plan ahead. If you don't need it there right away, you don't need to pay extra for rush shipments or special handling.

The first pound of any shipment is the most expensive. Whenever possible, consolidate multiple items into larger boxes to save more.

Many shipping companies, including the U.S. Post Office, offer some supplies for free. Good boxes can often be obtained free from local businesses (be careful to avoid boxes used for alcoholic beverages or hazardous substances).

Instead of buying packing peanuts, crumple up plastic grocery bags or inflate zip-closing freezer bags to fill in spaces around your items.

Preparing Your Car for Shipping

A day or two before the car is shipped, give it a good washing so that you can clearly see any damage. Document any existing scratches, dings, and rust spots (a digital camera may be helpful for this) so that you have a record of the condition in which you delivered the car to the shipper.

Empty the car of personal belongings. These may not be insured if lost in transit, and may become loose and damage the interior. Some shippers will allow you to transport a few lightweight objects in the trunk. Also, remove any third-party equipment like fog lights or spoilers. Most shippers ask that you leave the gas tank no more than one-quarter full. And be sure to deactivate the car alarm!