ATTN: 95% Of Long Distance Movers Operate As Brokers
- American National Movers
- Nov 13, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 1
Consumers seeking long-distance moving services don’t want to work with brokers because of horror stories online about hidden fees, lack of accountability, and reliability issues. However, it’s important to be careful, because even registered carriers sometimes act as brokers and subcontract your move to another long distance moving company. There are many reasons this might happen, but usually it’s because a consumer doesn't pay for a dedicated truck, and the mover is brokering the pick-up or delivery portion of the move.
Key Points Of Article
This article explains and helps with:
✔ Who are the best long distance movers that are not brokers
✔ Why many long distance movers operate as brokers
✔ How to avoid brokering practices with movers
After this read you'll understand the in's and out of long distance moving that many carriers and brokers don't want you to know.
Long Distance Movers That Are Not Brokers
If you want to skip this read, here are the top 5 long distance movers that are not brokers. To avoid overwhelming readers, we created a concise chart showing the long distance moving companies that are not brokers. For a more detailed breakdown about the moving company see the content below the chart.
American National Movers stands out for guaranteed pricing, fair rates, and true direct service. Unlike most carriers, they never broker your load. You get a dedicated truck, and the same crew that loads your stuff will deliver it to your new home.
Two Men And A Truck does not broker out their long distance moves. You pay more—usually $8,000 to $12,000—but you get what you pay for. When their truck shows up, it’s their crew, not a random rental and day laborers.
Oz Moving is a direct carrier primarily serving New York City, California, and surrounding regions. They do not broker their moves to other long-distance moving companies; they handle all their moves directly. On average, OZ Moving costs $7,000 for across-state relocations.
Allied Van Lines is a carrier, not a broker, but they often use agents to handle moves. That means your move could still get subcontracted. If you want Allied to handle your move themselves, tell them up front—no agents, no hand-offs.
United is a top-rated long-distance moving company that is not a broker, but uses a carrier network known as “agents.” Because of this nationwide network, your move will likely involve an independent long-haul driver and local crews at your destination. If you are moving to or from a state with limited coverage, United will rely heavily on these local agents, but you can request a direct truck instead. Just remember, requesting a direct, non-brokered service comes at a premium in harder-to-reach states like Idaho, Colorado, Montana, and Utah.
🚨 Important Reminder:
Since carriers can legally subcontract your long distance move to another company, you must ask them to perform your move directly. Request that the movers do not use their agents, operators, or any other company.
Whether you choose a carrier or broker, vet your movers and check online reviews for complaints about miscommunication, price increases, and brokering. This helps ensure you are working with a legitimate company, even if they broker some moves.
Why Are Carriers Operating As Brokers?
Some legally registered carriers broker your move to another long distance moving company so they can operate on a larger scale or offer better rates.
Below is a chart we created with a shorter version as to why registered long distance moving carriers may broker out your move. Below the chart below is a detailed breakdown as to why this happens:
Affordable Rates
Sometimes, it’s easier for a carrier to broker a job to another company and tell you they are an “authorized agent.” This means they sold your move to a cheaper long distance mover and kept part of the profit. For budget-conscious customers, this can be a way to hire a well-known brand at a lower price.
Expanding Business
Instead of being limited to one state, some carriers with large budgets spend a ton of money on marketing in your area and vet and hire independent carriers to perform your relocation. If the independent carrier charges $4,000 for your haul, they will charge you $7,000 and pocket the difference.
Limited Availability
Major brands receive many long distance moving quote inquiries nationwide, so to profit from the load, they hire independent carriers. This is a better option for the movers than turning the customer away because they are fully booked.
Avoiding Straight Delivery Costs
Expedited, direct long distance movers who guarantee a delivery date usually cost $2,500 and $5,000 more than if you movers load your items into a shared truck and broker the delivery. These steps help reduce the long distance moving costs for the carrier and the consumer, resulting in a more economical price.
⚠️ Understanding The Reality
Even well-known carriers sometimes act as brokers. That’s why it’s important to ask your movers questions so you understand how your move will be handled. Many carriers struggle with marketing and may not have enough money to invest in sales teams or advertising. That’s why you often find more brokers than carriers—brokerages are usually better at marketing and branding.
Carrier Or Broker? Ask Movers These Questions
The chart below provides a brief list of questions to ask the moving company to determine whether they are brokers or operate as a broker. For a more detailed explanation, see the content below the chart.
Does My Move Include Straight Delivery, or is There A Large Delivery Window?
Larger-than-usual delivery windows generally mean your load will be unloaded from a semi and subcontracted to a moving company for delivery of your household goods. This is a form of brokering because it will not be the original mover you hired to deliver your things.
Will The Crew That Picks Up My Furniture, Be The Same Crew Delivering It?
If the answer is no, your mover is probably a broker. Even if they say they are a carrier, they might still subcontract your move at some point during the process.
Are You A Carrier Or A Broker?
Long distance moving companies must tell you if they are a carrier or a broker if you ask them over the phone. If you already hired a mover without asking, check your contract to see if it says whether they are a carrier or a broker.
How To Tell If Your Mover Is A Carrier, Not A Broker
Aside from checking the FMCSA database using a company's U.S. DOT number, other practical ways to determine whether a mover is an actual carrier or just a middleman broker include checking the Better Business Bureau, reading online reviews, and reviewing the fine print of your estimated contract.
1 Check The Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Go to Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo, and type the moving company's brand name followed by “BBB.” When you see the Better Business Bureau listing, click it. Once the page loads, look near the top for the heading that states “Business Profile.” If the company is a broker, this section will explicitly state: "Moving Brokers." If you see that, you are dealing with a middleman.
2. Scan Customer Reviews For "Bait and Switch" Keywords
Check your long distance movers’ reviews and make sure there aren’t many complaints about subcontracting or brokering. If most reviews mention that "another company showed up" without permission or that "the price doubled on moving day," the movers are likely brokers. Watch for warning phrases like "third-party" or "sold my move."
3. Read Your Moving Contract Closely
Moving brokers are legally required by the federal government to disclose to the consumer that they are a brokerage, not an actual moving company. Check your estimated contract to see if it mentions "brokering," "arranging transportation," or "using carrier agents." If they don't explicitly state that their own trucks and crews will handle the move, ask questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are common questions people ask when comparing carriers versus brokers.
Is Using A Moving Broker A Good Idea?
Using a moving broker can be a good idea because brokerages often offer affordable long distance movers. However, hiring a moving broker can be risky if they aren't reputable or if they are suspiciously cheap. There's a big chance your price
What Is A Moving Broker?
A moving broker is considered a moving company, but they arrange for the transportation of household goods with other carriers, and it is their responsibility to vet the carrier and ensure it is reputable.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Using A Moving Broker?
Using a moving broker can be helpful because they often offer affordable long-distance movers. However, it can be risky if the broker is not reputable or seems too cheap. There’s a good chance your price could go up or your move could be handed off to an unreliable company.
American National Movers Is Not A Broker
American National Movers does not subcontract your move to other moving companies; we prefer to provide direct service for faster delivery. This ensures customer satisfaction, helps protect our reputation, and has proven to minimize complaints regarding late deliveries and hidden fees. Get a quote from American National Movers at (800) 245 -7967.
Comments