7 Tips For Avoiding Moving Scams

Want to grasp the simplest technique of avoiding a moving scam? Hire a Reputable public mover.

Use our Moving Cost Estimator along with obtaining a free quote quickly.

Now, these are the foremost prevalent moving scams that you just can avoid:

One of the best ways to inform if a mover contains a murky past is that if it is having a habit of fixing its name frequently.
Occasionally, true moving companies change their van line affiliations and names, which is fine.
If they have done it 5 times in a few years, it should be a matter of concern.

Golden Tip:

Sometimes all a corporation must do to distance itself from its shady past is to alter its name and repaint its trucks.
Ask for a copy of their business license.
Is the name different from that on their website? If yes, then find out the reason.

There is an enormous distinction to be made between movers and brokers.
To make things simple, you must understand these things.
Movers own trucks, and brokers do not.
Moving companies also need warehouses and trained men and ladies to pack and move your items.
Brokers need a post office box and some phone lines.
They are in business.
They often misrepresent themselves as actual moving companies to unwary consumers.
Once they have booked a move with a new customer, they shop that move around to real moving companies.
Do not dismiss an honest company simply because it is a broker. Be wary of the online brokers that appear to possess no footprint of being a reputable company.

Golden Tip: Discover if a mover is reputable by running a background check.

After you have compiled a listing of possible movers, you will want to offer them a call.
If you have landed on their website and cannot find a contact number, you will want to move on.

Golden Tip:

Scam movers want your contact details. They do not prefer to give theirs.
If you have chosen wisely and speak with a true person, they will want to understand the fundamentals of your move.
Where you are moving to and from.
The size of your home or apartment.
When you will be moving.
It is important information.
Eventually, they ought to suggest sending an organization’s representative to your home to give an accurate estimate.
If they are throwing numbers around and are unwilling to schedule a meeting, it is an honest sign of scamming.

It is legal for movers to charge customers for a few services that were not included within the original estimate.
Additional charges could also be added for last-minute services like storage and truck inaccessibility issues requiring a shuttle.
Most moves should not end with big surprises and larger headaches.
Unscrupulous movers often add massive fuel surcharges, bloated insurance premiums, and jacked-up weights to the ultimate bill to induce unearned money.
And sadly, they often target vulnerable consumers just like the elderly.

Golden Tip: Know your rights before you move.

It is when companies intentionally provide a potential customer with an unreasonably low estimate with the express intent of accelerating the price later.
It is more common than you would possibly think, but there are ways to safeguard yourself.
First, get multiple in-home estimates from companies you have thought of being reputable.
Though there is no way even for an experienced consultant to work out the specific weight of your items, they must get close.
Compare the weights on each estimate.
Ideally, they must be within 10% of one another.
If one is far less than the others, it should be a scam.
Interstate movers are required to weigh each customer’s shipment individually. They must do it with nearly full fuel tanks.

Golden Tip: Ask the driving force to indicate to you what is inside his tanks if you are worried about being scammed.

If you are moving from one state to a different one, your estimate should be based on mileage, optional services requested, and the weight of your shipment.
If a removal company provides an estimate according to cubic feet rather than weight, it can mean that they are not credible.
They may justify it by saying that it is only fair to charge according to the amount of van space used.
This is not reasonable.
If an experienced driver can load your items into 1,000 cubic feet of space, why do you have to be charged more for an inexperienced driver who uses 1,300 cubic feet?
It is not sensible.

Golden Tip: If your estimate is in cubic feet, ensure that you are hiring a mover you trust.

There are two sorts of moving contracts as per federal law.
A non-binding estimate states that the ultimate cost of the move could also be more or less than the initial estimate.
This is perfectly acceptable because customers often add items and services at the eleventh hour that legitimately increasing the moving cost.
However, if the original cost exceeds the estimate by over 10%, movers cannot demand payment on the spot.
They are entitled to the estimated cost at the time of delivery, but the remainder is payable within 30 days.
A binding estimate may be a guaranteed price, but it is according to the precise weight, number of inventory items, and services requested on the initial estimate.
Be warned, you still could be on the hook for added charges if you move more items than approved or need the mover to give additional services.

Golden Tip: Before booking your move, arouse a sample contract and read every word of it.

Avoiding Scams In Moving