How to Avoid Rogue Movers

In an industry fraught with bad actors, there are things you can do to protect yourself from being a victim of a rogue moving company. There are some basic steps you can take to assure your move goes smoothly and professionally.



When considering hiring a moving company to help you relocate, the first step is to search for them on the internet. Look for review sites and on the Better Business Bureau website to make certain they are a reputable moving service. Red flags include the company having many complaints or disputes that go unresolved, or below average ratings.



Find out if the state you reside in regulates moving companies or not. It can make a huge difference in the quality of the companies available and you need to know where to go if things turn out badly. Unfortunately, unregulated states such as Arizona and Texas attract the fly-by-night operators who are there one day and gone the next. They can rack up complaints and simply change their name, continuing to victimize unsuspecting customers.



Ask the company about their damage policy. This is one of the most common complaints in the moving industry. Just because a moving company tells you they are "bonded and insured" it may not mean anything. Find out if the insurance on your belongings is an additional cost. Often movers will sell you additional insurance to cover potential damages. Federal regulations dictate that if a mover damages your property, they are required to pay you as little as thirty cents per pound. That means they will weigh the rubble of your television or fine art and pay you virtually nothing. Legitimate moving services have no problem explaining their insurance policy and if they seem vague or less than forthcoming, run the other way.



Have them explain how they train and screen their Movers and Drivers. Remember, you are allowing complete strangers full access to your home and everything in it. Make absolutely certain that they are background checked and drug screened. There are far too many horror stories about poorly screened, poorly trained movers. Stolen property, robbery, assault and identity theft are just a few of the crimes you may open yourself up to by using a company that does not properly screen their employees. Moving companies that hire day-laborers, use temp services or contract employees should be avoided at all costs.



Make certain you have a contact person available on the day of your move. Should any issues come up, you need to have someone to be able to handle any problems you run into. Good moving companies will always give to a phone number to call in case the need arises.



Most importantly, trust your instincts. If the person you speak to on the phone seems unprofessional or rude, you can do better. If the person that comes to your home to give you an on-site estimate is disheveled, unkempt or disorganized, keep looking. If you are not comfortable having an estimator from the company in your home, how are you going to feel when you have a whole crew of them there?



By taking these few steps before you move, you can save yourself all sorts of trouble down the road. There are good moving companies out there who will take care of all your moving needs professionally and provide you with a stress-free experience. Search them out and you can rest easy on the day of your move, certain you know who they are and how they operate.







Beth King is a multiple franchise owner of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® company in the greater Phoenix metro area. The Northwest Valley location is in Peoria, AZ and the Southwest Valley location is in Goodyear, AZ. If you ever have any questions about moving or hiring the right mover, give Beth or one of her staff a call at (623) 932-6090 or (623) 933-2180 – we’ll be happy to help you!





© 2010