COMMON MOVING SCAMS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
According to a recent survey conducted by the Department of Transportation, nearly 35 million families move each year. Fortunately, the vast majority of moves go off without a hitch and any problems, but the number of complaints filed against moving companies has steadily increased over the last decade. The best way to avoid moving scams is to be an informed consumer who does their research every step of the way. In this article Kingdom international Movers share a list of the most common types of moving scams, as well as red flags to look for, how to protect yourself, and how to report a fraud moving company. Read until the end to know all the details.
Relying On Telephone Calls
A mover who does not insist on an on-site inspection of your belongings is providing you with an estimate without seeing them and those are generally too good to be true. Homeowners typically have far more belongings than they believe, and good estimators don’t look at particular items as much as they do their bulk and weight. (A queen-size bed without a headboard or footboard weighs considerably less than one that has an ornate, heavy wood frame.) Moving costs are calculated not only by mileage but also by the weight of your possessions and the space they take up in the truck.
Any mover offering any quote without a personal site visit is a big red flag and a sign of a probable scam. Most reputed and professional movers and packers in Dubai always give a free visit and free quote to you before you finalize anything with them.
The One Who Gives Only a Cursory Glance
An estimator who does only a rapid stroll of your residence without trying to open cabinets and noting exactly what you intend to move will be way off. A good estimator will ask you questions such as, are you planning on moving all of the food in your kitchen, or will you eat it before you leave? Or Are you going to have a yard sale to get rid of anything, and if so, what?
It is your responsibility to provide as much detail as possible, we will be buying a king-size bed here to take with us, so add that cost, or I will be donating the above 20 shelves of books to the library, so don’t include those. Thousands of people are held hostage each year by scam artists who undercut your quote and then refuse to deliver your belongings until you pay them hundreds or thousands of dollars or more in cash. The best way to avoid this situation is to search for reputed local movers in Dubai and hire them for your relocation.
The Mover Claims That Their Insurance Covers All Goods But Refuses To Explain How
All moving companies must accept liability for the value of the goods they transport. There are, however, two levels of liability that apply, and you should be aware of the fees that apply as well as the number of protections offered by each level. The two levels of liability that movers must provide are clarified below and in the “Your Rights and Obligations When You Move” brochure that your mover will give you. To announce the value of your shipment, read the details carefully and follow the steps provided.
If you do not receive the handbook from your mover, or if the mover is nebulous or dismissive about the liability level under which your belongings will be moved, these are major red flags. Such scams are not limited to local moves but may also extend to international relocation in Dubai. So be careful and choose your movers and packers in Dubai carefully.
The One Who Urges You Sign a Blank Contract
No matter how very much you like the mover, never sign a blank contract. Make a written record of everything. Your estimate and any additional fees, as well as your delivery and pickup dates, should be displayed.
Read the contract from beginning to end and ensure that all of your items are listed. Don’t be content with a box labeled “Office supplies” unless you see it packed with only notepads and paperclips. If you don’t label that laptop computer on the inventory form you sign before the driver leaves, don’t expect it to be in the box when he arrives. You cannot file a claim for an item that is not on the inventory list. Professional and best movers and packers in Dubai such as Kingdom international Movers always ensure that they guide their clients thoroughly and properly.
The Scamster Who Doesn’t Give a Guaranteed Quote
The federal government requires one of two types of moving contracts. A non-binding estimate means that the company cannot ask for more than 10% more than the original estimate, which must be paid within 30 days of delivery. A binding estimate should be a guaranteed rate for the move as well as all extras and services. If additional services (such as unpacking) are requested, the additional fee is due within 30 days of delivery.
Do you believe you are getting a legally binding, “not to exceed” contract? Read the small print. It frequently states that it will not surpass that price except if the weight of your possessions exceeds the estimate. You want written confirmation that this is the final price -or you want to be confident in the weight estimate you were given. Three different moving companies may provide estimates that differ by several thousand pounds, so you may feel safer with the higher estimate in some cases. Most reputed movers and packers in UAE offer guaranteed quotes in most cases.
Concluding Lines
Relocation and moving to a new place is an exciting opportunity for most individuals. Choosing the wrong moving company can completely transform this journey into a bad one. Make sure your relocation journey is safe and easy by avoiding the common moving scams explained above.
