Long Distance Movers Blog
Vancouver hosted the Motorcycle Ride For Dad Charity Ride on August 28th, 2010; this year the ride celebrated its 10th Anniversary.
This event is Canada’s biggest annual motorcycle event, dedicated to fighting prostate cancer through research and awareness.
Mark Valliant, President of Great Canadian Van Lines rode in the event this year and raised $1200.00 for the cause. Mark lost both his grandfather and uncle to the disease and has a close friend with a grandfather that is currently battling the disease. Mark stated “ it’s a great charity to support and an excellent event to be involved with, and I am pleased to be a part of it.”
“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and the second most common cause of death from cancer in men.” One in six men will get Prostate Cancer and 4000 Canadian men will die from the disease this year alone.
You can read more information on the event and cause at
www.motorcycleridefordad.org
The CBC recently conducted a story on Moving House and Home and provided tips for a less stressful move.
Every year 1000′s of consumers fall victim to fraudulent and unscrupulous movers as mentioned in the CBC news story.
Great Canadian Van Lines guide on “How to Choose a Mover” covers some of the same key points featured in this story and compliments the article.
The Moving Industry is not regulated in Canada but should be and so your possessions are at extreme risk should you not take the recommendations in the CBC article and follow the tips listed in our How to Choose a Mover Guide.
Please view the complete CBC story at:
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2010/08/13/f-choose-moving-company.html
Moving just happens to be one of the most stressful things you can do. Did you know that moving can be just as stressful on your pets as it is on you? That’s correct, moving from a location they consider home to a new home can cause incredible stress on your pets.
Here are a few tips to help reduce some of the stress on your pet:
On moving day lock your pet in a kennel and keep them in a secure room, this will prevent your pet from escaping during your move, and any chance of it getting lost prior to your departure.
Talk to your vet and advise them of your upcoming plans to see if they have any recommendations or advice for you.
Your pet will suffer less stress if they travel with you rather than with a stranger. If your pet must travel alone or by air make sure to research regulations with the airline and with the new city or country you are moving to. Carry with you vaccination records, license numbers and your pets photo for identification purposes.
Pack a “pet sack” in advance of your trip, with items such as your pets favourite toys, treats and blanket – this will make them feel more comfortable during the transition.
If your pet is traveling in your vehicle with you, try a few short distance trial runs to get them use to the idea of vehicle travel, before you make the main trip.
Make sure your pet travels in a secure kennel within your vehicle and not in in the open vehicle – this will keep them safe.
Make sure your pet is wearing an identification collar in the event they do get out of your vehicle while on the road. If you know your new address and have a contact phone number, make sure it is listed on the identification collar so you can be contacted in the event your pet does get lost.
Understanding that the moving process can be just a stressful on your pets as you, and following the recommendations above will go a long way in keeping your pets happy, comfortable and will ultimately reduce their level of stress.
Generally speaking, when a professional Moving Consultant (MC) provides you with a cost for you move, it is based on a list of goods you have provided to the MC; or is based on a list created by the MC upon an in-home estimate.
This estimate is based on a list of goods, and it is important for you to review the list of goods to ensure everything is listed.
Once you agree to this list of goods, it is important that you keep the list of goods consistent, which will ultimately keep your estimate or price consistent with the original estimate.
Often, we find that clients increase their list of goods to be shipped by bringing in new furniture items purchased before their move date, adding items given by family members, friends or business associates; or simply forgetting to mention items they had off- site at a storage facility.
Adding additional items to the original list of goods will increase the weight of your shipment and price of your move.
So keep the cost of your move consistent with the estimate by shipping only those items that were on your original list of goods, when the original estimate was conducted.
Moving can be a very expensive process. Most people do not know however that their moving expenses are eligible as a tax deduction.
That’s correct, if you’re moving to attend a new place of work, or post secondary educational institution as a full-time student and you are moving more than 40 kilometers from your current residence, your expenses can be deducted from your income.
Expenses You Can Deduct
- travelling expensses, including vehicle espenses, meals and accomodation
- transportation and storage costs
- costs for up to 15 days for meals and temporary accommodation near either residence for you and the members of your family
Be sure to keep your receipts and documents supporting your claim; and please view the Important Documents page on our website for more details on this fabulous little tax deduction.
June is one of the busiest months in the moving industry. If you’re planning to move in June, whether it be locally or across the country don’t wait until the last minute to book your move with a mover.
Reputable movers, those that are BBB Members or Members of the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) may already be fully booked.
We recommend that you:
- determine when you want to move (what date)
- search for a mover that has a good record with the BBB or CAM
- reserve a date and truck as soon as possible
Most reputable movers will require a deposit to secure your date and truck. They will then issue you a receipt for your deposit accompanied by a copy of the moving contract. This is your reservation and confirmation receipt so you can rest assured knowing that your preferred date is reserved for you.
Last minute shoppers usually end up with poor quality non BBB or CAM member moving companies and may be shocked with the price and service they recieve.
Great Canadian Van Lines is pleased to announce that our 20th Anniversary Conference held at the River Rock Casino and Resort in Richmond, British Columbia this past March was a great success.
Amongst many speakers, our keynote speaker Roy Osing, Author of Be Different or be Dead, delivered a powerful presentation on business survival and growth strategies.
John Levi, President of the Canadian Association of Movers reviewed the many new CAM professional certificate programs. John presented graduate certificates for the Canadian Professional Movers Course to three Great Canadian Van Line employees.
(more)
Moving can be very expensive, depending of course on when you are moving and where you are moving to and from. You need to determine your budget before you move. How much do I have to spend on this relocation? Discuss your budget with your mover and advise him/her of the maximum amount you have to spend.
A qualified Moving Consultant will make recommendations with your assistance on which items can be removed from your shipment, thus reducing your costs and keeping you on budget.
To reduce your moving costs we recommend that you determine what items are of most importance to you and obtain an estimate for shipping only these items.
Other items that may not be of importance should be removed and disposed of via gifts to friends and family; donations to charity, sold in a garage sale, or sold though free sites such as Craig’s List and The Buy and Sell. (more)
Moving to Toronto can be daunting for newcomers. The city has a population of over 2.5 million and the population of the GTA, or Greater Toronto Area – which includes huge suburbs such as Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan and Markham – is pushing 6 million.
But finding your way in Toronto doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little help and local knowledge from Toronto moving companies like Great Canadian Van Lines your home relocation can be simple. (more)
Great Canadian Van Lines is pleased to announce that we have weekly departures out of our two major shipping centers, Toronto and Vancouver.
Our trucks depart out of these major centres every week and service most major cities in Canada. Our weekly departures result in quick arrival dates in most major centers in Canada.
Our main line is Vancouver to Toronto and vice-versa and we also service the East Coast of Canada, the mid west and Alberta to BC and vice-versa.
Our weekly departures ensure that our clients are not waiting too long for their goods to arrive in their new destination city.
Our Dispatch center is available at 1800 665 0055 to answer any questions you may have in regards to departure and arrival dates.
