Rogue Movers - 5 Red Flags
11/9/2011 12:37:06 PM
A rogue mover shoots you a low price over the phone, requires a deposit, and doubles or triples the price after your goods are loaded on the truck. Payment must be made or they drive off with all of your worldly possessions – holding them hostage until you pay the new price.
How can you tell if you have hired a legitimate mover or a rogue mover? Here are five red flags that may signal you may not be dealing with an above board company.
- They refuse to give you an in-home estimate. The most accurate estimate involves someone coming to the house and actually seeing all of your boxes and furniture that you are moving. A real mover wants to know the length of your driveway, how many steps on the front porch, and whether or not Grammas china hutch will fit through the doorway.
- They require a deposit to “lock in” the price or dates. By law, a real mover cannot require a deposit for an interstate (long distance) move. A legitimate mover must complete what is called an order for service that spells out exactly what services are provided and how much it’s going to cost. Local or city regulations may differ from federal when moving within a metropolitan area but most movers will use something similar.
- The moving company’s physical address cannot be found in the phone book or on a website. Rogue movers are constantly hiding from the authorities and irate former customers. If you can find the office or warehouse, it is usually in horrible condition and ready to be condemned.
- The phone is answered in a generic or funny way. “Moving Company” or “Movers” or even just “Hello.” Once again, trying to fly under the radar so they won’t get caught scamming the customer. Often times they operate under several different names.
- The movers show up with a rental truck on moving day. Here today and gone tomorrow. A real mover uses his equipment with his logo as a rolling billboard. He wants the company name to be visible to everyone in the neighborhood while he is working. It’s advertising that is working all day without any extra cost.
Rogue movers are most prevalent on the East and West coast. All trends migrate toward the Midwest so it’s only a matter of time until they become more prominent in the Omaha, Council Bluffs and Lincoln areas.
The complaints we have heard most often from our customers are the result of Internet brokers. They have no equipment or personnel but they broker your move to anyone with a truck, some labor, and the willingness to pickup your goods. They may or may not have moving experience or knowledge – just an empty truck.
Avoid the rogue mover or the Internet broker by doing some research. Check with family and friends to get a recommendation for a moving company. Check out the Better Business Bureau listings and ratings. Check out the US Department of Transportation website http://www.protectyourmove.gov. The moving industry has a group called the American Moving and Storage Association that works closely with government and industry in order to protect the consumer from unscrupulous practices. Tons more information can be found on their website at: http://www.moving.org/