How to avoid moving scams?

Finding the right moving company for your relocation can become a true challenge. It’s not as easy as you may think! The market is filled with so many long distance movers Florida that can assist you. Unfortunately, not all of them are reliable and worth your time and money. Some pretend that they will help, but end up scamming you. We are here to help you learn how to avoid moving scams and find a properly licensed moving company for your relocation. With a few simple steps, you can have a stress-free move and not have to worry about a thing!

couple carrying moving boxes — There are times when you can handle moving on your own. However, if you need professional help, you have to be very careful with who you are going to work.

How to avoid moving scams when you haven’t worked with movers before?

First things first, you have to set a list of requirements before you embark on a search for a moving company. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, you can’t find the right fit. Some of the things you should keep in mind when researching moving companies are the following:

Whether they are reliable and have proper licenses. You can easily look up the company on the BBB website and see for yourself if it’s legit.
If you’re looking at one of the best cross country movers, you will see that they often have a section on their website dedicated to customer reviews. An honest company will not be afraid of reviews when they provide the best service possible.
Get a free moving estimate wherever you can. These will give you an insight on how much the company will charge you. An unusually low price can signify a moving scam.
Look up the services the company offers. If you need someone to pack your items and move you long distance, you won’t look at movers who specialize in local relocation.

Set a live meeting if possible

You will get a completely different feel when you meet your mover in person. Giving them a call is a great first step, but if you think that this might be the company you want to work with, you should set a live meeting as well. This will give you an opportunity to ask all the questions you might have about your relocation. Also, when they walk through your house, they will be able to give you a much more precise moving quote. This walk-through will also give them a chance to tell you if you need to remove a few doors or get smaller boxes so they can fit through the openings.

woman writing on a clipboard — It’s important to have a set of questions and requirements before you start looking for movers. They are not all the same and you need to find the ones that’ll be ideal for your relocation.

As we previously said, an unusually low moving estimate can be a sign of a moving scam. If you see a price that you think is too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers will use low prices to get people to hire them, and then ask for a much higher price once moving day rolls around. So, one of the ways how to avoid moving scams is to get a few estimates and try to figure out which prices are realistic and which are not. You wouldn’t want to pay a ridiculous amount for your relocation when you can get another crew to do it for half the price!

Read through your moving contract very carefully

Unreliable moving companies will often have long and confusing contracts so people won’t bother to read through them. Don’t forget to read the fine print as well. Sometimes, unreliable moving companies add a clause in their fine print that allows them to change your final price. Your bill of lading should clearly state exactly how much the services cost as well as the exact circumstances that might influence its change. Since there a few types of moving estimates, do your research beforehand so you don’t get any surprises on your moving day.

Another way to avoid a moving scam is to see whether the company wants a deposit. In most cases, a reliable moving company will not ask for any payments before your moving day. Your final bill should arrive after all the goods have been transported to your new house. On top of that, a bad moving company might hold your belongings hostage until you pay your bill. In even worse cases, scammers may disappear completely with everything in their truck! This is why it’s crucial you do complete research before you settle on one moving company.

couple standing and holding cardboard boxes — You will risk losing all of your belongings if you decide to hire a fraudulent moving company. Be patient and find a reliable crew that will move you safely!

Anyone can learn how to avoid moving scams before their relocation

Working with an unreliable moving team will cost you so much of your time, energy, and money. Invest a few weeks to properly research every moving company that seems like it would be a good fit. Also, you can always ask your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors for recommendations. Maybe they’ve moved with an amazing company you haven’t heard of before! Word of mouth is always more reliable than online reviews.

You should try to scout other review websites, such as Yelp or even basic Google reviews. They may be more honest than those the owners post on the website. On top of it all, check their reliability with the American Moving & Storage Association. They keep an up-to-date list of reliable moving companies that you can trust. In the end, document everything and make sure you work closely with your movers. You shouldn’t let them have complete control over your relocation. After all, it’s your move and your belongings – they are just here to assist! Keep in touch before and during your relocation, to make sure everything is going according to plan.