Express Delivery Van

If you’re buying used furniture on craigslist the first rule is don’t be a flake. Know what you want, have cash in hand and be ready to buy now. Flakes generate  unnecessary dialog, have no sense of urgency, and waste time. Don’t be a flake.

And don’t waste your time trying to buy from flakes. Ask the right questions. Here’s what you need to know.

• Where are you located? Logistical info is useful. What floor the item is on, how far it needs to be carried and whether the seller will help load. Google map the time and distance to the seller’s location.
• Be informed. Did you buy the item new or used? Anything wrong with it? Why are you selling it? Is the house non-smoking? Do you have pets?
• Determine what an item is worth new to recognize a bargain.
• When are you available? Be the non-flake buyer. Be ready to get over there now with cash. That’s the mark of the non-flake buyer.
• Is anyone else looking at the item before I get there? Make sure the seller knows that you expect the item to be as described, with no surprises, ready to take away immediately.
• How flexible is the price? You can ask this right up front in an email if the listed price won’t work for you. Even if it’s a good deal, asking this after you’ve gotten all the info may get you a further concession.

Motivated sellers are easy to find on craigslist. They often have nice stuff and just need to get rid of it to make space.

One of my previous customers called for a price to move boxed personal goods to Chicago. As much as I’d love the job, the gas alone is more than anyone would want to spend, not to mention the fact I’d like to get a bit more than gas money.

I googled my brain to remember Amtrak Freight out of South Station. It’s a cheap way to do a mini-move if you only need to ship boxes of household or personal items. Sell your furniture on craigslist, put your boxes on the train and discover the joy of minimalism.

To get your boxes to Amtrak give me a call. My number is 617.299.Mike (6453)

Okay, so you decide to do-it-yourself and rent a truck or a van. Driving a truck requires attention to detail. Backing up, turning in traffic, low hanging branches, bridges and overhead structures are subject to mishaps.

If parking is difficult stake out space in advance to park the truck for loading. Know the procedures in the event of truck breakdown. Locate emergency markers, know the roadside assistance number.

Familiarize yourself with the truck. Adjust the seat and mirrors. Operate the flashers, lights, turn signals and horn. Get a feel for the truck in a parking lot.

Accelerate gradually, ease off the accelerator early when approaching stops and keep the speed down to save fuel. Gradual stops are not just a good idea to save fuel, you’re driving a truck. The weight of a loaded truck requires extra distance to stop. Go slower than you would normally drive, keep your distance, minimize lane changing.

Trucks are subject to weigh stations, lane restrictions, overhead clearance and parking restrictions. Take extra care to be aware of applicable restrictions, overhead clearance, turning radius and the area behind the truck when backing the vehicle in reverse. Before backing up, walk to the back and look to ensure it is safe to back up. If possible, have a helper direct.

Don’t tailgate, Don’t pass on hills or curves. Don’t attempt to pass a vehicle doing more than 40mph. Get fuel when the tank gets down to a quarter full.

Professional truck drivers are restricted to 11 hours of driving. Rest stops must be 10 hours. Max duty time is 14 hours. This means if you’ve spent the day loading the truck you need to be rested before you drive and allow adequate time for rest enroute because driving a truck is tiring.

Things to bring include sunglasses, documentation, cellphone, extra cash, prescription medications, first aid kit and personal items like water, snacks, cd’s, etc.

Do a walk around truck inspection at each stop. Check the oil as directed by the rental company.

Park in a well-lit area. Lock the cab, padlock the cargo door. In winter weather have shovels, sand and salt. Don’t rent a truck without 24 hour roadside assistance. In the event of breakdown place triangular reflectors or flares 10 feet from the truck in the direction of approaching traffic, and 100 feet in each direction. If the vehicle is obscured, place markers so as to allow ample warning to oncoming vehicles.

Occasionally I get a Man With a Van call from someone who tells me, “I’ll just rent a UHaul” in response to a quote of fifty dollars or so to do a job like move a sofa. No problem. I realize UHaul starts at $19.95 and if all goes according to plan you probably will spend a few bucks less than Express Delivery Van dotCom but isn’t your time worth something?

Aside from the inconvenience of picking up and dropping off the van, last time I checked, UHaul doesn’t send a guy along to help lug your sofa in and out of the pickup and dropoff destination. When they start doing that and get under fifty bucks I’ll really be in trouble.

Until then, I can only wish you the best if you prefer UHaul, but it’s not really an equal comparison.