Many people looking for a moving company are frequently misled into believing that a good reputation is enough for a successful relocation. Being an unregulated business, the moving business is a common place to get cheated.
Looking at the most recent year, there were 9,405 complaints from consumers regarding relocation companies, the BBB informs. Unfortunately, the agency that handles the safety and regulation for moving companies has limited resources so it's up to you to avoid the more common scams that even reputable moving companies can be guilty of.
Low Billing Estimates
The most popular moving industry scam is giving you a low estimate and then changing you extra fees at your 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. Simply signing a "binding and not to exceed quote" is not enough to ensure you are safe from scams, so you should read every word of your contract very carefully!
Subcontracting Your Move
Some moving companies will try to cheat you by overcharging you and subcontracting the work to another mover at half the price that you paid. Such subcontractors are not subject to the contract that you've signed and they are not bound to the schedule that you agreed to. What is more, their employees are often day laborers who have no real experience in moving fragile items and, consequently, breakage is common.
Minimal Insurance Policies
Breakage is another common scam that consumers usually complain about when moving their households. Did you know that most moving companies' liability coverage (this is sometimes referred to as "valuation") allows them to pay you only around $60 per pound for a damaged item? It implies that if your few thousand dollars plasma television gets broken, you will get approximately $30 as 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. You should also take pictures of your goods and make sure you and the movers sign a statement of the condition of your items before you sign the receipt!
Cost According to Cubic Footage
The fourth common way that a moving company will rip you off is the weight versus cubic feet arrangement. You are entitled to witness weigh-ins and verify the amount, but a mover can make your load take up as much space as they want it to in order to jack up the charges. Be sure to calculate the total weight of your load and divide it by the number of items you have. 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. These can add up to several thousand dollars! Still, you can avoid being sucked into this scam by planning everything ahead.
Means By Which You Can Prevent Fraud
You will be able to stay away from these scams by studying moving company reviews online 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.
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 company online quote from several seasoned moving companies to compare services, best value, and save up to 35% on your move.
No related posts.
