7 Red Flags to Look for When Hiring a Moving Company
By Jane Irene Kelly September 2003
Keep an eye out for these warning signs to avoid scams or shoddy service the next time that you move:
Rock-bottom prices. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is, says Ron Berry, senior vice president of the Councils of the Better Business Bureau, Washington, D.C. Get at least three estimates, and check out moving companies with your local Better Business Bureau.
No physical presence in your area. A nice website or ad in the phone book doesn't always translate into a legitimate or professional moving operation. "The Internet is a wonderful tool, but unfortunately there are a lot of bad people out there," says Dave Hauenstein, director of technical programs for the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), Alexandria, Va. Find out if companies have a physical presence in your area.
Refusal to visit your home prior to the move. The AMSA warns consumers to avoid movers who only give estimates over the phone or refuse to physically examine the goods to be shipped prior to moving day. An in-home estimate should be required and offered without asking. And when a trained and experienced estimator does conduct an inspection, make sure to get the itemized estimate in writing.
Rates based on cubic feet. Using the cubic foot method means that there is no way for you to verify the amount you will be charged. Instead, price should be based on weight, which can always be verified by state-certified scales.
Blank documents and contracts. Believe it or not, moving scammers really do try to get consumers to agree to, and sign, blank documents—and sadly, it happens. Don't sign anything that you haven't reviewed and approved.
Anonymous-looking trucks. If a mover shows up in a standard rental truck or a truck with no distinct markings, you may be at risk of a moving scam. If the operation looks unprofessional, it probably is, warns Ron Berry of the BBB.
Demands for payment by cash. Cash can certainly be a payment option—and can include tender such as cashier's checks or money orders. Moving companies are also required to accept personal checks or credit cards, according to AMSA. Acceptable types of cards must be specified by the mover.
Jane Irene Kelly is a freelance writer based in Pleasant Hill, Calif.