Pam Bell’s daughter Danielle is helping her move into a new apartment. But it’s been a rough move because the mover she hired never showed up.
“I called two days before that move,” she said, “and they said we have you down on the schedule, we’ll be there Saturday, June 2nd.”
But Saturday came and went, and no one showed up. Bell then got some very bad news from her daughter.
“My daughter Danielle called me and said ‘Mama guess what? They have permanently closed. It’s on their phone message.'”
Many things can go wrong
Movers who don’t show are just one complaint. Many more people, like Sonya Cook, are hit by hundreds of dollars in surprise fees on moving day.
She learned the day of her move, a couple of years ago, it would cost her a lot more than the original estimate.
“Someone called me,” Cook said, “and says, we’re from the moving company, and we don’t have space on your truck.”
She had already paid a $600 deposit on her $1,800 move, and she says the company then demanded even more.
“They then said we can get you another truck but its going to cost you more money.”
How to protect yourself
So how can you prevent a moving nightmare like this?
First, check out the company thoroughly, by searching the Better Business Bureau website. Then Google them for complaints filed by other customers.
Even with decent reviews, however, there are some ways to protect yourself further, and make sure they don’t get paid until you get moved.
Several sites and apps now list approved movers, help you select one, then hold your money until the job is done.
Mover doesn’t show? No problem, you’ll get your money back.
Top rated moving apps include:
Unpakt
Dolly
Hire a Helper
UHaul Moving Help
Finally, don’t agree to a phone estimate: Ask them for a signed written estimate, so there are no surprises on moving day.
That way you don’t waste your money.
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