Tips For Getting Accurate Moving Quotes From Reliable Movers
February 13, 2010 by admin
Filed under Moving Estimate Advice, Moving Tips and Advice
Here is another great article I came across about getting accurate quotes from reliable movers. It is good read. I hope you like it.
4 Tips For Getting Accurate Quotes From Reliable Movers
By Maureen RomensyaWhen looking for reliable movers to hire it can be hard to decide which ones would be the best choice. That is why getting quotes from reliable movers is so essential. Before getting the quotes there are some important tips that will help you get the most accurate quote possible.
Here are the tips that you want to remember and use so that you end up with as accurate of a quote as you can.
1. Plan – When you are going to be making a move it is important that you take time to plan ahead. Planning ahead will help you get a more accurate quote.
You want to know exactly what items will be going with you and what won’t. Along with what services will be needed from the company such as packing.
By knowing ahead of time what you want and planning things then you will definitely have a much higher chance of getting the most accurate quote from reliable movers.
2. Compare – There are so many different moving companies available these days and trying to find the best one to hire can be hard to do. By taking time to get a free quote from each moving company that you are interested in you will be able to make a more informed decision.
Comparing quotes from moving companies is important because the companies are similar but not the same exactly. This means that their estimates will be just a little bit different in different ways.
By comparing the quotes you can see what they are offering you and for what price. This will help you choose the company that is within your budget so you don’t spend more money than you can afford to.
3. Ask questions – Don’t be afraid to ask questions of any moving company about the quotes. If you have questions you have to get them answered before making your final decision. This will help to ensure you are choosing the best company for your move and for the price you can afford.
4. Take your time – Always give yourself plenty of time to do your research on the companies and to get quotes. The more time you can give yourself the more informed decision you can make because you will be able to gather important information that will make it much easier.
These tips will definitely help anyone get the best price on your quote if you remember them and use them. If you don’t use them then be prepared when you end up paying more money later because you didn’t take time to ensure accurate quotes from reliable movers.
Maureen Romensya invites you to visit her moving website to receive moving quotes and moving estimates on your next move. Compare quotes from reliable movers and pick the best moving company based on services & price. When moving companies compete you save up to 35%.
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Moving Estimates: Getting it in Writing.
February 18, 2009 by jburnham
Filed under Moving Estimate Advice
Getting your moving estimates in writing before you do your move is imperative. This is your biggest defense in preventing moving scams.
Moving estimates serve an important role in the stress free moving day blitz. By getting your moving quote in writing before the move allows for you to plan the expenditures and time allowances.
You should never sign a moving estimate agreement until you have fully understood the agreement and have addressed any areas of concern such as possible areas where there may be extra or hidden fees. This is a vital area to be on the look out for as this where many moving scam companies really hit you hard.
I have written a great article called: Moving Estimates: 20 Questions That Guarantee Success. As you can tell by the title there are 20 questions that you should ask minimally. By following the advice in that article and then getting your estimate in writing you should prevent a lot of stress and heartache.
A many of moving scams are founded on the premise of not getting the moving estimate in writing…so do yourself a favor and get your moving estimate in writing before the move: even if it is only by email!
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Moving Estimates: 20 Questions That Guarantee Moving Day Sucess
January 26, 2009 by jburnham
Filed under Moving Estimate Advice
The key to a great moving experience is the moving estimate. All in all, most reputable moving companies, in the end, provide the same service at about the same cost. Where they differ is in the quality of service. And how you can glean this information is through the moving estimate.
Scam movers are notorious for giving you what I term the “no estimate estimate.” Meaning that they will only estimate your move over the internet or over the phone, for an unusually low ball price. They will never come to your home. Reputable movers will come to your home to give you an estimate. Sure, on the smaller, more routine moves, they will bid the move over the phone, but NEVER the larger ones.
The moving estimate is where you can interview each potential mover. By asking the right questions and getting the answers from each mover will help you in determining the right mover for you and to help avoid the moving scams. The questions that you should minimally ask are:
- Is this the actual moving company or a brokerage?
- Who will be my contact in case of questions or concerns?
- How do you determine the cost of the move?
- How do price additional services?
- How do increased valuation affect the moving estimate?
- Is this estimate based on weight or volume?
- What is the exact full name of your business
- How long have you been in business?
- What is your company’s website and email address?
- Do you own or lease your own vehicles?
- What type of vehicles do you use? Box truck? Semi? Pick-up and trailer?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- What is the coverage of the insurance?
- What are your US DOT and MC numbers?
- Do you have references that I may see?
- Are you members of the BBB, Chamber of Commerce, or Other industry affiliations?
- Are your estimates binding or non-binding?
- Do you give flat rate estimates or by the hour?
- Do give discounts for seniors, military or students?
- Are there any other discounts?
Once you are given your estimate, take the time to look it over. Never sign anything until you have read and understood the agreement and all your questions have been answered. In my company I write up the estimate and then hand it over to you, I never ask for a signature locking you in.
Before you sign any agreement locking you in to any mover make sure that you have considered all your moving estimates, then sign the estimate/agreement for the moving company that you choose. Lastly, the moving company should be engaged in questions of their own during the moving estimate process. And be leery of moving company’s that only say “yes, we can do that.” No they can’t. Not all the time.
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Movers: It Is Not Way They Say It Is What They Don't Say
January 15, 2009 by jburnham
Filed under Moving Estimate Advice, Moving Tips and Advice
The below article was not written by me. I wish it were because it is very good. Movers for the most part are very trustworthy, but there are those that wish to cause a little mayhem. Movers…It is as much as what they don’t say as it is what they do say. I hope that this article helps.
Things Your Moving Company Won’t Tell You: The “Other” Seven Deadly Sins
It’s sad to say, but it is NOT okay to trust just any moving company. There are plenty of unscrupulous people out there who either (a) won’t do a good job taking care of your belongings, (b) will do the work but demand unfair amounts or money, or (c) won’t do the work at all.
As important as it is to understand everything your mover DOES tell you, it’s just as important to understand what they DON’T tell you.
1. “Sure, I’ll move your stuff, but I may not give it back.”
Unfortunately, this happens all too often. You choose a company and they give you an estimate. When moving day comes, and all your belongings are packed up and headed across the state or even the country, the mover lays it on you. Not only does your move end up being more expensive than what they told you, but if you don’t pay, you don’t get your belongings back!
Outrageous as it may sound… it happens. Excuses run the gamut – you had more items than anticipated or you are moving during a “peak” time meaning the cost is higher. No matter what it is, someone has heard it – and they weren’t happy about it. And with a real estate boom over the past few years, these stories are increasing by the truckload. In fact, the Better Business Bureau has received almost 10,000 reports filed on moving companies, ranking a close third only behind mortgages and roofing contractors.
Here’s a tip: know who you’re hiring, whether you check them out through customer referrals or through the Better Business Bureau (we recommend you do both). Also, be extra careful if you are moving during the summer months, as almost 60 percent of people move during the summer – this leaves more room for error and dishonest movers.
2. “We don’t guarantee it will be our workers who move your things.”
Sure, you may hire Company A to move your belongings, but it doesn’t mean they haven’t hired Company B to do the work. Especially during busy times, companies have been known to subcontract the jobs… and they don’t bother telling you about it. Even worse, one company packs up your stuff, but when you arrive at your new home, it’s someone completely different who does the unpacking.
Another problem is hiring of illegal workers or people who are paid “off the books.” Not only can this cause a problem with liability of your goods, you also run the risk of workers who are not adequately experienced in the job at hand. To protect yourself, make sure your company can guarantee that they are in fact doing the work themselves with an experienced, capable staff.
3. “We’ll give you an accurate quote… once we’ve already done the work.”
Despite how binding your contract may be, assuming you even have one, a company always has a way or sticking it to you in the end. Know what you are getting yourself into, because if you don’t it can end up costing you – big time!!!
4. “We’ll figure out a way to charge you extra.”
Make sure you are made aware of any “extra” charges that could come your way, and demand to be informed before any extra services are performed. Some common ways companies may increase your charges are:
- Your items require “special handling.” This may mean you have an especially heavy piece of furniture or something that may require special care. Unfortunately, they usually don’t tell you this until it has already been moved, forcing you to pay the higher bill. If you question any of your items, be sure to bring this up ahead of time.
- Long carry charges. For example, if the movers have to walk further than expected, they may charge you more than you expected. Therefore, if you know a mover will not be able to park their truck directly outside of your door, let them know ahead of time and ask if it will be an extra charge. The last thing you want is to be surprised when the bill comes.
- Peak moving times. Many movers charge more in the summer months because this is when a majority of people move. You may not be able to avoid this, but at least make sure you know of any extra charges ahead of time.
5. “We follow our schedule, not yours.”
Hopefully, you and your moving company will arrange a date and time for your move that is convenient for both parties. But the truth is you are at their mercy… and they know it.
Sometimes the delay is reasonable, such as bad weather, traffic or minor hold-ups. For this reason the movers usually schedule a window of time to pick up and deliver your belongings. For long-distance moves, companies often plan another moving job to share space with yours to help them consolidate moves and save money; however, for all you know, the other moving job is hundreds of miles from yours, which could leave you waiting a long time for your items. Even worse, they may charge you for extra storage time, even though you never approved the extended wait in the first place.
To save time and worry, ask the movers how many deliveries they are making with the truck containing your items and where the destinations are. It’s also important to ask where your stuff is located in the truck – if your things were loaded first, they will be unloaded last. Be sure to ask the driver instead of the company representative that scheduled your move. The drivers will have much more accurate information. You may not have any control, but at least this way you will know what to expect.
6. “Our insurance means nothing. And nothing is the protection you will get.”
Damage to your stuff can happen; it’s just a part of life. The problem is many movers are only responsible for a small portion of your goods. This means they may break your $500 television but may only have to pay you $40 for it.
Most times, movers will give you the option of purchasing extra insurance for an additional fee – and it’s probably worth it. If you purchase additional insurance, make sure you know all the details, because they may try to get out of compensating you for what they may damage or destroy. They could do this by either claiming the items were damaged prior to the move, or they may just ignore the insurance claim until you finally get sick of waiting and just give up.
Many movers will only insure items they pack themselves; however, this can make your final bill much more expensive. If you opt not to purchase the insurance and pack the items on your own, make sure you have a signed document stating the moving company is responsible for missing or damaged items.
A great way to protect yourself is to get insurance on your goods through your homeowners insurance – this assures you more stable protection. Make sure you look over all your goods after the move before signing the receipt. If you don’t, they can claim the damage was done after they left.
7. “Not only are we not licensed, but are company doesn’t even exist.”
Before hiring a company, make sure they (a) are licensed, (b) have a good record with no claims filed against them, and (c) have accurate and positive referrals. You can get most of this information by asking the company directly and checking the information with the Better Business Bureau.
Never agree to pay a deposit. If they have your money before they do the work, you run the risk of them never showing up. A reputable company will not require the deposit.
When you inquire about license information, don’t just go with a company because it has a valid license. Even licensed companies can scam you or provide bad service. In addition, if you cannot find licensing or other important information a company, they are most likely a bad choice and you should probably move on.
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Mover Quotes – Getting the Best One.
January 8, 2009 by jburnham
Filed under Moving Estimate Advice
Mover quotes are really easy to come by. It is as simple as picking up a telephone and calling a moving company. Bingo, bango you have a movers quote. So why does everyone want to make it out to be so complex? ‘Cause in a way it is complex.
You must understand that a mover quote is more than just getting a price, it is your chance to interview the moving company. Here, let me explain. Yes…you can call a moving company and get a quote, but what does it mean? How do you know you are getting the best one? Here are a few guidelines when getting a quote:
- Never, ever get an instant online moving quote.
- Never accept a mover quote from a moving company that doesn’t ask questions.
- Before you even get a quote know exactly what you need and want from the moving company.
- Get at least 3 moving quotes; no more than 5.
- For larger moves (3 bedrooms or more) have the company come out to your home to actually see what needs to be moved.
You should never ever get a mover quote only from an online source. Every move is different. Sure you could get a ballpark estimate for your move, but I guarantee that it will not be accurate.
The moving company that you chose must be able to ask you questions of your move so as to really understand what it is that you are moving and how far. Then – and ONLY then – can a fairly accurate mover quote be given.
If the moving company is not asking question about your move like “how many flights of stairs there are?” or “how old is the house and how new the furniture?” or “is there large flat screen TVs to be moved?” etc then the moving company is doing a real disservice to you and you are NOT getting the best mover quote you can get.
By getting multiple quotes you will learn what to ask, but being prepared and knowing what you need and want goes along way in getting the best mover quote.
When you are calling to get a mover quote keep in mind that you are actually interviewing the moving company. How they respond and how interested in your move they seem to be; the more likely you are going to get the best moving quote.
One last thing: Choosing a moving company solely because they made the lowest bid is foolhardy at best. By basing your moving decision only on price is the fastest route to being scammed. Getting a mover quote is your chance to “kick the tires” as they say.
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10 Surefire Signs of a Professional Moving Company
December 22, 2008 by jburnham
Filed under Moving Estimate Advice, Moving Tips and Advice
It is important you know how to spot a moving scam company; and my article Craigslist Mover Scams details that out perfectly; it is also important to know how to spot a professional moving company. By hiring a moving company and having a horrible experience can be almost the same as if you hired a scam moving company. So don’t fall into that trap. Know and understand the 10 surefire signs of a professional moving company and you should have a stress free and pleasant experience moving.
I have written quite a bit on how to avoid moving company scams, and from the stats you have really enjoyed those articles, as they are the most popular thus far on my blog. While a moving company maybe a horrible company to hire they may not necessarily be a moving scam company.
So what are the 10 surefire signs of a professional moving company? Glad you asked. They are:
- Do they have testimonials? How many? Are the new or old?
- How long have they been in business?
- Do they belong to any moving associations? Other reputable organizations?
- Do they have any press releases about them?
- Do they advertise elsewhere besides the internet?
- Do they have actual pictures of themselves that you can see, not just clip art?
- Are their employees unifromed or not?
- Do they own or lease their own vehicles?
- Do they have a professional website? Is there a lot of info there? Is it just a one page sales letter?
- Can you google them and have a lot results? Or is it just Craigslist ads for results?
By using the above checklist and doing the research you will know if your company is actually a professional moving company or not. This is the actual checklist that I use when I am doing my moving company reviews. Most of the companies that only advertise on Craigslist don’t cut it after going through this checklist; many legitimate moving businesses can’t cut it either. Only those that have all or a majority of the checklist in order can call themselves “Professional”.
There are many legitimate moving companies out there. So before you hire them, run them through this checklist and see if they are truly Professional.
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Low Ball Moving Estimates Cost More in the Long Run.
December 3, 2008 by jburnham
Filed under Moving Estimate Advice
Many people want a deal. They are looking for the best deal that they can get. In this economy who can really blame them? However, when it comes to moving your belongings that can, and often does, spell disaster.
Moving companies that low ball their estimates just to get the deal are the ones you have to leery about the most. 80% of the time they are scam artists, based on leading governmental information. These companies rarely, if ever, advertise their services anywhere other than the internet…mainly on Craigslist.
Seeing as Craigslist really doesn’t care about whom posts or what they post; many unethical companies can post there and call themselves a company. And why shouldn’t they? It is free.
Is every company on Craigslist a scam…I hope you don’t think so, because I advertise there a lot. It is a great source to get business. So just because a company advertises on Craigslist doesn’t make them a scam. Only if that is the only place they advertise. You will never see these scam artist moving companies advertise anywhere else but the internet.
Forget the yellowpages. They never have a website or even a blog. They are invisible to you; and for a reason. And if they get a bad name, or reputation; they then just change their name and continue on.
So how do they sucker you in? Easy really….They just low ball the estimate they give you.
Call any reputable moving company and they will be very forthright and tell you what you can expect. The price is usually high (as compared to the scam artist) and they will usually estimate the time of the move higher then it will really take. They know that there things that come up which will lengthen a move.
They also realize that they are in business to make a profit. The scam artist is just “in business” to make the biggest coin they can before they get caught!
They play to your basic need to get the cheapest service that you can. They know if you can get a lot (or at least promised a lot) for very little then they know you will feel you got a bargin, brag to your friends, etc and then ultimately book them… This is where the scam begins.
They’ll load all your belongings into their truck (many times they’ll bring a rusted out pick-up with a dumpy trailer) and say they’ll meet you at your new home. Now you are there waiting, waiting, waiting, and so on until they arrive.
Before they even begin to open the truck and unload they will tell you it now costs you X amount dollars OVER the estimate, and if you don’t pay it, then they will take your stuff to storage until you can.
Or, they will have you sign a waiver for them when they get to your new home. If you don’t sign they don’t unload. If you do sign, then much your stuff is broken or damaged in some way but that little waiver you signed is the rub. You just signed away any claim to that damaged furniture, etc. So what is the cost of your move now? Take them to court, don’t forget to add the court cost. And if you win…will you even get your money? Most likely not as they are now bankrupt. So what is the cost now? Those family heirlooms. Are they priceless? How much did it cost to have them repaired or replaced? …So what is the cost of your move now? I bet you are not feeling so special now are you? You are not bragging now are you? And who do you blame? Definately not yourself…but you should.
Remember the old adage: “you get what you pay for.” So what do you need to do to have a stressless move?
- Pop your head out of your kiester and think rationally instead of emotionally.
- Ensure that your potential mover advertises in more areas than just on Craigslist.
- Check your company out with third party consumer advocate companies like the BBB, etc.
- Make sure that you ask a lot of questions with your mover.
- Ask your mover to actually come to your home or office for the estimate.
- Never, Never, Never sign anything until you understand what you are signing.
- Ask your friends and neighbors who they have used when they moved.
- Never pay any movers before until they have moved your stuff into your home first.