If you are searching for a moving company, you need to look for more than just a good reputation. Being an unregulated business, the moving business is a common place to get cheated.

While checking with the BBB, only last year there were a staggering 9,405 complaints filed against moving companies. 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 popular moving industry scam is giving you a low estimate and then changing you extra fees at your 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 put your signature on a “binding and not to exceed quote”, you are not safe, so make sure you’ve read the contract really carefully!

Subcontracting Your Move

Some moving companies will try to cheat you by overcharging you and subcontracting the work to another mover at half the price that you paid. These subcontractors are not subject to your original contract, nor are they bound to the schedule that you agreed to. What makes things even worse is that their employees usually have no real experience in moving fragile items, so breakage is not infrequent.

Insurance Provided At A Lower Rate

Breakage is another common scam that consumers usually complain about when moving their households. Most people don’t know that many companies will pay them only $60 per each pound damaged. Which means that if your gorgeous plasma TV purchased for a few thousand dollars gets broken, you will be reimbursed only $30!

You can avoid this scam with a clause in your homeowner’s policy that covers damages caused during the moving. You should also take pictures of your goods and make sure you and the movers sign a statement of the condition of your items before you sign the receipt!

Cost According to Cubic Footage

One more popular method a moving company may cheat you with is the arrangement of weight vs cubic feet. You are allowed to watch weigh-ins and verify the number, 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 get over 35-45 lbs per piece, be wary of the motives of your mover!

Additional Parking Expenses

The fifth common 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. These can add up to several thousand dollars! Still, you can avoid being sucked into this scam by planning everything ahead.

How To Avoid Scams

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. And the best way to choose a moving company is to ask others who they have used in the past or find out who the big companies use.

Don’t be taken by rogue long distance movers by making a hasty decision as to who to hire for your move. Request your free no-obligation moving company online quote from several seasoned moving companies to compare services, best value, and save up to 35% on your move.

Long Distance Moving Companies: 5 Typical Moving Scams To Avoid7.5102 Tagged with: home and family • Home Improvement • long distance moving • movers • moving • moving companies • moving quotes • real estate • relocation • Travel

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