Problems with Cross Country Moving Companies

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Problems with Cross Country Moving Companies

Staff Writer · Jan 20, 2010

Cross country moving companies are a mixed blessing. The right company can help you relocate your personal belongings from one end of the United States to other with little problems and delays. On the other hand, if you don’t research the company first, you might end up with loss, theft and damages to your valuables because you chose the wrong company. Even well intentioned companies have some problems you should be aware of.  Some problems with cross country moving companies include:

No Set Arrival Date

It’s rare to lock cross country moving companies into a set arrival date. This can be problematic for you when you arrive at your final destination early and have to wait a while for your things.These companies often transport multiple customers at once, and can’t foresee all the problems that can occur during transit. If they promise a set time of arrival and don’t arrive on time, they could be held liable for damages. They don’t want that risk of liability and are more apt to give a span of time for arrival, usually 3 to 7 days.  Even reputable cross country moving companies do this, so it’s a problem you’ll have to try to overcome ahead of time.

Overcharges

A frequent problem that gets reported more and more is the difference between the final bill and the moving rate quote. And it’s not that the final bill is lower. Some cross country moving companies overcharge for services and moving supplies, and leave unsuspecting customers with a bill that’s twice, three times or four times what they were expecting. The excuse is that the shipping weight or volume was more than expected. One way to avoid this problem is to get a written moving estimate and a signed inventory of your items, which states the weight and cubic feet of your total possessions. This is proof of the size and weight that got loaded on the truck, and you’ll need it to battle excessive fees.

Theft

It’s a sad reality, but there are movers out there that steal from customers. That’s why it’s important to check websites such as www.bbb.org and www.safersys.org for any complaints filed against the long distance moving company you’re thinking about hiring. Moving company owners have also been indicted and prosecuted for stealing customer’s items. Find out the name of the company owner, and conduct a criminal background check as well. This may seem extreme, but if you’re moving valuables that can’t be replaced for sentimental and other reasons, it’s worth your time and skepticism.

Use of Subcontractors

Check with large cross country moving companies whether they are actually the ones who will deliver your items. Some hire subcontractors, and you may wind up with a subcontracting moving company that you don’t know and didn’t research. When items get loss or stolen, the subcontractors and contractors (the original moving company) point fingers at one another, and customers wind up in the middle of it all, with no choice but to file an insurance claim to recover.

These problems are some of the risks of dealing with cross country moving companies that all prospective customers face. Try to explore
other options first, but if you must hire one, do your due diligence and research the history of each company thoroughly.

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