How To Avoid Moving Company Scams

Moving is always a tough job with do-it-yourself moving best left to the young and muscular. Compared to the costs of doing it yourself and renting a truck, hiring a moving company isn't that much more expensive and can even save you money. Professionals know how to pack and move furnishings and other possessions safely and they're insured to cover the costs of damaged or lost items. Mostly, hiring a moving company makes that big job a lot easier whether you're moving across town or to a new city or state.

So, you've decided to hire a moving company. What do you look for in choosing the right company that will get your household moved safely, on time, and for a reasonable price? The first thing to do is to avoid being victimized by an increasing number of moving and storage scams. The most common scam involves getting a low bid from a company and agreeing to the service. After all of your possessions are on the truck and it arrives at the destination, you are informed that the cost will be much higher than the price you were given. The driver will cite "unexpected expenses" like cubic feet exceeding weight estimates and such nonsense that you can never prove. If you want your stuff, you have to pay up.

There are things you can do to protect yourself from scams and ensure that the moving company you hire is one you can trust.

1.Do not contract a company that requires a deposit. Your furniture and possessions are the deposit to ensure you will pay the bill as agreed upon successful arrival at the destination.
2.Never sign a partial contract or one that has any blank spaces that can be filled in later.
3.Do not sign a contract until you have read all of the fine print and asked about anything you do not understand.
4.When the truck arrives, take a good look at it. It should be well identified with the moving company name. The overall condition of the truck will give you a good idea of how the company will be treating your possessions.
5.Before contracting a moving service that you found online, make sure that you are dealing with the actual moving company and not a front company by finding a physical address and Googling it to verify
6.Do not pay in cash since that leaves no record of a transaction if there is a problem.

One of the best and easiest ways to find a reputable moving company and getting rates quoted from several companies with a single contact is to use the free services of a company that prescreens moving companies. The companies are verified and checked out with the BBB before they are listed. Using this service will save you time and help ensure that your moving experience is a good one.