Protecting Yourself from Moving Company Scams Ever since the moving company industry was deregulated, unhappy customers have gotten screwed. There are few ways of getting your money back after the fact, and your property may be badly damaged during the move and not covered by insurance. So, the idea is to make sure that you find a reputable moving company up-front.
The following tips are reprinted without permission from an August 17, 2002, article that ran in the Austin American Statesman business section.
"Do your homework to hire reputable moving company, avoid some common scams"
The best protection against a moving scam is to do your homework before picking a company. "Part of the problem is the onus is really on the consumer to do some education prior to entering into a contract," says Carrie Hurt, a spokeswoman with the Better Business Bureau in Austin. Other advice:
Don't shop on price alone. "A lot of companies pride themselves on being competitive by offering the lowest price," Hurt says. "That doesn't always mean inferior service, but that shouldn't be the only basis for your decision."
Use the Internet cautiously.
Never get an estimate over the Internet or the phone. "You should always have a trained professional come out and do that," said David Sparkman, vice president of communications for the American Moving and Storage Association. "Most professional movers will be competitive on price, but around the same ballpark. If someone bids half of everyone else's, that should send up a warning flag."
Get a signed contract. "If a company says, 'We'll move you for $2000,' you want to get a contract in writing that that's the final price," Hurt says. "A contract should include all the services that are going to be rendered and for what price. A company shouldn't be able to go and change the price, nor should the consumer be allowed to increase services." If there is a dispute, the mover is required to unload the furniture and give the customer 30 days after delivery to pay any remaining charges. Federal rules and regulations on moving can be found online at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/moving.htm.
Understand how you'll be charged. Movers quote prices by weight, by the item or by the hour, said Pam Currie, chief executive officer of Blue Whale Moving Co., Inc., in Austin. If you get an hourly quote, make sure to get a minimum and maximum price, in case the work isn't finished in the originally estimated time frame. If the quote is by item, make your own inventory list. "The company can help you estimate the number of boxes you'll have," Currie said. "And understand that the price will adjust if any items are added or deleted."
Ask the company for proof of insurance.
Ask for references from past customers. In addition, consumers can research companies on Web sites such as www.bbb.org. Another valuable Internet site is www.safersys.org, operated by the Department of Transportation. Armed with a company's DOT or motor carrier number, a consumer can find up-to-date information on a company's insurance, safety and inspection records. The American Moving and Storage Association has a Web site, www.moving.org, designed to give customers information and advice, including tips on choosing a mover. To help plan a cost-effective move, check out www.bbb.org/library/costeffmove.asp.
File a complaint if necessary. To file a complaint or to check if a mover is registered, call the Transportation Department toll-free at (800) 299-1700 and selection option 3. Locally, consumers can file complaints online with the Better Business Bureau, or they can be mailed to the bureau at 2101 S. Interstate 35, Suite 302, Austin, TX 78741. Include copies of any contracts, receipts or other documents that help validate your complaint (note: the addresses of other BBB offices can be found at the BBB web site.)
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