OPTED Magazine

After three cross-ocean moves, 2 in-state moves, and over a dozen in-town moves in my lifetime, the odds are that I would not only some bad experiences that were no one’s fault but my own, but also be the victim of a moving scam and dishonest movers.  It’s a terrible feeling to move halfway across the country, on your own, as a single woman for your first job after college, and coincidentally be missing some of your most expensive electronics.  With no recourse and no resolution.

Moving horror stories are a dime a dozen, ranging from the wrong furniture delivered to your house to possessions held hostage until undisclosed money is paid.  Fortunately, my moving experiences were not this dire, but they certainly could have been.  Putting trust in people is difficult for some, easy for others — but with moving comapnies it pays to dot every i and cross every t and make sure everything is on paper.

As part of a CBS story, Joe Harrison, president of the American Moving And Storage Association offered some important tips to protect yourself from mvoing scams:

Avoid Low-Ball Internet Quotes - If it seems too good, it probably is. The Internet is full of crooks posing as movers, so get at least three estimates and discard the low ones.

Get References From Family/Friends - The best way to know if company is reputable is to talk to people who’ve used them such as friends, family and neighbors.

Check Company’s Record - Look up their complaint history with the BBB; contact the Federal Department of Transportation to see if they’re licensed and reputable; and get a list of reliable movers from local or national movers association like the American Moving And Storage Association and State Associations of Movers.

Get In-Person Estimates - Many people get estimates over the phone or online. It’s a big mistake. Always have the company come to your house and see firsthand all the belongings you want moved. That way the estimate will be more accurate.

Ask About Extra Fees - Your mover will charge extra for packing materials such as boxes, tape, wrapping foam, and padding. Ask how much that costs and to save money, do most of the packing yourself. If your new house is on a narrow street, many movers will charge extra if they can’t fit their truck on the street, so ask how much that will cost.

Get Everything In Writing – Many people make the mistake of signing a blank contract – that is a bad idea. The mover should put your estimate and all extra fees in writing on your contract upfront, as well as your pickup and delivery dates. Read your contract from top to bottom and make sure that all your belongings are listed.

In addition to these important steps, I’m a big proponent of researching ahead of time.  In the age of “everything being available on the internet” there is no reason not to do a little digging on the moving company you’re considering.  Try doing a Google search with the full moving company name in quotes to see if someone has written a positive or negative review of the company.  Of course, this would be in addition to a reference of that company from a friend or family member (which would be ideal).

Here are some other sites to help you with your research:

• www.movingscam.com
• The Better Business Bureau
• American Moving and Storage Association

Don’t be the next victim of a moving scam!  As busy as you may be, taking the time to thouroughly investigate the company you are entrusting your life to is well worth the effort.

This week is “moving week” on OPTED Magazine and this post is part of a 5 article series.  Check out the previous post about creating a moving necessities box and check back tomorrow for the final part of the series!

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