9 Common Moving Scams and Prevention Tips

Just like any other thing nowadays, moving is targeted by scammers on a daily basis. A lot of things can make you believe that a moving company is perfect for you and by the time you realize the truth it may be too late. Even with the help of the Internet, you can be easily deceived by scammers whose only goal is to take your money without providing any services. Nowadays, scammers use different tools to approach you and sometimes they seem very convincing. Unfortunately, the consequences are huge and besides losing the money you will probably be anxious because of it for a long time. So. the only prevention is to learn how to recognize and avoid them. To help you out, here are the most common moving scams and how to prevent them!

1. Movers are pushy

Not one of professional moving companies Seattle will force you to take their services and decide to move. If you encounter movers who insist that you make up your mind in a short time, you should probably continue your search someplace else. Negotiating with them will never feel pleasant and the offer may be confusing due to quick finalization. When you finally decide to say no, scammers will usually switch the method and begin to change the original offer. The main reason for this is that scammers know they don’t have enough time and that the more you research the bigger the risk. Because of that, they will try to speed up the process and make you do the payment quickly.

In case you get yourself in this situation, always trust your instincts. Politely decline the offer and stop communicating with them. If scammers manage somehow to deceive you, you should immediately contact your lawyer and stop the entire process. The best signal that you are on the path to common moving scams is stress and the inability to reach an agreement.

2. Moving company changes its name and address

Among other common moving scams, you can easily encounter this one. When you begin your search online, there is a chance that it won’t provide useful information about the company that you are looking for. If you see that the Google search is mixed and that the company has been operating under a different name, that is a red flag. Moving companies that change their address too often are definitely scammers and you will only lose your money and time dealing with them. Some of them can erase tracks of doing it so keep in mind that this scam is not always so noticeable. 

Of course, the real moving and freight companies Seattle will operate under the same name and at the same address. Most of them will be at the same location from the first day they were established and will only change it if they are expanding the business. The easiest way to be sure is to do a good Internet search and check for how long has the company been in the mentioned location. Once you make sure everything is looking good, you can proceed to your next step.

3. Relocation services are not defined

If everything looks good with a moving company and you reach their moving services, you should be extremely careful as well. This is where countless scams could be hidden and it is best you avoid them on time. The most important traits of every relocation are transportation, loading, unloading and of course, professional vehicles. The better the moving company the more services you will be able to use. If you see that the company doesn’t have their services on their official website that could indicate a problem. What you need to look for are residential or commercial moving services that include movers and vehicles for the job. If they suggest you should do some of these things on your own, that is a sign to give up.

Real residential movers Seattle will always offer moving services that cover all of your moving needs. They will include full care of your inventory and even many secondary services to achieve a better experience. Their services will be defined and explained in detail so you will not have any issues understanding them. As soon as you get the feeling that the moving company cares about your relocation and the outcome, you are on the right track!

4. No contract or the insurance policy

Just like you would be worried about any other job that doesn’t include a contract, you should be about this one as well. Contract and insurance policies are there to protect both sides and all of you should rely on them. Scammer moving companies will usually skip this part as they wish to avoid getting anything on the paper officially. Their excuse is simply the lack of time and urges to begin the relocation as soon as possible. This is, of course, the first sign that something is not right and you should always ask them for more details and information. Among other common moving scams related to this is the absence of an insurance policy. Your inventory must be protected from the start and the right moving company will be the first to offer this. 

This is even more important if you are moving your business instead of your household. Professional commercial movers Seattle will immediately provide a contract that protects both sides. After that, you will get a chance to see the insurance policy as well to eliminate all the risks. When moving your business you should be extra careful as a lot of things are at stake. Take some time looking for the right moving company to avoid coming across common moving scams.

5. Common moving mistakes include high prices as well

Your relocation shouldn’t cost you a fortune and that is something you should know right away. According to some standards, relocation will cost you a certain amount but much less than it would cost if you do it alone. When it comes to forming the right price, Washington movers include several things.

• Distance
• The number of your items
• Period of the year or month

Of course, they will include secondary moving services as well in case you decide you need them. So, if the movers offer you a moving estimate and the price is extremely high, something is wrong. After all, even with the longest distances price should fit your pocket. If you see that the price is not suitable but rather high, you should ask the movers for clarification. This is where you will know exactly if things are suspicious. In case the clarification is not clear and you don’t understand it, you are probably dealing with scammers.

The best thing you can do is simply give up on them and start looking for another company. There is no need for paying too much during the move. you can also calculate the price on your own and get an insight. Keep in mind that professional moving companies will always offer you a free moving estimate before you finalize the deal.

6. Required deposit

For many matters deposit is a way of assuring both sides that the deal with continue after some time. It also means that the customer will not make last-minute changes or give up on the deal. Nevertheless, moving companies don’t do it and you are not supposed to pay for it at all. Instead of taking your money in advance, movers will simply offer you a contract and other policies that will seal the deal you wish to make. Generally, you will pay upon delivery and once the work is done. When it comes to deposits, you can quickly lose control over your items and that is a huge issue. You must be aware of all things happening with your items and professional moving companies will surely give you the chance to do so.

For example, movers Kirkland will make sure to consult with you throughout the entire process. By doing that, they are letting you know that your inventory is in good hands and that nothing sketchy is going on. Moving companies care about your budget and the moving experience and those who have been in the business for a long time, will let you know. Having a good feeling about the entire thing is a sign you are on the right path with your moving partners.

7. Lack of communication is also among common moving scams

Moving to another place, or moving your business is a pretty huge decision to make. A lot of people are insecure about it, as not everyone likes the change. What you need is full support from your moving company. Movers and their employees who are avoiding communicating with you properly are not the right choices. to avoid realizing this too late, make sure to pay attention from the start. Their support should be on point from day one and it must include professional information and useful advice. Most of the time, scammers will provide just a couple of details and ask you to deal with certain matters on your own. In reality, your only job is to provide information to them, ask questions and enjoy your relocation. 

This is one of those common moving scams that will cause huge issues during long-distance relocations. For those who don’t have enough experience and have a long journey in front of them, this will cause a lot of stress and anxiety. If you are moving your business long-distance or internationally, you will need even more support. Industrial movers Seattle will make sure you get all the advice regarding the relocation and feel safe about the entire thing.

8. Your items are late or not arriving at all

If you get this far with scammers, that means that they were either too good at hiding or you didn’t pay attention. Arriving at your new place and still waiting for your inventory is something you should avoid at all costs. Movers know the routes they are operating on and delays are very rare. your inventory should arrive at the new location according to the schedule and you should be informed on time if your movers are going to be late. If you are moving across the city of Seattle you will be well aware of the distance and traffic as well.

Of course, if you make an agreement with movers that you wish your items to arrive later, that is completely normal. The professional and licensed moving company will always offer you a couple of options for a better experience.

9. Common moving scams are not taking care of your inventory

Your entire inventory is the priority. It doesn’t matter where are you moving to and how many items you have, movers must take good care of everything. If you wish to use storage units Lynnwood WA during moving, their employees will provide all the details you should know about the process. And when there is no need for storing anything, movers must be careful with your things. This includes packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading.

It is very important that you let movers do their job. While you should supervise the entire thing, they simply know better and have much more experience. The only signal that something is wrong is if you see that they are not treating your things properly. Don’t be surprised if you see that movers are extremely fast. That means only that they know what they are doing. 

Bottom line

To avoid common moving scams you simply need to do your research and rely on a moving company with a good history. Check the reviews as customers are usually pretty honest and love to share their experiences. If you see that a moving company has excellent reviews and rates, that means you find yourself a good moving partner. Always communicate with them, and feel free to ask them anything. There is no better way to enjoy a relocation than to feel safe around people who are in charge of it.

Why Choose Us

History

Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage is locally owned and operated by the same family for four generations, since 1890. We have a well-established reputation for service quality and reliability with a high percentage of repeat household and commercial clients.

Professionalism

We’re a certified ProMover by the American Moving and Storage Association with A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, voted “Best in Western Washington” in 2009 and from 2011 to 2016 by KING5. Our company is fully licensed and insured and member of WMC and AMSA.

Value

Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage provide free, no-obligation in-home estimate and competitive rates, including low minimum rates for shipments moving under 300 miles. We’ve set a refund policy for unused packing materials and three Puget Sound locations to help clients save on travel fee costs.