Moving is a stressful experience in its own right — without adding less-than-reputable moving companies into the mix. But you have to be diligent when choosing the right company so you’re not taken advantage of. Unfortunately, there are many movers out there that will try to take advantage of your trusting nature. This year, about 35 million Americans will relocate, and many are at risk of getting scammed, says Newsweek. You’re even more at risk if you move across state lines.
However, armed with the right knowledge, you can keep this from happening to you as part of your residential move. Here are some warnings signs.
If it’s too good to be true…
…it probably is. Be leery of deals that sound too over-the-top incredible. Just remember that scammers are trying to get you in the door, and they will do that with a variety of tactics. They will likely advertise an insanely low price without any small print to back it up. Always ask for a breakdown of what goes into the price. Get it all in writing. Deals made on little more than a handshake are destined to failure. Without paperwork, you don’t have as much leverage as you normally would if something were to go wrong. And with no binding agreement, there’s nothing to stop them from holding your belongings hostage on the truck.
Less-Than-Stellar Reputation
A reputable company will have lots of positive reviews — both online and word of mouth. They will have many years in the business (unreliable movers wouldn’t be in business very long), and they will have a credible presence on consumer watchdog and reviews websites, such as the BBB, Angie’s List or Google+. Fly-by-night movers will ask for all cash up front, or at least a large portion. Then, you never see them again. Look for movers with a strong presence in the community and an address you can check out. A good company won’t mind you calling to ask questions and looking into the
ir prices. They also should only ask for a small deposit to book your slot, not everything at once.
Plan Ahead
You can lower your risk of being taken advantage of by planning ahead and booking early. With early booking, you have more choices and more time to research what you need. Make sure you arrange an on-site visit to get to know your movers a little bit. They should offer to come by to take measurements for the most accurate estimate possible. This is really hard to do over the phone. Take notice if the movers were on time or if they called to notify you they’d be late. Make sure they have reliable trucks, safety equipment and moving gear to address all your needs.
What to Do if You Are a Victim
It happens. If you do suspect you have been taken advantage of by your mover, you have some recourse. Learn the name of the office manager or point of contact. If you have signed a contract, make sure you have it ready when you call. If you don’t get anywhere with the company, call the Better Business Bureau, which specializes in consumer protection. They will attempt to secure accountability from the moving company. If all else fails, take to social media. Make sure everyone knows about your experience and the moving company involved. Social media reviews are often the most damaging, especially on a local basis.
Contact Olde World Movers in Dallas/Fort Worth
Rest assured, you’re getting transparent service and prices when you hire Olde World Movers. Contact us in Euless at 817-952-5694 or Frisco at 972-843-7193 to learn more about what we can do for you, or go online and get a free, no-obligation estimate.
