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, 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 Rate Bids
The most popular moving industry scam is giving you a low estimate and then changing you extra fees at your destination – once in a while this ends up being four times the amount of the estimate you were given! 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!
Passing Your Move To A Subcontract
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. These subcontractors are not subject to your original contract, nor are they bound to the schedule that you agreed to. Furthermore, these people often hire day laborers who lack experience in transporting valuable items which usually results in broken fragiles.
Insurance Provided At A Lower Rate
Breakage is another common scam that consumers usually complain about when moving 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. It implies that if your few thousand dollars plasma television gets broken, you will get approximately $30 as compensation.
To protect yourself from damage during a move you should add a rider to you homeowners policy. What is more, take pictures of your possessions and be sure that your movers sign a statement of the condition of your items.
Cost Based On A Per Foot Bases
One more popular method a moving company may cheat you with is the arrangement of weight vs cubic feet. 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. Be sure to calculate the total weight of your load and divide it by the number of items you have. Beware if you arrive at more than 45 pounds for each piece.
Additional Parking Expenses
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. You may have to pay several thousands of dollars for this! Be sure that you make all the necessary arrangements to avoid this scam.
Ways To Steer Clear Of Scams
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 have recently moved about how satisfied they were with their movers.
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 moving quotes from several seasoned moving companies to compare services, best value, and save up to 35% on your move.
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