It seems like every week we hear about more moving scams. Below are a few tips to help you avoid scams in your Denver home.
- You want a bill, not a ransom note for your possessions.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says it received more than 9,300 complaints about movers in the U.S. in 2013. A common scam among them is a bait-and-switch scheme in which a mover quotes a price and then holds your possessions hostage unless you pay an unexpected fee, says Katherine Hutt, a spokeswoman for the BBB. Make sure and check out the mover you plan to use with Better Business Bureau at http://www.bbb.org.
- Get estimates in writing.
You should start your search by asking for estimates from at least three movers, which you should get in writing. Be wary if one company quotes a much lower rate than the others. Movers should offer to visit your home to assess the job. The cost estimate for an in-state move is usually based on the number of hours it will take. For interstate moves, the cost is likely to be calculated based on weight and distance. Be skeptical if the mover requires a large deposit or only accepts cash, which leaves no record of the transaction.
- Check out the mover's reputation
Don't rely solely on recommendations from family and friends. As stated before, make sure and go to the BBB's web site to see whether there are complaints against the company and whether they've been resolved. To find movers registered with the Department of Transportation, try to get quotes from companies that have passed the American Moving and Storage Association's background checks and licensing and insurance requirements.
- Make sure you're covered.
Be sure and check with your homeowners or renters insurance provider to see whether your policy covers your belongings while they're in transit. You'll likely find that your plan covers the same hazards during the move as it does at home. If your moving truck has an accident and bursts into flames, your policy may reimburse you, but it won't cover your belongings if they are broken or damaged by the mover. Interstate movers are required to offer two kinds of supplementary liability insurance. Released value coverage, at no extra cost, insures your belongings at a rate of 60 cents per pound. Your other option is to buy full value insurance, which will cover repairs or replacement of damaged goods. Rates typically start at about $200 for $100,000 worth of coverage. If you discover while unpacking that something's broken or scratched, you have nine months to file a claim. Check out this Denver Moving Checklist to help you get started.
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Until next time,
Marianne Bandy, Team Leader
The Bandy Team
Keller Williams Park Meadows
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