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Top Red Flags To Spot From Long Distance Movers

  • Writer: American National Movers
    American National Movers
  • 16 hours ago
  • 3 min read

Contacting several long distance moving companies and reading conflicting reviews about the service level quality the movers provide is draining. How do you know which mover to trust? This article will make choosing long distance movers easier by helping you spot red flags in a moving company:


Sad face icon with a 1-star rating above on a blurred green background, conveying disappointment. Red circle outlines the face.
A moving company with a ton of negative reviews is one of the obvious red flags. This article will breakdown the not so obvious signs a scam likely mover has.

What Are The Red Flags With Movers?


Rows of small red flags on orange bases create a repeating geometric pattern against a bright orange background. Shadows add depth.

A moving company not having an active DOT number and insurance and multiple negative reviews are the obvious red flags and what most websites mention. However, checking for reviews, proper licensing and insurance are the basics to watch out for. This post will mention the not so obvious red flags when hiring movers, which many consumers overlook:



  1. No Online Presence.

Go online, type the long distance relocation brand name you are considering, and see what you find. If nothing comes up for the business other than a basic website, this is a major red flag and i would consider another long distance moving option.


Why?

  • A legitimate long-distance mover will pop up on multiple platforms—Google Business Profile, BBB, FMCSA database, maybe even local news coverage. Fly-by-night moving companies are vague with their online presence, so it is easier for them to engage in deceptive business practices and sit under the radar. Tracking or holding them accountable would be harder if anything goes wrong with your load.



  1. No Reviews.

A mover with no reviews doesn't always indicate a new company; they may be hiding a checkered past. Equally worrisome: a page stuffed with one-sentence, five-star raves posted within a week. Review stuffing is a known tactic to bury older one-star complaints.


Tip:

  •  Look for detailed, mixed-date reviews that mention crew names, furniture types, and delivery windows. Real customers leave breadcrumbs; fake profiles recycle generic praise.



  1. A Rock-Bottom Estimate.

If every reputable long distance moving company quotes $4,800–$6,300 for a two-bedroom, and another mover says they can do it for $2,200, you're staring at a classic lowball. The contract will likely clearly state "non-binding," giving the mover legal wiggle room to hike the price on loading day.

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Reality check:

  •  A truck, two drivers, fuel, tolls, and labor for 1500 miles cost real money. When a quote feels like a steal, it usually means your shipment will be held hostage until you pay the "revised" total.



  1. Non-Refundable Deposit Policy.

Movers asking for a deposit is normal, especially for state to state relocations, but a non-refundable deposit policy is a red flag. Out of state movers that have intentions of engaging in deceptive business practices typically have non-refundable deposit policies. 


What Deceptive Business Practices?

  • When hiring out of state movers, the main thing to be concerned about is the tactic shady carriers use to significantly increase your rate. They may go about it by calling you a day before the move or by telling you on the day of the move after half of the job is performed.



  1. Pressure Sales Tactics.

Called a moving company and feel like you were pressured to say yes right away. Disreputable long distance moving companies do this to hurry customers past doing their due diligence, such as checking reviews.


Note:

  • A legitimate carrier with a good reputation will not be desperate for your business. Their reputation has built trust in the eyes of the consumer, making it easier for them to get customers. If a long distance moving company is constantly calling you after sending a quote or is trying to pressure you to say yes, that is a red flag.



How to Protect Yourself From The Red Flags.

Despite having a few bad apples in the moving industry, they're ways you can protect yourself:


  1. Verify credentials in the FMCSA database: USDOT status must be "Active," insurance on file, and no revoked operating authority.

  2. Collect at least three binding or not-to-exceed quotes based on a visual survey.

  3. Demand every potential surcharge in writing—long carry, shuttle, additional waiting time, bulky items.

  4. Read recent one-star reviews first. Note how (or if) the company resolved complaints.

  5. Never sign a partially blank contract, and never pay more than 10 percent upfront on a credit card.



Bottom Line

Licensing and insurance are table stakes; the real red flags hide in pricing games, nonexistent reviews, and pushy deposits. Spend 30 minutes on verification today, and you'll save thousands—plus priceless peace of mind—when your couch arrives on the other side of the country exactly as promised.

 
 
 
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