Hiring a Moving Company? Avoid costly mistakes
If moving is in your near future and you're considering hiring a moving company, do your research! Hundreds of moving companies are investigated every year by the U.S. Department of Transportation for violating federal consumer protection and safety regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration fined over 300 moving companies last year alone for violations. Unfortunately, numerous unscrupulous companies still fleece unsuspecting movers out of thousands of dollars. Often, rogue moving companies prey on those who dont do their homework prior to hiring a moving company. To prevent being a victim of a moving scam, there are several steps you can take.
Good resources do exist to check out a prospective moving company. The Better Business Bureau reports complaints to the public via their web site and provides low ratings to moving companies with multiple complaints or patterns of similar bad business practices. Some complaints allege theft, while more common complainants allege predatory bait and switch practices. A newer resource to check out moving company operators is www.movingscam.com - solely dedicated to exposing unethical moving companies.
According to the FMCSA, there are several red flags to be aware when hiring a moving company:
1. The mover doesn't offer or agree to an on-site inspection of your household goods and gives an estimate over the phone or Internet sight-unseen. These estimates often sound too good-to-be-true. They usually are. 2. The moving company demands cash or a large deposit before the move. 3. The mover doesn't provide you with a copy of Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, a booklet movers are required by Federal regulations to supply to their customers in the planning stages of interstate moves. 4. The mover claims all goods are covered by their insurance. 5. The company's website has no local address and no information about licensing or insurance.
According to industry expert, Stanislov Kukoba, long time operator of Los Angeles Professional Movers, part of the key to a successful and low cost move is advance planning. Some moving companies prey on people who are desperate to get moved at the last minute says Kukoba. Most legitimate companies require weeks of advance notice, so when a customer calls at the last minute, many options are limited for movers who dont plan ahead.
Planning at least 7 weeks ahead in any season is beneficial according to Kukoba. If you have time to check out and negotiate with multiple operators, you will more likely avoid unscrupulous moving companies and get a good price. In some cases, you may need the time to work on special arrangements for long distance moves.
Industry experts recommend avoiding summers and weekends when booking your move. Increased demand during those periods result in higher costs and diminished availability of quality moving services. In 2008, most violations, in proportion to the total number of moves, were discovered by the FMCSA. Poor planning blended with a move during a busy season could significantly narrow your moving service alternatives and make you more vulnerable to predatory operators.
Most moving companies charge additional fees for special requests sometimes not totally disclosed, so be sure to be thorough when they arrive at your home to provide a quote. Ask about extra costs, insurance policies, license numbers, and mileage that may or not be included in the move.
When it comes to choosing a moving company, do your homework. Most companies are good at what they do and take a tremendous amount of stress out of an already stressful event. Take the time to do the right screening so you can have a safe and successful move.
Good resources do exist to check out a prospective moving company. The Better Business Bureau reports complaints to the public via their web site and provides low ratings to moving companies with multiple complaints or patterns of similar bad business practices. Some complaints allege theft, while more common complainants allege predatory bait and switch practices. A newer resource to check out moving company operators is www.movingscam.com - solely dedicated to exposing unethical moving companies.
According to the FMCSA, there are several red flags to be aware when hiring a moving company:
1. The mover doesn't offer or agree to an on-site inspection of your household goods and gives an estimate over the phone or Internet sight-unseen. These estimates often sound too good-to-be-true. They usually are. 2. The moving company demands cash or a large deposit before the move. 3. The mover doesn't provide you with a copy of Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, a booklet movers are required by Federal regulations to supply to their customers in the planning stages of interstate moves. 4. The mover claims all goods are covered by their insurance. 5. The company's website has no local address and no information about licensing or insurance.
According to industry expert, Stanislov Kukoba, long time operator of Los Angeles Professional Movers, part of the key to a successful and low cost move is advance planning. Some moving companies prey on people who are desperate to get moved at the last minute says Kukoba. Most legitimate companies require weeks of advance notice, so when a customer calls at the last minute, many options are limited for movers who dont plan ahead.
Planning at least 7 weeks ahead in any season is beneficial according to Kukoba. If you have time to check out and negotiate with multiple operators, you will more likely avoid unscrupulous moving companies and get a good price. In some cases, you may need the time to work on special arrangements for long distance moves.
Industry experts recommend avoiding summers and weekends when booking your move. Increased demand during those periods result in higher costs and diminished availability of quality moving services. In 2008, most violations, in proportion to the total number of moves, were discovered by the FMCSA. Poor planning blended with a move during a busy season could significantly narrow your moving service alternatives and make you more vulnerable to predatory operators.
Most moving companies charge additional fees for special requests sometimes not totally disclosed, so be sure to be thorough when they arrive at your home to provide a quote. Ask about extra costs, insurance policies, license numbers, and mileage that may or not be included in the move.
When it comes to choosing a moving company, do your homework. Most companies are good at what they do and take a tremendous amount of stress out of an already stressful event. Take the time to do the right screening so you can have a safe and successful move.
About the Author:
Sydney Welkinson is a writer currently investigating Los Angeles Movers and recording his personal moving stories on his blog.
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