Missing in Moving – Taking Responsibility for Important Things

One of the cardinal rules of moving is that it is the client’s responsibility to move their own jewelry, coin collections, personal documentation and things of great value. But, all too often these are the things that get misplaced while moving and create so much added chaos and stress. Moving is tough enough without losing things!

This blog is a result of two different situations that occurred over missing items. There is nothing worse than clients unable to find things after a move and their first call is always to those of us that packed things. Most times we remember general things like what closet the linens went in, where the red bowl went or where the scarves were hung. We can even remember very particular details like which drawer we placed the camera or the shelf the photo albums were returned to. But sometimes we don’t remember, and it is those times that make for sleepless nights.

One such call was about a missing pen. It wasn’t your ordinary Bic pen; it was a very expensive writing pen that was last seen on a particular table. The other missing item was an address book. The address book was of course the primary address book for this client. Both items were small and probably insignificant to the naked eye. Who would know how important that address book was when packing the contents of a desk or that there was a special pen amongst all the pens on the table? But both were very important to our clients. Irreplaceable.

I was the Move Manager and Packer on deck for both moves, hence why I can speak to them with so much detail. I remember sorting the desk with the client, zeroing in on the address book and handing it to her. She was going to hand carry it. Somewhere between my handing it to her and getting it to her purse, it was set someplace else. I also remember packing the pens from the other clients table, but I did not look at the pens. I would not have recognized that one was a very special pen. I don’t know if what I packed included the special pen or did not. What is important is that my clients could not find these things and I could not tell them where they were. A very frustrating ending for both parties.

When working with our clients we always make it a main discussion point that they gather and set aside things of importance, things they need to take with them. We generally will identify a special area or carton for these items to be collected and that is off limits to the movers or packers. Both of these items failed to meet their mark and went “missing in moving”. The good news is that 99% of the time things show up, they just weren’t where they were supposed to be. But that does not help ease the stress when you can’t find something you are looking for.

When you are moving and your life is turned upside down, there are things you need to be accountable for. You need to gather them up, keep them together and know where they are. These may include such things as:

• Checkbook, wallet, identification and credit cards

• Address and password books

• Passport

• Any paperwork or documentation that you may need to get your hands on quickly during the move process. This could be House Sale or Purchase, Leasing documents, Medical paperwork for things happening now.

• Jewelry, Coin Collections or other items that are significant to you. (Pens)

• Keys: House, Car, Bank Deposit

• Prescriptions, medical supplies or equipment that you need now.

• Phones, chargers, laptops and any other electronic device you will need.

Our minds get so busy preparing for a move that we forget the obvious and we don’t take time to thoughtfully gather what is critical and important. Before you move, write a list of what those things are. If you are looking for things like Bills of Sale, Legal Documents or other items, tell your Move Management team to be on the lookout. Most times, if placed on alert, we can find them.

It is very disorienting to move. Rooms are different, cupboards are different, everything is different. It is important to keep tabs on those things that are important. Only when you get settled into your new home and become familiar with where things should go should you take them out and place them in their new permanent home.

Christy Urdal is owner of NextStep Transitions, LLC and a relocation and home transition specialist in the greater Seattle area. She helps people with downsizing, move management, getting their homes ready for the market, and many other home related services.