There’s a lot of trust between movers and a moving company. After all, you’re giving them access to all of your possessions and paying them for it — sometimes a lot of money. Unfortunately, not all moving companies honor trust, hitting you with fraudulent charges and holding your possessions hostage if you refuse to pay. But, there are red flags to look out for to help you avoid movers who would abuse your trust.
UF Mover Guys is a professional moving company that has helped hundreds of clients move to their new homes. When you work with us, we want you to have the best moving experience possible. Check out our tips on how to avoid moving scams, and contact us today to get a quote or to schedule moving services.
Ask For Referrals
The best place to start your search for a reputable moving company is through friends and family with insights into local moving companies. Not only can they provide you with referrals to companies they enjoyed working with, but they also may help you steer clear of companies unpleasurable to work with. If you can’t get any recommendations from people you know, try looking up online reviews. Just be aware a couple of negative reviews doesn’t necessarily mean the company is bad to work with. Instead, read all of the reviews and look for trends, such as hidden fees, flexibility, and customer service.
Research The Company
While looking at reviews, you should also investigate the company deeper. Read through their website, look at online resources, and check their Better Business Bureau page to see their ratings. You should also check to see if they are registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the American Moving and Storage Association. Both of these associations will provide insight into the company and let you know if they are properly registered. If not, this can be a huge red flag that they are not reputable or trustworthy.
Be Wary Of Hidden Fees
Any trustworthy moving company you work with should fully disclose all fees and information before moving any of your things. Hidden fees can include packing, unpacking, climbing stairs, moving heavy objects, and more. While these may be reasonable, they should also be discussed upfront. If the company is dodgy or flat out refuses to discuss these items of concern, move to a company that won’t try to spring extras on you in the middle of a move. Additionally, most companies will not require a deposit for holding your moving date. However, they may ask to put a credit card on file without charging it.
Low Quotes
If the moving company gives you a quote too good to be true, it probably is. The best thing to do is shop around and get a quote from a few moving companies. This will allow you to compare their services and fees to determine if it’s suspiciously low or unreasonably high. Ultimately, you should go with the company with the best reputation and provides excellent services at reasonable rates.
Get Everything In Writing
As part of outlining any potential hidden fees, it’s imperative you get everything detailed in a formal contract. This should include dates, services, fees, and timelines. Also, avoid using cash and opt to use a credit card instead. Not only does this provide proof of payment, but if there are any fraudulent charges, you can have them removed through your credit card company.