The Moving Planner Blog

You might have heard the horror stories; damaged furniture, unreasonable fees, even entire trucks of personal belongings taken hostage by unscrupulous moving companies. Unfortunately, this is a disturbing real-life scenario that is not unique to any one area or country. Problems with moving companies are all too common.

Does this mean you should avoid using a moving company? Absolutely not. Like anything else in life, the negative incidents seem to stand out so much more than the positive experiences happening every day. Moving can be a physically and mentally exhausting venture; honest moving companies take much of the physical work and stress out of the event. Use this guide to protect yourself from the financial and emotional turmoil caused by a problem with the company in charge of moving your most precious belongings.

The First Step is Prevention

You can greatly reduce the risk of encountering a problem by doing some serious investigative work before hiring a moving company. Yes, it will be time consuming, but when you consider what is at stake it’s absolutely essential.

Begin by asking friends and neighbors if they have ever used the services of a moving company. What was the experience like? If it was a positive one, write the name of the company on your shortlist. Going through the phonebook, choose at least five other companies in your area to add to your list.

Call each company and ask about:

Prices – For time as well as mileage. Also inquire about special or additional rates for certain objects such as appliances or pianos.

Insurance or protection policies – Are they offered by the company? Is there a deductible? Are there certain conditions that would affect your being compensated if your belongings are damaged?

Handling procedures – What type equipment is used for heavy lifting? How are fragile items loaded onto the truck and stored during transportation?

Moving staff qualifications – How many years experience do the movers have? Are they bondable and have they completed a recent criminal record check?

General policies and procedures – What guarantee do you have that the movers will show up on time and deliver the furniture on time to your new home? What will happen if you are not at the home when they arrive? Does the company have a complaint process and how are disputes handled?

This basic list of questions will get you started. Before you call, go over your move in your head and ask any additional questions relating to your own personal items. Don’t be afraid to take ten or even twenty minutes of their time asking these important questions. If they are unwilling to answer or seem too busy or disinterested, do not hire them. Imagine how they will act when you are really counting on them!

Always Check References

You’ve called several companies and decided that two of them offer competitive pricing and terms that are agreeable. Call the Better Business Bureau in your area and inquire about the company. If they are not registered with the BBB, do not hire them.

Ask each company to provide FIVE, yes five, professional references. Make it clear that these references should be past clients of theirs. Call each reference and ask about their experience with the company, including punctuality, cooperation, care with items and price adherence.

TROUBLE SAVING TIP: Ask for a reference that is at least three years old, meaning a client they moved more than three years ago. Why? Many moving companies simply change their name and re-open if they are sued, charged, or reported to the Better Business Bureau. Ensuring that they have successfully been in business for more than three years is an added bit of protection.

Know Your Rights

Don’t… sign… ANYTHING without reading it thoroughly. Take the contract home and read every single detail before signing. If there is a single clause in the contract that you feel is questionable, don’t sign it. You may ask the company about it, but if they won’t provide an amended contract, you are agreeing to every word on that page by signing.

In most countries, the moving industry is highly unregulated. It is up to the consumer to protect themselves. Although organizations such as the Better Business Bureau do try to keep track of serial offenders, it is all too easy for a scam artist to simply open up shop somewhere else.

You are hiring the company to provide a service to you and in this situation the law considers any problems to be a civil matter. If a problem arises, it will be in your hands to file a lawsuit and prove your own case. In the worst case scenario - when the company will not release your furniture - you could be without it for years until the case is resolved in court.

You may be shaking your head in wonder; how is that possible? While it seems unbelievable that so little protection is offered, it’s the sad truth. Lobby your government for stricter rules and better enforcement in the moving industry. Until then, learn to recognize and avoid these common problems:

Storage for undeliverable items – This is a relatively common scam in the moving industry. If the company states that they will move your belongings into storage should they be undeliverable, you need to ask some very important questions. What is their definition of undeliverable? If they show up early and you are not at the new home, a dishonest company would claim that the goods were undeliverable and put them in storage.

Here is the real scam; often, the moving company owns the storage unit as well! So they will demand payment for the moving services, may even charge a fine for your “undeliverable goods”, and then charge you for storage fees. They would refuse to release the items from storage until you paid the entire amount owing to both the movers and the storage company. The amount would continue to grow as you unsuccessfully called police and eventually had to either cut your losses or sue the company.

Late or Missing Delivery – Ensure that your contract is signed by the company and includes a level of protection and liability suitable for late or missing deliveries. How will you be compensated? The pick up and delivery dates and times should be clearly defined.

Damaged Items – Again, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in this case. Before hiring the company, you must be familiar with their handling practices, check references and have a written guarantee stating that they will pay for any damage caused to your property. IMPORTANT: Have it in writing that you will be compensated the Replacement Value of damaged items, not the depreciated value. Take a picture with a date-time stamp of each piece of furniture the day of the move. Be at the new location to check each item and box carefully after it is brought into the new house. Call the moving company owner or head office immediately if any of your belongings are damaged.

Unreasonable or Unexpected Fees – Always have a quote in writing before hiring the company. The contract you sign should not leave expenses and charges open ended. The company knows how far you are moving; you can expect a flat rate for mileage. Hourly rates for movers should be reasonable.

Inflated Weight – Ask the company if they charge per box or by weight. If you are paying by weight, you will be asked to provide an estimated weight for the items you are having moved. Have it written into the contract that the company will reweigh the belongings and provide you with an itemized list of weights should the actual amount be more than 10% greater than the estimated amount. Also ensure that they are using a certified scale.

Payment Terms – Payment terms should be clearly outlined within the contract. Is the deposit refundable? When is the balance due; upon successful delivery, or on a certain date regardless of whether or not your belongings have been delivered? Can the mover increase the final bill to more than 10% greater than the written quote without your authorization?

Complaint Resolution

With planning and research, you should have no trouble finding a reliable, reputable moving company in your area. While much of the responsibility of consumer protection rests on your own shoulders, there are actions that you can take if you encounter a problem.

Always contact the company first and give them a chance to fix the problem. Explain the trouble you are having clearly and state the action that you expect from them. For example, if a box of glassware was shattered during the move, call the company and tell them that you expect to be reimbursed for the replacement value of the glassware.

If this approach does not work, send the company a faxed or mailed letter. Again, state the problem and the action that you expect from them. Then outline the next action that you will take against the company, such as a complaint to the Better Business Bureau or other organization in your country. Set a clear and reasonable deadline for their response (seven days is reasonable). This letter should not be threatening or angry in nature; you are simply expressing the problem and your expectations for resolution.

Follow through with your next complaint action. This may include filing a formal complaint with a regulatory agency in your company, posting a blog warning other consumers about the company (it’s not libel if it’s true), or even contacting the media. Once contacted by the media, moving companies will sometimes snap to their senses with a reasonable solution to the problem.

Once you have exhausted other avenues, call your lawyer. They will inform you of the laws in your area and the procedure for filing suit against the company.

Source:http://www.moving-company-guide.com/moving-computer.htMoving

Unless you run a small office, the chances are you will employ a company of professional movers to manage an office move. Office moves are different to home moves - they generally involve more expensive equipment for example - and it’s a good tip to pick a moving company with a background of successful office moves. As always, if you don’t already have contacts with experienced companies, your best tip is to get referrals form other people. Ask the facilities managers at your current and future office for two-three names. They should be able to put you on to some reputable and reliable companies and to warn you away from the bad ones! You can also ask other companies in your building or neighborhood for referrals if they have moved recently themselves. You should always get at least three quotes and ask for and check testimonials. If the thought of managing your own move is just too much for you, you can employ a moves consultant to manage the process on your behalf. Their services don’t just cover the physical move but also all the other stuff you need to think about before and after the moving process

The services on offer from office movers aren’t that different to those you’ll be offered for a home move. You may even find that the company you hire does both. Office moves just tend to be heavier and harder. What you will find is that you need more moving personnel, as there tends to be more heavy furniture, boxes and equipment involved. You will, almost definitely, need to hire special crates or boxes from your moving company. The smallest offices can collect large volumes of paperwork and other stuff. This is extremely vital to the smooth running of your company. Pack it up in special crates in an organized way and it’ll be much easier to unpack at the other end and get up and running immediately. It’ll also be adequately protected during the move.

Costs will also vary from company to company. Some will charge an hourly rate and some on estimated volume/weight. You may also find that you’re paying a premium if you opt to move during non-working hours such as in the evening or at a weekend.

Office moves also generally involve the transportation of multiple valuable equipment such as PCs, copiers and other machinery. Chances are you won’t have kept every box for every piece of hardware in your office so you should hire suitable containers from your moving company to protect your property in transit. If you have a lot of PCs you may prefer to hire a specialist to disconnect them, pack them up and then set them up again if you don’t have these skills in house. If you lease equipment it’s also worthwhile checking your agreement in case they mention what you need to do to move it. Some leasing companies will not allow you to move equipment yourself and may insist that they do it for you (and they’ll probably charge for it!).

Also, take time to talk to your movers about how they load their vehicles to best protect your property. Ask them what they need you to do and what equipment they use that can help you. They may, for example, simply tell you to lock filing cabinets rather than empty them as they can use equipment to move them easily even when full. Some will insist that desk drawers be emptied even if they can be locked as the contents are generally easily damaged.

Time is a constant driver with an office move and you need to prepare well. Basically, the longer a move takes you, the longer it will be before you can get back to work. You will need to get moving companies into your office to assess how big your load will be and to talk you through what they can do and what you need to do. It’s always worthwhile planning out your new office space in advance and giving the company a copy so that they can simply slot desks and furniture in the right place as they are unloaded.

In-depth insurance is absolutely vital for office moves and you need to discuss the mover’s policy and check out your own before you come to a decision. With office moves, insurance isn’t just about equipment and furniture - it’s also about vital paperwork, records and the information stored on your computers. You’ll find that most movers won’t insure you for these items and you need to make sure you back-up data and make adequate provision for your paperwork during the moving process. If you need to pay extra to get the coverage you need, pay extra. If you lose something vital you’ll effectively be losing business. It’s also a good tip to get a policy that will pay you for lost business and time lost if something does goes wrong. This isn’t generally offered as standard. You also need to know about liability coverage. If movers damage your office building during the moving process (and it’s easily done!) you will generally be held responsible so you need to know you can claim the costs back. Read the mover’s terms and conditions CAREFULLY. It’s the exclusions and restrictions that will, as ever, tell you what coverage you may really need!

Source:http://www.moving-company-guide.com/moving-office.htm

Industry leader marks 15th year with five national locations, new and improved Website, and anniversary discounts for customers nationwide.

New York, NY (PRWEB) September 20, 2006 — Fifteen years ago, a guaranteed, one-price quote was almost unheard of in the moving industry — until New York’s Flatrate Moving (http://www.flatrate.com/) came along. Flatrate has helped to shape the industry ever since, and now celebrates its 15th successful year in business with a new and expanded national website (http://www.flatratemoving.com/) serving all locations, and a new discount to thank its customers, as well.

“Flatrate Moving changed the way the moving industry worked, and empowers customers with a hassle-free new approach to the moving process,” says Eric Klepar, General Manager of Flatrate Moving. “We’re proud to say that Flatrate’s excellence and honesty within the moving industry have made our company the mover of choice in New York City today.”

In 1991, moving customers too often found themselves at the mercy of bait-and-switch tactics and unscrupulous companies. As a result, entrepreneur Sharone Ben-Harosh founded Manhattan’s Flatrate Moving Systems in direct response to an often confusing industry that didn’t offer customers the simpler pricing options they wanted most. True to its name, Flatrate met this demand, and its unique new “flat-rate” approach proved so popular that the company quickly flourished, achieving rapid success through customer word of mouth.

Today, the unique business model Flatrate introduced has generated a host of imitators nationwide, and helped to usher in a popular “flat-rate” trend industrywide. Flatrate, however, remains the original, and its five locations include some of the nation’s busiest and fastest-growing metropolitan areas, including New York, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Miami and Southeastern Florida. Whether within a city block, or across an ocean, Flatrate gets it done, making even long-distance moves a complete pleasure.

The company’s new and improved national website supports this vision and provides a hub for its five separate locations, via http://www.flatratemoving.com/. The site will also offer a wealth of information, tips, and other enhanced online support to prospects and customers worldwide.

Furthermore, to celebrate its 15th birthday, Flatrate is using its new and improved website to offer customers a special discount on move prices through the end of 2006. To take advantage of the discount, users simply go to http://www.flatrate.com/ and click on “Special Rate Days,” or go directly to http://www.flatrate.com/nyc_movers/specialDatesList.asp. A list of “special rate dates” will appear, on which customers will receive a significant discount on the price of their overall move.

Flatrate’s fifteen years haven’t been without their share of challenges. Like many New York companies, it found much to overcome after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. When the terrorist attacks occurred, Flatrate’s headquarters was located on 100 Maiden Lane — just a couple of blocks from the World Trade Center, and in an area heavily impacted by the collapse of the towers. The entire area was closed and inaccessible for over a month after the tragedy, and even after reopening for business, Flatrate found itself, like many NYC movers, struggling for business in an atmosphere predominated by moves out of, not into, New York City. But the company persevered, and soon found itself on the track to success once again. One year ago, Flatrate moved to a new and larger location in SOHO — a prime location with easy access to customers in all five boroughs and beyond.

In June of 2006, the general public voted this same New York flagship location a prestigious Best of Citysearch (BOC) Award as “Best Mover 2006.” In addition, Citysearch reviewers and reporters also chose Flatrate as #1 in a separate editorial honor for the company.

A History of Community Involvement

Flatrate Moving offers a strong history of community involvement. In 2004, the company launched the “Furnish a Future” program, created in partnership with a nonprofit organization that helps the formerly homeless to get back on their feet, and utilizing unwanted or donated furnishings to help homeless or needy families find a new start in life. Also known as “Furnished Home,” with this program Flatrate has, to date, donated furniture, trucks and moving men — thousands of dollars and man-hours, helping to furnish the homes of formerly homeless families.

In this same spirit of lending a hand, Flatrate also donates two dollars per customer feedback entry received to their site, to the Cancer Recovery Foundation Project (CRF). This program provides an incentive to customers to keep in touch about their experiences while also helping to set the company apart from its competitors. Flatrate happily repays this kind of in-depth feedback by donating dollars to CRF for each valuable feedback entry. For more information, or to take part, please visit http://www.flatrate.com/nyc_movers/feedbacks.asp.

For more information on Flatrate Moving’s New York location and fifteen years in business, or for terrific tips for your upcoming move, please visit http://www.flatrate.com/. To view the company’s new and improved national website serving five locations nationwide, please visit http://www.flatratemoving.com/.

Source:http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/9/prweb440206.htm
 
 

I just wanted to add to this forum since I was researching it a lot when I moved two months ago from NYC to a small town in Il.
We were moving right in the midst of the high moving season and eventhough we were moving from a 3Bdrm in Manhattan to a town house in Il some reputable companies (Bekins, Dahil, Central Moving & Storage) gave us the cold shoulder after their evaluator were gone. Flatrate was actually only the second choice because of the limited interstate experience here on the forum.
However, aside from small mishaps (my credit card was charged twice but the amount was refunded after 3 days - infact the foreman himself made me aware of the error). Our entire furniture paintings etc arrived without a single scratch. We had full service incl. packaging.
I have to give big thanks to the crew that packed & picked up the stuff. Rafael and the rest of the young polish guys did a tremendous job in over 90 degrees NYC sweltering heat. The haul was then delivered by a independent driver (no flatrate-truck) named Willy who was also great.
Overall I think we were really lucky. 

Plan Ahead

Summer time is the busiest time of the year for movers. In addition, the beginning and end of each month are traditionally busier than mid-month, regardless of the season. If you are planning to move during one of the times, plan well in advance so your mover’s schedule will fit yours.

Now it is time to contact the movers on your list. Inform them of your destination and the timing of your move. Ask movers to provide you with a written estimate, and have them explain the services listed in the estimate in detail. Carefully compare each estimate to see which company best suits your needs and budget.

Check out our moving planner, Countdown to Moving Day, to be sure you don’t forget anything.

Packing

Proper packing by a trained packer using specially designed cartons and materials is crucial to a good move. Schedule packing with the mover a day or two before the moving van is loaded. If you are packing yourself, it is never too soon to start. While packing yourself can save money, movers will not usually accept liability for damage to items packed by owners.

Be present when your goods are packed. An inventory of your goods will be made and it is important to resolve any disagreements prior to signing the inventory. Make sure all copies are legible and all items are numbered. Have valuable items listed separately. Some appliances may require servicing prior to the move. Your mover can schedule these services for you.

There are several options for insuring your goods. All household goods shipments move under limited liability. However, you may purchase additional liability coverage from your mover.

Planning Your Moving Day

Your mover may ask you to select several consecutive days during which your goods can be loaded and a second series of dates during which your goods can be delivered to your new home. A spread of days gives you and your mover the flexibility needed to keep your move on schedule. Remember that summer months are the busiest, and some movers offer lower prices between the months of October and April.

Moving Day
Be on hand when the movers arrive.
Discuss the delivery arrangements fully with your mover.
Have beds stripped and ready to be packed.
Save your energy - let the moving crew disassemble goods.
Read the Bill of Lading before you sign it.
Tell your mover how to reach you at your destination.
Keep in contact with the mover’s agent at your destination while you are in transit.
Delivery

Generally, your belongings will be transported in a van along with those of other families in the same general direction. This helps to keep your costs down. Delivery is made on any of the several consecutive days agreed upon before the move began. Make sure the mover knows how to contact you to schedule actual delivery. If you cannot be reached at destination, the mover may place your shipment in storage to avoid delaying other shipments. This can mean additional charges for storage and handling.

Upon delivery, check your goods for damage. Do not sign the inventory until you have inspected your furniture and the exterior of the cartons.

Claims

If any of your household goods are damaged or lost, report the facts promptly and in detail on the van driver’s copy (original) of the inventory sheet before you sign it. If you notice damage after unpacking, a claim must be filed within nine months after delivery. However, it is to your advantage to report damage as soon as possible. The mover must acknowledge receipt of your claim within 30 days and must deny or make an offer within 120 days of receipt of your claim. When making a claim or considering a settlement offer, keep in mind the amount of liability that you declared on your shipment. For example, if the value declared on your shipment was $5,000, the mover’s maximum liability for loss or damage to the articles in your shipment is $5,000. Claims for more than this amount will be declined because they are in excess of the mover’s liability that you declared on your shipment.

 

Source:http://www.moving.org/before/planning.html

 One of the biggest mistakes we make when we move is to underestimate the insurance coverage offered by most movers. Often we check that the company offers insurance and then assume it will cover us for all eventualities and forget about it. This can cause a lot of problems.

Whilst most moves are smooth and trouble-free, accidents and damage to our property can be a real headache. Insurance cover is therefore a vital part of the moving process. Without it you risk losing or damaging your possessions with no recourse to compensation. You have two ways of ensuring adequate cover - you don’t have to choose one over the other and may opt to utilize both:

1. Talk to your current home insurers and ask them if your existing policies cover you during the move. If they do then check if there are any exclusions etc., and, if you don’t have cover for the move in writing, ask if they will provide you with a copy. If your insurer won’t cover you under your existing agreement or you are worried that the cover is inadequate ask if you can pay a premium for special short-term cover.
2. Talk to your movers before you agree to move with them. Ask them to explain their insurance cover, limits, exclusions and so on and take care to read any policy documents they provide. You should NEVER choose a moving company that does not offer insurance.

Individual moving companies and home insurers will offer varying degrees of insurance cover and claims levels and you’ll only really find out how this applies to you by reading the small print of your contract information and by talking to the company about it in depth. In most cases you’ll be expected to know how much cover you need and to provide a list of valuable items (you may have to pay extra for these depending on their value). Some insurers will not include certain types of valuables as standard within their policy - they may be willing to insure these items but you will most likely have to pay a premium. Remember that many moving companies won’t allow you to claim for damage in transit if they didn’t pack your goods themselves. So, unless you can prove that it was their fault, their insurers simply won’t pay out if something goes wrong. It’s vital therefore to make sure you assess their liability in the event of a claim.

It’s also worthwhile checking to see if your moving company’s policy includes damage to your premises. The majority of movers are experienced and careful but accidents can happen to your homes as they remove and move furniture etc. Most companies will offer cover for this eventuality - do be aware that if a mover does cause damage to your home on the day of a move you will need to tell them about it immediately (or as soon as you notice it). In all moving insurance policies you’ll likely find that there is a specific time-limit for claims. If you discover damage outside of this limit you won’t be able to make a claim. Again, check the terms and conditions for actual regulations on this.

You may come across various types of moving insurance cover. Primary types include:

1. No charge for the actual insurance cover as it is included in the moving quote. In this case you may only be able to claim back a percentage of the value of your goods if you experience damage/loss.
2. You buy a policy and pay according to the weight of your goods (generally this works by the pound). This type of policy is often limited by depreciated value so you may not get back what you paid for an item but an estimate of current worth. This is often termed ‘like for like’ cover.
3. You pay extra to cover value instead of just weight. In this case you may have to declare the value of your insured goods to the insurer/mover.
4. You pay for a full value policy, which will give you current market value in the event of problems. This is often termed ‘new for old’. This can be in the form of repair, replacement or a payment.

Some movers will ask you for a ‘guestimate’ of the total value of your goods. Although this is hard to get right, it’s essential to be as close as possible to get the best levels of protection. If you have a lot of really valuable items to move, be prepared to have to produce a list of them, with assessments and perhaps even photos before you can have cover. You’ll find that many movers’ insurance policies are calculated on a percentage of the removal cost rather than on the value of your goods. This may not be enough for your needs and most will recommend you then to pay a premium for extra cover. You need to check the maximum premium that they will allow for one item and also how much of the claim you will lose if you need to claim on the policy.

For many of us the basic insurance policy of our chosen moving company will be enough. We need to pay particular attention, however, if we are planning a long-distance or international move. If you are moving internationally especially it’s essential to have full cover. Your goods may be passing borders and may be subject to custom checks and so on. With these moves you’ll have to factor in increased possibilities of accidents, theft, loss, damage and so on. It makes sense here to go with a moving company that is well experienced in these types of moves for best advice and cover. If your goods may be in storage for periods during your moving process then you also need to check the insurance cover for the storage facilities.

The best way to assess moving insurance policies is to read the small print carefully. Look for exclusions - i.e. clauses that mean that you are not covered by insurance or that will not pay out in certain circumstances. This will give you the clearest idea of the extras you might need, how comprehensive the policy is and the things you might need to look out for. For example, many movers have a ‘pairs’ or ’set’ clause. This means that if a part of a set of goods is damaged like a dining room chair or a piece of a dinner service the insurers will agree to pay for the damaged item. However they will not pay to replace the whole set if there is no other damage to it even if you cannot find a matching piece. So, if you have a set of four dining room chairs and your movers break one in transit, they’ll pay for a replacement for that chair. However, if you cannot find a replacement that matches your set you’ll no longer have a matching set and they will not pay to replace all four.
 

Source:moving-company-guide.com