If you plan to move soon, you're likely searching for a high-quality moving company to help pack and transport your belongings. As unfortunate as it is, not all movers are committed to providing their customers with the highest level of service.
Interstate movers with valid licenses are held to higher standards of professionalism and reliability by law. Therefore, it is possible to spot a dishonest moving company by keeping an eye out for these frequently disregarded standards.
Before signing a moving company contract, you should ensure you can recognize the red flags of a questionable business. Here are five warning signs to look for as you consider various moving companies.
Hidden Fees
Before your move, you should be able to get an accurate estimate of the final cost, including extras like packing or moving insurance. If a mover can't provide this estimate or says it could change at any time, that's a red flag. Reputable movers should be able to guarantee their prices and be transparent with any fees or surcharges.
Rights and Responsibilities
You should familiarize yourself with your legal protections before relocating. When you hire a professional mover, they must give you a packet of information titled "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move." This 25-page pamphlet details ethical business procedures, mandatory standards, and your legal protections as a customer. If your mover doesn’t offer this packet or provide this information, you should question them about it.
Suspicious Terms and Conditions
To avoid the law, some fraudulent movers will use forms designed solely to safeguard their own financial interests. Some will offer ambiguous contracts that don't adequately protect your belongings or payments. Others will try to mislead you with legalese, using phrases like "choice of venue" to limit your ability to pursue legal action. You should consult an attorney if you have any doubts about the agreement's content before signing it.
Upfront Deposit
Professional movers shouldn't require any down payment before loading the truck. It's a warning sign that the moving company you're considering hiring is deceitful. So make sure you understand the payment terms before signing any contracts.
No Valuation
When transporting household goods across state lines, interstate movers must provide customers with valuation (also known as moving protection) in case of loss or damage. If your long-distance mover doesn't give you this choice, you might later face difficulties.
Bad User Reviews
These days, everything has user reviews. One of the best ways to verify if a moving company is legit is to look at what other customers say. Pay attention to the bad ratings and look for issues that pop up consistently within the comments. However, this only tells you part of the story. Also, look at
- The date of the complaint. Sometimes, old complaints stay on a review page for a while, even though the company has resolved the issue.
- Comments from the company. Reputable moving companies will address negative reviews and try to rectify the situation. If the business responds regularly, it's a better sign that it cares about its customers.
General Unprofessionalness
You can often tell if a business is reputable or not based on how it conducts itself when working with customers. If you get a negative vibe from the company, you'll likely have a bad experience. Unprofessionalism can include elements like:
- Lack of contact information
- Dirty or unkempt storefront
- Lackluster workforce
- Aging or broken equipment
Another huge red flag is if the images on the website don't match what you see in person. In this case, the company purposely misled prospective customers and is far more likely to take advantage of your business.
Move With the Professionals!
Now that you know what red flags to look for when comparing moving companies, you'll be glad to see that we offer high-quality service at a price that meets your budget. Contact us today to see what we can do for you!
