5 Ways to Avoid Scam Moving Companies This Holiday Season

 5 Ways to Avoid Scam Moving Companies This Holiday Season

The moving industry was deregulated in the early 1990s and has since been in shambles. 15% of Americans move each year, amounting to 40 million people. Only hire licensed movers who are regulated by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA). The best way to find a moving company is through local resources such as the newspaper, yellow pages, or word of mouth. Obtain a written binding estimate based on 400n tariff weight rather than cubic footage.

Packing supplies and services add significantly to the cost of your move. The most dangerous times for you and your belongings are while loading and unloading. Packing your own belongings is the safest option, but if you use a moving service, make sure they use quality materials. Items that are missing or stolen should be reported to the police as soon as possible.

The five most important things you can do to protect yourself from becoming a victim of a moving company scam are listed below. The moving industry was deregulated in the early 1990s and has since been in shambles. Scam movers have taken over the industry, and honest movers are struggling to compete. Still, more than 15% of Americans move each year, amounting to more than 40 million people. That's a lot of moving and packing for these shady movers to take advantage of. You can gain an advantage over your movers by taking a few simple steps to protect yourself, your family, and everything you own.

1. The most important thing you can do to protect yourself when hiring a moving company is to only hire licensed movers who are regulated by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA). You have certain rights and responsibilities when moving if you use a licensed moving company, as outlined in this Federal Brochure. Before you move, your moving company should provide you with a copy of this document. Make certain you are dealing with a legitimate moving company rather than a moving broker. The FMCSA licenses and regulates moving brokers, but they are not required to own trucks. Most brokers are nothing more than a sales force that books deals for trucking companies. They are no longer interested in you or your belongings once they have your money. 

2. The best way to find a moving company in your area is through local resources such as the newspaper, yellow pages, or word of mouth. Ask around for recommendations on movers. When you find a moving company, ask for referrals. Don't believe anything you read on someone's website. Request the phone numbers of the previous three clients. If they refuse to provide a phone number, request that they call you instead. If they are unwilling to do so, you can expect a less than stellar service. 

Obtain a written binding estimate based on 400n tariff weight rather than cubic footage. Paying for your household goods based on their actual weight can save you money. Why should you let a shady moving company pack your belongings in boxes when they charge you by the cubic foot? They enjoy the full service package and frequently change jobs because they charge more. Know your rights and arm yourself with information like that found at http://www.protectyourmove.gov.

3. Moving yourself is the safest way to move your belongings. Self-service moving has grown in popularity in recent years, and companies that provide various self-move services are quickly becoming industry leaders. With over 1 million moving trucks rented each year, moving trucks and drivers are as popular as ever. Moving containers are a new service that delivers a storage container to your home. You are free to pack at your own pace while the box remains safe and secure near your home. 

When you're done packing, your moving pod can be delivered to your new home in the same city or another state. If you don't want to load or drive a truck, you could hire a truck and driver to help you pack and load they drive moving services. Packing supplies and services add significantly to the cost of your move. Save money by packing your own belongings and ensuring their safety before doing so. Be wary of movers who try to blame you for damage to items that have already been packed.

4. The most dangerous times for you and your belongings are while loading and unloading. Packing your own belongings is the safest option, but if you use a moving service, make sure they use quality packing materials and supplies. Some movers have special rolls of tape that are shorter and less expensive than regular rolls. 

They use low-cost moving boxes that may not support your belongings, and they may underpack boxes in order to fit more boxes and space on the truck. Moving blankets, hand trucks, and wheel dollys are all tools of the trade for a professional mover, but they are all foreign objects to unsuspecting movers. Allow them to pack and load your belongings properly rather than breaking them up. Most movers are not qualified to set up your electrical equipment or some appliances. Take care of these things yourself to ensure that your home is safe from potential harm.

5. Immediately after your mover has unpacked and delivered your belongings, inspect them for any obvious damages. You have 90 days under the law to file a claim with your mover, but it's always best to do so right away. As evidence of any damages or missing items, provide photo or video evidence of the contents of your home before and after the move. Items that are missing or stolen should be reported to the police as soon as possible. 

Regardless of what the movers say, you have the right to complain if your items do not arrive on time. File any complaints with your movers as soon as possible and follow through; if they refuse, take it up with the FMCSA. Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list of what you should do before hiring a moving company. When hiring a company to perform a service for you, use common sense and good judgment. When they pack everything you own into a truck for a cross-country trip, you take extra precautions. Please see the resources listed below for additional information on moving and relocation services.