Detect moving scams before you relocate with packers and movers
Every other day a person is moving from one place to another and that too along with his/her valuable possessions. Though the reasons differ from person to person but the solution to all of them remains constant- relocation. Besides the enormous increase in the number of shipments from the past few years, the moving scams have been increasing continuously. Everyday there is an article present in the newspaper related to such scams. The number of frauds is rapidly developing and majority of people are getting trapped into it.
To eliminate and save ourselves from being the victim of any of these situations, one needs to understand and know the differences based on which he/she should opt for a reliable movers and packers.
First of all, you need to understand the reasons behind the generation of such frauds, which includes
• A consumer is not aware of his rights and responsibilities while they are relocating their stuff.
• Sudden increase in the demand to relocate along with the establishment of several moving companies daily.
• The mindset of the customers that automatically induces them towards the lower priced quotes and they end up choosing the wrong vendor.
• The hurry of getting things transported and arranged at the new location.
Types of fraud
• Overcharging- This is one of the most common fraudulent activity undertaken by these fake companies to forge the customers. In this, the movers charge lesser amount in the beginning and later when the goods are needed to be delivered they suddenly increase the entire amount. Basically they hostage a customer’s consignment till he/she agrees to pay the amount that has been demanded by them.
• Advance payment- Rather than paying the amount into certain percentages, these movers ask for the whole payment in advance. And when a customer agrees to pay the same in the beginning, they don’t show up at the time of delivering the goods at their destination location.
• Forge documents of certification- To prove that they are trusted relocating professionals; they frame the duplicate documents to prove their authenticity. However, the customers often get stuck in such situations because of lack of knowledge about the real papers and end up getting trapped in their false practices. Thus, check the papers thoroughly.
• Lower priced quotes with unbelievable deals- The most effective trick to attract a customer these days are the lower priced quotes along with the huge discounts. Such companies show up the amazing deals followed by the unbelievable offers. People usually get fascinated to such practices and end up making the wrong choice of professionals to relocate their stuff.
• Hidden costs- Another most common way to loot the customers are the hidden charges. These companies charge other than what has been actually calculated according to the goods that are needed to be transferred by adding extra amount in the name of labor charges, transportation charges etc. And when the customer questions about the hike in the prices, they call them hidden charges.
• Incorrect contact numbers- Several moving companies often provide their incorrect numbers to their customers. Soon after they have received an order to pack and move a consignment, they are vanished with the goods and a customer is just left with the incorrect contact details.
• Rented trucks and move vehicles- They usually rent the tempos and trucks to ship the articles on temporary basis. They deceive the customers by showing their transportation vehicles as their personalized ones but that is not the truth.
These are some of the common moving frauds.
Certain ways that can save you from getting duped by fraud relocating companies’ are-
Research- Most important or you can say the key task to opt for the correct vendors is a deep and thorough research. Find at least 3-4 companies online and make a list of all of them. And start gathering information about each of them.
Visit social media platforms and examine social media- Firstly, to know about a company in detail, visit its official website. From there you can easily get the required information and that too in explained format. Next, monitor their various social media platforms; check the frequency of their posts and their replies that they give to their customers.
Read reviews and comments- To know about a company from its customers point of view, read the reviews posted by them. These comments and feedbacks will help you to get the exact picture of the services that they offer and you can easily get the answers for all your doubts.
Seek references- Try to get in touch with the people who have some kind of moving experiences as they are the right people who can clearly tell you about the services that are offered by a moving professional and the ways through which you can recognize the genuine relocating companies.
Visit their offices- To make sure they have well established platform to deal with the relocation tasks, visit their nearby offices. Inspect their working standards by having a conversation with their workers and other team members.
Make sure they are approved- Ensure they are certified vendors. Check their documents properly and avoid signing any document or bond without reading it carefully.
Team of skilled and knowledgeable workers- Talk to the team of workers present there to execute all the tasks associated with a move. Have a detailed conversation with them just to be sure about the knowledge and skills they have are relevant for the safe transportation of your goods or not.
Add these steps to your research and opt for the trusted packers and movers located near you.
Happy Moving!
