BBB® tips for hiring a mover you can trust

BY SUSAN BOLIN, VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS RELATIONS, TRI-STATE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

May is National Moving Month, kicking off the busiest timeframe for moving. Regardless of the distance, moving requires patience, time, and money, so when working with moving vendors, you want to be sure to select ones that you trust.

There are also many moving scams to avoid, so BBB offers tips to help protect your belongings while making your move as smooth as possible. 

• Consider the different types of moving services offered for your needs – There are many options available when planning a move. Full service moving companies manage many logistics, including loading, driving, and unloading your items. They may even offer to pack your items too. If your move is less extensive, you may just need a shipping service to assist with a small number of boxes, or you may want to consider truck rental companies, for more local, DIY moves. A final option to consider is moving container services. With these providers you fill portable storage containers, brought to you by the vendor, which are then transported once you pack them. This can especially be a good option if you are uncomfortable with driving a rental truck. 

• Research before selecting a provider –Once you determine the type of service best for your needs, be sure to research vendor options. BBB can help. When searching our website, you can review all the movers, shipping services, truck rental companies, etc. in our system, or choose to only review those accredited with your BBB. BBB Accredited movers have been vetted, commit to BBB’s Standards of Trust, and provide support for our public services. These steps have been taken to display additional reputability to you! You should also review BBB Business Profiles to learn of any complaints consumers filed and how they were addressed, customer reviews that have been provided, BBB’s letter rating, and more, to help make an informed decision that best works for your individual needs. 

Get everything in writing – Ask for a contract and carefully read the details, terms, and conditions. Make sure you understand any limits of liability and ask questions on any information that’s unclear. Dates for pickup, delivery, and contact information should be easily found in your contract. If they are missing, be sure to ask for their addition. 

• Watch out for signs of a scam –Be cautious if a company is using rented trucks or offers estimates over the phone instead of conducting on-site inspections. You should also beware if a company generically answers the phone “movers” rather than with a company name. Be wary of requests for large down payments or full payments in advance. If a company’s website does not provide an address or information about the mover’s registration, this may indicate that it does not possess the proper polices to protect a consumer’s belongings. 

In the U.S., all interstate moving companies require an identification number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number. It is wise to confirm these credentials are in place before hiring a company for use. 

Check out more information on companies and services available at BBB.org. More tips on moving and avoiding scams can also be found at www.bbb.org/all/moving.