Do you plan on moving soon but are afraid of moving scams? In this article, we will discuss some of the tips and tricks that you can use to avoid fraudulent moving companies. Most people decide to hire professional movers rather than do the whole process of moving on their own. However, this sometimes leads to encountering various moving scams which can lead to several problems. These problems can range from your inventory being damaged to you paying enormous costs for the move. With this in mind, it is important to know how to pick the best possible moving company such as Good Neighbors Moving Company. Let us go over some of the things you need to do to avoid being scammed while relocating to a big city such as L.A.
The warning signs of moving scams
First of all, one of the best ways to avoid being scammed while moving is to properly investigate and research a moving company you would like to hire. Several indicators show the warning signs of a potentially fraudulent moving company such as:
- They do not present you the proof of having a moving license.
- The movers do not give you any references from past costumers.
- A company requires you to pay a significant amount of money in advance.
- The contract is non-existent or does not fully cover the entire process of moving and transportation.
- They do not provide a local address that can be found on their site.
- The movers do not openly discuss the exact cost of your move.
- They have a large number of negative reviews.
Recognizing these warning signs will make it easier for you to avoid being scammed before or during the move. This is especially important if you are moving to a big area such as California.
Ask the right questions
When dealing with any moving company you will want to ask the right questions. This means that you should discuss every important topic of your relocation. Cover every topic about your move to find out whether they are reliable or not. The most important topics to cover are usually the ones that include documentation. You should always ask the movers to provide you with a full, written contract that covers the relocation process as well as insurance. Having full insurance provided by a company is a good sign that they can be trusted. Furthermore, in case your items get damaged during the move, you have a written document that guarantees you will be refunded for any type of damage. You should also look for a company which can provide you with an estimate of your moving cost Los Angeles. Another crucial element to discuss with any potential movers is the contract. Pay close attention to all of the minor details listed in a contract. Ask your company exactly what they can provide for your move. Likewise, notify them of the exact needs of your relocation.
Make sure you are hiring trusted movers
Now that you know which red flags to look for and which questions to ask, make sure you hire the best professional movers. To do this you will also need to know the positive traits to look for when hiring a moving company. The company needs to have a good list of recommendations from previous customers which indicates good and successful moves. A professional and well-organized moving company will have a local address listed on their website. This way you know what their working hours are and where their storefront is located. It is also important to know what services a moving company can provide. Well organized local moving companies such as movers La Canada Flintridge CA provide the full list of their services.
Doing it on your own
One of the seemingly safest ways of avoiding being the victim of a moving scam is to do the move on your own. By doing this, you are in complete control of your relocation process. The way you organize, pack, and transport items in your inventory will be up to you. This way, the risk of dealing with a shady moving company is minimal. However, completing the entire move on your own can be extremely demanding and exhausting. It is also very challenging both physically and emotionally. Usually, you need to recruit the help of your friends and family members. Furthermore, you need to provide the proper packing material and tools including boxes, tapes, and bubble wrap. You are also going to need some sort of transport vehicle. Transporting items back and forth can be extremely expensive. This is why it is highly recommended to hire a professional moving company. They provide the special packages and boxes for your items, hired workers to help you move them, and vehicles. All of this together makes your process of moving easier and more relaxing.
Conclusion
To sum up, to avoid any type of moving scam, you need to follow a basic guideline. Make sure you recognize the early warning signs which indicate that you are dealing with a fraudulent moving company. Ask all of the questions that cover the process of relocation. This way, you are clearing up any possible uncertainties which you may have about the move. Always hire trusted moving companies that have good recommendations, proper documentation, and have a local address. You can choose the option to do it on your own. However, the benefits of hiring a professional and well-organized company outnumber the benefits of doing it on your own. Do this and you are sure to have an easy and enjoyable move in L.A.!
