Has Deregulation Helped Moving Companies?

by David Andrews

Over the past three decade or so, the service industry in the United States has seen a lot of deregulation. Almost all service industries including Electricity, Telephone, and others have undergone a lot of changes, most of which have been caused by market deregulation. One of the reasons why the government chose to deregulate the market was to create a sort of competition amongst various providers and thereby improve upon their services whilst providing better price rates for consumers. But in reality, a lot of other things have happened alongside these changes.

Deregulation has ensured a number of fly by night companies mushroomed everywhere. While they few of these companies managed to provide excellent services at reasonable price rates to consumers, they only managed to last for a short time. Others managed to provide below par services but are continuing to survive somehow.

Moving companies too haven't been spared by these deregulation policies. They too have undergone changes. The moving industry became wide open after the federal government passed an act in 1980. Prior to this, there were very few moving companies in the industry and their prices were tariff based. By 1990's hundreds of companies thronged the marketplace each trying to outdo another in the competition for getting a sizeable share in the long distance service segment. All these changes should have ideally created a positive impact and the consumers should have benefitted a great deal. Also, there should have been better services and low prices all around. However, in reality, there's a lot of confusion that's brewing in the moving industry and this has virtually created a monster of sorts. What should have been as simple as moving has become really complex. A number of scam companies have arisen and with it a lot of mistrust has been developed in the market.

Americans have always believed in having open markets. But still, there needs to be an authorized body that oversees all the things happening in the moving industry. In other words, there have to be clear cut rules and guidelines that will help both moving companies and consumers alike.

For protecting the interests of consumers there have to be few guidelines. Given below are some examples for the same.

1] Interestingly, the measurements and standard weights that are used by moving companies can vary a great deal. In either case, the consumers stand to lose. For example, when the weight is too low the consumers will get penalized by the mover. If the weight is too high, then they will be charged exorbitantly.

2] All moving quotes needs to be written in a standard language and it should be easily understood by customers. Not all companies have similar quotes and in fact, most of them use complicated languages in their quotes just to confuse customers. A typical quote has to clearly mention the rights of both the moving companies and a consumer.

3] All moving companies need to provide a detailed explanation of binding moving quotes. Furthermore, the company needs to explain the circumstances under which the quote is binding and in which it is not binding. The quote also should include a clause that indicates the penalties the consumer is likely to bear when the quote is no longer binding on him /her.

4] Movers need to provide a quote that will indicate pickup and delivery dates. It should also reflect the transit time that the consumer can expect between the pickup and delivery of their items.

5] The body that governs these movers needs to be a sort of "complaint bureau". They should have all the right to investigate different cases and come to suitable conclusions.

6] Quotes should also give a detailed explanation about the insurance covers they are required to carry by law, if required.

7] The consumer needs to be provided with information that includes packaging their belongings. The details need to contain how the glass and other delicate items will be packed and so on.

Given below are few guidelines that have to be followed to safeguard the interests of moving companies.

1] Consumers need to understand that when they carry items more than what they have mentioned in the inventory list or when they take additional services, they are not supported by the binding quotes.

2] Unavoidable delays can always occur while consumers are on move. It can be due to an inclement weather conditions or due to the breakdown of the moving vehicle. In these cases, the moving companies shouldn't be held responsible.

The above mentioned suggestions are helpful in overcoming issues related to moving that have seen a drastic increase ever since the industry was deregulated. This is sure to help both moving companies and consumers.

The author of this article has expertise in Long Distance Moving. The articles on Long Distance Moving reveals the author’s knowledge on the same. The author has written many articles on Long Distance Moving as well.

Source: http://www.ideamarketers.com/Has_Deregulation_Helped_Moving_Companies_&articleid=2608927

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