Don’t let a moving scam ruin your next move. While the majority of moving firms are trustworthy, there are still a few bad apples – and their victims’ cautionary tales. If you’re going to pay money for a mover, it’s your job to ensure that the firm is reputable. After all, moving day is stressful enough without having to commit your prized possessions to the wrong individuals. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to assess a moving company’s trustworthiness before you ever pick up the phone. Here’s how you tell if a mover is trustworthy with your belongings.
Is the movers’ license and insurance up to date?
It’s critical to check that a moving business is legally licensed and insured before employing them. It’s worth noting that although interstate movers are obliged to register, local movers are not. Because each state has its own licensing criteria, you should familiarize yourself with them to guarantee that your local mover is authorized.
Are there any grievances?
How are the moving reviews coming along? When it comes to finding a reputable moving company, visit site and reading reviews is the best way to go. Asking your neighbors, friends, and family for ideas is also a good idea. Pay attention to what they have to say about their own experiences with several moving firms.
Did the mover inspect your belongings before providing you with an estimate?
Before providing you with an estimate, moving firms should do an in-person inspection or a video scan of your goods. Otherwise, you risk receiving a charge that is far more than the initial estimate. If they provide you a quotation over the phone or on the internet based on your own inventory of your belongings, flee! This is a warning sign that you may be the victim of a relocation scam. As a general rule, any company that gives you a fixed price without inspecting your belongings through video or in person is usually not to be trusted. I recommend comparing at least three or four quotations from different moving firms to guarantee you receive the best rate.
Following an examination, the movers should provide you with a written estimate (together with any extra expenses that may apply) so that there are no unpleasant surprises later. This could also be a significant red flag if the moving business’s quote is considerably more or less expensive than comparable moving business estimates.
Are they qualified?
Consumers must apply common sense when picking a moving business, aside from the legalities of licensing and insurance. Keep an eye on the movers to see whether they are actual pros. Do they have a physical address as well as a corporate email address? Is the moving firm a member of a well-known van line? Do they have uniforms on and are they driving professional moving trucks? Have you received a formal Bill of Lading from them? Is it possible that the estimate is too wonderful to be true? Do they have a legitimate business license? Listen to your instinct if something doesn’t seem right.
In the moving market, competition is high, and no matter where you reside, you’ll have plenty of alternatives to pick from. Do your homework, ask around, visit site, and don’t be afraid to move on if a firm raises any red flags for you. Overall, you want a provider with a track record of safety, dependability, and great service quality. Even if you just plan to use the firm for one day, a lot might go wrong. The more time you invest into finding the ideal moving company, the less time you’ll have to deal with any accidents.
