What is the worst thing that can happen when you are planning to move and you go in search for a moving company? You might just stumble on an unauthorized moving company that could scam you out of your money.
These days, there are a lot of people who are trying to save money on their move. If you happen to go to a moving company that has a price much lower than the last company that you interview, chances are you are dealing with a rogue mover.
There is a lot of detailing that goes into moving; because of this you may be inclined to make a rush decision when choosing your mover. Experts would tell you that it’s best to take your time and slow down as you select the right type of movers. Fortunately, rogue movers have a certain template that most should be aware of as they make their selection.
One of the first signs of a scam moving company is that of their fees. A rogue mover may quote you a price and then add another unexpected fee later on in your moving project. To avoid this, you should ensure that the quoted fees are in writing.
Is the company you are dealing with an illegitimate moving company? You can easily find out by doing some research with the mover’s association. Another way you can verify a mover is by asking for a face to face meeting. At this meeting you would be able to see if the movers are operating from a physical office as well as to get a glimpse of the people that work with the moving company. You will also get the opportunity to see the moving vans available and to view the certifications and license displayed on the wall or desk.
This is the type of information you would not yield from a phone interview. Most of the times, rogue movers use prepaid cell phones which makes it easier for them to conveniently go out of business when the first sign of trouble arises.
Another precautionary method is to research the Internet to do a background check and moving reviews on prospective moving companies. The Better Business Bureau is a good place to start when doing your online research.
For those of you who may have already encountered an illegitimate moving company, one of their tactics is to hold your furniture and household items until you pay them an astronomical fee. If this is the case then we suggest that you immediate call the authorities.
When looking for a mover make sure they are licensed with the Department of Transportation for your state. My company’s website is http://www.greateraustinmoving.com and on our site we have to have a link to TxDot required by TxDot. Also, try and get a guaranteed not to exceed price this way you have a cap on what you spend and if your weight or items are less you pay the lesser amount. Stay away from most Craigslist companies is a huge tip as well. They have great rates but once they have your items on their truck you pretty much lose all of your power. This is sad but true.
Awareness is the one that can prevent these scams from happening. Good information for those who are moving.
Trying to cut cost this day and age is pretty much mandatory and sometimes the deal sounds so good your might forget to ask the right questions. It is very important to have several conversations with your mover before you ever sign a document or even think about giving them a dime. If the mover is willing to do the move without a deposit it can be a good sign, but mostly you need to trust the company you are working with. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is, one of the best ways to save money is to plan and pack properly, any work you can cut out of the movers job will save you valuable time in the end.
A wide range of services including full packing & unpacking and self storage with providing assistance with household and business move.