The Moving Planner Blog

Wondering how moving companies get away with it? Here’s how the scam works.
Most often, these companies get their clients mainly from Internet web sites that let you enter in your basic moving information, and then send the information to the so called moving companies. The moving companies then compete for your business which in most cases would be a good thing - not so for the moving industry.

At first the people at these moving companies are very nice to you. They give you a low-ball bid, and tell you that your things will be in good hands because “Our people are professionals” or something. It’s when the movers actually show up, and it’s too late for you to save yourself where things start to go horribly wrong.

One thing I should point out, is that the bids from these companies that I have seen often quote you by cubic footage not by weight. If you get a quote that is priced by cubic footage, that should raise a red flag right away. The reason for this is that if they charge you by weight, they have to provide proof of the weight of your belongings at no charge to you. In fact, as of August 2005, interstate moves based on cubic feet are illegal.

Once the movers show up and most or all of your things are in their truck, they will hit you with the real price of the move. By then it’s too late. Your things are on their truck, and they won’t get anything off of it without full payment in cash. They will tell you that if you don’t pay up, that they will take the truck and sell everything you own to cover the contract. In my case, I put down a $150 deposit, and was told before the movers showed up that the rest of the $1869 would be due on delivery. When the movers showed up, the price jumped to $5012.50, and the movers demanded half of that on the spot or else there wouldn’t be a delivery!

And then there is the amount of time that these companies take to actually deliver your things. America’s Best Movers took over six weeks to deliver my belongings from Virginia to Nevada. I drove it in three days. During the time that I waited for my things I was not only told lie after lie about where my things were, but I incurred a lot of expenses for things that you need every day… you can only sit on the floor for so long before you need a chair, and try to cook a Thanksgiving dinner without a pan.

These companies break a lot of laws pulling off this scam, but be aware that since Congress did away with the Interstate Commerce Commission in the 1995, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is responsible for oversight of the industry. The FMCSA, however, has very few investigators enforcing the regulations in this industry… and companies like America’s Best Movers know it!

Also, demand to see the contract up front. America’s Best Movers had a clause on their contract that says you can only sue them in Florida - this is on the contract as the ‘choice of venue’. The FMCSA has recently informed me that choice of venue is not applicable to movers and you can file a small claims suit in your local jurisdiction, but you should contact an attorney and speak with them about your options.
Source:http://www.movingscam.com/theScam.shtml

Most often, these companies get their clients mainly from Internet web sites that let you enter in your basic moving information, and then send the information to the so called moving companies. The moving companies then compete for your business which in most cases would be a good thing - not so for the moving industry.

At first the people at these moving companies are very nice to you. They give you a low-ball bid, and tell you that your things will be in good hands because “Our people are professionals” or something. It’s when the movers actually show up, and it’s too late for you to save yourself where things start to go horribly wrong.

One thing I should point out, is that the bids from these companies that I have seen often quote you by cubic footage not by weight. If you get a quote that is priced by cubic footage, that should raise a red flag right away. The reason for this is that if they charge you by weight, they have to provide proof of the weight of your belongings at no charge to you. In fact, as of August 2005, interstate moves based on cubic feet are illegal.

Once the movers show up and most or all of your things are in their truck, they will hit you with the real price of the move. By then it’s too late. Your things are on their truck, and they won’t get anything off of it without full payment in cash. They will tell you that if you don’t pay up, that they will take the truck and sell everything you own to cover the contract. In my case, I put down a $150 deposit, and was told before the movers showed up that the rest of the $1869 would be due on delivery. When the movers showed up, the price jumped to $5012.50, and the movers demanded half of that on the spot or else there wouldn’t be a delivery!

And then there is the amount of time that these companies take to actually deliver your things. America’s Best Movers took over six weeks to deliver my belongings from Virginia to Nevada. I drove it in three days. During the time that I waited for my things I was not only told lie after lie about where my things were, but I incurred a lot of expenses for things that you need every day… you can only sit on the floor for so long before you need a chair, and try to cook a Thanksgiving dinner without a pan.

These companies break a lot of laws pulling off this scam, but be aware that since Congress did away with the Interstate Commerce Commission in the 1995, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is responsible for oversight of the industry. The FMCSA, however, has very few investigators enforcing the regulations in this industry… and companies like America’s Best Movers know it!

Also, demand to see the contract up front. America’s Best Movers had a clause on their contract that says you can only sue them in Florida - this is on the contract as the ‘choice of venue’. The FMCSA has recently informed me that choice of venue is not applicable to movers and you can file a small claims suit in your local jurisdiction, but you should contact an attorney and speak with them about your options.
For black list clic here:http://www.movingscam.com/blackList.shtml

  Source:http://www.movingscam.com/theScam.shtml

Accessorial (Additional) Services - services such as packing, unpacking, or shuttle service that you request to be performed (or are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these services are in addition to the transportation charges.
Advanced Charges - charges for services not performed by the mover but instead by a professional, craftsman or other third party at your request. The charges for these services are paid for by the mover and added to your bill of lading charges.
Bill of Lading - the receipt for your goods and the contract for their transportation. It is your responsibility to understand the bill of lading before you sign it. If you do not agree with something on the bill of lading, do not sign it until you are satisfied that it is correct. The bill of lading is an important document. Don’t lose or misplace your copy.
Binding/Non-Binding Estimate - a binding estimate is an agreement made in advance with the mover that guarantees the total cost of the move based on the quantities and services shown on the estimate. A non-binding estimate is the carrier’s approximation of the cost based on the estimated weight of the shipment and the accessorial services requested. A non-binding estimate is not binding on the carrier and the final charges will be based on the actual weight and tariff provisions in effect.
Guaranteed Pickup and Delivery Service - an additional level of service whereby dates of service are guaranteed, with the mover providing reimbursement for delays. This premium service is often subject to minimum weight requirements.
High Value Article - items included in a shipment that are valued at more than $100 per pound. These items should be disclosed to the mover to ensure that they are protected accordingly.
Inventory - the detailed descriptive list of your household goods showing the number and condition of each item.
Transportation Charges - charges for the vehicle transportation portion of your move. These charges apply in addition to the additional service charges.
Order for Service - the document authorizing the mover to transport your household goods.
Pickup and Delivery Charges - separate transportation charges applicable for transporting your shipment between the warehouse and your residence.
Shuttle Service - use of a smaller vehicle to provide service to residences that are not accessible to the mover’s normal linehaul equipment (large moving vans).
Storage-In-Transit (SIT) - temporary warehouse storage of your shipment pending further transportation; for example, if your new home isn’t quite ready to occupy. Added charges for SIT service and final delivery charges from the warehouse will apply.
Valuation - the degree of “worth” of the shipment. The valuation charge that you are assessed compensates the mover for assuming a greater degree of liability than that provided for in the base transportation charges.
Source:http://www.moving.org/resources/terms.html

 What If My Mover …

Won’t Deliver My Goods?
Increases the Agreed Price?
Disappears with My Possessions?

What If My Mover Won’t Deliver My Goods?
If you have paid the mover 110% of the non-binding estimate or 100% of the binding estimate and the mover fails to deliver your goods, they have violated the Federal regulations for the protection of household good shippers. You should call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238) to file a complaint.

What If My Mover Increases the Agreed Price?
If the mover increases the price you are not required to pay no more than 100% of the binding estimate or 110% of the non-binding estimate. The mover is required to bill any additional charges 30 days after delivery of your goods.

What If My Mover Disappears with My Possessions?
You should call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238) to file a complaint. You may also contact the State Attorney General’s office or appropriate enforcement agency in your State.
                                                                                     Source: http://www.protectyourmove.gov/consumer/awareness/faq/faq.htm