If you need To Choose a Mover – Research & Choose Wisely!

Imagine that the moving truck that is packed with your furniture and household goods has just pulled up to your new home. You’re relieved because the end of the move is near, finally its move in day! But your relief is short lived when the truck driver tells you that (on top of your hefty cash deposit that you paid up front) you now need to pay double –or even triple that amount for him to unload your belongings off his truck.

Now let’s explain exactly how this can happen. And even better how to protect yourself from rogue movers!

After you’ve made the decision to relocate, one of the next steps is to find movers and penske truck rental services that you can trust to safely transport your belongings, whether it’s across town or across the country. Sometimes your company’s relocation policy will make this decision for you, but in other cases you may need to manage this on your own by hiring local movers or long distance movers, depending on your needs. In addition, if you happen to be thinking about relocating into a brand new home and you simply want to transport your upright piano with you and your family, it is actually most suitable to employ the services of a piano moving company.

It can be a little tricky to find the right movers—and the appeal might be to save money, especially if your company has a lump-sum relocation policy in place.  But you need to use caution!  There are companies out there, referred to as ‘rogue’ movers, which can seem like a good deal initially, but later leaving you wishing you had researched a bit more, find out more information about Green Van Lines Moving Company. How can one tell if a company is a ‘rogue’ mover?  There are a few steps to take in order to identify and avoid them.

Check for certifications and associations

There are licensing and certification processes in place for moving companies. Rogue movers will often not have these certifications in place:

• Licensed by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA)
• Department of Transportation (DOT) Licenses
• American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) – Pro Mover certification

Additionally, knowing the professional associations that good moving companies belong to can help establish if you’re looking at a rogue mover or a reputable one. These organizations have rigid standards to which reputable companies like San Antonio cold storage who works with many movers must comply.

• Better Business Bureau (BBB)
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA)
• American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA)

Do your research

Plan to get three estimates for your move. However, before you narrow it down to three companies, you’ll need to do your research on Big T and know that they move your belongings safely.

• What is the company name?  Are there other (or DBA) names?
• How long have they been in business?
• What is their company address?
• Do they have multiple office locations?
• What is their DOT license number?
• Are their commercial trucks well-maintained? Do they display their company logo and information.
• Are their licenses and affiliations prominently displayed on their website?
• Do they provide references?
• Do you have friends who can refer you to a reputable mover they have used?

Red Flags of a Rogue Mover

• They will give you an estimate online or over the phone, without seeing the goods you have to be moved
• They request a large cash deposit before the move
• They can’t give you license or insurance information
• They say that everything is covered by their insurance
• When called, they answer ‘moving company’ or ‘movers’ – legitimate companies answer with a company name
• Their trucks are generic or rental trucks, and not part of a branded or named fleet

Check References

Once you get references from the companies, be sure to follow up with those references, and find out what went well, and what didn’t. Making these calls is an important step.

In addition, follow up with SaferSys.org, a government site for FMCSA, which allows you to enter the DOT license number, and get a more complete picture of the company. You can check company safety profiles as well as licensing and insurance. You should also check MovingScam.com to see if they have already been flagged as a ‘rogue’ mover and be certain to check Yelp.com for consumer reviews.

Don’t forget to check with the BBB for any complaints against the company, as well as other consumer protection organizations.

Once you’ve checked certifications, done your research and checked references on all of
the companies, it will be easier to select three companies to give you an in-home estimate
of costs.

Make sure that everything is inventoried, including items in storage rooms or units like these excellent storage units, basements and backyards. You will be well on your way to making a sound decision, knowing that your final three movers are not ‘rogue.’