Pre-Move Information Letter

Thomas Transfer & Storage Company is pleased to handle your upcoming relocation. In addition to the points covered at the time of your pre-move estimate, you will find the attached list of instructions useful before, during and after your move. Good planning, preparation and cooperation will help make this your finest move ever. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

In the S.F. Bay Area: 650 967-7844
Toll-free: 800 227-8095
Fax: 650 967-7224
E-mail: truck@thomastransfer.com
Information Website for Silicon Valley

BEFORE THE MOVE

  1. Customer Responsibility Form: If moving interstate, this form must accompany your shipment. Part 1and Part 2 may be printed from our website. Please read, fill it out (if necessary), sign, make a copy for yourself and give the original to your driver when your goods are loaded.
  2. Gypsy Moth: If moving from a quarantined area, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that an inspection report be completed by you within 5 days of your shipment loading.
  3. Do not ship the following items: Aerosol cans, ammunition, explosives, paints, lighter fluid, propane tanks and other similar items.
  4. Moving dates: You will be given an agreed delivery period of time when you set your moving dates. Please be available.
  5. Utilities: Make sure to leave your telephone and utilities connected and in service up through the day of your move.
  6. Refrigerator preparation: The day prior to your move, clean out the refrigerator, turn it off and dry it well to avoid mold growth. No perishable foods may be packed.
  7. Personal preparation: Clearly designate and set aside things you will be hand-carrying such as medications, airline tickets, clothing, etc. Please hand-carry money, collections (stamp, etc.), securities and jewelry.
  8. Home preparation: Remove any items attached to plaster or wood. Pictures and mirrors can be removed by our packers, but not nails, screws or brackets in the wall. Items in the garage rafters or attics should be removed by you before the packers arrive. Please unplug all power cords from the appropriate outlets on stereos, televisions, VCRs, computers, etc. Drain oil or gasoline from machinery or motorized products.
  9. Waterbeds: The waterbed must be drained the day before the move. Familiarize yourself with your company's policy regarding waterbed disassembly and reassembly. Typically, there are two options: you can do it yourself or you can have it done by an outside service company. Depending on your company's policy, the second option may be done at your expense.
  10. Third-party services: To insure safe transit, certain items require preparation from an outside company. Please mention to your pre-move estimator if you have any of the following: gas dryer, grandfather clock, ice maker, pool table, or chandelier.
  11. Autos/Motorcycles: Please remove all personal items from your vehicle. (Only a spare tire and jack should remain.) Leave approximately 1/2 tank of gas in autos and motorcycles. October through April, antifreeze should be tested at -20 degrees.
  12. Computers: All heads on your computer must be secured before moving. Floppy drives must be secured by inserting the shipping inserts or "scratch" diskettes into your drive. Please consult your owner's manual or call your factory representative if you are unfamiliar with the procedure. It is also wise to back up your system and take your software with you personally.
  13. Claim liability: Familiarize yourself with your company's policy regarding cargo claim liability coverage. Typically, unless cleared through your company, you will be expected to pay for any coverage exceeding what is authorized. No liability can be provided for mechanical or electrical problems on clocks, pianos, stereos, televisions, computers, appliances, etc. unless external damage is evident. Substantiation of high-value items is necessary.
  14. Changes after estimate: If you add or delete any large items between the time of your estimate and the day of your move, please let us know right away.

DAY OF THE MOVE

  1. If your household goods are going directly to your new home rather than to temporary storage, dressers and file cabinets can be moved with contents in place. However, please remove breakable, flammable and combustible items. Valuable jewelry and important papers should be hand-carried.
  2. If your household goods are delivering to storage, please identify to your driver any items that will be delivered to a temporary residence.
  3. Pets: Please keep pets in a secured area while the movers are packing and loading. This is especially important for cats. It is not uncommon for them to board the trailer and be hidden from view.
  4. Paperwork: You will be given several sets of papers to keep:
    1. Inventories: Every box and piece of furniture will have a number on it. These numbers will correspond to the numbers on the inventory sheets.
    2. Auto Inventory: If you are shipping an auto, you will receive a separate inventory form for your vehicle. It will show a drawing of an automobile noting any scratches, rust, dents, etc.
  5. Telephone contact information: Please be sure to give your driver a destination telephone number where you can be reached.
  6. Before you leave: Please remain at your residence until everything has been inventoried and removed. Before leaving, perform a final walk-thru with the driver. Make sure you agree with the notations on your inventory as to the condition of each item listed.

AT DESTINATION

  1. Inventory Check-off: On delivery day, it is your responsibility to check off each item as it is being unloaded. Make a notation of any visible damage. If you cannot be present, you must appoint a representative, in writing, to accept your goods.
  2. Driver set-up responsibility: Drivers will set up beds and place mirrors on dressers at your new home. Any items taken apart for their convenience will be reassembled for you. If desired, they will unpack and remove items from boxes. However, they cannot put items away in closets and cupboards. They will place your furniture in the location you request. Empty cartons will be removed for you.
  3. Temporary storage: If temporary storage is required for your household goods, please familiarize yourself with you company's storage policy. Typically, unless cleared through your company, accumulated storage charges beyond the amount authorized by your company will be collected from you at the time of delivery. When you are ready for delivery, please call us giving as much advance notice as possible.
  4. Tell Us About Your Move: Once your move is complete, please let us know how everything went by filling out our service questionnaire .
  5. Claim contact information: If you have damage or missing items, please contact our claims manager, Jim Hanrahan at extension 105 or through his email address at j.hanrahan@thomastransfer.com. Your claim must be submitted in writing, within 9 months of delivery. Claim forms are available through the mail, fax machine or our website.

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