Moving Guide
Beware Consumers - Rogue Moving Companies
 Many
have been victims of unregulated rogue movers operating coast-to-coast who
advertise their van lines on the Web, charge two to three times what they
promise and hold your goods captive until you pay.
And because the federal Interstate Commerce Commission
was abolished a few years ago, the rogue companies have been getting away
with it.
The feds don't have the staffing and the state doesn't
have the authority or jurisdiction to help the victims get their money back
or punish rogue movers. Oregon's consumer-protection spokeswoman,
Jan Margosian, said her office has received numerous complaints about rogue
movers, but the state doesn't have jurisdiction over state-to-state moves.
Since 1996, the department has received more than 250 complaints
about moving companies. A look at the complaints shows a variety, from failure
to fulfill contracts to damaging household goods to charging more than agreed
on. The complaints are not only limited to the rogue Internet movers, but
also mention well-known national-brand movers such as Bekins, Mayflower
and Allied Van Lines.
Nearly 6,900 complaints were lodged with the Better Business
Bureaus against movers in 2001, up from 5,097 in 1999 and 2,970 in 1996.
Federal officials logged an additional 4,000 in 2001. Consumer watchdogs
say only one in 10 complaints actually gets logged for the 1.5 million households
moved each year.
One Stop Shopping - Bill Saver
Bill
Saver You're apt to be amazed at the low prices on long-distance
rates, credit card interest, Internet fees, wireless plans, life and car
insurance premiums and telephone calling cards.
Change of Address
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The United States Postal Service will forward first
class mail to your new address for 12 months - 60 days for second class
mail - without charge. Complete a
Change of Address Order Form at the postal service Web site. You
will then need to sign the form and either give it to your letter carrier
or mail it to your local post office.
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The
US Postal Service Web site has developed an online source of help
for movers. It covers everything from motor vehicles to voter
registration.
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Visit your local post office and pick up PS Form 3576's
(a.k.a. change of address notification postcards).
 Oregon
Department of Motor Vehicles
Driver License
and Voter Registration
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Drivers License Change of Address - If your address changes, you
must notify DMV within 30 days of the change. You may complete
an
address change form and mail it to DMV. DMV will mail you
an address change sticker to put onto your driver license, instruction
permit or identification card. There is no charge for an address
sticker.
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Voter Registration Change of Address - When you are
issued a driver license, instruction permit, identification card or
when you change your address, and are 18 years or older, you can
register or re-register to vote.
Portland Utility Companies
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Comcast Cable
TV cable carrier for most of the Portland area as well as internet service.
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City
of Portland Water Bureau The Water Bureau is a rate-financed,
City-owned utility. Water rates are established each year to assure
adequate revenues for water system support. Call (503) 823-7770
to open and close accounts when you move. If you are a new customer,
ask for a welcome packet that has information about water, sewer and
stormwater charges and services.
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GTE/Verizon
Telephone carrier that services parts of Oregon. Mainly sections
of Northwestern and Southwestern Oregon.
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Metro Recycling and Garbage Locate your hauler and obtain
information about recycling.
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National
Association of Regulatory Commissions Links to most states
utility commissions - usually the state has links to the local utilities
that they regulate.
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Northwest Natural
Natural gas supplier. Address: 220 NW 2nd Avenue, Portland,
OR 97209-3943. Telephone: (503) 226-4211. Contact
NW Natural by e-mail
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PacificCorp To
contact a customer service representative at Utah Power or Pacific Power,
call toll-free at 1-888-221-7070.
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Portland General
Electric (PGE) Electrical utility that services most of the Portland
area. Visit
PGE's contacts page for telephone numbers and the locations of offices..
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Tualatin
Valley Water District Serves Washington County. The
service area is 45+ square miles located west of Portland in east Washington
County, encompassing such communities as Cedar Hills, Oak Hills, Terra
Linda, Cedar Mill, Reedville, Rock Creek, Cooper Mountain, The Bluffs,
Progress, Metzger, Bonny Slope, Aloha, Orenco. The service area also
includes portions of the cities of Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard and
Portland.
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Qwest
Telephone carrier that provides local service for 14 Western and Midwestern
states. Qwest is the local provider for most of Oregon including
homes in the City of Portland Qwest was formerly called US West
and merged with Qwest Communications in July 2000.
Internet Service Providers (ISP)
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List of ISPs Allows multiple ways of searching for an ISP.
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The Director
Lists 13,000 ISPs. Key in your telephone area code and you'll
get a list of ISPs servicing the area code.
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Comcast Comcast offers high speed internet service along with
their cable TV service.
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Qwest
Qwest offers a number of options for internet connection including high
speed DSL (Digital Subscriber Line).
Newspapers
No Telephone Solicitors
Do Not Call Registry
If you add your name/telephone number on the list after September 1, 2003
you will have to wait until next year to have call blocked. Go the the
National Do No Call
Web site to learn more. Call 1-888-382-1222 to register.
 Repairs
and Remodeling
For a comprehensive list of resources on repairs and remodeling
visit my Home Improvement page as well
as my Green Homes page.
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