It doesn’t seem to matter if you are moving for the first time or the 100th time, it’s a stressful situation and you can easily become overwhelmed with the number of moving companies available and some seem better than others and some even seem to be too good to be true.
Unfortunately, a lot of the time they are too good to be true.
In order to keep yourself from getting scammed during your next move we suggest that you ask your friends and family for their recommendations. If they have moved in the past, they will likely have an opinion of who they believe to the best moving company in the city – and they’ll be honest about it!
Once you have a few names of moving companies in the city, do a little bit of research on them. They should all have full contact information, be licensed movers, and will likely have brick and mortar locations in the city as well. If something seems a little off with the company’s information you should trust your gut and not give that company your money.
Another trick to keep in mind is to avoid paying your entire fees upfront. A lot of moving companies will request a deposit in order to secure the date of your move, but they will not request the entire amount be paid until the date of delivery. If the company you choose asks to have everything paid for up front beforehand it is a pretty good sign they are a fraudulent company, but take a look into their history anyway. It’s possible that they just work that way and have for the past couple years.
If you keep all of these things in mind, you should be confident that you are choosing a good moving company that will not attempt to hold your items for ransom at any point.
FAQ
What should you do before selecting a moving company?
Ask friends and family for recommendations based on their past experiences with moving companies.
How can you verify the legitimacy of a moving company?
Check for full contact information, ensure they are licensed movers, and confirm they have a physical location.
What should you trust if something seems off about a moving company?
Trust your instincts; if something feels wrong, it’s best to look for another company.
What payment practices should you avoid to prevent scams?
Avoid paying the entire moving fee upfront. Legitimate companies typically request a deposit but will ask for the remaining balance upon delivery.
What does it indicate if a moving company demands full payment before the move?
It is a strong sign of a potentially fraudulent company if they require full payment in advance.
