Moving Scams Practiced by Legit Companies

"If it seems too good to be true, it probably is." This applies to moving as well to everything else in life. Especially the things we pay money for. Many people are becoming increasingly aware of how important it is to check for legit moving companies when it comes time to pack up one's belongings and move. The problem is that there are plenty of scams perpetrated by legit companies with proper licenses. Here are a couple of them.

Charging by weight.

This is one of the most common. You go on a Web site, you use one of those calculators that helps you tote up your things and gives you a quote. Or you actually have a human come in and give you an estimate. You are satisfied and go with the mover. Here comes the rub. When it is time for the mover to deliver your things, you are told that the items weighed more than the weight limit and that you will have to pay more. If you don't have the money right then, they can put it in storage (costing as much as $100-$200 per day) for you until you pay. And there isn't much you can do. Look at the contract, and you will see it all spelled out there. But you have no way of knowing how much your things actually weigh. You have to take the mover's word for it.

Charging by space.

This is similar to the weight scam. You agree to pay for a certain amount of space in the mover's truck. You pack everything in there as tight as you can make it. Only, there are no markings on the side of the truck to tell you how much space you have taken up, and you can't measure it out when you are packed to the ceiling, etc. So you have to rely on the measurement that the mover gives you. Plus, if you are an inch over, the mover may charge you for an entire foot. Same story…extra $$$ when the stuff arrives.

The best way to choose a mover or moving company is to shop around for prices and to talk to people who have moved. Find out what their experiences have been with a certain company. Also, check out the Better Business Bureau. Many disgruntled people lodge their moving-related complaints with the BBB. Be aware that it is extremely difficult to go after moving companies in a legal sense. This is because the conditions in the contract match what is being done.

My recommendation: for a long distance move, use ABF. You pack your own things in and they have markings on the side of the truck so you know where you stand. And if you are a couple of inches over, they won't charge you for another foot. I've been happy with them both of the times I used them, and will probably make use of ABF for my next big move.