Avoiding Rogue Movers
You always need to be aware of the danger of rogue movers when you are looking for a moving company. Rogue movers may hold your property hostage, operate in hazardous or illegal conditions, or demand higher charges after agreeing to much lower estimates.
Regrettably, plenty of people fall victim to rogue movers. It is not surprising, given the fact that over 40 million Americans move every year. By knowing the warning signs & being aware of the following red flags, you can avoid dealing with rogue movers.
One possible warning sign is that the moving company won't agree to do an onsite inspection at your home or refuses to evaluate your property. A key rogue mover red flag is a company that will only give you an estimate over the phone. A reputable mover would need to take the time to give you a more correct estimate, than must readjust all of the paperwork on the day of the move.
Some warning signs may also present themselves in the form of communication between the company and its customers. For example, when calling a moving company, the person answering the phone ought to be courteous & professional. Also, be aware in case you try to contact the moving company & cannot reach someone.
Another way to keep away from rogue movers is to make sure you check the moving company's website before signing any papers or committing to anything. Make sure you find the physical address for the company as well as a working phone number as well. If there is no address or if you cannot find any legitimate contact information, it is possible that they could be a rogue mover.
Look out for movers that demand funds or huge deposits before the move. No legitimate moving company would need huge sums of funds before any service is provided.
Also watch out for companies that give out preliminary low estimates, even if the cost looks like it is hard to beat. It may be simple to give in and hire a rogue mover offering a temptingly low estimate. However, they may raise the cost one time, or multiple times, once the move is complete, hitting you with a bevy of hidden fees and charges.
Another potential red flag to keep an eye out for is any company offering blanket insurance covering all of your property. When purchasing insurance for your move, you'll often get coverage from a third-party insurer. This is because moving companies themselves only offer minimal coverage and it is rare for a mover to offer full insurance coverage, so make sure to ask for a duplicate of their insurance coverage in writing.
In case you encounter any of these signs, make sure to have other options at hand so you can find another mover. If you do come in contact with a rogue mover and they have already taken your funds, you can document them and then report them to the police or the BBB.
You could also spot a rogue mover by driving to their office (in case you find the address) and taking a look at their fleet. They are likely to be a rogue mover in the event that they have any suspicious blank trucks or rental trucks. After all, why would a moving company not have their own logo on their trucks? Most companies would need their trucks to be seen by limitless people on the highways. If the company doesn't need to be seen, then it is probably a rogue mover.
By knowing these red flags beforehand, though, you can avoid the chance of dealing with a rogue mover altogether.
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