How to Choose a Moving Company
There are plenty of moving companies out there, but that doesn’t mean they’re all good. That’s why knowing how to choose a moving company is so important. The following tips will help you choose the company that’s right for your needs:- Determine first whether you want to use a full-service mover or containerized shipping that allows you to pack your belongings into a “pod” and have them shipped.
- Ask around to see if your friends and relatives can recommend companies they’ve used and/or research moving companies online to develop an initial list.
- Once you have a list of moving companies, check whether each is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau and are members of the American Moving & Storage Association. It’s also a good idea to check with any moving industry trade organizations in your state. Keep in mind that even good companies sometimes have complaints, so grievances aren’t necessarily a bad sign. If those complaints haven’t been resolved to the customers’ satisfaction, however, that’s a bad sign.
- Check with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration web site to make sure each company has a U.S. Department of Transportation registration number. If you’ll be moving from one state to another, be sure to check whether each also has an interstate transport license.
- Once you’ve verified your list of moving companies by doing the steps above, call each one to get estimates. If the phone is answered with a generic message like “movers” or “moving company,” the company may have been sold to rogue or scam movers who use multiple names to avoid prosecution. This is a clear red flag, so remove any companies that do this from your list. Also, if any of them refuse to give you a written estimate based on an on-site inspection of your home and belongings, move onto the next company.
- When you’ve narrowed down your list to a final candidate or two, visit their facilities. If they look dirty, disorganized or like they just moved in; steer clear. The same goes for if the premises have no signage or signage from another company. These are strong indicators that they may be one of the many rogue moving companies that prey on movers by giving low-priced estimates and jacking up the price after they’ve loaded their belongings.
Knowing how to choose a moving company and doing thorough research should weed out all but the very best companies. But just in case a rogue mover happens to slip through, here’s a sign you should watch for on moving day: If a rented truck or a vehicle with another company’s name on it shows up, don’t allow your possessions to be loaded. Rogue moving companies often use rented vehicles or trucks from another company, so having the wrong logo or no logo on a truck is cause for concern. Call the police if necessary, but whatever you do, don’t give them access to your belongings.
No comments:
Post a Comment