Don’t want a moving nightmare?
Hiring the wrong full-service mover can quickly turn an exciting new beginning into an expensive nightmare. Homeowners are scammed every year, blindsided by hidden fees and broken furniture.
And it’s not just losing your money.
Damaged items, long delays, and other headaches make the move stressful instead of exciting.
Sound familiar? Here’s how to avoid the same problems.
Here’s the problem:
The moving industry is one of the most heavily regulated businesses in the US for a reason.
In 2023 there were 12% more complaints filed to the US Department of Transportation than in 2022. Yet most people never learn the warning signs until it’s too late.
The good news? You can protect yourself and your belongings with the right knowledge.
Here’s what you’re about to discover:
- The Real Cost of Making Wrong Choices
- Red Flags You Can’t Afford To Miss
- How To Verify A Moving Company’s Credentials
- Understanding Moving Estimates The Right Way
The Real Cost of Making Wrong Choices
Hold on a second before you start quoting to know what’s at stake.
When you hire full service movers for your home, choosing a reputable company will help you avoid thousands of dollars in potential losses and endless headaches. The average victim of moving scams lost $836 to moving scams in 2023.
Here’s the bad news…
Most people who get scammed by a moving company never even file a complaint. They just suck it up and move on with their lives.
That means that these scams happen way more often than the stats show.
Can you imagine what that means for your move? You’re not just risking losing money… You’re risking all of your hard-earned belongings, your carefully laid out moving timeline, and the peace of mind you should have during this hectic time.
Choosing the wrong moving company could throw your entire moving plan into chaos.
Red Flags You Can’t Afford To Miss
Want to know the single easiest way to spot a fake moving company?
Look at the way they present themselves.
Fraudulent moving companies always present several warning signs from the start. Here are the top red flags that should make you stop any discussion immediately.
No Physical Address
Does the moving company only have a P.O. box address? Or an apartment number or single house number?
Stop. Period.
Moving companies should have physical business addresses. End of story.
Generic Phone Answers
Trust your gut here.
Call the moving company and listen to how they answer the phone. If it’s anything other than the moving company’s name it’s a red flag.
Professionals always identify themselves on the phone.
Refusing In-Person Estimates
Not interested in doing an in-person estimate?
Not interested in using quality packing supplies or investing in experienced crew to pack your home?
Companies that refuse to see your belongings before starting an estimate are cutting corners from the start.
It’s impossible to estimate accurately without seeing what you own.
If they don’t assess your items on-site they have no idea how much packing material you’ll need, what equipment is required, how long the move will take, etc. Companies that won’t do on-site inspections often lowball to get the job then jack up prices on moving day.
Demanding Large Deposits Upfront
If the moving company you’re working with demands you pay a large percentage of the total bill up-front it’s a huge red flag.
Professional moving companies never have to ask for large deposits to start moving.
In fact, a true professional doesn’t need cash or more than 20% before they start.
Cash only is another red flag in itself.
How To Verify A Moving Company’s Credentials
Checking their credentials isn’t optional. It’s required.
All interstate moving companies must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. They should have a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number you can verify online.
Ask for their USDOT number and look it up. Takes less than 5 minutes but could save you thousands of dollars. Take note of their complaint history in the FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database.
Check Multiple Review Sources
Don’t trust reviews from a single website. The moving industry has one of the highest rates of fake reviews in the US at 8.9% according to BBB research. Many movers pay to have fake positive reviews written to bury their history.
Read multiple reviews from Better Business Bureau, Google, Yelp, and the FMCSA complaint database. Search for the company’s name along with words like “complaint” or “scam” to see what turns up.
Negative reviews are always more truthful, so take note of their bad experiences to know what to expect.
Understanding Moving Estimates The Right Way
Moving estimates come in various types, and understanding them is critical.
A binding estimate means the price will not increase unless additional services are requested. A non-binding estimate could go up based on the actual weight or time spent on the move.
Did you know…
The majority of complaints against movers relate to their price. 90% of moving complaints to the Better Business Bureau are about the price of the service going up on moving day.
Get everything in writing, and make sure all the details are spelled out specifically. Written estimates should list all the items you want moved, the packing services, your insurance options, payment terms, delivery timeframe, and any other fees.
Insurance Protection Matters
Moving companies can all offer basic liability coverage but it’s usually not enough at just 60 cents per pound.
Think about that. If your 50-pound flat screen TV is destroyed in the move, you’d get $30 from them. That doesn’t even cover a new one.
Full Value Protection costs more but the mover has to repair, replace, or pay you current market value for damaged items. Get their insurance options in writing before signing anything.
Questions You Must Ask Before Signing
Before you agree to any moving company, ask these key questions:
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Do you perform in-person estimates?
- What type of estimate are you providing?
- What insurance options do you offer?
- Who is actually performing the move?
Pay attention to their answers. Professional movers answer questions clearly and provide documentation to back up their statements. If they hesitate or try to weasel out of answering, run.
Bottom Line
Avoiding common pitfalls when hiring full-service movers comes down to doing your homework.
The moving industry is rife with fraud and deceptive practices. But with the right knowledge you can protect yourself, your belongings, and your sanity.
Don’t forget these key points:
- Pay attention to the red flags like no physical address or refusing on-site estimates
- Verify credentials through the FMCSA database
- Check multiple review sources
- Understand the type of estimate you’re getting and get adequate insurance
It takes time to vet moving companies, but a few hours of research now could save you thousands and endless stress later. Don’t let a bad moving experience tarnish what should be an exciting new beginning.
