Common Mistakes Consumers Make When Moving
- Don’t wait until your home is sold before preparing move quotes. It is recommended to start preparing moving quotes as soon as you put your house on the market. In our current market, homes are taking longer to sell, but once sold are closing very quickly. You need time to research your movers in your area and obtain a visual survey. There are also rate changes for movers due to fuel surcharges and seasonal rates. Movers can guarantee their rates for 60 days. Many times, you can save money if obtaining the survey prior to their rate changes.
- Getting a quote over the phone or Internet. The internet provides us with so much information at our fingertips. Be careful in understanding the difference
between a mover and a broker. A broker is a company that arranges for the truck transportation to others, utilizing for-hire-carriers. Brokers do not assume responsibility for the cargo and usually does not take possession of the cargo. The internet is a wonderful tool for finding a moving company in your area but not a safe was to schedule your relocation.
- Know who you’re doing business with. If your paperwork or estimate doesn’t
look right or one mover gives you a price significantly lower than the others, it might be in your best interest not to do business with that mover. Movers are basing your rates upon the “actual weight” of your shipment. If a mover provides you with a low-ball estimate, several things could happen. As the driver arrives to load you and identifies this “significant” error in weight, he can refuse the shipment and the local agent will have to pick your goods up and shuttle it to their warehouse or they will attempt to obtain additional funds from you. If the driver does pick your shipment up and the weight is wrong, you can also be forced with an overflow due to not enough space in the van. An overflow of items will also be re-handled and could take extra weeks for final delivery.
- Paying a deposit. This is definitely a red flag. Reputable movers will not ask for
deposits up front. Remember if you make a deposit and change or cancel your move, you may not get your deposit back. There are two ways of paying for your move. You can either pay with a credit card which would be charged 24 to 72 hours prior to your move date, or you can pay by cash, certified check, or money order to the time of delivery.
- Understanding Valuation. Understand the basic liability that the moving
industry has is .60 per pound per article. Movers will provide you with options
for “replacement” valuation for your goods in transit. You need to follow up with your current home owners policy and verify what they will cover. Many home owners policies already cover fire, theft, and collision while in transit, but my not cover “physical” damages.
By Janet Friesen – Browning / United Van Lines