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How To Move Your Antiques, Electronics and Collectibles

 

Bekins gives you some tips on how to move your precious items.

Bekins cares about the safety of your belongings and wants to ensure they reach your destination in perfect condition — especially those requiring special care like your antiques, electronics and collectibles. This page explains how to prepare them for a safe relocation.

 

Let Bekins Help

When the Bekins Agency Sales Representative comes to your home for the first time, point out items that may require special attention. Such items may include fragile porcelains, family heirlooms,valuable antiques and electronics. Decide which items you will pack and which you would like Bekins to pack.

Your Bekins Representative is knowledgeable about how each piece should be prepared and can instruct you on what needs to be done for the relocation. If you decide to pack some things yourself, we recommend you use the same materials that our packing crews use to ensure maximum protection. These materials include double- and triple-walled cartons, stretch/cushioning wraps, packing tape, fine tissue and kraft paper. These materials can be purchased from your Bekins Agent at affordable prices.

Bekins also provides carton labels such as, "Do Not Load," "Load Last/Unload First," "Do Not Pack," "Parts Box" and "Fragile."

If you prefer Bekins to pack your valuables, your Bekins crew will arrive with the necessary packing materials. Your relocation services will be scheduled to allow adequate time to pack these special items properly.

 

What You Should Transport Yourself

Bekins recommends that you transport the following items instead of including them in your shipment, as they are not easily replaceable:

• Fine jewelry (except for minor-value costume jewelry)
• Coins, currency and any other negotiable paper (stock certificates, bonds, notes, etc.)
• Important papers, deeds, titles, bank books, tax forms and similar documents
• Prescriptions and medical/dental records

Larger collections can be safely transported along with your other possessions.

 

Antiques

Bekins handles valuable and rare antiques with the utmost care. Here are a few things to keep in mind while Bekins is packing your antiques:

• You have the option of having your antiques crated rather than simply wrapped. Bekins generally uses wooden crates for delicate pieces such as crystal chandeliers, pool table slates and antiques.
• A custom crate can be built around the piece to ensure correct fit and proper protection.
• Antique pieces can be packed in cartons with padding, stretch wrap and, if necessary, decking in the truck so they are not in contact with other items.

To prepare other items for the packers:

• It is best to secure loose parts of furniture and removable pieces before packing, or make this request of the packers.
• Doors may be secured with rubber straps or strings.
• You may remove delicate handles and tape them inside drawers for safe moving, or ask the packers to do so.
• Glass panels or mirrors can be removed or taped and secured with padding and stretch wrap.
• Any hardware, attachments or components should be placed in plastic bags and labeled with their corresponding pieces. All bags should then be placed in a designated "Parts Box."

Collectibles

Bekins recommends packing delicate collectibles in their original cartons, if possible, for the best protection. However, if these are not available, Bekins can pack the collectibles in secure boxes and cushion them in bubble wrap or Styrofoam peanuts.

Here are a few things to remember when packing your collectibles:

• Pack small collectible items like coins, stamps, etc. and transport them with you.
• China, crystal and delicate porcelain should be individually wrapped in fine tissue and placed in specially designed compartment containers with plates standing on edge and stemware in individual corrugated cylinders.
• Pack dolls, figurines, and sculptures as you would any other breakable goods. Wrap them individually in soft tissue or padding and pack in bubble wrap or Styrofoam peanuts. If necessary, use double-walled cartons.
• Ask your sales representative about packing wine or other perishable collections. Special arrangements may be needed to assure the utmost care while in transit.
• Label all cartons containing glassware and breakables with "Fragile" labels supplied by your Bekins Representative.
• Anything Bekins is to pack should be left in its place; it's safer and easier.
• Ask your Bekins Representative about unusual or hard-to-move collections.
• Prepare a list of your collectibles for your homeowner's insurance policy if you have not already done so.

Electronics

Bekins can move all your electronic equipment including personal computers and components, big screen TVs, surround sound systems, DVD players, VCRs and stereo equipment. Consult your owner's manual for specific instructions regarding transporting these items. Bekins recommends you use a qualified service provider to properly prepare a plasma TV for transport. Your Bekins Representative can recommend a reputable provider in your area.

The preferred way to move electronics is in their original cartons with the original packing materials. If you don't have the original cartons, pack items in standard boxes that best fit them. Secure items with bubble wrap, paper padding or Styrofoam peanuts.

Before moving your electronics:

• Back up all software used on computers. Older computers may require you to "park" the hard drive as well.
• Disconnect all wiring and cables before your Bekins crew arrives.
• Draw a simple diagram or color-code wires before disconnecting to make reconnecting much easier.
• Keep all components together and their boxes clearly labeled.
• Pack all wires and cables with their corresponding electronic unit.
• Pack small or loose accessories, like remote controls, with each component or place them in the designated "Parts Box." Indicate this on the inventory list so small parts are not misplaced.
• Complete a list of all electronic components and computer equipment (with serial numbers) prior to moving them, and submit it to your homeowner's insurance company.
• Bekins is not permitted to take down TV antennas or satellite dishes, but we can arrange to have it done if you wish.

Protecting Your Valuables

To ensure your possessions arrive safely and in perfect condition at your new home, your cooperation is important. You will be asked to...

• Complete the Statement of Customer Responsibilities and High Value Inventory form provided by Bekins, before relocating. It serves as an inventory of your valuables, indicates to Bekins which items may require special attention and informs you of your responsibilities.
• List all belongings you consider to be of high-value that are to be moved by Bekins, including: jewelry, coins, stamps and other collections; antiques; precious stones and metals; and valuable paintings. This will help determine the total value of the shipment and assist Bekins in determining which pieces need special care.
• When transporting jewelry, coins, stamps, etc., it's important to remember that Bekins may not be liable for these items in the event they are damaged. The Rights and Responsibilities form states that these items are non-Bekins liability items as we encourage that the customer transport these with them and not include them in the shipment.
• Make sure all special instruction labels are clearly visible and can be understood by the packers and movers. The van operator must see each item of high-value before moving it onto the truck, including cartons you have packed yourself. If a carton which you have packed yourself is considered insufficient by the van operator, he/she may ask you or Bekins personnel to repack the items. If Bekins repacks the carton, you may be charged for the service. If any cartons which you have packed are damaged during transit, liability may be affected.
• Use your Customer Responsibilities form and the supplied Customer Check-Off Sheet at time of delivery as inventory lists. Check off each piece/box as it is unloaded and record anything missing or damaged. If something is missing, your relocation crew can start the search immediately.

Your Coverage

Before you relocate, contact your homeowner's insurance company to determine what coverage you may have for a relocation. This is important because cancellation and changes in the policy may occur due to the sale of a home. Find out:

• If your current homeowner's policy applies while the shipment is being loaded?
• Does it apply during transit?
• Does it apply while your belongings are being unloaded at your new location?
• If your policy does continue, does it protect from fire and theft? Does it protect from dents, scratches and missing pieces?

Bekins makes every effort to handle your belongings with care. However, occasionally something may be lost or damaged.

For additional protection and peace of mind, Bekins offers three levels of liability protection. Basic liability protection provides coverage at 60¢ per pound per article at no cost to you. For optimal coverage, consider Full Value Protection (FVP) which repairs or replaces items at their current market value. The cost for FVP varies with the level of protection you select. For more information on coverage options, ask your sales representative for a copy of "Valuation Options: What's Right For You?"