Selecting The Right Mover

How to select the right moving company

1. Make sure that you RECOGNIZE the name of the carrier/van lines. If the name is not familiar to you, check http://www.movingscam.com/, they have a "black list" of disreputable movers.

2. Moving is not like buying a washer or dryer, it's not a tangible item, rather it's a service, predicated on the WEIGHT; weight is to moving what location is to real estate. If the weight is not accurate, the move could prove to be a disaster; not enough space on board the truck for your entire shipment. With all major carriers, it is the actual weight, and the actual services provided, that will determine your final charges. Weight is verified by certified weight scales before and after loading. Only second tier / independent movers charge by the cubic foot, which can be manipulated by the movers.

3. The estimate INCLUDES Maximum Value Protection (INSURANCE; full replacement cost protection). Be certain that you understand that the movers liability, if there is an accident, is $.60/pound/article (carriers liability protection), there is a huge difference between this and replacement cost! This should not be confused with a listed charge on the estimate, "insurance surcharge". This has nothing to do with the protection of your possessions. It refers to the protection of the movers' equipment.

4. Our estimates include the packing of beds; make sure all estimates have it - it is the cleanest / safest way to ship beds.

5. Not all movers are created equal; check with the BBB, know who you are dealing with! Be certain that the mover is licensed, you know their name, not DBA (doing business as), and have an address that is in fact a place of business. Beware of moving brokers; you have no way of knowing who is going to pick up your household goods, what type of truck or quality of crew. Here's an article from the Providence Journal that speaks volumes. http://www.moving101.org/library/media/The-Rogue-Moving-Trade.pdf .

6. Does the mover have workman's compensation insurance? If they do not, and someone gets injured, you will end up bearing the responsibility of health care and lost wages.

7. Check the movers safety record and size of fleet by going to http://www.protectyourmove.gov/ . Knowing that the carrier has a large fleet of trucks, insures that they can provide the services they promise, without a surprise moving company showing up (brokered out business).

8. What assurances are in place for pick-up or delivery? At northAmerican Van Lines, we are 96% on time for your pick up, and 92% on time for your delivery.

9. With internet movers, "if the price sounds too good to be true, it most likely will be", buyer beware! There will always be someone that will provide an inferior product at a lesser price. The consumer that is interested in price alone, is his lawful prey! If the competition is offering pricing that is 10% to 35% lower than the estimate we created, something is wrong. Is the weight the same? Is valuation (insurance) included as a line item in the context of the quote or is it additional? If there is packing (beds or full packing services), is it included? Are all the applicable surcharges, bulky article charges, shuttle charges (the need for a secondary, smaller truck due to inaccessibility for a tractor trailer) included that are in tariff 400 - N that all movers (and supported by the American Moving & Storage Association) use, or will they end up as "surprise charges, if necessary.

10. Make sure the carrier provides you an "addenda" to shipping documents. This document will tell you up front about the possible cost of a shuttle and/or other potential "surprise charges", if necessary.

11. We do not require a deposit when you place your moving reservation with us! We accept credit cards, certified checks or cash.

12. When you relocate with The Moving Connection you can track your shipment's journey cross country by going to http://www.navl.com/ and look under domestic household goods shipment tracking and it will advise you when to expect your shipment.

Click here to view your rights and responsibilities as outlined by the Federal Highway Administration's Tariff Inspection & Incorporation Notice. This details your rights when you are moving.

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