Archive for the Moving Company Category

Moving quotes — tips on avoiding moving scams by cheacking the moving companies quotes

tips on avoiding moving scams

Moving quotes can be deluding at times, especially if issued by untrustworthy moving companies. Here are tips to how you can avoid being duped by ‘free moving quote’.

Moving quotes, without doubts, is a necessity for any type of a move these days. Many years ago, there was nothing like moving quotes until the Household Goods Transportation Act of 1980 was passed. This act allowed companies to bid for prices or compete on prices. Initially, Transport matters were handled by Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), until the congress abolished it in 1985.

With amendments in transport laws the changes brought by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is part of the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT), moving companies must cut their margin of profits for the sake of their clients. This means, moving companies must bid for your move and this is done by issuing no-obligation moving quotes and giving you a change to choose the mover of your preference.

This is a good arrangement especially if you are planning a long distance move and need moving services of state to state movers. But do you remember our famous American proverb, that there is no such thing as free lunch? Well, I don’t say there is nothing like free moving quotes but you should research more on these moving quotes to avoid finding yourself in a moving scams are there.

Moving companies involved in scams know very well it takes time to resolve matters arising from moving and the greatest punishment they get is a fine that often is less than what they have taken from you. For this reason, you should ask the movers as many questions as possible when you get these free moving quotes. You should also go by reputation. Don’t fall for a mover just because he is the cheapest in town.

Lastly, never entertain movers who send you ready made moving quotes. Trusted companies will send their experts and representatives to inspect your stuff and get the nature of the move before sending you the moving quotes.

Moving company—Danger signs to look for

Signs to look with a moving company

Moving company—tips on how you can have a stress free move by finding various danger signs for detecting untrustworthy movers so that you settle for trusted moving companies.

1. Show me the money

When you start your search for the moving companies, you may need to call and ask what each moving company is offering. A trusted moving company will be true to their words and policies though they lose you. But a bad moving company will be eager to demand a down payment ‘to block’ the place for you. If they ask for payments to cover packing materials, you should be cautious. A good moving company will include that, if it really exists, in their total charges.

2. BBB status

A quick place to find if you are dealing with a trusted mover is by checking with the Better Business Bureau. Companies who have a bad record here may surely get you in the same hook unless they have been cleared. Find also if the company is a known member of associations such as American Moving and Storage Association as well as The Household Good Forwarders Association of America.

3. Too eager to help?

Most trusted moving companies will be fully booked many weeks in advance. If you call a moving company and find out that they can move you any day you want, then you should research more on them. Genuine companies will be booked for a long time especially on weekends, end months and holidays.

4. No survey, just quick estimates

Untrustworthy movers will not bother to come to your house to do a survey before giving moving quotes and estimates. They will insist on sending you the quotes saying it will cost you more if they send someone there.

5. Let’s talk weights

Be careful when a moving company insists on charging you or giving you estimates based on weight. It’s hard to estimate weight unless the cargo is really weighed and you will come to know about the weight only when the moving process has begun. A good moving company will give estimates based on the space your stuff will occupy on the container or moving truck.

Moving companies: Tips for getting reliable movers

moving companies tips

Moving companies are a vital part of your move. Here are valuable tips on how you can find and settle for one that is perfect for your move.

Moving companies are a vital part of your move. Here are valuable tips on how you can find and settle for one that is perfect for your move.

Get to the basics: understand the nature of your move

There are times when people end up making wrong decisions in selecting moving companies since they didn’t understand the nature of their move. Ask yourself if you a moving office, moving a house, moving a piano or what? If you are moving house as well as your piano or car, you need to contact moving companies who are also piano movers. The same case will apply if you are moving your car. Don’t settle for a moving company only to come and say they don’t move piano on the last minute!

How reliable is the reliable company?

Let’s agree on one thing: there is no moving company that will say they are not so reliable but can still move you! But there are moving scams and duped clients out there. Don’t be a victim. Take time to check the track record of each moving company. Check their credibility with the Better Business Bureau and if they are members of such associations like American Moving and Storage Association as well as The Household Good Forwarders Association of America. This way, it will be easier to get your problems solved if they arise.

Start with a click

With a click of a button, you can get unlimited information on moving companies offering various moving services like moving truck rental etc on the internet. Internet is a great place to start your search for a moving company but you should take second opinions before settling on one. Ask for free moving quotes so you can compare.

Cheap can be expensive

Don’t let cheap quotes lure you to settling for a moving company. The last thing you will like to hear from a moving company is ‘sorry’. Some movers charge a little more but they have excellent moving services.

Movers—getting your kids ready for them

getting ready for move

Moving is not a one person decision, but a family affair. For that reason, the first thing you do as the decision maker should be to bring your entire family together and inform them of the intended move. For sure kids might be excited to have the moving trucks rumbling on the homestead but they surely suffer a shock for the change. It is therefore advisable to tell when the move will take place and the reason why you are moving.

 

A get together with friends

 

If possible, a few days before the move, have a get-together for your kids and their friends. A picnic will be a great idea also. Let them talk about their friendships and get used to the fact that they will be parting ways. In this way, the shocking of relocating and leaving their friends will be minimal.

 

The toy story

 

Kids may have a container full of toys! But it may be impossible to carry all those to the new location. Kids get so used to some of their toys that telling them to leave those toys may hurt them. You should therefore sit down with your kids and explain to them that movers may have excellent moving services but may not be able to take all their stuff to the new place. Let them pick a few toys that must go and give the rest to their friends or give them for garage sale

 

School check out

 

And finally, before the moving vans from those moving companies descend to carry your stuff away, you should take time to clear your kids from their current school. Let them interact with their teachers and especially their favorite teachers. If there are transfer documents to be taken for the office, get them before they get into difficulties enrolling to their new school.

Long distance moving companies —Getting ready for your interstate moving company

Long distance moving company

Long distance moving company may be coming to move you soon, but are you ready for it? Here are some tips on how to well understand a long distance move.

How long is the long distance move?

Before searching for long distance moving companies and choosing one to move you, it’s important to know what exactly a long distance move is. A long distance move is one that is longer than one hundred miles from the point of origin. A long distance move can also be described as one that crosses a state boundary line. This type of a move is different from a local move not only because of the distance involved but also for the logistics, preparations and the legal procedures required.

Costing

A Long distance moving company considers various factors before charging the client or giving moving quotes. One of the factors is the weight of your cargo. It’s hard to determine the weight of the stuff to be moved until it’s actually weighed. A long distance moving company is therefore required to explain this to clients before giving estimates so that the clients will be prepared for a final bill. Other factors include extra moving services that may arise, like loading and unloading; additional accessories like trolleys, and whether the client will require storage during the process.

Weighing

Are you wondering how a mover will weigh all your stuff? Well, it’s not a very complicated task especially if you are dealing with a trusted long distance moving company. The moving company first takes the moving trucks to a government certified weighing station and gets the trucks weighed without cargo in them. After the cargo is loaded, the trucks are again weighed and the difference in weight is your cargo’s weight.

Government regulations

A long distance move is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration while state moving authorities regulate local moves. Moving things like plants or animals across some states may require extra permissions or paper work. A long distance moving company should be able to determine all what is required before the move commences.