How to Avoid Moving Company Scams
So you’re relocating to another city outside Toronto, and you’ve got a tonne of things to move which needs to get done by a certain date, in time to start your new job. So where do you start, and how do you know when you’ve found the “right” movers that can help you with your transition smoothly, swiftly, and without getting bilked with exorbitant fees?
Well, a good start would be to search for “moving companies in Toronto” and check out the Google reviews you see for each company. In today’s digital era, the reality of the matter is that consumers such as yourself are using search engines to conduct product & service research such as feedback and reviews.
So be sure to complete several different search queries such as “moving companies Toronto, GTA movers, Etobicoke movers, etc.” and see which moving companies appear in the search results, and eliminate the ones that have poor ratings. Thereafter, start contacting the businesses that have reputable ratings (at least a 3.5 out of 5).
It’s very important that you do this tedious task of researching and filtering because with movers, you not only could get scammed financially, but they could cause you a lot of grief by holding onto your belongings until whatever discrepancies are rectified- what a headache. And everyone has heard of these notorious “ransom” scams across media and the newspaper.
Here are a few tips in choosing the right moving company and not getting ripped off.
No Point of Contact(s) Mentioned on Website or During Consultation?
If you contact a moving company and the customer service representative does not mention his or her name, or if they do not mention any names within management of their company, things might be “fishy.” Most companies who are legit and take pride in their brand, will always mention names because they know that you as a consumer will most definitely google their name associated with the company to see what negative reviews appear in search queries.
Secondly, when viewing a moving company’s website or when you visit their actual physical location, if there’s no company name, phone number or other important information clearly stated, avoid the company and move on. Chances are, they could be a fly-by-night company which is what you definitely don’t want.
Watch Out for Movers That Will Not Inspect and Give Estimate
Another telltale sign of a moving company scam is if they refuse to visit your home and just give you ballpark estimates over the phone, or via online quote. Highly reputable moving companies will generally come to your home or location in order to inspect the items and give you an accurate moving quotation.
And if the movers offer you an unusually low estimate alongside a request for upfront cash, this could also be a red flag. Be smart, and just use common sense.
Make Sure Contract Has Necessary Information
Before you sign an agreement with a moving company, make sure that the contract has all the necessary information on it. This information includes options for payment, contact information for the company, the addresses of where they are picking up items and where they will deliver the items, costs of moving the items, and the moving dates. Some movers may even include a clause within the agreement which allows you to receive a refund if you are not satisfied with the services.
Call Real Estate Agent
Another way to keep yourself from dealing with a moving company scam is to call a real estate agent within the GTA and ask if he or she has any recommendations for the best moving companies in your area. Real estate agents will generally have a good knowledge of the “busy” local moving companies since it’s related to their business, so they are a good source of this information.
Check This Company’s Credentials
It is important that you double check everything a moving company tells you so that you will not be the victim of a moving company scam. You can do this by visiting sites such as www.BBB.org to see if they are credible and in positive standings.
In conclusion, when you do your OWN thorough research for moving companies in Toronto, you will be an informed consumer and the moving process will be easier for you.
