How to Find and Work with Movers

Moving is one of those ‘‘fun’’ experiences both buyers and sellers are going to have soon after closing. The moving industry has taken a lot of heat lately from the media on a few bad apples taking advantage of consumers. And the truth is that when it comes to choosing a mover, it’s definitely buyer beware.
Because moving companies generally can charge what they want, it pays to shop around for not only the best price, but also for a mover that’ll get you there in one piece.
There are several things you can do to protect yourself and not get taken. Here are seven steps that’ll help make moving easier.

1. Start by asking friends, coworkers, and your realtor for names of movers they’ve had a good experience with. Get a list of at least six companies. Check to see if they’re a member of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), a trade group that arranges arbitration to settle disputes.
2. The next step is to narrow down your list to the best three. To do this, check the Better Business Bureau for complaints and eliminate any who have had more than one or two in the past year. Also ask the moving companies if they have any contracts with corporate relocation departments. Call the references to see if the contract is still active and if there have been any complaints. Finally, call the remaining movers on your list and request a walk-through and a written estimate. Ask if the bid is binding or nonbinding. A binding bid may come in higher, but it discourages a mover from jacking up the price on moving day.
3. Ask lots of questions and make sure you understand how the movers calculate their charges. Typically, a mover charges by weight and distance, although in-state moves are often calculated by the number of man-hours it’ll take to get the job done. Look out for other charges such as packing and buying boxes through the mover, which can run up the bill big time.
4. Review the bids to see if they’re charging extra for packing materials, travel time, or whatever. Don’t be bashful about negotiating these fees down. The moving business is a competitive industry, and companies want your business.
5. Most moving companies include standard insurance coverage as part of their bid. However, the coverage is for only 60 cents a pound. That means that if your 70-pound wide-screen HDTV flat panel you paid $2,100 for gets dropped, you’ll get paid $42 for it. That makes it almost mandatory to get additional coverage through your insurance company or the mover. Full replacement coverage gives the best protection and is also the most expensive. Of course, you’ll want to shop around and compare rates.
6. Many savvy consumers let their movers handle the appliances, large boxes, and furniture, and they transport the smaller valuable things themselves, even to the extent of renting a small trailer.
7. If there’s an insurance claim, you’ll need to show proof that the item exists and you own it. A good way to document this is keep a file of serial numbers and purchase receipts. Then photograph or videotape the items going onto the moving van. A tape or CD with images of everything important taken prior to or just after loading can back up a claim if, for example, your HDTV wide-screen gets broken.