They say you should never trash the competition however, as a 70 year old moving company, we believe we have a responsibility to consumers to make them aware of “movers in the news. Perfect customer service is difficult in the moving industry and no moving company is immune from moves that, for one reason or another, give rise to consumer complaints.  Most moving companies make an enormous effort to please their customers and create a long term positive image for their company. Others build a track record of consumer complaints and lawsuits.

Here is a list of moving companies that have the most consumer complaints with the Better Business Bureau.

"The B.C. Better Business Bureau compiled a list of the most complained about moving companies in 2011, as received by BBB offices across Canada. These companies are at the top of the list:

1. Two Small Men With Big Hearts Moving, Winnipeg, Man.
2. Logan Moving and Storage, North York, Ont.
3. Noble Moving Services, Toronto, Ont.
4. Across Canada Van Lines, Calgary, Alta.
5. Vega Line Moving & Storage Services, Richmond, B.C.
6. Qwest Haven Relocation Services, Edmonton, Alta"

For the full story see the article on the CBC website here:

http://www.jdpower.com/homes/articles/2009-Full-Service-Moving-Company-Customer-Satisfaction-Study/

Moving closer to work?  You may be able to deduct your moving expenses, even if your move is not for a new job. A recent tax case clarified the rules for deductibility. Read the full story here.

http://business.financialpost.com/2012/01/07/tax-case-affects-eligibility-to-write-off-moving-expenses/

Moving to Edmonton?

Check out the crime map for your new neighborhood

http://crimemapping.edmontonpolice.ca/

Here is another article on a topic that is rarely discussed on moving websites. The original article appeared on eHow.com

By an eHow Contributor:

It is difficult to entrust your possessions to movers you've never met, and it's often difficult to find movers who seem to care about your sentimental valuables. When you find a crew who is especially careful with your household items, make sure you tip them properly to show your appreciation.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

• Offer your movers coffee or cold drinks, snacks and plenty of water while they're at your home or office. If the move takes most of the day, ordering pizza or sandwiches for lunch is a great way to motivate them and show additional appreciation for their services.
• Tip one or two movers $25 to $50 each, depending on the time required, the number of boxes and the number of stairs involved. Give them cash at the end of the move, thanking them for being considerate with your things.
• Give the supervisor and crew members each a cash tip of $20 to $25 if there is a large moving crew, making sure you have enough cash to cover everyone. Avoid giving the entire tip to the boss so you don't give him the opportunity to stiff the crew and keep the cash for himself. If you received exceptional service from the move supervisor, however, give him an additional $10 to $20 before he leaves.
• Keep in mind that tipping is not required, and is done only when you are satisfied with the moving job and the movers' customer service skills. It is not required to tip rude people who drop your favorite keepsake or carelessly gouge your dining room table.
• Call the moving company's supervisor if the crew provides exceptionally bad or exceptionally good service. You aren't expected to tip for service you're not happy with.

Read more: How to Tip Movers | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2214704_tip-movers.html#ixzz1BQZhD89r

Moving rules not so simple
By Jamie Golombek, Financial Post October 16, 2010

If you move to start a new job, don't assume that your moving expenses will be tax deductible.

Under the tax rules, to be entitled to deduct moving expenses, the distance between your old residence and your new work location must be 40 kilometres greater than the distance between your new residence and the new work location.

While this rule may seem straightforward, it has been the subject of some dispute between taxpayers and the Canada Revenue Agency as to how the 40 kilometres is measured.

In the most recent case decided earlier this month, the issue wasn't how the distance was to be measured, but where Lisa Moreland, an employee of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police since 2005, was actually employed at a "new work location" for purposes of the moving deduction.

Prior to February 2007, Ms. Moreland worked at an office complex at 255 Attwell Drive in Etobicoke, Ont. In February 2007, she was assigned new employment duties, which she still performed at the same location, but in a different area within it.

In June 2007, she moved from Cambridge, Ont. to Milton, Ont., which was indeed 40 kilometres closer to work. She testified that she made the change of residence "for the sole purpose of being closer to [work] and, consequently, of shortening her commuting time."

In filing her 2007 tax return for the year of the move, she claimed $26,000 in moving expenses, which the CRA denied. The tax agency claimed that since Ms. Moreland did not have a "new work location," within the meaning of the Income Tax Act, she was not entitled to deduct any of her moving expenses.

Ms. Moreland disagreed, claiming that she moved from the old residence to the new residence to enable herself to be employed at a "new work location." She argued she "changed physical locations [offices] of work to start a new job within the same office complex at 255 Attwell Drive, Etobicoke."

The Tax Court judge, citing an earlier case, said there are four separate elements required to claim a moving expense: an old work location, a new work location, old and new residences and the comparison of two distances -- the 40 kilometre test.

The judge concluded that Ms. Moreland did indeed change physical work locations -- she moved offices -- to perform her new duties, even though she was assigned by the same employer. But, since she moved within the same office complex -- 255 Attwell Drive -- this did not constitute a "new work location."

In denying Ms. Moreland's expenses, the judge explained: "I cannot imagine that Parliament's intent was to permit a taxpayer who goes from a job on the seventh floor of a building to a new job [with the same employer] on the sixth floor of the same building to deduct moving expenses."

Jamie.Golombek@cibc.com

-Jamie Golombek, CA, CPA, CFP, CLU, TEP is the managing director, tax and estate planning, with CIBC Private Wealth Management in Toronto.
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