The internet is full of moving horror stories, and it's easy to let tales of items being held for ransom, massive surprise fees, or stolen belongings deter you from hiring movers. But don’t worry – when it comes to protecting your property, knowledge is power. Knowing how to identify moving scams is one of the best ways to keep your experience from turning into a nightmare. Let’s take a closer look.
4 Common Moving Scams and How to Avoid Them
Before you can ensure you avoid moving scams, you’ll have to make sure you know what they tend to look like. Here are four common moving scams and tips to help you dodge them.
1. Upfront Deposits
One of the most popular moving company scams is to ask for a large amount of money before moving your belongings. No reputable mover will do this. Paying it all upfront gives the movers no incentive to take your goods from Point A to Point B. Instead, they could run off with your things and money!
Asking for a small down payment is an industry standard, but if a company asks you to pay in full before the job is done, that's a red flag and more than likely a moving scam.
2. Blank Contracts
Some scammers might ask you to sign a blank or incomplete document. Don't fall for it! They might go back later and add extra charges or unreasonable terms. And if you've already signed it, they can hold you to your end of the deal, even if you didn't know what it entailed.
Regardless of how much you like a company or how nice the movers seem, make sure everything — price estimate, additional fees, and pickup and delivery dates — is in writing. And, if you have any questions about moving rates or fees, please ask!
3. Surprise Additional Fees
It's not unusual for a moving company to charge a few extra dollars for things like packing supplies, disassembling or reassembling furniture, or long-distance travel. Reputable companies tell you about anything that incurs additional fees ahead of time, not hit you with surprise charges on delivery day, as a scam mover might.
If there are any circumstances surrounding your move that you think might lead to extra fees, ask about them during the estimate process.
4. Lowball Estimates
Be wary of any company that offers a price that seems too good to be true. Someone who's trying to take advantage of you will likely either refuse to offer an estimate, or offer one that’s unbelievably low – all without asking questions about your place and the items you need moved.
Then, when it comes time to pay the bill, you might get hit with a price that’s very different from what you had expected. Whether it’s an intentional tactic used to mislead you about the true cost of moving or the result of a lack of thoroughness on your moving company’s end, lowballing is a common issue or scam to look out for.
While some movers charge for their services based on the weight of your items, MASH Movers uses an hourly rate that’s based on the size of your space.
We’ll also ask you to complete a brief survey before your move that helps us understand your needs. Our hourly charge is prorated to the nearest 15 minutes to ensure our customers only pay for the services we’re providing.
Trust Reputable Local Companies Like MASH Movers
When hiring a moving company, working with people in your community can often help you save some money and have a more personalized experience. But it’s important to do your homework on the movers you’re considering and trust your gut as you do – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Here at MASH Movers, we’re proud to be among the friendliest and most reliable of Austin's local movers. We’re more than just movers, though – we’re your neighbors, peers, and advocates. If we see you in HEB after your move, we’ll always say “Hello!”
We’re a small organization of passionate people who rely on positive feedback and experiences to serve our community. You can always count on us to get the job done right and be fully transparent with you while doing so.
MASH prides itself on being one of the best moving companies Austin has to offer. But you don’t have to just take our word for it. If you're looking for movers in Austin, Texas, reach out today to start a conversation and learn more.