10 Ways To Find A Mover You Can Trust
By Christopher Noblit
It is widely recognized that some Internet Websites attract consumers
off of
the World Wide Web and then take advantage of them. According to moving
and
relocation industry professionals there are 10 sure fire ways a
consumer or
business can determine if they will be satisfied with the company they
select to handle their move to a new home or office. Here are the 10
ways
you can spot a qualified mover that you can trust:Avoid booking your move with a internet based moving broker, most of
whom
hand your move over to a different company, a company you have not
checked
and done research on. Make sure that the company you book your move
with
will be the same company who performs your actual physical move.
If you are moving within a state, make sure the mover you are
considering is
licensed by that state's Department of Transportation, Public Utilities
Commission, or Bureau of Consumer Affairs. A call to your local state
association can help determine if a mover is licensed. A list of state
associations is available at http://www.imawa.com/resources/moverassn.shtml.
If you are moving to a different state, check to make sure the mover is
licensed by the Federal Department of Transportation, located at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/moving.htm. Don't take the company's
word
for it, call the regulatory agency or state association and check for
yourself.
Check with the Better Business Bureau regarding constant numerous
complaints
at http://www.bbb.org/bbblookup. Note that a responsible mover may have
a
few complaints lodged against them -- the more moves they handle the
more
likely it is that they will have at least a few complaints -- but their
record with the Better Business Bureau should show that they have a
satisfactory rating and that they respond to and resolve complaints.
Ask your potential mover if they carry Workers' Compensation Insurance.
If
you have doubts ask to see "proof of insurance" in the form of an
"Insurance
Certificate" issued by their insurance carrier. Remember; without
Workers
Compensation Insurance you will be potentially liable for anyone hurt
on
your premises. Workers' Compensation Insurance adds to the cost of
doing
business but it protects you if someone is injured during your move. Be
suspicious of the very low bidder for they may be cutting costs by
cheating
on essential Workers' Compensation Insurance protection. Make sure the mover's place of business actually exists. Beware of
companies
who provide no business address on their Website, business documents,
or a
company that is hesitant to provide you with their physical business
address. It is important that you know where to track the company down
if
you have a problem.Don't listen to sales people who tell stories. A high-quality firm with
a
good reputation doesn't need to knock the competition, or criticize
other
firms to make themselves look better.It's a good idea to get a recommendation. A satisfied customer is the
best
sales pitch.Ask if the company is a member of the state moving and storage
association
in the state in which they are based. Check http://www.imawa.com/resources/moverassn.shtml for a list of
associations.
Ask if they are a member of the American Moving & Storage Association,
located at http://www.promover.org/. A reputable company should be a
member
of one or the other.If you are moving to a different state, read the Federally mandated
publication, "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move", at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/rights.htm.If you are moving to a different state, insist that you receive the
following federally mandated documents from your mover. If the mover is
hesitant to provide you with any of these items you should reconsider
using
that company (note that many state agencies also mandate documents of
this
type):
An "Order For Service" signed by your mover. The Order for service
protects
you by spelling out the agreement between you and your mover regarding
the
dates the shipment will be loaded and delivered, the estimated cost,
and (if
you are moving to a different state) the fact that the mover can only
collect 110% of the estimate at the time of delivery.
A written estimate itemizing all of the component charges that makes up
the
estimate for your moving cost. Prior to the move date, insist on an
in-home
visual inspection of the goods you are moving. Accurate estimates can
seldom
be provided over the telephone. Never believe that a phone estimate
given by
a mover, will be the actual cost of your move.
A "Table of Measurements" (also known as a "Cube Sheet") listing all of
the
items that you will be moving (pieces of furniture, number of boxes,
etc.).
The mover creates the Table of Measurements in order to calculate the
size
and weight of your move.
Retaining the services of a high quality, licensed mover requires a
little
work on the part of the consumer, but the reward is great; a high
quality
move with minimal stress. We urge you to spend a little extra time to
assure
that you locate one of the many quality minded licensed moving &
storage
professionals operating in our industry.
