Moving Scam it’s a never ending story. Every other week or month you hear about a new scam, a new company, and a new story. All of this can be avoided if the consumer pays more attention to the reviews of the BBB or the FMC, and other reliable sources.

Where does the SCAM start?

Most of the companies who are new in the business, and need to build their clientele in order to add more business in our competitive market will send out low-bowl service contacts. Consumers who find out the following service rates in most cases fall into there trap.

A lot of companies want to make easy money for 3-5 years, until their name will show on the FBI records, and then disappear, or open 4-5 businesses with different names and collect more profit.

Some companies fake there DOT (Department of Transportation) License, or FMC (Federal Maritime Commission) License in order to sale themselves as a legitimate company. With a well structured sales pitch, they are sure to have the consumer into their trap whithout even being aware of the fact that he pays 3 to 4 times more then his estimate.

Who is the right mover for me?

A right mover or shipper would be a company who is in business for over 10 years, a company who has a respectful report on the BBB, and a company which has a licence listed with the DOT. For International companies, they should be listed as a NOVCC (none operation vessel common carrier) or as FF (freight forwarder). Other respectful source can be added such as:

- BBB - Better Business Bureau
It should be verified that the company is a member of BBB - some have only the logo added to there site. It should be also checked that the report is relevantly good, see the how many complaints the company has, how the  company replies on its complaints, and how well they are associated with the BBB.

- AMSA – American Moving & Storage Association
AMSA – is particularly a  good reference for moving companies that provide interstate moving services.Most of the international shipping companies that concentrate on international relocation will not have the AMSA logo. The AMSA also have a referral service therefore companies with a goods record will be listed first.

- HHGFAA – Household Goods Forwarders Association of America
The HHGFAA association is mostly for shipping companies who provide international relocation from the US and aboard. Any shipping company that is a freight forwarder or NVO has to be listed with this association group. Companies that offer international services without a HHGFAA membership are there for SCAM.

- FMC - Federal Marinetime Commission

The Federal maritime commission is the first thing any shipping company should have before they provide any international shipping. If they have no licenses with the FMC you should know not to use their services in any circumstances. It will be right to report that company to the FMC to eliminate any company with out license, and to protect the industry.

Get an Estimate!

The cost of an interstate move is usually based on the weight of your belongings and the distance they are shipped, plus the amount of packing and other services that you require. The cost of an International move is based on volume and the space you will be holding on a groupage container or full load container that will be loaded on a vessel. Prior your move weather you moving from state to state or international it’s recommended to ask for 2-3 estimates from several companies and ask for recommendations from your real estate office near you, or friends. Don’t be shy to ask from your mover or shipper for recommendations. Ask the companies you're in touch with to provide you with an on-site survey. Help the estimator and don’t miss out anything you are planning to move with you, so that you help the estimator to be very close to the final price with his estimation.

If you’re moving internationally, the shipper should contact a local agent and arrange an on-site survey. For the big companies who are associated with

Learn the Proposal

The mover or shipper will send you a service proposal soon after the survey will take place. If it’s a moving quote or an international quote learn the proposal with the company who is providing it. Most movers offer two types of estimates – non-binding and binding.

Non-binding estimates are not bids or contracts. A non-binding estimate is an approximation of the cost based on the mover’s survey of the items to be moved, with the final cost determined after the shipment is weighted. Since a non-binding estimate is based on the actual weight or volume of your shipment (rather than the estimated weight), the price will usually be lower than a binding estimate. However, when you receive a non-binding estimate there is no guarantee that the final cost will not be more than the estimate.

Under a non-binding estiate, the mover cannot require you to pay more than the amount of the estimate, plus 10-15 percent, (or 110% - 115% of the estimate amount) at the time of delivery for moving interstate or packing for export at shipper’s warehouse. You are then obligated to pay any remaining charges for any additional services that you requested or that were required to accomplish your move that are over this 110% amount 30 days after your shipment is delivered, if the services or quantities were not included in your estimate or if agreed otherwise. For International relocations on most agreements is that the customer shell pay all charges prior shipping of goods, or as agreed otherwise with your shipper.

Many movers also provide binding estimates. A binding estimate means that you are obligated to pay the price set forth in the binding estimate even if the shipment weighs more than or less than the estimated amount. All binding estimates cover only the goods and services listed on the estimate. If you add items or request additional services, the mover may revise the original estimate before your shipment is loaded or, if you request additional services after your shipment is in transit, your mover will bill you for these added services, if they were not included in your estimate. In addition, all movers reserve the right to charge for services necessary to accomplish delivery, even if those services are not requested by the shipper. For example, additional charges will apply if you are not prepared to accept delivery and the shipment is placed in storage, or if a smaller (shuttle) truck must be used to accomplish delivery because your new home is located on a narrow street.

Save your self before they come

You should always be aware of the companies who are pushing you to close and book the job with no explanation of the agreement & services. Stay away from low-ball service rates that will catch your eye’s and you can loose a lot more then you think, these companies will take anything they can take before you know it and it’s too late. At first the people at these moving companies are very nice to you. They give you a low-ball bid, and tell you that your things will be in good hands because "Our people are professionals" or something. It's when the movers actually show up, and it's too late for you to save yourself where things start to go horribly wrong.

Bottom Line

Any site other then sites that sale leads, which are sites that recommends only there companies and discriminates other companies to their benefit stay away from them as you stay away from the moving scammers. These sites will scare you with reports that have no proof of legitimacy just to have you book your move with there companies which they work for. Those site who say that they are governmental sites are a scam on it’s own. They run a well build web-site with stories that will scare you. It’s always good and better to check with the legit reviews from the BBB and the FMC, or other government sites which you can find here on My Moving Guide.

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