Are you finally ready to pack up everything in your apartment to move to a new home in another neighborhood? You must be thinking about hiring a moving company. Before you sign with any company you can find, we recommend brushing up on your knowledge about moving company scams.
Unfortunately, several businesses are posing as top moving companies, but they scam people out of their money. Scammers in the industry come in all shapes and forms. They typically lure customers with free estimates that are too good to be accurate and then charge you much more than you should pay by holding your belongings hostage. We are going to discuss some of the most relevant red flags you need to watch out for when it comes to moving company scams. It can help you save a lot of trouble and money when you move.
1. They lack proper credentials
The first and most obvious red flag of a moving company scam is a lack of credentials. You need to do your homework before getting in touch with a residential & commercial moving company. Google their name to see if they have any reviews. If they do, are there any good 5-star reviews?
Look for online repositories that can give you a better idea about their legitimacy. Google is an excellent resource where you can find registered and licensed businesses in the industry. You can also check with the transportation department to see if they have the proper license. Ask the company for their insurance certificate. If you cannot find legitimate credentials, you know it is most probably a scam.
2. They are quick to provide you a quote
Another major red flag is that they give you a quick "in and out" quote. The top moving companies can offer you free estimates, but that does not mean they will do it quickly. Quality moving companies will conduct a proper on-site inspection of your home. They will open the cabinets, closets and write down details about the move before providing you a quote.
Scammers will try to act confident by providing you a quote for their services without a proper inspection. On that note, any company that provides you with an estimate without even conducting an inspection is undoubtedly a scam.
3. They offer non-binding estimates
Another major sign that you are possibly being scammed is that the company only offers non-binding estimates. A non-binding estimate is essentially a quote based on the estimated weight of your belongings. The final price for the move can change drastically because it will be based on your belongings' actual weight.
A non-binding estimate gives the moving company room to provide you with an attractive, low-ball estimate at the beginning but gives you a massive surprise with the final bill. It is always better to work with a company that can offer you a binding estimate that lets you know exactly how much you will pay before you go through with the move.
Other Red Flags to Watch Out For
Some other red flags you should watch out for include:
- Low-ball bids that are too good to be true
- A very new company
- A company which keeps changing its name
- Not offering insurance protection or valuation protection
- Not mentioning the window of company liability
- They are unprofessional
Benefits of Choosing Jensen Moving & Storage
Jensen Moving & Storage has been in the industry since 1972, and it is one of the leading moving companies in the Treasure Coast area. We have worked tirelessly through the years to become one of the top moving companies in Florida, and we're proud to say that our reputation precedes us. Feel free to look us up for reviews.
Working with us for your next move entitles you to several benefits, including:
- We offer you a 100% satisfaction guarantee for our services.
- We are a properly licensed and insured company.
- We provide you with an accurate estimate for our services after a thorough inspection, so you do not need to worry about any hidden fees.
- We charge a flat upfront fee with no hidden fees or extra charges. We do not change our quote based on weight, mileage, driving time, or any other factor.
- The best part is that we follow a strict One Truck, One Customer policy.
If you are planning on making an interstate move, whether from or to Florida (or any other state), give us a call (772) 334-5787 today and let us help you with your options!
