Avoiding Moving Scam Traps!
October 29, 2009 by admin
Filed under Moving News, Moving scams
I believe there is powerful lessens to be learned from those that have had bad moving experience, whether or not is was just a bad move or a moving scam. And by knowing of these stories you can learn to avoid moving scam traps and pitfalls.
Recently, there has been an individual that was wronged, apparently, from a local moving company here. So this person then splattered all over Craigslist his dissatisfaction for this moving company. I do have to say that I do not agree or condone this persons approach to the matter, but I do understand their frustration. But what can we learn from this so that we can avoid the same mistakes and not fall victim of moving scams?
Here is the actual Craigslist ad:
They are not insured as advertised Check their reviews at http://www.professional-moving.com/move-complaints/ . The drivers are rude, and unprofessional. were supposed to show at 1, but didn’t call me until 4;30 to tell me they would still be another hour and a half!!!! he didn’t even apologize!!!! This screwed me because I had to have my stuff out of there by 6. I told the guy that and he told me “thats how it’s gonna be, take it or leave it and I’m hanging up” THEN HE HUNG UP ON ME!!!!!!!!!!!! I called the “owner”, Mike Nash, and left several messages but he will not call me back. The whole group is unprofessional and doesn’t care about their customers. Now looking at their reviews though, I’m glad they didn’t show!!! Only use this company if you want to be treated like dirt and have a very unpleasent experience. they screwed me though, and I WILL be taking them to court.
You can view it as it is on Craigslist with this link: http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/lbs/1440922418.html
So what are the lessens that this persons misfortune can teach us?
Lessen 1: Price.
This person obviously choose this mover because of the price. That is a moving scammers way of putting out cheese to snare the mouse. Moving scammers often advertise low prices…then whammo! They hit you with all sorts of nasty curve balls.
So never choose a mover just because he charges you a low ball price than everyone else.
Rule of Thumb: The lower the moving cost the more likely it is a moving scammer or an uninsured and non-licensed mover, which means the greater chance of a poor or bad moving experience.
Lessen 2: Research.
This mover obviously did no research on this moving company. Only after they had a bad experience did they research this mover and found all sorts of bad movers. That’s closing the barn doors after the cows got out.
Research the moving company BEFORE you hire them.
How do you research a moving company? Follow these simple steps:
- Google the moving company name.
- Google the moving company’s phone number.
- Check out their website. No website is a bad indicator.
- Ask for references.
- Check with the BBB.
- Check with US Department of Transportation for licensing and insurance.
Of course there is more. I have over 200 different articles on this website that you can read to learn how to avoid moving scams including 20 questions that you should ask any mover before you hire them.
Rule of thumb: Always research the moving company BEFORE you hire them.
Lessen 3: Have a backup plan.
While this persons move was tragic, it could have been avoided if they had had a back up plan.
To be fair to movers there are occasions where they do run late due to unforeseen circumstances. Trucks do breakdown. Employees show up late or not at all. An earlier move is more problematic than anticipated. So knowing this, you should have a back up plan just in case something goes amiss. This will help you avoid unnecessary stress.
Lessen 4: Time.
This person thought he had time, but it turned out that they did not.
I have seen many times in my own moving company where a customer has scheduled a move for the very last minute. You are only inviting disaster when you do this.
If you know that you have to be out before the 1st of the month lets say, then don’t book your move for the first of the month. Book your move to take place a day or two before.
Leaving your move to the last minute is just lazy. If it is about money, then you should save up, or failing that then negotiate with your mover and work out some sort of payment plan. Most legitimate movers will and can work with you.
Rule of thumb: Leave yourself enough time to move so that you are not stressed out if something goes wrong.
These are just some of the lessen you can learn from this persons unfortunate moving experience. But as you can see this person is not fault free. I sympathize and empathize with this person, but it could all have been avoided (they should hired me…lol.)
Avoiding moving scam traps is easy. Don’t get lulled into a bad moving experience because of ignorance.
P.S. The moving company in question: A Better Move is not, in my opinion, a good moving company. I have received many complaints about this company by unsolicited former customers. I have published a few of them on this website. You can read also their moving company moving review where I expose the fact that they are not licensed etc.
