22 - Sunday, September 1, 1991 — North Shore News

Get several estimates when
choosing a moving company

THERE ARE many reputable
companies in B.C. that do
everything possible to make their
customers’ moving day easy and
uneventful. Unfortunately, there
are others — often unlicensed
movers — who do cause
problems.

As in so many areas, your best
protection is to choose a reliable
company in the first place. Try to
get recommendations from friends
or acaquaintances who have mov-
ed recently, or call around to sev-
eral companies and ask them for
references. Then check them out.

Call the Motor Carrier Division
in Burnaby (660-5454) or Victoria
(387-5473) to see if the company
you want to hire has a current
licence. A licence is required if the
move involves crossing municipal
or provincial boundaries. The Bet-
ter Business Bureau will be able to
tell you if there are any recent or
unresolved complaints against the
company.

Before you decide on a moving
company, you should get several
written estimates. Be sure that
everything that's to be moved is
included in the estimate — it’s
easy to forget boxes tucked away
in the attic and the garage. If the
estimate doesn't include
everything that eventually gets
loaded onto the truck, you could
be in for a surprise when you're
presented with the bill.

Watch out for the ‘*low-ball,”
an estimate that is deliberately low
and designed only to get the con-
tract and control of the furniture.
At the destination the customer is
presented with a demand for a
much larger amount and told rhat
if it is not paid the furniture will
be placed in storage at the cus-
tomer’s expense.

It’s a good idea to insist that
the moving company use a Bill of
Landing that provides for delivery
of your belongings at a charge

that won't exceed the estiniated

‘cost by more than 10%. You may

still be liable to pay the higher
amount later on, but you'll have
your furniture in the meantime.
Otherwise, you may be faced with
a driver who won't unload your
belongings unless you pay — in
cash — a bill that could be a lot
higher than you expect.

Once you've chosen a mover,
specify the date and time of the
move, and have it confirmed in
writing so there’s no misunder-
standing.

Be sure your possessions are
adequately covered by insurance
for the move, either through the
carrier's policy or your own in-
surance. If the policy offered by
the mover isn’t adequate, contact
your own insurance agent.

Remember that the mover will
take no responsibility for damage
to packed goods unless packing
and unpacking is done by his
staff.

On a long distance move, check
the mover’s inventory of your
possessions and his assessment of
their condition before the van
departs. When the goods are
delivered to your new home, don’t
sign anything until you've checked
their condition. As an additional
precaution, write ‘‘subject to loss
or hidden damage’’ above your
signature when you sign the in-
ventory sheets. And make sure
that you are at the delivery loca-
tion as arranged, or you will have
to pay storage fees.

Short distance moves usually
don’t involve extensive inventory
lists, but you should oversee the
moving and relocation of your
possessions. If there is damage.
have the driver make a special
notation on the inventory or
delivery receipt. Then notify the
company promptly in writing,
keeping a copy of your letter for
your own files.

Aquaculture
Career Training

Dedicated, trained technicians are needed to
work in all aspects of B.C.’s aquaculture

industry.

Aquaculture Technician Program
Our 34-week program is designed to prepare
you for direct employment as a fish culturist.
The program covers the theory, skills and
practicum experience needed to be successful in
this challenging field. Applications are still
being accepted for the September class.

NEW: A video supported distance education
program is scheduled for this September, which
is designed for those who are currently working
with salmonids. Completion of the program
meets the requirements of the full-time
technician program.

If you would like to know more about the
Aquaculture Training Program or the distance
# education program, call 885-9310. _

CAPILANO
COLLEGE

Box 1609 ¢ Sechelt « Call 885-9310

3

Make your move.

Moving problems are usually
one of two types. Either the actual
charge is much higher than the
estimate, or payment on damage
claims is less than anticipated.

If your problem involves the
cost of the move, talk it over with
the company. It may turn out that
you actually moved far more than
you included in the estimate. But
if there is no good reason for the
charge to exceed the estimate, you
get some protection from the B.C.
Trade Practice Act.

For moves within B.C. you can
check with the Motor Carrier
Division to find out whether the
quote you were given comforms to
the approved rates it has on file.
That office may be able to help if
you can’t resolve your dispute
over charges on a local move. If
it’s a dispute over a damage
claim, contact the B.C. Trucking
Association. It’s at 1610 Kebert
Way, Port Coquitlam. If the
company is a member, it may be
able to help. :

‘If you have a problem with a
long distance move, whether it's
charges or damage claim, contact
the B.C. Trucking Association.

(Legal Tips is a jaw series pro-
vided by the Law Society ef B.C.
These tips are for general infor-
mation only. If you have a
specific legal problem you should
consult a lawyer.)

Y CANADIAN TIRE

iPacihe Associate Stores 10 +

REQUIRES PERMANENT FULL AND
PART TIME RETAIL PERSONNEL FOR
VARIOUS LOWER MAINLAND LOCATIONS

We are looking for energetic, hardworking in-
dividuals to work for an exciting young company.
We have openings in the following departments:
AUTOMOTIVE PARTS & ACCESSORIES
HARDWARE AND CASH
These permanent full time positions will continue
beyond the summer break.

* FREE RUG
Moving Saie

}We must liquidate our
entire inventory. We will
beat all advertised
prices plus give you an
extra 10% discount.

All-colours and sizes
available including

'PERSIAN and ORENTAL CARPETS

* FREE RUG WITH ANY PURCHASE OVER *°700
From our Special Selection sizes 2x3-3x5

, Royal Bokhara

C.

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(Actos from save ony 98O-1138 ty PES

Classic Aubusson
Tribal Balouchi
- Offer ends Aug. 31/91
Mon-Thurs 104
Friday 10.8
Sundays 125

MN 22D: Pe

WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING:

© Starting wage - $6.50/hour (18 years and
over), $5.50/hour {16 and 17 years) with
automatic increases based on accumulative
hours up to a maximum rate of $9.00/hour.

e Profit sharing e Education Scholarships
towards future career goals.

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e Flexible working hours.

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DONT MISS THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY
START TODAY BY APPLYING IN PERSON AT THE FOLLOWING STORES:

VANCOUVER:
1469 EAST HASTINGS (between Clarke & Commercial)
8729 HEATHER STREET (between Oak & Cambie)
455 WEST 3th (cross street Cambie)

1625 CHESTNUT STREET (cross street Surrard & 1st)

RICHMCND:
3511 NORTHGATE WAY {cross street No. 3 Road)
NORTH VANCOUVER:

1345 MARINE DRIVE (between Bridgeman & Phillips)
1341 MAIN STREET (at Mountain Hwy.)

" YOU'RE IN GOOD COMPANY WITH