Avoiding Scams and Companies who Practice Dangerous Moving
After an enforcement sweep by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, at least three moving companies are facing fines of over twenty thousand dollars. More than sixty companies were investigated during the sweep for unscrupulous business practices such as holding loads hostage or demanding payment in excess of previously given binding estimates. The United States Transportation Secretary said that the government agency was and will uphold their commitment to making moving safe for consumers everywhere. Throughout the highly targeted operation, more than thirty investigators made their way to some of the biggest cities in the country in the attempt to find and put a stop to fraudulent movers.
Falling victim to a moving scam is one of the things that everyone wants to avoid when they are moving, and it is something that can be done! It might seem impossible to choose the fraudulent companies out of the hundreds of movers that you might choose from to handle the transport of your goods, but it is a task that is far from impossible. Simply keep the following tips in mind and you too can find a great company that won’t hold your goods hostage or demand a higher than agreed on payment.
Research and Read
Perhaps the best way to avoid falling victim to one of these less than desirable local or long distance moving companies is to research your choice before you hire them. There are plenty of places online where you can go to read about a company and the consumers who have used them in the past. Look to find out if a company is on time, friendly, honest, and legitimate. People love to share their opinions, so don’t just count on what the company says on its website; look at moving companies reviews as well.
Binding Estimates
A binding estimate is supposed to be a legally binding contract that states just how much you are going to have to pay for your move. Make sure that you opt for this kind of estimate so that you won’t be surprised at the other end of the move when your movers tell you the cost is going to be thousands more than you were expecting. Have someone else, preferably a lawyer, look over the contract to ensure that it is, in fact, legally binding.
Check Licenses, Certifications
One of the best ways to avoid falling victim to a moving scam is to check into the license numbers and certifications of a moving company. Remember, there are tons of companies out there, so when one lets their license expire, it is not always caught immediately. As such, it is up to you to get these numbers and check them out before you actually hire a company.
Gut Instincts
No matter where you might be moving to, it is a good idea to follow your first instincts rather than trying to convince yourself that a bad company is good. In the end, it is always better to be safe rather than sorry. Make sure that you heed these warnings so that you can enjoy moving to your new home instead of having to worry about the outcome of your dealing with a mover.