Moving Center
MOVING TIPS FROM BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU NEWSLETTER:
In 2011, BBB received more than 1.3 million moving related inquiries
and more than 9,000 complaints against movers. Complaints include lost
or stolen belongings, damaged items, huge price increases over quoted
estimates, late deliveries, and goods being “held hostage” for
additional payment.
BBB has teamed up with American Moving & Storage Association
(AMSA) to offer tips on how to select the right mover and how to avoid
the scams.
"Finding a mover you can trust can be easy, if you take the time to
do so,” said Rod Davis, senior vice president with the Council of Better
Business Bureaus. "Consumers need to make sure to always check with BBB
and AMSA before you find yourself paying thousands of extra dollars for
damaged or lost items. BBB has more than 17,000 BBB Business Reviews on
moving-related services.”
"A con artist with just a truck and a website can claim to be a
legitimate mover with unfortunate results for consumers who don’t check
out a company in advance,” said AMSA President and CEO Linda Bauer Darr.
"When it comes to such an important decision, you can save yourself a
lot of problems by finding a mover who puts customer service and
integrity first. For interstate moves, that means an AMSA-certified
ProMover."
BBB and AMSA offer the following checklist for finding a trustworthy moving company:
Research the company thoroughly. While state
regulations vary, all interstate movers must, at minimum, be licensed by
the federal government and are assigned a motor carrier number you can
verify on FMCSA’s website, www.protectyourmove.gov.
Get at least three written in-home estimates. Not
all price-quotes online or over the phone are legitimate. Keep in mind
that the lowest estimate can sometimes be an unrealistic low-ball offer,
which can cost you more in the end.
Know your rights. Research your rights as a consumer
with either FMCSA for interstate moves or the state in which you reside
for moves within that state. Also, enlist the help of BBB or local law
enforcement if the moving company fails to live up to its promises or
threatens to hold your belongings hostage. FMCSA requires interstate
movers to offer arbitration to help settle disputed claims.
Consider accepting full value protection. It may
cost a few dollars more up front, but it can provide some peace of mind
and eliminate headaches after your move. Purchasing full (replacement)
value protection means any lost or damaged articles will be repaired or
replaced, or a cash settlement will be made to repair the item or to
replace it at its current market value, regardless of age. It’s
important to note that the required minimum coverage of 60 cents per
pound would not cover the replacement cost, for example, of a flat panel
TV if damaged in transit. For your protection, a new interstate
regulation effective May 15 requires the cost of full value protection
to be included in the estimate you receive.
For more consumer news you can trust and to check out a mover near you, visit www.bbb.org and AMSA’s www.moving.org.
May
is National Moving Month and the start of the busiest time of year for
changing residencies…which means unlicensed movers and dishonest
scammers are waiting to take advantage consumers who aren’t careful.
Tips for Picking the Right Mover:
