So your closing date is upon you and you’ve contracted a moving company for the always enjoyable transport of goods from one home to another. Prices were set and you’ve budgeted based on that price. But wait, you’ve got stairs? You’re moving a piano? Sorry, prices just went up. Don’t want to pay? That’s okay, we’ll just hold your property hostage until you do. If you don’t have Bruce Willis behind you to play negotiator, perhaps you should think twice about going with the cheapest or quickest finds when searching for a moving company.
In the world of professional moving (and we use the term loosely, just as many companies do), holding property hostage is a common occurrence. Sure, it is really easy to set a price, but for some companies it is also pretty easy to stray from that agreed upon price. Many less than honest companies will set a fixed price, agreed upon before a move, but then up the ante upon delivery. Stairs are a common factor, as are heavy items. A good moving company will take these things into consideration when setting your price – not add fees on come moving day. A bad one will just demand an extra payout.
How to avoid this: Make sure you understand what you are paying for and what is included. Ask about extra fees. Better yet, demand a written estimate that details the overall cost. Ask questions. If a company is hesitant to answer those questions, they are probably not going to be dependable.
Make sure the company is insured – to protect yourself and your stuff. Also, make sure that you can purchase additional insurance if you want to – any reputable moving company should offer this.
What’s their reputation like? Do they actually have one? Did you get their contact information from a brochure tacked to a telephone pole? Has anyone you know ever heard of them or used their services? Testimonials from satisfied customers speak volumes – companies use them for a reason!
Avoid being slammed by those shady moving companies intent on ripping you off. Use these tips to help find a moving company that you can actually trust. Remember – you get what you pay for. If you are only willing to shell out the minimum, the work will be minimal – and anything extra will come at a price. Quality work may cost a little more, but in the end will only save you money.
For more tips on how to separate a great moving company from the pack, contact Bradford Moving and Storage today at 1 (800) 263-3281.
