London, Ontario Moving Advice

Shipping Symbols

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 21:02:32 GMT

If you are reading this, you probably couldn’t name all the shipping and handling symbols in the image. We are here to help you stay shipping and handling woke.

Here are some of the most common and not so common but, handy-to-know, shipping and handling symbols:

Glass of wine. YOU WISH!

Actual meaning: Fragile handle with care.

3 things you don’t want to do when you see cargo with this symbol:

Tip Over
Shake
Place at the bottom of load

This symbol is typically associated with any cargo that can be broken easily.

It’s raining outside.

Actual meaning: Keep dry.

This one might be fairly obvious to you but this symbol also is a warning to keep cargo out of humidity. Always keep cargo with the “keep dry” symbol under cover.

Stay North?

Actual meaning: Open here

Plain and simple. Anytime you see cargo with this symbol, it is indicating at which point you are to open the cargo.

Forest City… the best city.

Actual meaning: Top

Cargo with this symbol must always be handled and stored in the direction of the arrows. Typically always facing up.

Freezer isn’t working…

Actual meaning: No stacking

Cargo with this symbol should not be stacked or stacked onto.

You have the temperature set at what?!

Actual meaning: Temperature limitations

Cargo with this symbol has temperature limitations and sometimes you need to act quickly to accommodate the cargo inside

Looks nice outside!

Actual meaning: Protect from direct sunlight

This cargo needs to me protected from direct sunlight. Treat this cargo like a vampire.

Fresh Omelettes Turn Orange?

Actual meaning: Radiation dangerous

Any radiation affects or changes the cargo features, e.g. undeveloped films. Basically you don’t like radiation, well neither does cargo with this symbol.

No playing hockey here.

Actual meaning: No hand-truck here

If you see this symbol on cargo, I’m afraid you have to come up with some other means to move your cargo. If you do not see this symbol on your cargo, feel free to use hand trucks.

I got nothing…

Actual meaning: Clamp here

Although you may not run into this symbol often, it can be very handy to know. When cargo has this symbol, it is indicating the point at which the cargo can be clamped.

Now you can rest assured that next time you run into a box with a shipping label on it, you will know exactly what to do!

SS&D: The Movers Sponsoring The United Way Stair Climb

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 21:02:30 GMT

SS&D: The Movers is proud to sponsor the 2017 United Way London & Middlesex Stairclimb sponsored by Scotiabank.

This fantastic, local event will be taking place on November 2nd at One London Place. Participants will gather groups of friends, colleagues and family to climb the 472 stairs to the top of One London Place. All funds raised will benefit the local community through the agencies and organizations supported by United Way London & Middlesex.

SS&D: The mover’s is happy to be providing water for all participants and is also proving delivery services by delivering items to and from the event location during the event setup.

To find out more about this great event, visit the Unite Way London & Middlesex 2017 Stairclimb page.

How To Choose The Best Moving Company In London, Ontario

Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Guest Blog: How to Choose The Best Moving Company In London, Ontario

So you’ve got a big move ahead! Maybe you are moving homes or shipping offices to a better venue. The hope is that your move goes as smooth as possible.

The best way you can put your mind at ease is to hire a reputable and trusted moving company. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting to your new home or office, only to realize items are missing.

So, how can you ensure you choose the best moving company in London, Ontario?

Let’s dive straight in!

Ask Your Friends For Recommendations

Knowing someone with first-hand experience with a moving company helps. Did they have a good experience? Any problems? No? Get the company’s name. Find out if they offer the services you need.

If you don’t know any friends that have moved recently, do your research. Either way, you should probably check up on the company. What kind of reviews do they have? Credentials? Insurance? Experience? Find out how long they have been in business. You want someone reliable and who has done more than a handful of moves.

Call Around First

Narrow down your search to 2-3 companies. Call and get estimates. When you call, you will also get a feel for the company – are they friendly and respectful? Again, ask what services they offer and what is included.

Some companies offer packing fees. However, if you don’t want or need these, make it clear. You can save money this way. Plus, you can likely find boxes and the like at your nearby grocery or department store – they get shipments in daily. Call ahead and ask if they can hold some of the boxes for you before they break them down and throw them in recycling.

Get an In-Person Estimate

Once you have narrowed down your company, they should come and do a face-to-face estimate. They will have to see your items and what needs to be moved to determine the cost. Make sure to point out what you won’t be taking with you (Are you throwing away items? Are there things that won’t be in the room come move time?). And in no way should you pay before your move. Payment is expected on delivery.

Make Sure To Take Inventory

Have you have lost items in a move before? Keeping an inventory is essential to ensure your items don’t get lost or misplaced. Plus, it gives the movers and you something to look at and check upon delivery.

Now, you are set and ready to choose your moving company and your move date. For a reliable moving service in London, Ontario, contact SS&D Movers. Make sure to check them out on Google and see what their past customers have to say. You won’t find better movers in all of London.

At SS&D Movers, they understand that moves can be stressful. They aim to decrease your stress and give you a peace of mind.

Kurtis Forster is a real estate agent for Team Forster in London, Ontario. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate. Their team focuses on London, St. Thomas, Dorchester & surrounding areas.

Moving Is The Perfect Excuse To Declutter

Tue, 12 May 2015 16:00:00 GMT

If you are like most of us, it is easy to hold onto things for later, just in case you will find some use for them. This is the perfect way to fill up every available space with, to put it nicely, junk. However, if you have been putting off decluttering until you have the time, this time may never come, unless you are moving house. This is the perfect time to say goodbye to items you have collected over the years that really should go.

Deciding What Is Not Moving With You

When you are preparing for the move, start by making space for three piles of items. Name the piles, essentials, maybe, and not going with me. If you have a lot of stuff, also make a ‘to be donated’ pile. This way, you will have a physical inventory of the essential items that you should carry when moving. Some other tips to help you decide what to take with you are:

Get the exact size of the new space you will be moving into. Next, look at all the furniture you have and decide if they will fit in the new space without it being crammed.
Look at the design and state of the furniture and consider whether it will be aesthetically pleasing in the new home. It may have sentimental value, but sometimes you should just hold on to the memories, not the item.
Start packing for your move early, because if you leave it for the last minute, you are more likely to cram everything into the moving truck. If you start early, you are better able to differentiate between what you can donate and what you can throw away.
As you evaluate the items, ask yourself the following questions:

Do I use this?
Will I ever need this?
Is it working? If not, is it better to replace it?

Good Reasons to Declutter Before a Move

There are a myriad of reasons why decluttering before a move makes sense. Some of these are:

You will save time when you need to unpack at your new place
You can get rid of old, useless items and replace them with newer, more efficient ones
You reduce the stress that normally comes with moving, especially if you have a family. When you take time to declutter before the move, you don’t have to worry that you are leaving anything behind. Plus, clutter in your home is stress-inducing. Not only does it make the home less relaxing, it is difficult to find things when you need them.
Remember that you pay by the size for the moving truck you rent. Why pay to move items that you will not need?
You can make some money by selling the stuff you will not be taking with you by having a garage sale. Who doesn’t want a little extra cash?

You may even find that your moving company also offers long and short term storage options. This way, you can store some of the items you are not taking to your new home until you can properly cull them. This means less ‘junk’ is taken to your new space. This also gives you enough time to decide if you truly need the items you have in storage.

Since moving house can be a stressful situation in itself, you need to do everything possible to make it easier. Letting go of a lifetime of memories is difficult, but look at it as a brand new start elsewhere – an adventure. We didn’t say it would be easy, but taking it slowly by starting early will give you time to enjoy handling some items one last time. It also gives you an opportunity to pass on a beloved piece of furniture to a special family member who will get as much pleasure out of it as you did.

Client Relations At SS&D – A London ON Moving Company

Mon, 16 Feb 2015 16:00:00 GMT

A relationship between a business and its clients/customers is generally thought of as one of the most important aspects of running an organization. There are 4 steps to ensuing that your organization maintains a good relationship with its customers.

Step 1 (Know Your Company):

This processes begins with understand one’s own company/industry. This seems like a fairly easy first step however it can be the most challenging. It was Theodore Levitt, a lecturer at the Harvard Business School which stated the question “What business are you really in?” It is crucial that a company is fully aware of what it does and what it offers to its customers. He refers to the railroad industry suggesting that, had they assessed themselves more accurately as a transportation company rather than a railroad company they would have continued to grow. Instead they were marketing themselves incorrectly and targeting the wrong customers. So, before a company can make its customers happy it has to know who its customers should be.

Step 2 (Be Honest):

Being honest in one’s business dealings is a given. However, in this case it has a duel meaning. Companies should be honest with what they are capable of doing, and with their customers. Not every company can be an expert in all fields. Certainly, many companies can provide multiple services however they may not be providing quality service in all fascists of their dealings. It is important that companies don’t overextend their offerings simply to gain a new client or customer, when they have limited expertise in that field. For example, a local moving company may be excellent at providing local moves, however if the opportunity presents itself to do an international move, they may capitalize on it not knowing the full scope of the work. There may be additional packaging required to facilitate the rough road conditions, or clearances that are required to cross borders, or a host of other issues and concerns they are not familiar with, because they are not experts in long distance moves. Needless to say, that a moving company’s customers are not going to be happy with the results of the move. Therefore it is essential that companies do not mislead their customers and ensure that they are honest in all of their dealings.

Step 3 (Offer Alternative Solutions):

One of the most common statements in business has been “the customer is always right.” This statement is often a cause of concern since the customer is not the expert. Using the moving industry once again as an example. If a customer is suggesting that their items be packed into a truck in a specific way, yet that way increases the likelihood of damage to occur, should the company proceed with the customer’s request? In such a case the company should not proceed with the customers demand as it will likely result in damaged items. A better approach is to explain the repercussions and outcome of loading the truck in such a way, and communicating alternative suggestions. If the customer refuses to compromise, then it may be better to cut ties with the customer rather than risk damaging their items and ultimately the company’s image.

Step 4 (Follow Up):

Feedback, weather negative or positive is very important to ensuring that customer satisfaction remains high. Following the completion of a service, or sale of the product it is important that companies take into account any shortcomings or virtues action or procedures they may have performed.

All of these steps help to make certain that customer relationships remain positive. It is important to remember that communication and honesty should always be prioritized.

Making Your New House Your Home

Thu, 11 Dec 2014 16:00:00 GMT

Often when moving, individuals tend to focus on simply getting all the items from their exiting location to their new location. They make arrangements for weeks or even months. They book movers, they pack their belongings and they head off to their new residence. But, how do you turn your new residence into a place that feels like your home. Below are a few tips that will make one of the most stressful times in your life a little more comfortable.

Recalling The Layout

When individuals move they often empty there drawers, cabinets, cupboards, closets and pretty much everything that holds their items. Before you move make sure you remember the layout of where your items are. The best way to do this is by taking pictures. First take pictures of the general layout of your existing location. This will help you remember what goes where on moving day, as likely you will have many distractions.

The second step is to take pictures of the content inside your drawers, cabinets, cupboards, closets etc… Even though you may have a different layout in your new home your memory will likely recall where items such as silverware are in proximity to your oven, sink, stove fridge etc… It is also important to remember the arrangement of content inside your dressers and closets. An easy way to remember where items go is by labeling your boxes in accordance with which drawer or section of the closet they are currently in. Try and use acronyms to help you when you do this. For example (The, Master Bedroom Top Dresser Drawer can be, “MBT1”) This will make unloading a breeze.

Keeping Sentimental Items

It is often the case that when people move they get new furniture and new decorations. Another tip to making your new house feel like a home is by making sure you keep at least a few items that have some sentimental value, even if it’s just for the first few months after the move. This way you get a chance to acclimate to your new house and then slowly replace your items. It also helps save some money and time, which is always an issue come moving day due to unexpected expenses.

Keeping It Classic

Finally, to ensure that you feel comfortable in your new house you may want to dedicate an area that is to be kept exactly the same as it once was. This can be the patio, a section of the basement, a single room, or any place that will make you feel safe and comfortable. This is important because moving is stressful and the last thing anyone wants is to buy new furniture and be less comfortable then they were before they made the changes. Having a safe familiar area will ensure that you feel at home in your new home.