PRESS RELEASES

For the last three years, the Canadian Association of Movers has been issuing press releases two or three times each year. Their themes relate to such topics as the importance of hiring a CAM member as your mover and various methods to avoid the less-than-reputable mover. These press releases have resulted in many positive moving-industry stories and interviews on TV, radio and in daily and weekly newspapers.

We will issue two more in the next few days. One will be directed at hiring students as summer staff to fill your needs for temporary workers. The other will give consumers the following five DOs and five DON’Ts about how to find and hire a reputable mover to take care of their needs during the busy summer moving season.

DOs

1. Use a reputable mover. Check with your provincial government, the Better Business Bureau and, especially, CAM (at www.mover.net/consumers.html or toll-free 1-866-860-0065).
2. Always make sure you get your estimate IN WRITING.
3. Read Industry Canada’s Consumer Checklist for Choosing a Moving Company.*
4. Ask how your goods will be physically protected and insured while in transit.
5. Visit the mover’s physical location; that is, their office or warehouse.

DON’Ts

1. Rely on advertised or verbal promises.
2. Make your decision based solely on price.
3. Accept any agreement not supported in writing.
4. Assume the mover is insured.
5. Assume that the mover you contract with will be the one you move with.

CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE

As mentioned last month, CAM posted the current Conditions of Carriage for all provinces except Quebec (which we will post shortly), and Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island (which do not have them). The Conditions of Carriage should be current on the backs of your bills of lading.

CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL MOVERS — NEW GRADUATES

Members are registering their new hires and long-term sales and office staff for the Canadian Professional Mover course. Graduates of the course (since the publication of the Fall 2006 issue of The Canadian Mover) are:

• Randy Bauer, Premiere Van Lines, Winnipeg, Man.
• Joel Hoyt, Hoyt’s Moving & Storage Ltd., St. John’s, Nfld.
• Joyce Ying, Salmon’s Transfer Ltd., Richmond, B.C.

AMERICAN MOVING AND STORAGE ASSOCIATION — 2007 ANNUAL CONVENTION

The American Moving and Storage Association will hold its 2007 Annual Convention and Trade Show in La Quinta, California, from April 22 to 25, 2007.

The Convention title is “Where Great Ideas Soar.” A few of the presentations planned for the convention are:

• Building a Lean Enterprise
• How to Get the Most from your Internet Marketing Dollars
• Equipment Maintenance
• Overview of C-TPAT (from the Department of Homeland Security)
• How to Market to People Who Are Not Like You: The New Market Segment
• Welcome to the World of Insurance
• Tapping into the “Gray” Market through Senior Move Management

USED EQUIPMENT SALES

We have been contacted by a member looking for used trailers. If you have any trailers for sale, let us know. Should you wish to advertise your needs or availabilities, please contact CAM’s national office.

CAM GOLF

It’s still a little early to be getting the clubs out and practising your golf swings, but mark your calendars for CAM’s upcoming golf events. CAM will be hosting three golf tournaments this year:

• Alberta – June 6
• British Columbia – June 8
• Ontario – September 17

Do not miss these opportunities to network with your fellow movers. Details will follow shortly.