By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
Moving to a new state? So are lots of others--last year over 3 million Americans moved to another state to a new residence. A portion of those moves were across the country and others could have been across the street, but each of those families had to box up all their stuff, put it onto a moving van, and hope for the best. If you're thinking about a move, there's no question you've been researching moving companies and have gone down the road of terrible move stories on different websites. How do you handle your residential move so that you are not preyed upon by moving scammers, and that your things arrive at your new home in Houston safe and intact?The first thing to do is to learn the jargon of the trucking industry. It's much easier to make sound decisions if you comprehend the vocabulary of the business and the various business models of moving companies. This glossary of terms, found on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website, helps you familiarize yourself with Mover-talk so that when you hear words like storage-in-transit, accessorial charge and linehaul, you will understand what they refer to.
The FMCSA website is a great beginning point in general, as it also depicts the rules, if you will, that licensed carriers adhere to. Any transportation provider you are considering should be registered with the US Department of Transportation, and have a Motor Carrier and DOT number. You can look for any grievances against a company from that website. The ones on Yelp and Reddit are more fascinating, but any problems filed with the DOT tend to have a higher level of legitimacy than complaints that are probably the result of the customer just not paying attention.
In an ideal world, you'd hire movers a couple of months prior to your move, and leisurely pack, take care of the family, and be totally ready when the guys on the truck show up. Real life is not so tidy, and that is what moving scammers count on when they're promising you the moon—you're sidetracked and focusing on a hundred things, so they appeal to your sense of urgency—here is a ballpark estimate and a handshake and we will talk about the details later. This is a surefire way to never see your furniture again, unless you want to buy it back off of Craigslist.
Instead, ask your realtor for a name of a moving company. Or, if you know anyone who's moved not too long ago, ask them for recommendations. National moving companies commonly have locations all over the country, so go ahead and ask your Uncle in Nebraska who they used, even if you live in Connecticut. Use the FMCSA website to search moving companies registered for interstate moves, and Google them. Once you have narrowed it down to a couple options, obtain written in-home estimates.
Be sure to read the FMCSA publication, "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move". When hiring a professional mover, it's a federal law that you're supplied with this 25-page brochure (or a link to it) that contains your rights, protection, and industry regulations.
It is important that you recognize a dishonest mover BEFORE they load your belongings. Remember, not every mover has your best interest in mind. So, keep these RED FLAGS on hand as you are talking with your potential mover.
Be wary of movers who:
It's better to be safe than sorry. So, make sure and verify your moving company before they load your things onto their moving van! Remember that if it seems too good to be true it probably is, and since you're trusting the moving company with what is effectively your life, do your research and pick a reputable moving company, like A-1 Freeman Moving Group, who will take good care of you when you move to Houston.
