I don’t believe I need to remind anyone of the current economic turmoil we are all in. This means relocating, whether across town or across state lines, is more stressful than in years past. Neglecting to properly budget for your move could be the difference between sinking or swimming in your new locale.
Regrettably, people have caught wind of this, and are preying on folks who are simply unaware of what a move actually costs. These people, often referred to as “rogue movers”, will succor people in with internet estimates designed to underbid the competition, and then the horror stories begin. Frequently, they will deliver your belongings up to a month later than stated, and then refuse to unload the items until false additional charges are paid, sometimes doubling the cost of your move.
After dealing with many people who have been victimized by these fake moving companies, I feel a personal responsibility to educate those people who are new to the moving process. The following list of my top 5 “red flags” to look for so that you can avoid being victimized.
1. They do not offer, agree to, or say “they don’t need to” inspect your household goods in person in order to work up your estimate. These people would prefer to give quotes over the phone or internet.
2. If the “company” forcefully requests a deposit for the move beforehand. Just about all moving companies will accept cash, check, or money order upon delivery.
3. If they bring a rental truck instead of a marked fleet truck on your moving day. This one is fairly self-explanatory.
4. When inquiring about your insurance coverage, they state that all goods are covered. It is federal law that all interstate moves are offered two different liability options, known as valuation.
5. When beginning your search for a reputable mover, visit the website www.protectyourmove.gov. It is an extremely helpful site that can assist you throughout your entire move process from start to finish.
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