If you are searching for a moving company, you need to look for more than just a good reputation. As the moving industry is largely unregulated, you have little recourse in case you get cheated.
In just the last year alone, there were 9,405 complaints against moving companies according to the BBB. Unfortunately, even the most reputable companies can be involved in scams and you can not always relay on the regulatory agency as it has limited budget and resources.
Low Balling Quotes
The most common scam in the moving industry is giving you a low ball estimate and then hitting you up for extra charges at the destination - sometimes as much as quadruple the original amount your signed for! If you decide not to pay for the additional fees, the relocation company will take your things and store them in a warehouse, hence forcing you to pay the extra charges. Even if you've signed a "binding and not to exceed quote" you are not safe, so be sure to read every word of the contract!
Subcontracting Your Move
Another common type of scam is when moving companies overcharge their clients and then subcontract the job to another mover for half the price. Keep in mind that, usually, the subcontractor is not responsible to deliver goods in time as it is specified in the contract. What makes things even worse is that their employees usually have no real experience in moving fragile items, so breakage is not infrequent.
Minimal Insurance Policies
Breakage is a third common scam that consumers complain about when they move their households. Most people don't know that many companies will pay them only $60 per each pound damaged. That means that your beautiful new plasma television that you bought for a few thousand dollars could be broken and you would receive only about $30 in compensation!
The best way to beat low insurance coverage is to get a rider on your homeowner's policy to cover any damage that might occur during your move. What is more, take photographs of your possessions and ensure that your movers sign a statement of your items' conditions before you sign the receipt!
Cost According to Cubic Footage
The fourth potential scam is in the measurement of weight versus cubic feet moved. You are allowed to watch weigh-ins and verify the number, but a mover can make your load take up as much space as they desire just to increase the charges. You should calculate the weight of each item by dividing the total weight by the number of items. If you get over 35-45 lbs per piece, be wary of the motives of your mover!
Extra Parking Fees
The fifth common scam is extra charges incurred by claiming the movers could not park their truck in front of your residence, resulting in "long carries" from half a block or so away. The total can run well into the thousands of dollars! Be sure that you make all the necessary arrangements to avoid this scam.
Means By Which You Can Prevent Fraud
You can avoid these scams by reading moving company reviews on the internet or consumer publications, getting several quotes, having an attorney approve the contract, and documenting the condition and weight of your load. It may be a good idea to ask friends who've moved recently which companies they used and how well the movers performed.
In just the last year alone, there were 9,405 complaints against moving companies according to the BBB. Unfortunately, even the most reputable companies can be involved in scams and you can not always relay on the regulatory agency as it has limited budget and resources.
Low Balling Quotes
The most common scam in the moving industry is giving you a low ball estimate and then hitting you up for extra charges at the destination - sometimes as much as quadruple the original amount your signed for! If you decide not to pay for the additional fees, the relocation company will take your things and store them in a warehouse, hence forcing you to pay the extra charges. Even if you've signed a "binding and not to exceed quote" you are not safe, so be sure to read every word of the contract!
Subcontracting Your Move
Another common type of scam is when moving companies overcharge their clients and then subcontract the job to another mover for half the price. Keep in mind that, usually, the subcontractor is not responsible to deliver goods in time as it is specified in the contract. What makes things even worse is that their employees usually have no real experience in moving fragile items, so breakage is not infrequent.
Minimal Insurance Policies
Breakage is a third common scam that consumers complain about when they move their households. Most people don't know that many companies will pay them only $60 per each pound damaged. That means that your beautiful new plasma television that you bought for a few thousand dollars could be broken and you would receive only about $30 in compensation!
The best way to beat low insurance coverage is to get a rider on your homeowner's policy to cover any damage that might occur during your move. What is more, take photographs of your possessions and ensure that your movers sign a statement of your items' conditions before you sign the receipt!
Cost According to Cubic Footage
The fourth potential scam is in the measurement of weight versus cubic feet moved. You are allowed to watch weigh-ins and verify the number, but a mover can make your load take up as much space as they desire just to increase the charges. You should calculate the weight of each item by dividing the total weight by the number of items. If you get over 35-45 lbs per piece, be wary of the motives of your mover!
Extra Parking Fees
The fifth common scam is extra charges incurred by claiming the movers could not park their truck in front of your residence, resulting in "long carries" from half a block or so away. The total can run well into the thousands of dollars! Be sure that you make all the necessary arrangements to avoid this scam.
Means By Which You Can Prevent Fraud
You can avoid these scams by reading moving company reviews on the internet or consumer publications, getting several quotes, having an attorney approve the contract, and documenting the condition and weight of your load. It may be a good idea to ask friends who've moved recently which companies they used and how well the movers performed.
About the Author:
Don't be taken by rogue long distance movers by making a hasty decision as to who to hire for your move. Request your free no-obligation moving companies online quote from several seasoned moving companies to compare services, best value, and save up to 35% on your move.
1 comment:
Packing Service, Inc. Packing - Crating - Loading - Delivery - Moving.
Better Business Bureau Member, ALSO PROVIDING FREE INFORMATION ABOUT
MOVING COMPANY SCAMS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM AT: http://www.movingscam.info/
We Do: Crating & Packing Services, Packing Boxes & Crates, Moving Boxes Services company, shipping palletizing.
Loading / Unloading: Truck Rental, Pods, Shipping Container, Self Storage.
Deliver Boxes, Home Delivery Service, Moving, Relocation, Relocation Services, Storage Containers, Delivery Companies, Movers, Packing Company.
As a member of the Better Business Bureau, Packing Service, Inc. is NOT a Broker company, so we use our very own professional employees. Brokers contract other companies and do not know who the employees will be.
954-615-PACK--7225
1888-PACK-PSI--722-5774
http://www.PackingServiceInc.com/
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