Rogue Movers typically work like this: Without ever visiting your home or seeing the goods you are shipping, they give a low-ball estimate over the phone or Internet and occasionally ask for money up front. Once your goods are on their truck, they demand more money before the unload or delivery them. They hold your entire shipment hostage and force you to pay more, often times much more than you agreed to, if you want your possessions back.
This is not an issue with the larger, nationally known moving companies. However, there are practices to ensure you don’t fall victim to any mover’s trap. Red flags of a Rogue Mover include:
- The mover doesn’t offer an on-site inspection of your household goods and gives an estimate over the phone or internet sight-unseen. These estimates often sound too good to be true. They typically are.
- The moving company demands cash or a large deposit before the move.
- The mover doesn’t provide you with a copy of “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move,” a booklet that all movers are required by Federal regulations to supply their customers in the planning states of interstate moves. This is not applicable with local or intrastate moves.
- The company’s web site has no local address and no information about licensing or insurance.
- The mover claims all goods are covered by their insurance. This is not the case.
- Offices and warehouse are in poor condition or non-existent.
- This is a big one: On moving day, a rental truck arrives rather than a company-owned and marked fleet truck.
Falling victim to a Rogue Mover is a rare occurrence, but it certainly does happen. However, a small amount of detective work will expose these criminals. Be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau, ask for and check references, and if possible, go and check out the facility and warehouse just to make sure they exist. Be sure to ask them for some boxes when you get there just to make the trip worthwhile!!!
