http://www.bekinsams.com/blog Thu, 17 May 2012 22:57:55 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Action Moving to attend Christmas Wish Golf Tornament http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/action-moving-to-attend-christmas-wish-golf-tornament/ http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/action-moving-to-attend-christmas-wish-golf-tornament/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 22:57:55 +0000 jeffg http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/?p=722 Continue reading →]]> 5th annual Christmas Wish golf event is set for June 22nd

Christmas Wish LogoThis is one of my favorite events at the beginning of Summer. Action Moving has been an entrant in each of the previous four tournaments. All have been held at the Coeur d’Alene Golf Course in Coeur d’Alene, ID. Not only do participants get to play the always challenging Coeur d’Alene Resort golf course, but they get to wind down with an after-round celebration at the newly-built events center.

We are excited to be playing again in this fun-filled tournament that is the benefactor for a wonderful cause, Christmas Wish. I just checked the site today and it appears that the registration is closed, but plan ahead for next year and support Christmas wish while you enjoy a day on the lake.

]]> http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/action-moving-to-attend-christmas-wish-golf-tornament/feed/ 0 Spokane Mover Reaches Finals for AGORA Award http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/spokane-mover-reaches-finals-for-agora-award/ http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/spokane-mover-reaches-finals-for-agora-award/#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 20:16:15 +0000 jeffg http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/?p=716 Continue reading →]]> Action Moving Services honored to be considered a finalist for the AGORA Award in Spokane
Action Moving AGORA Finalist

The AGORA Award is given to companies in Spokane that demonstrate excellent competency in Entrepreneurship and Community Service.

I’m very happy to announce that Action Moving Services is a finalist for an AGORA Award for business excellence in Spokane. There are thousands of businesses in Spokane. Only 214 businesses were nominated for the award, and Action is down to the final 4 in the medium business category. We don’t find out who wins until the 30th of May when the awards event is held. I can hardly wait. While we’re waiting to find out, I would like to congratulate my team for exhibiting the entrepreneurship and community involvement that the AGORA committees revere. Way to go everyone.

]]> http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/spokane-mover-reaches-finals-for-agora-award/feed/ 0 Quick Start for Movers http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/quick-start-for-movers/ http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/quick-start-for-movers/#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:55:38 +0000 jeffg http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/?p=708 Continue reading →]]> The moving industry is seeing the busy season come early

The summers are usually busy for movers. Our company does over half of its business between memorial day and labor day. But we have seen a quick uptick earlier than normal this spring. We are working at full capacity right now and it is only April. It is still unclear if the business will stay at these levels, but I wanted to provide some tips to consumers to ensure that you are able to utilize your mover of choice.

How to ensure that you get on your moving company’s schedule:

  1. Get movers booked early

    One of your teachers probably showed you something like this as sage advice somewhere along your learning path. The advice holds with movers too. Photo credit goes to cockos.com.

    Plan ahead – The earlier that you search for a mover, the easier it will be to select a mover. I know this is easier said than done, but those that wait until the last minute to move may have to resort to their 3rd or 4th choice of a mover. Disappointment may ensue.

  2. Lock in your dates – Even if you have planned ahead and chosen your mover, it is wise to set up dates. Avoid letting things sit when your last conversation with your move coordinator was, “We want you to move us, and we’ll be moving sometime toward the end of May.” Make a commitment as soon as you can and make your mover commit to your timeline.
  3. Inquire about delay penalties – We have serious delay penalties that require us to perform on schedule. If we don’t we are required to pay for food and lodging until we perform. Inquire with your move coordinator regarding delay penalties that would apply to your move.
Following this advice in 2012 could be the difference between a good and bad experience. So select your mover early if possible and work out the details early. Happy moving!
Check out our moving tips page for more advice.
]]> http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/quick-start-for-movers/feed/ 0 Dry Fly Bottling Party Great for Team Building http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/moverteambuilding/ http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/moverteambuilding/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:07:38 +0000 jeffg http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/?p=699 Continue reading →]]> Our Moving Team Bottled Batch #46

Last week many of the members of our moving staff attended a bottling party at Dry Fly Distilling here in Spokane. We helped bottle batch 46 of Dry Fly’s Washington Wheat Whiskey. Part of the process is taking quality control samples. It is some good and very potent stuff.

Our moving team performed all of the tasks involved with bottling small batch whiskey: filling the bottles, putting in the corks, affixing the seal on the top of the bottle,  and writing #46 on each seal. It was fun working together in a different setting and learning something new.

Action Moving Services was also able to help out Safety Net, one of our favorite charities, through this experience since the bottling party was purchased at an auction that benefits Safety Net.

 

]]> http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/moverteambuilding/feed/ 0 Parade A Success http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/parade-a-success/ http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/parade-a-success/#comments Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:44:39 +0000 jeffg http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/?p=686 Continue reading →]]> Our Movers Helped Out a Good Cause and Did Some Team-Building Too

 

Our float for Spokane’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade was designed to promote Move for Hunger and 2nd Harvest. We collected food and monetary donations along the parade route that will go directly towards benefiting Spokane families in need. We were so pleased to have so many people from our moving team and their families come out and show such enthusiasm for this event.  Thanks to Gunnar, Howard, Grover, Shawn, Gina, Sue, Cory, Joanna, Taylor, Carter, Pat, Misty, Hannah, Evan, Mo, Sammy & Abby.

]]> http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/parade-a-success/feed/ 1 Bring Food Donations to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/bring-food-donations-to-the-st-patricks-day-parade/ http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/bring-food-donations-to-the-st-patricks-day-parade/#comments Sat, 17 Mar 2012 03:35:38 +0000 jeffg http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/?p=680 Continue reading →]]> Tomorrow is the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Spokane. Action Moving Services will be there and we will be helping to collect food donations for 2nd Harvest Food Bank as part of our work for Move for Hunger. Look for our truck (it has a giant balloon rainbow on it) and give us your donation of non-perishable food.  We’ll give you a balloon or some candy coins in return. The parade starts at 12pm.  See you there!

The whole family helped prepare the float, as well as Shawn, Grover & Cory.

]]> http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/bring-food-donations-to-the-st-patricks-day-parade/feed/ 0 Action Moving Assists Safety Net Spokane http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/action-moving-assists-safety-net-spokane/ http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/action-moving-assists-safety-net-spokane/#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:24:45 +0000 jeffg http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/?p=668 Continue reading →]]> Area families donated their furniture to Safety Net Spokane to benefit foster care teens.

Safety Net Spokane LogoSafety Net Spokane is an area non-profit organization that helps teenagers in the foster care system bridge the gap between turning 18 and being self-sufficient. When a foster teen turns 18, the state stops paying for their day-to-day expenses. Sometimes this means that the foster family that the teen was living with is not able and/or willing to continue to support the young adult. This is where Safety Net steps in to help. Assistance is given in the form of housing, home furnishings, transportation,  job-seeking, meals, post-secondary school applications, and many other areas.

Imagine what you would have done if you turned 18 while still in High School and suddenly were left to fend for yourself. It would certainly be difficult to stay in school while trying to pay your way with a part-time job. The folks at Safety Net want to see these individuals finish school and lead productive lives. Their program provides the bridge assistance needed in these difficult cases. Safety Net relies on the generosity of local individuals and businesses to remain in operation.

Action Moving employees donated their time to travel around Spokane and pick up furniture for Safety Net Spokane. The video below documents the day of service that Action employees gave. I was really proud that my employees supported this cause and gave their time so willingly.

If you are interested in getting involved with Safety Net Spokane, please contact them at www.safetynetspokane.org or (509) 325-0701.

]]> http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/action-moving-assists-safety-net-spokane/feed/ 0 Action Moving Honored as Agora Award Semi-Finalist http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/action-moving-honored-as-agora-award-semi-finalist/ http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/action-moving-honored-as-agora-award-semi-finalist/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:08:47 +0000 jeffg http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/?p=664 Continue reading →]]> We are very honored to announce that Action Moving Services has been selected as a semi-finalist for the Greater Spokane Incoporated’s 2012 Agora Awards.  Each year the Agora Awards are presented to businesses that demonstrate excellence in “ growth, marketing strategy, employee environment, customer service, response to adversity, strategic planning, creativity and contribution to the regional economy.”

Agora Awards are given out in five different categories: small business, medium business, large business, small non-profit and large non-profit. Action Moving Services is one of eight semi-finalists in the medium business category.  Congratulations to all the other semi-finalists! The winners will be announced on May 30 at a ceremony at the Davenport Hotel.

Image courtesy of seomoz.org

]]> http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/action-moving-honored-as-agora-award-semi-finalist/feed/ 0 Movers Going Green…Literally http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/movers-going-green-literally/ http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/movers-going-green-literally/#comments Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:45:01 +0000 jeffg http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/?p=656 Continue reading →]]> Action Moving to participate in Spokane’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
It won't be as pretty with a mover waving.

We'll have to get Shawn a crown and some flowers, but I still don't think that he'll be as pretty. I can't wait. Photo credit goes to http://www2.ljworld.com.

So I’ve written several articles about how our company is green, but none of them were quite so literal. We recently decided to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Spokane. We are looking forward to it. I have discussed many float ideas with my staff and with my wife and we finally settled on one that will promote our relationship with Move for Hunger/2nd Harvest. We will be helping 2nd harvest collect food as we walk next to the float and our float will be rainbow-themed with a Bekins boxes full of food at the end of the rainbow! it should be pretty cool…and productive for those families that benefit from the work that 2nd harvest does.

As an interesting side note, Shawn Biggs has agreed to promote this event on his personal Facebook page. If we can get 50 new ‘likes’ for the company he will sit on the float and do the Miss America wave throughout the parade route. I would love to see that so I am promoting the event too. The picture to the right is what I think it might look like :)

We’ll post pictures once the event happens. Wish us luck!

]]> http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/movers-going-green-literally/feed/ 1 How much does it cost to move? http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-move/ http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-move/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:26:52 +0000 jeffg http://www.bekinsams.com/blog/?p=651 Continue reading →]]> Being prepared for oft overlooked costs can make your move go much smoother.
Moving Costs

Keep your eyes open for those expenses that frequently get overlooked.

Budgeting for a move may seem simple. Get estimates from a few moving companies, choose the company you are most comfortable with and voila! Now you know how much it will cost to move, right? Well….not quite. There are a few other expenses you may want to factor in:

1. Cleaning/repair costs of current residence—many buyers will request a professional cleaning service be used before they move in, and if you rent you want to ensure the return of your deposit

2. Final utility bills

3. Damage deposit at new residence if you will be renting

4. Utility deposit—some companies will require one

5. Transportation of family and pets:

a. Will you travel by car, air, bus, train? Find out what your fuel or ticket costs will be

b. Will you need to stay a few nights in a hotel?

6. Vehicle registration/transfer—usually only applies if moving to a different state

7. First month of living expenses—if starting a new job, it may be a month before you receive your first paycheck

Also be sure to scrutinize the moving estimates you receive. If you will require storage of some form, have the storage costs been included in the estimate? Is the moving company doing the packing? If not, you will need to purchase packing supplies. Make sure to include these items in your moving budget if applicable.

Being prepared for the true cost of moving will help ease stress and cut down on last minute surprises. Anything missing from the list? Let us know by leaving a comment.

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