Before you hire a moving company do your homework. Every year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration fines more and more moving companies for various violations. Last year, their investigations resulted in over 300 fines for safety violations among moving companies in the U.S... Some unethical moving companies sacrifice safety and scruples for better profits. Don't be daunted by this, there are several steps you can take to find an ethical moving company.
Good resources do exist to check out a prospective moving company. The Better Business Bureau reports complaints to the public via their web site and provides low ratings to moving companies with multiple complaints or patterns of similar bad business practices. Some complaints allege theft, while more common complainants allege predatory bait and switch practices. A newer resource to check out moving company operators is www.movingscam.com - solely dedicated to exposing unethical moving companies.
According to the FMCSA, there are several red flags to be aware when hiring a moving company:
1. The mover doesn't offer or agree to an inspection of your household goods prior to giving an estimate. These estimates are often too good to be true and are designed to bait unwitting movers. 2. The moving company demands cash or a large deposit before the move. 3. The mover doesn't provide you with a copy of Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, a booklet movers are required by Federal regulations to supply to their customers. 4. The mover claims all goods are covered by their insurance. 5. The company's website has no information about licensing or insurance.
Advance planning can be critical in avoiding movers with predatory business practices. Stanislov Kukoba, operator of Los Angeles Professional Movers says, "Some moving companies take advantage of last minute movers - most legitimate companies are booked well in advance so the unethical movers jack up the price." Mr. Kukoba recommends booking a moving company 2 months in advance - particularly in the busy summer months.
Planning at least 7 weeks ahead in any season is beneficial according to Kukoba. If you have time to check out and negotiate with multiple operators, you will more likely avoid unscrupulous moving companies and get a good price. In some cases, you may need the time to work on special arrangements for long distance moves.
Experts recommend avoiding a move during the summer months. Often movers, moving vans, and moving trucks are in very short supply during the busy season and predatory business practices are at their peak. Most violations reported by the FMCSA were higher proportionately last summer than at other times during the year. It also helps to avoid weekends - this will often lower the cost of the move because of decreased demand.
Almost all moving companies charge additional fees for special requests or contingencies sometimes not totally disclosed, so prepare for it. It is important that you ask pertinent questions about extra costs, insurance policies, license numbers, and the mileage that is or is not included.
All in all, the most important thing to remember is not move without a plan. Sometimes a move is decided on impulse. When it comes to hiring a moving company, impulsiveness can be expensive. - 15224
Good resources do exist to check out a prospective moving company. The Better Business Bureau reports complaints to the public via their web site and provides low ratings to moving companies with multiple complaints or patterns of similar bad business practices. Some complaints allege theft, while more common complainants allege predatory bait and switch practices. A newer resource to check out moving company operators is www.movingscam.com - solely dedicated to exposing unethical moving companies.
According to the FMCSA, there are several red flags to be aware when hiring a moving company:
1. The mover doesn't offer or agree to an inspection of your household goods prior to giving an estimate. These estimates are often too good to be true and are designed to bait unwitting movers. 2. The moving company demands cash or a large deposit before the move. 3. The mover doesn't provide you with a copy of Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, a booklet movers are required by Federal regulations to supply to their customers. 4. The mover claims all goods are covered by their insurance. 5. The company's website has no information about licensing or insurance.
Advance planning can be critical in avoiding movers with predatory business practices. Stanislov Kukoba, operator of Los Angeles Professional Movers says, "Some moving companies take advantage of last minute movers - most legitimate companies are booked well in advance so the unethical movers jack up the price." Mr. Kukoba recommends booking a moving company 2 months in advance - particularly in the busy summer months.
Planning at least 7 weeks ahead in any season is beneficial according to Kukoba. If you have time to check out and negotiate with multiple operators, you will more likely avoid unscrupulous moving companies and get a good price. In some cases, you may need the time to work on special arrangements for long distance moves.
Experts recommend avoiding a move during the summer months. Often movers, moving vans, and moving trucks are in very short supply during the busy season and predatory business practices are at their peak. Most violations reported by the FMCSA were higher proportionately last summer than at other times during the year. It also helps to avoid weekends - this will often lower the cost of the move because of decreased demand.
Almost all moving companies charge additional fees for special requests or contingencies sometimes not totally disclosed, so prepare for it. It is important that you ask pertinent questions about extra costs, insurance policies, license numbers, and the mileage that is or is not included.
All in all, the most important thing to remember is not move without a plan. Sometimes a move is decided on impulse. When it comes to hiring a moving company, impulsiveness can be expensive. - 15224
About the Author:
Sydney Welkinson is a blogger and consumer advocate currently researching Los Angeles Movers and reporting his personal moving stories and tips on his blog.
