Moving Horror Stories: 5 Tips To Help You Avoid One Wednesday Oct 27, 2021

After being in the industry for over 82 years, we’ve heard our fair share of moving horror stories. Some of those experiences would even rival some of the scariest horror movies out there. Moving is an extremely stressful project that over 14% of Americans tackle each year. Choosing the right moving company can break or make your experience. That said, we’ve compiled these tips to help you avoid becoming the victim of another moving horror story. Here’s what you should consider when choosing a mover. 

Reputation
A solid reputation is a game-changer. Start by looking close to home, ask your friends, family, or coworkers who’ve recently moved, which company they used and whether their experience was good or not. If they had a not-so-great experience, you know who to put on your not-to-call list. Once you’ve got a few recommendations, do a little investigating of your own. See how long they’ve been in business, where they’re located, etc. Once you’ve narrowed your options down, check FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if they are BBB-accredited and if they have any complaints lodged against them.

Get A Few Estimates
Once you’ve narrowed the options down to 5 or less movers, reach out and ask them to provide an estimate. Most moving companies will provide you with a no-obligation quote to help you plan your budget. The most important part of getting an estimate, is having someone complete a pre-move survey to determine your needs. Moving companies that provide estimates without completing a survey, can be major red flags. Whether it is an in home survey or a virtual survey it is a vital key to the estimating process. Once you’ve got a few different estimates in hand, you can narrow your options down to the ones that fit your budget. 

Successful Track Record
Other people’s experiences will say a lot about what you should expect from a particular moving company. Make sure to check out the company’s reviews online to see what people are saying. If they have less than a 3-star review, maybe go with someone else. If they have no reviews at all, don’t even give them a second thought - straight to the not-to-call list. If a friend or relative recommended a mover to you, but the majority of their reviews are negative, it's possible that they [your friend/relative] may have just been a lucky fluke and your experience might be much worse. Opt for movers with a healthy number of positive reviews and your chances of having a good experience are likely to be higher. 

Tip: How to spot fake Google reviews

Check Out Their Services
If you have special items like a wine collection, antique collectibles, vintage records, etc, make sure that the moving company is experienced and equipped to handle these special items. The last thing you’d want to happen is for your mover to break or destroy an irreplaceable artifact. If you’re not sure from looking at their website, call and ask. You shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions. Good movers will be willing to answer all of your questions to help put your mind at ease.   

Review the Paperwork

If your mover gives you documents to sign, review them carefully. Your mover should provide you with a Bill of Lading. Take some extra time to go through this document before you sign it.  Make sure you understand all of the costs of your move, how they’re calculated, and any additional moving services that may be required to complete the move. If there’s any part of the Bill of Lading that raises questions, do not be afraid to seek clarity. Once you sign that contract, there’s no turning back so make sure you read and understand every last detail.  

Choosing the right mover is critical to ensuring you avoid a moving horror story. At Advance Relocation Systems, we offer both commercial and residential moving services. When in doubt, turn to us. Whether you’re moving in-state or out of state, you can put your trust in our 82 years in business, 50+ years as an Atlas agent with multiple quality awards, and hundreds of 5-star customer reviews.

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