AVOIDING MOVING SCAMS
How To Avoid Moving Scams – Preparing, planning, and packing to move is often quite cumbersome, mainly when it entails long-distance moving. As such, most people look for moving companies to help make the whole process much more manageable. Unfortunately, however, some companies may end up scamming you in the process of so doing. For this reason, you need to understand and get tips on avoiding moving scams. Unfortunately, however, avoiding moving scams is not very easy. But we will give you reliable tips below to help you with this.
What To Look Out For While Ensuring That You Avoid Getting Scammed
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is an agency that helps to protect customers that are moving from one state to another. The company keeps tabs on any rogue movers who are out to take advantage of customers who may be vulnerable. Unfortunately, the scammers use tactics that end up scamming movers of thousands of dollars every so often. The agency, therefore, advises that you look out for the following in a bid to avoid being scammed.
Being Set Up
Several moving agents are notorious for scamming people who are moving. Therefore, you have to be on the absolute lookout for such companies. They often avoid conversations about the terms of service while ensuring they hurry and get your items packed onto their trucks. Once this is done, they will hike the price to exorbitant amounts. Therefore, it is advisable that you carry out due diligence in a bid to avoid moving scams.
Suspicious Bids
The estimated amounts for moving are a sure way to help you decipher between legitimate movers who offer long-distance services and the ones who are downright criminals. Avoiding moving scams by ensuring you deal with an honest mover will help save lots of money. A legitimate mover will be very concerned and interested in evaluating your belongings and asking critical questions about what you want with the packing, planning, and actual delivery. Below are some of the bids you need to be very suspicious to avoid moving scams.
Volume-Based Bid
You need to look out for movers who calculate your belongings by cubic footage of space occupied in the truck.
The long-distance movers should calculate the quote by the average weight of your goods.
The cubic footage calculations and quotations are more suitable for more minor movers.
The long-distance interstate moves should be calculated based on weight, using a factor used for weight conversions. Anything other than this should be reported to the FMCSA.
The Bid For Low-Ball
You should be very suspicious of movers who offer low-ball bids, especially for long-distance moves.
If what they are offering seems too good to be true, then there is a very high possibility that something is amiss and that it is being hidden.
Therefore, you must understand the scope of the final costs fully before you agree to sign the agreement.
Handshake Bid
Before you allow any movers to have possessions of belongings that you intend to move, it is vital that you insist on signing a complete contract.
This is because most of the most notorious moving scammers often tend to add more fees for moving heavy stairs, climbing stairs, packing, or any weights that may be added.
They do this at the very last minute, thus flaring up the charges.
The Phone-Based Bid
Some movers claim that they can simply evaluate what is in your house over the phone by asking you questions.
It is very difficult to give actual quotations without being physically present to inspect the house and ask questions about what you want and the amount of stuff you are moving with.
In And Out Bid
In as much as the movers may come physically to evaluate the belongings you want to move, they must not just do it in a very rushed in-and-out manner.
They need to take their time to get sufficient information, especially if it is a move entailing long distances.
The thoroughness of the estimation will ensure that they look at the small details and ask you important questions, and at the end of the day, they will come up with an efficient and accurate quotation.
Measures To Take To Avoid Being Scammed
You must do some due diligence to ensure that you are dealing with an esteemed company and not rogue scamming companies for moving. Below are some measures you can take in a bid to ensure that you are not being scammed:
Check With The City, State, And Federal Regulators
Confirming that you are dealing with a legit company is vital by checking with the responsible city regulators.
This is done to ensure that you get verified information about their address and license.
Check With AMSA
You also need to check that the company you want to hire to do the moving is registered with the American Moving and Storage Association.
This is crucial as they will give you a detailed list of all the certified movers.
They will help you screen the company you wish to use for moving.
Get Everything Documented
You must ensure that you document any accidents that might have occurred during the moving exercise.
You need to have the inventory copy of the company helping you move before they start the moving.
This will help you make any claims in case of damages.
Get References
You need reliable references from people who have previously dealt with credible moving companies.
This will help you know whether a company is good or not since someone will have already used their services.
Getting a reliable moving company will help you avoid these problems that come with getting scammed.
Know About Americanationalmovers.com
Pack And Ship Movers is a company that offers fast & convenient moving services for all sorts of moving corporations & individuals nationwide. The company is one of the trusted movers in America.
Here, they work to ensure that you are safely relocated, whether you are moving across different states or even just within your locality. They use cutting-edge technology to ensure that they personalize your specific needs for the moving experience since there is uniqueness in every move. By using Americanationalmovers.com, you will surely be able to avoid moving scams that are commonplace nowadays.
Services Offered By Americanationalmovers.com
Americanationalmovers.com has been credited to be one of the top moving companies that do not have any cases whatsoever of scams. It offers various moving services like:
Long-distance moving services
Car Shipping
Packing & Unpacking of goods
Storage services for long-distance moving.
Cleaning & debris removal after or before relocations.
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