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How to Spot a Bad Moving Company
By Jason Alderman
Moving is already traumatic and expensive enough; the last
thing you want to worry about is getting ripped off by your
mover. Yet each year, the Better Business Bureau receives
thousands of complaints against moving companies, mostly
alleging lost or damaged property, not showing up on time,
overcharging – or, in extreme cases, stealing or holding
customers' possessions hostage while demanding more money
than originally agreed upon.
Before you spend hundreds or thousands of dollars and
entrust your valuables with strangers, here are a few tips
for ensuring a positive moving experience, as well as scams
to avoid:
Screen potential movers. All companies that do interstate
moves must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration (www.protectyourmove.gov). You can use
its search engine to screen for complaints, safety
information and company contact information by company name
or by the state where its primary business office is
located.
Moving companies that don't cross state lines aren't
governed by federal regulations, but rather, by individual
state laws. Go to the State/Local Resources tab at FMCSA's
site for links to each state's regulatory resources. Also
make sure the company has at least a satisfactory rating
from the Better Business Bureau.
Get written estimates. No reputable mover would ever give a
firm estimate by phone or Internet, sight-unseen. Always
insist on in-home inspections of your household goods and
detailed, written estimates from at least three to five
moving companies so you can get a sense of true market
rates.
Movers need to know how much stuff you have, whether
particularly heavy, valuable or awkward pieces need to be
moved, if stairs are involved, and many other details that
will affect their costs. Beware if an estimate is
significantly less: This is a common ruse by unscrupulous
companies to bind you to their service, then later hit you
up for hidden fees – perhaps even refusing to unload your
furnishings until you pay up.
By law, movers must assume liability for the value of
property they transport. Ask for proof your mover has
insurance and make sure you understand what's covered.
Base-line coverage they should provide is called
"released-value protection." It's free, but if something is
lost or broken, they only have to pay you 60 cents per
pound. For an additional fee you can purchase "full-value
protection," where the mover must repair, replace or provide
cash settlement for damaged items. Also consider third-party
moving insurance.
A few additional tips:
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Ask if the moving company will handle the entire move
itself or hire subcontractors. Apply the same due
diligence to any subcontractors.
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Ask whether crewmembers are employees or temporary hires
and ask to see verification of background checks, either
way.
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Ask to see the company's "tariff," which outlines the
maximum costs and how they're calculated, as well as a
list of all items for which you could face additional
charges.
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Be suspicious if the mover asks for a large cash deposit
or full payment in advance. Also, don't make the final
payment until you're sure everything was delivered
undamaged.
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Be wary if the company's website has no local address or
license and insurance information, they refuse to put
everything in writing or they use an unmarked truck
rather than a company-owned vehicle.
Interstate movers are required by law to give you a copy of
the FMCSA's booklet, "Your Rights and Responsibilities When
You Move." Even if your move is only local, be sure to read
it for valuable tips.
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