It’s mid-September, and the busy shipping season is in full swing! While this month is more known for back to school and the start of fall, now is the perfect time to book shipments, whether you’re moving equipment or from one city to another. But before you start packing up and searching for the best rates, there are some important factors you should consider about the busy moving season ahead.
3 tips for the busy moving season
1. Start by Cleaning!
If you’re planning a personal move, the first step isn’t packing, it’s deciding what to bring with you! We all have plenty of useless trinkets, and it’s best to declutter and get rid of them before moving.
Not only will it reduce your belongings’ overall weight and reduce shipping costs during the moving season, but with less stuff, you’ll save time moving too!
2. Packaging
Most shipping providers will ask you to pack your things yourself, so it’s best to provide secure packaging and avoid any damage during loading and transit.
The best tools for packaging are pallets, crates, boxes, and cardboards. Using protective foam, paper and tapes will also help make your load less prone to damage.
3. Find a Reliable Shipping Service For the Busy Moving Season
For most shipments, doing everything on your own is a bad idea. You’ll be able to avoid most of the risk and hassle by using a shipping service! By tapping into a partner’s expertise and resources, your shipment will be easier for you to manage, making moving a breeze.
GoShip’s innovative shipping platform matches customers with carriers best suited for the job at the best price possible. If you’re planning on moving or shipping during this busy transit season, book with GoShip for the best rates!
Packing Your Fragile Items
It’s normal for things to break or get damaged during a move. With everything going on, you won’t be able to keep an eye on every item you’re loading up the moving truck.
A broken glass or two doesn’t seem like a big deal, but what about a shattered set of fine China? Imagine your favorite Elvine Presley plate from Hawaii getting split in half. If that made you shudder then these tips are for you:
Invest in the right boxes
The boxes you use during your move should not only be the right size but also sturdy enough to keep your items safe while you’re loading up the moving truck, in transit, and when you’re settling into your new place. Your boxes should also be big enough to fit the cushioning material you will use to secure your breakables.
Don’t skimp on the material
It’s tempting to try and save as much packing material as you can. Moving is expensive and anyone would want to cut corners.
But trust us when we say, you don’t want to skimp on packing material for fragile items. Double box if you have to. Add more cushions if you feel uneasy about your items. The last thing you want is to open a box filled with the shards of a priceless family heirloom.
Pack some items separately
If you are bringing fragile items during your move, pack them separately with a minimum of 3” air-cellular cushioning material and packing peanuts. This protects your items from breaking during the move. Packing fragile items in one box may seem to make sense, but the friction between the items can potentially damage them.
Restrict movement as much as possible
Extra space is the enemy of fragile goods. If you don’t use the right amount of packing peanuts or other cushioning materials, there is a possibility that your item will move around while in transit.
That extra inch of blank space may not seem like a big deal, but trust us, that can quite literally make or break your fragile goods.
Seal properly
One of our biggest fears is the contents of our boxes spill out and break because they’re not taped up properly. Prevent any mishaps by making sure you secure each opening of your boxes with good-quality packing tape!
Label correctly and properly
When labeling your boxes, always make sure that you put these labels on the largest surface of your package. This is so you can clearly see if a box has fragile items inside and what these items are. Make sure you don’t paste these labels directly on the taped seams.
Even though you’re done with your move, you’ve still got to unpack. Knowing where your fragile items are makes it easier for you to find safe, temporary areas to store them in. Moving furniture and other precious items can be stressful, but it’s not impossible. If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to manage your fragile goods, just go back to this list!
The Best Way to Tape Your Boxes
Imagine being in the middle of a move. You lift a box of glass plates, and everything crashes down from underneath because you were not able to tape it up properly. Is there a way to properly seal your boxes? Why, yes there is!
Ideally, you will want to tape the boxes in an “H” position. Make sure that the tape lies evenly on all the flaps to perfectly seal the box. For additional security, try adding an extra strip of tape on each side of the “H”. Using pressure-sensitive plastic tape or water-activated paper tape can be a great way to ensure that your boxes are able to stay sealed for the duration of your move.
Moving Season with GoShip
Dealing with a move all on your own won’t be easy. Getting help from one of GoShip’s certified carriers can make the moving process worlds easier.
Get timely updates on where your items are and what time they’re arriving at your set destination. Minimize the risks of damages and lost packages through real-time updates from our tracking system.