How to Make the Right Move Picking a Hauler
Complaints about moving companies gathered from 50 states regularly rank among the top 25 commercial categories reported to the national headquarters of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in Arlington, Va., John H. Ingersoll wrote in an article in the July issue of Country Living.
“In 1996, the most recent year for which we have statistics, the BBB received 2,970 complaints about moving companies,” says Sheila Adkins, public-affairs manager for the BBB. “That ranks 24th among 500 categories.”
Yet thousands of moving companies transport family possessions around the block or cross-country every working day of the year without a single mishap.
“The moving industry handles some 1.2 million shipments each year,” said George Bennett, a vice president with the American Moving and Storage Assn., in Alexandria, Va. “Based on shipments, complaints to the BBB represent .002% of the total. We would like to reduce that percentage even further.”
The difference between a successful move and a potential disaster depends in many ways on what you do before and during your move.
Know your moving company. Before you hire a mover, visit its office and warehouse to inspect the company and call the local BBB or state consumer organization for a possible record of complaints against the movers you’re considering. Interview at least two movers, compare their services and ask for competitive bids.
Be sure that the moving company carries workers’ compensation insurance and adequate liability protection against loss and breakage. Be cautious about movers who advertise only in the local papers’ classified sections because many are uninsured.
Take advantage of the liability protection offered. Most professional movers present different levels of insurance ranging from basic coverage to “full-value protection,” which covers the actual worth of the shipment.
Make a list of major household items and boxes you are having moved and match your list with the mover’s.
“Ordinarily, a representative from the moving company puts together a complete inventory of household goods targeted for the move, and does this with the homeowner present,” Bennett said. “The rep makes certain to point out and note down scratches or gouges already existing in the furniture, plus cracks in china and glassware. Later on, with list in hand, the owner is best advised to check off everything as it enters the truck, and likewise mark off or note on the list everything carried from the truck to the new home. Only in that way can you be certain everything meant for a move to the new home is indeed moved.”
Report missing or broken items as soon as you’ve completely unpacked.
“The owner doesn’t have to open every box while the mover is on the premises to determine if anything is broken, since the owner has nine months to report damage or missing items and claims can be amended,” Bennett said.
However, if furniture or a carton is obviously damaged, Bennett said, it’s wise to list whatever is broken while the mover is there and have the mover sign your list. Leave the item in view and the box packed as it was so that when the insurance adjuster arrives, he can see exactly what happened.
Other helpful details reported suggest avoiding self-packing because it is not covered by liability protection. Homeowners are not responsible for the cost of crew breaks, meals or lost time due to a flat tire. Do not help the men move your goods because you are not covered by the company’s insurance. And make an attempt to move between October and April, since moving companies will be more eager for your business and may lower their prices.
