Selecting the right long distance moving company for your particular circumstances can be more difficult than it might at first appear. You will need to be as certain as you can that your possessions will be looked after during the move, that they will arrive promptly at your new residence, and that the overall cost of the whole operation does not escalate.
After you have drawn up a list of likely candidates, take the time to research each one a little bit before making your decision. It would be time well spent and you won’t regret it. Here are a few issues to consider during your search:
1. Licensing and Insurance Cover
2. BBB ( Better Business Bureau ) records
3. Registered Business Address
4. Beware Sales Reps
5. Essential Documentation
6. Questions to Ask
1. Licensing and Insurance Cover
The first thing you should do is check the long distance moving company’s license with the Department of Transportation. Moving companies are obliged by law to hold a valid license and insurance cover. There are several different classes of mover’s license according to which State you are in, and the regulations tend to vary somewhat.
Moving Locally :
If the move is to a location within the same State, check that the company has been licensed by one of the following authorities WITHIN YOUR STATE:
The Department of Transportation
The Public Utilities Commission
The Bureau of Consumer Affairs
The Public Utilities Commission
The Bureau of Consumer Affairs
If you give any one of the above a quick ring, they’ll be able to tell you right away whether or not your company is licensed. In the case of a move out of the State, you should contact the Federal DOT instead.
Moving out of the State:
Companies who handle interstate moves are also required to:
Companies who handle interstate moves are also required to:
• publish details of all their charges and give copies of this document to those who might wish to have one
• join a scheme for the resolution of disputes and provide an independent arbitrator if and when such an instance occurs. Disputes typically happen if loss and/or damage occurs to contents and property during transportation.
Moving Company Personnel Insurance:
It is important to make sure that the moving company you use has its own cover for their employees. The DOT insists on this and although it will increase the cost to you slightly, it also adds a degree of protection — make sure the company has this insurance.
It is important to make sure that the moving company you use has its own cover for their employees. The DOT insists on this and although it will increase the cost to you slightly, it also adds a degree of protection — make sure the company has this insurance.
2. BBB Records
Check the Better Business Bureau to make sure that the company has a history of unsettled disputes with previous customers will increase your confidence in them. The BBB retains such information regarding moving businesses within the State and you would do well to avoid those who have a poor history.
Even the better companies may well have had complaints filed against them, of course — if they are busy, this is inevitable — but the records will also indicate whether or not the company has acted responsibly in resolving these issues, which is a good sign.
Find out if your movers are members of the relevant association for storage and movement, or even registered with the American Moving and Storage Association ( AMSA ). Ideally, all good companies should be actively involved with one of these organizations.
3. Registered Business Address
It goes without saying that you should verify that the company’s registered business address is genuine. Try to avoid companies who do not publish their address in their contact details on the website, or are reluctant to give you this information when you ask them for it. You’ll need to know how to find the company should some kind of problem arise.
A visit to the premises of the mover before making your mind up will sometimes tell you a great deal about the way in which your belongings might be treated during the move.
Private residential addresses:
Many local and long distance moving companies do business perfectly legitimately operating from a private address. This is absolutely fine as long as they are actually there at that address.
Many local and long distance moving companies do business perfectly legitimately operating from a private address. This is absolutely fine as long as they are actually there at that address.
Phone book:
Find out if the company is listed in the previous year’s issue of the yellow pages. If the company is new, you’d expect that they would not be listed; but be mindful of the fact that companies who may have had their license revoked by the DOT, may attempt to conduct business with a fresh name or even that of a different licensed company.
Find out if the company is listed in the previous year’s issue of the yellow pages. If the company is new, you’d expect that they would not be listed; but be mindful of the fact that companies who may have had their license revoked by the DOT, may attempt to conduct business with a fresh name or even that of a different licensed company.
4. Beware Sales Reps
A golden rule to apply when talking to company sales representatives (not just in the moving industry) is that you should not listen to those who choose to knock the competition. A reputable company which has a history of satisfied clients will not need to resort to such tactics in order to promote their own image.
Do not be drawn in by telesales personnel who try to give you the hard sell. They will try to get you to agree to arranging a visit from a salesman in order to quote you a price. It should be entirely at your own discretion who you decide to invite to your home, and should be the result of your own research and following up of references. The price you are quoted should not be the overriding factor — past customer opinion ought to carry a lot of weight.
It should be possible for you to talk to the company owner. This can go a long way towards convincing you that the company is trustworthy and able to provide you with a professional service.
5. Essential Documentation
In the case of an out-of-State move, there are a few important documents which should be provided by the mover. They are as follows:
Order for Service: — this should be signed by the company
This document specifies the dates on which your belongings will be collected and delivered and the approximate cost. Note that should you be moving out of the State, the company can only charge up to a maximum of 10% over the estimated cost when they make delivery
This document specifies the dates on which your belongings will be collected and delivered and the approximate cost. Note that should you be moving out of the State, the company can only charge up to a maximum of 10% over the estimated cost when they make delivery
Written Estimate:
This should specify each element of the charges which make up the total estimated cost of your move. Before the move, arrange for the moving company to visit your home to take a look at the items you will be expecting them to transport for you. A company cannot usually give you an accurate quote by phone and will usually ultimately charge you more than an estimate given in this way.
This should specify each element of the charges which make up the total estimated cost of your move. Before the move, arrange for the moving company to visit your home to take a look at the items you will be expecting them to transport for you. A company cannot usually give you an accurate quote by phone and will usually ultimately charge you more than an estimate given in this way.
Table of Measurements:
The representative who undertakes the inspection should draw up a list everything that will be moved. A list such as this will be valuable to them when they calculate the space required and the overall weight.
The representative who undertakes the inspection should draw up a list everything that will be moved. A list such as this will be valuable to them when they calculate the space required and the overall weight.
If the local or long distance moving company shows any sign of hesitancy when you ask for these documents, you should seriously consider using a different mover.
6. Questions to Ask
Below, you will find a list of questions that you should consider asking moving companies before making your final choice:
About the estimate:
• Can the mover visit your home to make an inspection of the contents?
• Will the estimate given be subject to change?
• Does the estimate have an expiry date?
• What extra charges are possible for such things as parking, street access, time restrictions for delivery, stairs and/or lifts.
• Can they give you an ETA; can the driver notify you of his imminent arrival?
• Will it be possible for you to pack items yourself?
• In case there is extra weight on the day of moving, will there be additional charges?
. • Can the mover visit your home to make an inspection of the contents?
• Will the estimate given be subject to change?
• Does the estimate have an expiry date?
• What extra charges are possible for such things as parking, street access, time restrictions for delivery, stairs and/or lifts.
• Can they give you an ETA; can the driver notify you of his imminent arrival?
• Will it be possible for you to pack items yourself?
• In case there is extra weight on the day of moving, will there be additional charges?
About insurance:
• How much are you covered for?
• Will you be able to arrange for any kind of enhanced insurance cover?
• How would you go about submitting a claim if the need arises?
• How much are you covered for?
• Will you be able to arrange for any kind of enhanced insurance cover?
• How would you go about submitting a claim if the need arises?
About payment:
• What payment methods will they accept? (credit card, check, cash, money order, etc.)
• Will you have to put up a deposit, and is it refundable should you change your mind?
• At what point is payment due? (this varies from one company to another)
About the Company’s history:• What payment methods will they accept? (credit card, check, cash, money order, etc.)
• Will you have to put up a deposit, and is it refundable should you change your mind?
• At what point is payment due? (this varies from one company to another)
• How long have they been operating?
• Are they licensed to operate in the State?
• Are they registered with the AMSA, the BBB, or any additional bodies?
• Do they have a history of disputes recorded by the BBB, and if so, were they resolved?
• How large is the vehicle fleet?
• Do they use their own vehicles for long-haul moves, or do they subcontract?
• Is the company itself the mover, or are they simply an agent?
Source: http://we-moving.net/movers.php
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