How to avoid moving scams

I’m sure you’ve heard from friends and family, or have read online some of the moving horror stories. Picking a moving company can be a tough decision and you want to avoid scams at all costs. We’ve comprised a list for you to help you do just that!

1. Do your research- If the company you’re looking at is reputable, they will have a local address and phone number. Try driving by their address and see if it’s a real place. You can also see their reviews and complaints on their Better Business Bureau profile.

2. Insured- If you have a bad feeling, ask them to give you their information about their insurance, licensing and make sure they are bonded. Any company that is trustworthy will be able to give you this information right away and should be insured and bonded.

3. References- It is best to go with a company that someone you know personally has used in the past. If they had a good experience with them, you will likely too. If you can’t find any referrals from your friends, ask the company for references. They should be able to give you people in your area that have used their company in the past year.

4. Estimate- Demanding an on site estimate won’t allow movers to price you lower when on the phone and raise it when they see how much stuff you have. You will have a better idea of what the price is if the movers give you the estimate after they have seen you’re items.

5. Contracts- Double check that your contract is completely filled out and don’t sign a contracts with any blanks because additional costs could be added afterwards. Make sure to read the fine print and that the price you were promised is listed on the contract. Many companies will have a clause in the contract that states they can raise the prices if you have more items than they estimate.

6. Payment-Most reputable companies will not ask you to make a large deposit prior to moving day. If the company you are interested in booking is asking this, you should take that as a red flag. If you choose to move forward, make sure not to pay with cash. When you pay with cash, there is no paper trail of the move.

7. Claims Policy- Ask the company if you can see their claims policy before signing or booking the move. It is important that you read this carefully as they could possibly damage your items and not have any policy about fixing or replacing them.

8. Shop around- You could go with the first company you find, but you’re probably not going to get the best price. It is best to call around town and get different estimates to compare against each other. This will ensure that you are getting the best deal for the highest quality.

If doing all of this work doesn’t sound that great, you may want to look in to using a storage or local move service. Dorm Room Movers’ movers are insured and bonded, and we have an A+ BBB rating. Our service includes free insurance and you know our prices up front with no hidden changes at the end!

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