How To Find Good Apartment Movers

Moving scams prey on people at a particularly emotional time, when money is often short supply. When you need to get all your worldly possessions moved across the country within two weeks, the last thing you need is to get involved with an illegitimate company that will take your money and run. Take these tips into consideration when looking for a reputable moving company.

1. Ask around. The recommendation of people who have actually used a company is worth far more than what a company can say about itself. If a good number of your friends and acquaintances can honestly say they’ve had a good experience with a company, it might be worth a second look. If your friends and acquaintances don’t have recommendations, or if you get conflicting reports (person A says company A is great; person B says they got ripped off by company A), ask the movers for the contact numbers of satisfied customers. A legitimate company should be happy to provide references of this nature. You may also just want to go with a different company altogether if you’re getting any negative reports about a mover.

WARNING SIGN: A lack of recognition of a company among community members, and particularly among insurance providers or town welcoming committees, should raise a major red flag in your moving company search. A company with no existing reputation is likely one to avoid. A legit company, even if new, will usually have ties to a well- established group of movers, likely gained from having worked with these legitimate companies.

2. See if they’re certified . The US Department of Transportation has a group called SAFER that can tell you if a moving company is registered and whether the company has any history of violations or license suspensions. SAFER can also let you know how long the company has been in business, and tell you whether the company has frequently changed its name (often a sign of fraudulent dealings). A new company isn’t necessarily a bad one, and an old company isn’t necessarily the best one, but a very recent incorporation should raise questions. A strong history of success under one name is what you’re looking for in a moving company. When researching a company’s background, you may also wish to check with the BBB. The Better Business Bureau handles and tracks complaints from consumers about untrustworthy companies. If people have run into problems–damaged items, slow moving process, or even movers not showing up at all (despite having been paid)–the BBB should know about it, and should pass that information on to you so you can make an educated choice of movers.

3. Ask the company to visit your home to make an estimate, and perhaps even request some special services from them. A company that’s unwilling to visit your home or even discuss changes in its service is not a company that you want to work with. Even legitimate, registered movers may be undesirable to work with if they cannot accommodate your individual needs. Be flexible, of course, but test the moving company’s willingness to help you, as opposed to make money. If a legitimate company doesn’t provide a service that you request–perhaps you have too many items, or are moving outside of the company’s area–should have sufficient contacts in the industry that they can help you find the resources that you need.

BEWARE : Be suspicious of moving estimates that are based on cubic footage of the items being moved. Since this estimate doesn’t take into account the weight of the items being moved, it will likely seem very affordable. However, these companies will often later change the estimate to one based on the weight of your items, sometimes when a contract is already signed and the items are already in their truck–and they’ll refuse to remove the items until you pay the new, higher, estimate. Get estimates based on weight and avoid being surprised by a last-minute price increase. And it may sound funny, but you also need to be sure that your estimate includes all phases of the moving process—loading, transport, and unloading. There are many horror stories about moving companies demanding additional funds to take the items off the truck once the destination is reached.

4. Get offline . Though online research may help expose you to other consumers’ experiences (good or bad) with a moving company, you should avoid doing a Google search for “moving company” and picking the first result. A company you find on the internet but that isn’t listed in the phone book or other “real-life” resources should raise major red flags. Many victims of scams do their mover search and research almost entirely online, opening them up to scams involving legit-looking websites and email estimates but no actual moving services. It’s a good idea to do some background research on the internet once you’ve found a company by other means, but don’t be duped by a fraudulent front that exists only online and has no intention of actually moving your stuff, just taking your money.

HOT TIP: Don’t trust online “moving brokers ” that claim to get estimates from multiple moving companies and pass them on to you. Though some estimates may be accurate, the moving company is not obligated to hold to the broker’s estimate, and can easily end up charging more than you were led to expect. Additionally, these brokers often have no standards for the companies whose estimates they provide, meaning that they’ll refer you to fraudulent companies that will accept payments without having any intention of providing services. Beware of requests for deposits, too, particularly nonrefundable deposits made without any written agreement for services.

5. Get insured . No matter how good a mover may be, there’s always a chance that something unexpected could go wrong with your move. However, be aware that moving companies are notoriously difficult when it comes to insurance claims. Have a trusted insurance broker go over the policy with you so you understand who’s responsible for what damages in what situations. Some movers will only provide insurance if they pack your items, which will result in a larger overall moving bill. Know if your renter’s insurance covers your move; if not, explore buying insurance from the company or an independent provider.

The bottom line: Go with your gut . If you have a funny feeling about a company, even if you’ve already verbally committed to making a deposit or getting an estimate, don’t hire them. It’s never too late to back out until a contract is signed, so don’t get into a deal that makes you uncomfortable. Even if a company came recommended by a good friend, never feel obligated to choose a mover who gives you doubts. You’ll be happier, less stressed, and more likely to get a good deal if you trust your instincts (and your research ) when making a moving decision.