When moving locally or moving long distances, you may decide that you would like to hire a local moving company. Say you live in Plymouth, how do you go about selecting a moving company? Some may say that cost is extremely important to them, but there are many other things to look at. Moving rates are actually regulated by the State of Michigan.
By law, moving companies have to charge the same rate for moves over 40 miles within the State of Michigan. So if you are moving from Plymouth to Lansing MI, then it falls under that criteria. There are many moving scams out there, and it’s worth repeating from time to time. A little due diligence will help you in avoiding moving scams in Michigan.
Once you have found a company that offers moving services within your budget, it is time to start doing your research. Here are some great ways to get started:
Searching online is a great place to start as you can find reviews or testimonials from customers. Being able to read about other people’s experiences will give you an idea on the quality of services the company has to offer. Also looking up the company on BBB.org will allow you to see if they are BBB accredited as well as any complaints that have been filed against their company. The Internet provides many sources when it comes to finding out information about moving companies in Michigan.
Speak to the owner or manager of the company if you are hesitant about whether it is an actual company or not. Ask questions regarding the company’s insurance policies, history, as well as license information. You can verify a moving company’s license through your local regulatory office. If you are still skeptical, make a trip to the moving company’s office. If the owner is hesitant about speaking with you, answering your questions, or allowing you to come to the office, red flags should be going up.
Verify information that has been provided to you through your conversations with both the employees and the owner. Once again you can verify license information through your local regulatory office. Check the previous year’s phone book to see if they are listed (a new company may not be listed).
It is important to cover all of the bases when ensuring that a moving company is reputable. The last thing that you would want is for two guys to load up an unmarked truck, and take off with all of your belongings while you are waiting for them to arrive at your new home. Unfortunately, as many residents are searching for the cheapest prices rather than a quality moving company, it does happen.
Looks can be deceiving even when you find them online with a nice professional website. Having an office or building with a fleet of trucks doesn’t guarantee that you are dealing with a Quality Mover, but in conjunction with the other research, it does speak to the legitimacy, longevity, and dependability of them. Compare this to a mover with a truck working out of their house that has a temporary helper. There are many addresses for businesses on the Internet that point to empty lots, so do a street view or as mentioned before, a drive by.
Let us answer any questions you may have about Men on the Move, contact us today. We will help guide you through the moving process and ensure that you have the highest quality affordable move in Michigan.
For a full 10 step guide on how to find a trustworthy moving company in Michigan Click here.
This was a good article posted by the Texas attorney General. But it fits for all people that are moving.
Summer is the busiest time of year for moving companies. While most legitimate movers comply with the law, unfortunately, a few are unscrupulous. Operators employ a range of practices that take advantage of their customers.
Some unscrupulous movers give customers an artificially low estimate for their services. Then, on moving day, they revise their estimate and provide a much higher price. By that time, customers have no time to find another mover and have little choice but to go along with the increased rate.
Another type of moving scam is perpetrated after a customer’s belongings have been loaded up and hauled away. With the customers’ property in the movers’ possession, the company refuses to deliver or unload the customer’s property unless the customer agrees to pay a higher fee.
Knowledge is always a valuable weapon, so Texans in the market for a moving company should research several options and secure written estimates before moving day. Care also should be taken to ensure that movers are properly licensed and insured. Texans can look up a moving company’s rating and complaint history at the Better Business Bureau’s Web site, www.bbb.org.
Movers are required by law to deliver a customer’s goods for no more than 10% above the price of a non-binding estimate. Customers are not required to pay any amount above a binding estimate. The mover is required to bill customers for any additional charges within 30 days of delivery.