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Moving
101
Moving Company Considerations
By Ann Smith
It seems everyone
who hears of your upcoming move has a horror story of “drop-and-kick”
movers. Do a Google search for “moving company faces charges” and you’ll
find examples of these stories if no one has brought them to your
attention.
So how can you
ensure you get what you pay for – and your heirloom furniture remains
intact? These suggestions may help you avoid being in your own horror
story:
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Get it in writing –
Be sure to get a written estimate up front, one that details everything,
such as who is responsible for what, when, and how much $$ it will cost.
-
Check credentials –
Ask the company for a list of customers you can call for references;
contact the Better Business Bureau online; then Google the company to see
what stories, good or bad, appear on both consumer advocate and private
Web sites.
-
Registration – Tied
to credentials is whether the company is a legitimate contender for your
business. Can they give you a business registration number? This proves
they are a going concern versus a fly-by-night operation. You want a
company to be available after the move, in case you find deficiencies
that are not obvious and apparent.
-
Professionalism –
See if the company would allow you to visit their location and/or trucks;
viewing the operation’s physical appearance can be a first indicator of
how the company will treat its customers. On the other hand, will they
come to your location to see what is actually being moved? You are more
likely to get an accurate quote if they see what they’re moving.
-
Insurance – Confirm
the moving company’s insurance coverage for breakage, damage, and/or
loss. Check (a) that it details what the company will and will not pay
for, and (b) how easy it is to make a claim. Will they make you jump
through hoops in hopes you’ll cancel the claim or not bother to file one?
-
Extra costs – Does
the estimate cover possible extra costs such as storage, additional
labour, taxes, fuel surcharges, and/or processing fees.
-
Contract signing –
Contracts must be signed before work has begun. The company should not be
able to hold your possessions hostage in order to obtain a
higher-than-quoted final price.
Reputation is key
for finding a moving company that is effective, efficient, and has a
mission statement outlining excellent customer service. Living up to a
reputation of honesty and care is literally and figuratively worth a
company’s weight in gold.
Stay tuned – next
month you’ll get tips on moving your plants...what you can move...how to
move high needs’ plants...and taking garden plants with you.
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