Web site relieves stresses of moving
Angelina Ferguson
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Share this article Published: Thursday, April 23, 2009
Updated: Thursday, April 23, 2009
On top of the anxiety that results from final exams and research papers, many students are again struggling to deal with the stress of setting up their living arrangements for next academic year.
The Web site WhiteFence.com may aid in easing the stress caused by moving.
The site is an online comparison shopping site offering free price comparisons with over 400 providers, such as phone, Internet, cable service and basic utilities such as gas and electric.
“WhiteFence.com is a convenient tool for folks at a busy time,” said Jodi Heidbreder, a public relations manager for the site. “Our goal is to be an informational value and provide an easy way to hook up service. Expedite the process of moving, and it becomes easier.”
Heidbreder said the Houston-based company has been in the process of broadening and expanding over the years, based upon the needs of its consumers.
“We have a network of providers from all over the country. Anything from natural gas service to Internet and television bundles are available,” Heidbreder said.
Laura McGoldrick, a second-year graduate student studying marketing, said she has moved four times throughout her education at UT. McGoldrick said she relied on good friends to help her move throughout the years, and although it is a stressful time, she said it’s simply a part of life. Although McGoldrick has several years of experience moving, she said the first transition from on-campus housing to an apartment was difficult.
“Basically, I kind of was a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type person with that because, the first time I moved out of the dorms and into an apartment, I had no idea what I had to set up, what I didn’t, whether or not I needed to fill out a change of address,” McGoldrick said. “I didn’t even know then that I had to fill out a change of address form, so a Web site like that probably would have been beneficial for me had I known it was available.”
Heidbreder said when the company began more than 10 years ago, it targeted apartment complex management and tenants.
“We were then able to provide a dependable link between our providers and the apartment management to help them connect utilities,” she said. “Within the last couple of years, there has been an increased interest, not only by apartment dwellers but also the high volume of home buyers.”
Marketing to college students began recently and “seemed like a natural fit” for the company, Heidbreder said. While the site is made to assist in the moving process, Heidbreder said it also is used by those wanting to compare prices of providers in their areas.
“With the economic changes around today and how it is affecting people in our county, we see that there are quite a few who come to switch services with hopes to save some money,” she said. “The updated pricing information on utility services and packages allows consumers to find what works for them to make ends meet.”
WhiteFence’s homepage is set up so that the student can enter his or her postal code and feedback is presented regarding what local providers can be accessed. The site also offers access to the postal service in the selected areas where students can fill out forms for changes of addresses.
For users searching for pricing information on utility services, the site offers its “best price guarantee.”
“We collaborate with our network of providers and what their current lowest price is, [and that’s] what is offered at the site,” she said. “We provide this credible and comprehensive service directly with the student and provider so that mistakes are serviced.”
The stress that accompanies moving is an issue familiar to Cha Reeves, a junior majoring in education at UT. Since 2003, Reeves said she has moved five times and experienced a variety of problems, from financial issues, such as trouble with down payments and utilities, to locating moving vans and packing supplies.
“Trying to find the resources you need is really difficult, especially in new places. Also, trying to fit all this into your budget isn’t much of a good time, especially with classes too,” Reeves said.
Heidbreder said “college students are tech savvy, and the site is a ‘no brainer’ for them.”
Reeves said she has never visited the site but has heard about its services several times from friends and family.
“I typically ask my parents or friends about most of this, but if I can manage myself with this site, it wouldn’t hurt to try,” Reeves said.
India Clayton, a sophomore majoring in psychology, said she relied on family to help her through the moving process.
“My mom actually did everything,” she said “I really didn’t do nothing because I really didn’t know what I was doing, so that’s probably why it went so smoothly.”
Clayton said anything to help her find the best prices would help.
“Especially like moving, and you really don’t know what’s out there,” she said. “You’re just now getting out into the world, so you need to know what’s out there for you.”
The Center for Commuter and Off-Campus Services at UT has information available, including booklets, flyers, pamphlets and online information, that can also assist students looking to ease the transition from one home to another. The center provides and updates a list of rental properties available to off-campus students. The center’s Web site also links to neighborhood news updates and a roommate search application.
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