10 Ways To Find A Mover You Can Trust
By Christopher Noblit
It is widely recognized that some Internet Websites attract consumers
off of the World Wide Web and then take advantage of them. According to
moving and relocation industry professionals there are 10 sure fire ways
a consumer or business can determine if they will be satisfied with the
company they select to handle their move to a new home or office. Here
are the 10 ways you can spot a qualified mover that you can trust: Avoid
booking your move with a internet based moving broker, most of whom hand
your move over to a different company, a company you have not checked
and done research on. Make sure that the company you book your move with
will be the same company who performs your actual physical move.
If you are moving within a state, make sure the mover you are
considering is licensed by that state's Department of Transportation,
Public Utilities Commission, or Bureau of Consumer Affairs. A call to
your local state association can help determine if a mover is licensed.
A list of state associations is available at
http://www.imawa.com/resources/moverassn.shtml. If you are moving to
a different state, check to make sure the mover is licensed by the
Federal Department of Transportation, located at
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/moving.htm. Don't take the
company's word for it, call the regulatory agency or state association
and check for yourself.
Check with the Better Business Bureau regarding constant numerous
complaints at
http://www.bbb.org/bbblookup. Note that a responsible mover may have
a few complaints lodged against them -- the more moves they handle the
more likely it is that they will have at least a few complaints -- but
their record with the Better Business Bureau should show that they have
a satisfactory rating and that they respond to and resolve complaints.
Ask your potential mover if they carry Workers' Compensation Insurance.
If you have doubts ask to see "proof of insurance" in the form of an
"Insurance Certificate" issued by their insurance carrier. Remember;
without Workers Compensation Insurance you will be potentially liable
for anyone hurt on your premises. Workers' Compensation Insurance adds
to the cost of doing business but it protects you if someone is injured
during your move. Be suspicious of the very low bidder for they may be
cutting costs by cheating on essential Workers' Compensation Insurance
protection. Make sure the mover's place of business actually exists.
Beware of companies who provide no business address on their Website,
business documents, or a company that is hesitant to provide you with
their physical business address. It is important that you know where to
track the company down if you have a problem. Don't listen to sales
people who tell stories. A high-quality firm with a good reputation
doesn't need to knock the competition, or criticize other firms to make
themselves look better. It's a good idea to get a recommendation. A
satisfied customer is the best sales pitch.Ask if the company is a
member of the state moving and storage association in the state in which
they are based. Check
http://www.imawa.com/resources/moverassn.shtml for a list of
associations. Ask if they are a member of the American Moving & Storage
Association, located at
http://www.promover.org/. A reputable company should be a member of
one or the other.If you are moving to a different state, read the
Federally mandated publication, "Your Rights and Responsibilities When
You Move", at
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/rights.htm.If you are moving to a
different state, insist that you receive the following federally
mandated documents from your mover. If the mover is hesitant to provide
you with any of these items you should reconsider using that company
(note that many state agencies also mandate documents of this type): An
"Order For Service" signed by your mover. The Order for service protects
you by spelling out the agreement between you and your mover regarding
the dates the shipment will be loaded and delivered, the estimated cost,
and (if you are moving to a different state) the fact that the mover can
only collect 110% of the estimate at the time of delivery.
A written estimate itemizing all of the component charges that makes up
the estimate for your moving cost. Prior to the move date, insist on an
in-home visual inspection of the goods you are moving. Accurate
estimates can seldom be provided over the telephone. Never believe that
a phone estimate given by a mover, will be the actual cost of your move.
A "Table of Measurements" (also known as a "Cube Sheet") listing all of
the items that you will be moving (pieces of furniture, number of boxes,
etc.). The mover creates the Table of Measurements in order to calculate
the size and weight of your move. Retaining the services of a high
quality, licensed mover requires a little work on the part of the
consumer, but the reward is great; a high quality move with minimal
stress. We urge you to spend a little extra time to assure that you
locate one of the many quality minded licensed moving & storage
professionals operating in our industry.
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