Many people looking for a moving company are frequently misled into believing that a good reputation is enough for a successful relocation. Taking into consideration the fact that there is little regulation for movers, you won't be able to get recompensed easily if something goes wrong.
Looking at the most recent year, there were 9,405 complaints from consumers regarding relocation companies, the BBB informs. As the regulatory agency that oversees movers has limited resources, it can not always protect you from numerous scams that even reputable moving companies can be guilty of.
Low Billing Estimates
The most common scam in the moving industry is giving you a low ball movers estimate and then hitting you up for extra charges at the destination – sometimes as much as quadruple the original amount your signed for! If you refuse to pay the extra charges, the moving company will store your possessions in a warehouse until you cough up the money. Even if you've signed a “binding and not to exceed quote” you are not safe, so be sure to read every word of the contract!
Passing Your Move To A Subcontract
Some cheap moving companies will try to cheat you by overcharging you and subcontracting the work to another mover at half the price that you paid. Keep in mind that, usually, the subcontractor is not responsible to deliver goods in time as it is specified in the contract. Furthermore, these people often hire day laborers who lack experience in transporting valuable items which usually results in broken fragiles.
Minimal Insurance Policies
Breakage is a third common scam that consumers complain about when they move their households. Did you know that most moving companies' liability coverage this is sometimes referred to as “valuation” allows them to pay you only around $60 per pound for a damaged item? It implies that if your few thousand dollars plasma television gets broken, you will get approximately $30 as compensation.
You can avoid this scam with a clause in your homeowner's policy that covers damages caused during the moving. What is more, take pictures of your possessions and be sure that your movers sign a statement of the condition of your items.
Cost According to Cubic Footage
The fourth common way that a national moving companies will rip you off is the weight versus cubic feet arrangement. You are entitled to witness weigh-ins and verify the amount, but a mover can make your load take up as much space as they want it to in order to jack up the charges. You should calculate the weight of each item by dividing the total weight by the number of items. If you come up with more than 35-45 pounds per piece, be suspicious of your mover's motives!
Extra Parking Fees
Another popular scam is extra charges incurred by claiming the movers could not park their truck in front of your residence, resulting in “long carries” from half a block or so away. The total can run well into the thousands of dollars! So, make certain that you plan how to steer clear of this scam.
Means By Which You Can Prevent Fraud
You can avoid these scams by reading moving company reviews on the internet or consumer publications, getting several quotes, having an attorney approve the contract, and documenting the condition and weight of your load. It may be a good idea to ask friends who've moved recently which companies they used and how well the movers performed.
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