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Long Distance Moving Companies: 5 Typical Moving Scams To Avoid
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. As the regulatory agency that oversees movers has limited resources, it can not always protect you from numerous scams that even reputable moving companies can be guilty of.
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. 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.
Low Insurance Coverage
Breakage is a third common scam that consumers complain about when they move their households. Most people don’t know that most companies’ mover’s liability coverage allows them to pay you only around $60 per pound for a damaged item. Which means that if your gorgeous plasma TV purchased for a few thousand dollars gets broken, you will be reimbursed only $30!
You can avoid this scam with a clause in your homeowner’s policy that covers damages caused during the moving. 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!
Price Based On Cubic Feet
One more popular method a moving company may cheat you with is the arrangement of weight vs cubic feet. 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. So, try to calculate the weight by dividing your load with number of items. If you get over 35-45 lbs per piece, be wary of the motives of your mover!
Extra Charges For Parking
The fifth popular scam is extra fees charged by movers claiming they were unable to park their truck in front of your home, resulting in “long carries” from approximately half a block. 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 will be able to stay away from these scams if you study moving company reviews online or consumer publications, obtain several quotes, get an attorney to approve the contract, and document your load’s weight and condition. 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 moving companies by making a hasty decision as to who to hire for your move. Request your free no-obligation free online moving quotes from several seasoned moving companies to compare services, best value, and save up to 35% on your move.
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