Better Business Bureau issues warning over 'unscrupulous' movers and moving companies
Packing up your life and moving to a new place can be a long and stressful process, which is why most of us dread moving so much. Add in the potential for lost, stolen or damaged personal belongings and you’ve got yourself a moving horror story.
Last year alone, a total of 9,256 complaints to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) were filed against movers and moving companies.
“Common complaints included damaged or missing items, bills that were higher than estimates, late deliveries and, in some cases, goods held hostage for additional payments,” the agency says.
Now the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is issuing a public warning — and sharing advice for anyone who’s taping up boxes soon.
The first and most important tip that the BBB offers is to conduct thorough research prior to settling on a moving company. Contacting the BBB or consulting the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) member directory will help to ensure you are trusting a reputable company with all your personal belongings.
Taping boxes/Shutterstock
When conducting the research, the BBB says there are specific things such as how long the company has been in business, you should be looking for when narrowing down your options.
The BBB also offers up the following tips for anyone preparing for a move:
- Verify the mover’s claims, credentials, and professional memberships.
- Get everything in writing.
- Talk about the money.
- Prepare for damage.
- Protect your possessions.
- Take your valuables with you.
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There are also some ‘red flags’ that the BBB warns of, including movers who demand cash or a large deposit before the move, company websites that have no address and no information about a mover’s registration or insurance as well as movers who claim all items are covered by their insurance.
The CAM also has a comprehensive list of consumer alerts regarding moving companies on their website.
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