How to Spot Rogue Movers in Apollo Beach

Not all movers in Apollo Beach are equal. Some of them are good, and their service can make you say “wow” in amazement. Others, though, may cost you a big portion of your money and at the same time give you a great deal of heartache and frustration. Most probably, without your persistence and wit, you’ll end up losing all your belongings to them—the rogue moving companies.

So what are rogue companies? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) gives you important information pertaining to your consumer rights. As such, you’ll have a good grasp as to what to expect when dealing with legitimate companies. So here are the signs of a rogue moving company:

First of all, rogue movers give unusually low price estimates over the Internet or the phone. This estimate is based on the truck space, not the weight, and is measured by cubic feet. They are also more likely not to personally visit your home and inspect your things and before moving, they’ll ask for large deposit only payable with cash.

Normally, Federal law requires moving companies to give you a copy of Your Rights and Responsibilities when you move, and rogue movers usually don’t hand out this information. Of course, while they might have a great website with intriguing designs, what you need to spot first is their contact information, licensing information and insurance information. As for insurance, rogue movers in Apollo Beach will most probably tell you that all your goods are insured. Legitimate companies would only provide the basic insurance and liability, and it’s up to you to insure them further.

When you’re calling the moving company, the representative will tell you their company name so that you’ll know you’ve reached them. Rogue companies, in turn, will just answer with a generic “movers” or “moving company”, never saying their company name. If that doesn’t convince you, you can try visiting their office. A poorly maintained office is the sign of dubious service, and often rogue moving companies don’t even have offices.

If they passed these initial criteria, you can always research on the internet about complaint postings. There are several out there, and if you can’t find anything, ask around, either online or other people. They’ll respond with their own experiences; if they have been scammed by these rogue movers, take their advice and learn from it.

Conclusion

When checking for movers in Apollo Beach, better start with their name first. While it wouldn’t prove anything in terms of their authenticity, an extremely generic name will most likely be rogue. Additionally, when doing a more thorough background check, better do so with the Better Business Bureau if they have any records at all. More often than not, having no records would mean that they received no complaints in the past, but it could also mean that the company changes its name on a regular basis so it won’t be traced. In such case, better trust your friends’ recommendations and your gut feeling because the word of mouth recommendations from trusted sources is undeniably more credible.

Moving 101: Common Questions about Reusing Boxes Answered by Movers in New Tampa

Moving requires a lot of money, time and effort for it to be a success. Even with the help of movers in New Tampa, you should still find ways to slash off some moving costs. This doesn’t only help us keep some more money in our wallets or bank accounts but it could also help the environment, especially when you are recycling and reusing packing materials to reduce wastes.

Reusing boxes could be the best way of helping nature and your wallet at the same time, but there are some common questions from people who want to pack using used boxes that need to be answered. These are:

Question #1: Is it okay to reuse boxes?

It is perfectly fine to pack with used boxes but you need to ascertain that these are sturdy enough for the move. Inspect its surface and make sure no weak spots are present; boxes you got from grocery stores should be especially tested. Sometimes the boxes have been used to store products that have tendency to leak, and any moisture will result to deterioration of the box’s strength. Also, always remember not to overload boxes because even boxes designed for packing have limits.

Question #2: What if there aren’t any used boxes available?

If that’s the case, you can always ask your friends and family to give you their extra tote bins. This is a good alternative if you’re all staying in the same area. You can even return the bins after you have finished the relocation with your hired movers in New Tampa. If you’re a frequent mover regardless of reason (work, family, etc.), you can just buy your own plastic tote bins, since they can be stored easily and aren’t liable to become brittle or structurally weak while in storage.

Question #3: Do movers give free boxes?

This differs in a case to case basis, but usually, they don’t. Most of them sell boxes, and you can get them as an additional cost for your moving expenses. As an alternative, you can find a mover who does plastic bin rentals for the move. Most green movers are more likely to have this kind of service in order to save and reuse packing materials. Or if you’re moving often, you can buy the boxes and just reuse them the next time around.

Question #4: After moving, what should be done to the boxes?

You can post ads online, offering the boxes for “free”. A lot of people often look at internet classifieds to get free boxes, and it’s quite amazing how many people will respond to these offers. You can also choose to donate them directly to neighborhood non-profits; just ask around if anyone would like them. Local charities are known to reuse boxes to ship their goods overseas.

Again, if you tend to move around a lot, buying boxes from movers in New Tampa could be the best option, since these boxes are way sturdier and durable than common ones you get from hardware stores. It could be reused more and save you money every time. Just make sure to store them somewhere dry because any dampness will weaken the material over time. Let it stick around as long as possible, and you’ll have ready boxes whenever you move.

Avoiding Scams when Hiring Movers in Westchase

If it is your first time to hire movers in Westchase, you should be aware that scams in this industry exist. Unfortunately, there are some companies that load up their client’s stuff into their trucks, and then deliver them into their destination whenever they wanted to. In some instances, movers are requesting extra payments on top of the agreed price, costing clients more than they should. The gravest instance so far is that some moving companies take their client’s personal possessions as hostage and threaten them to dump their precious belongings if they don’t pay more. Of course, you do not want to get scammed and waste your hard-earned money in phony and unprofessional moving companies. Therefore, here are some easy tips to follow to avoid becoming a victim of such scams:

1.    Referrals from real-estate agents are credible. Although word of the mouth referrals are good, the recommendations from real-estate agents are deemed as among the most reliable since they basically know the ins and outs of the housing industry. Apart from buying/selling your homes and properties, realtors also want to make certain that you will have a smooth and hassle-free moving transaction. Surely, they know which Westchase movers are legit and professional to deal with. 

2.    Make sure the movers visit your home prior to the scheduled moving date. A professional moving company will definitely send a representative to your home before the actual date of moving. The representative will most likely spend about 30 minutes or more to know what has to be moved, as well as to carefully analyze the logistics involved. In addition, representatives from the moving company will also answer the client’s queries, and even provide packing tips, during their visit.

3.    Acquire at least three estimates. When looking for movers in Westchase, it is highly advisable to get at least three estimates. Once you are done listing the companies along with their service charges, make a price comparison. If you find that a company is offering really low moving fees compared to others, it is time for you to do your assignment. Research and investigate the company to make certain that they are not up on something fishy.

4.    Demand a comprehensive contract. A professional moving company will spell out all the moving details in the form of a contract. This binding agreement should at least include the following: all charges with no hidden fees, insurance policy, and customer information and protection. Besides, this contract will also serve as a record of sale afterwards.

5.    Pay only a little upfront. Some movers in Westchase call for a down payment for as high as 25 percent of the total moving amount. However, always keep in mind that reputable companies don’t usually demand you to pay the total upfront. In cases when you need to deposit, make sure that your down payment is refundable. 

Conclusion

Packing and moving your belongings are already a scrupulous undertaking. This grimness will get worse once you know that you have been scammed by the moving company. In order to avoid experiencing these mishaps, keep in mind these five tips when searching for professional movers in Westchase.

“What-If” Questions to Ask Movers in Riverview

As always with moving, there will always be some “what-ifs” to ask, either out of paranoia or just to make sure you are prepared if things do not go the way you planned them. Some of the common questions we ask is, “What if the hired movers in Riverview do not show up?”, “What if your belongings do not reach their right destination?” and the like. These questions are not there to make you worry; they’re meant to make you think of solutions should such problems ever arise during the process. These common “What-ifs” should be your guide to face these fears and stay composed even during the worst possible scenarios.

1st Question: What if the movers don’t show up?

This is one of the most common fears you will probably have if you hired a moving company to assist you on your relocation. This happens once in a blue moon but even with the smallest possibility, it should still be considered. If this ever happens, the first step to do is contacting the truck driver to know the reason for the delay because things like huge traffic congestion can be a factor. If bad turns to worse and the movers simply can’t get the move done, make sure you have other moving companies listed around as back-up. Make a few calls of those on you list and ask if arrangements can be done as soon as possible. Off-season moves could give you higher chances of moving in short notice, except if your destination is across the country, which could probably be nigh impossible even for good movers in Riverview.

If moving companies cannot accommodate your request immediately, your best choice is to ask them to book you as soon as they can. So, it is better to schedule the move with enough time to accommodate possible delays especially when you are expecting the new owners to arrive in no time.

2nd Question: What if the people I asked help from don’t come?

This will not be an issue if you’ve hired movers to help. Otherwise, this could be a difficult situation, especially if you’re really putting a lot of faith on your friends and family. For this, keeping a list of local moving companies will always be handy. As long as they aren’t busy doing other moves, they will most certainly help for a price. Just let them know you don’t need a truck—just physical labor. Alternatively, you can contact everyone two days prior to ascertain that they’ll be able to help out. As common courtesy, you can also offer food and snacks as incentives.

3rd Question: What if the movers don’t arrive with my possessions to my new home?

For long distance moves, it could be just delayed. Movers in Riverview will always give a move-in-window of time before they arrive and it’s almost always written in the contract. Calling them on a daily basis to check on their progress could be the best course of action, since nothing much could be done anyway. If you feel like the company is doing something shady, you should report the problem to the Better Business Bureau. Before you do that, you should contact the moving company first and let them know that you’re reporting them unless they hand over your belongings as your right.

Common Misconceptions about Movers in Largo

There have been a lot of bad experiences associated with hiring untrustworthy and disreputable movers in Largo such as holding customer belongings hostage unless they fork over more cash, often amounting to at least twice the amount of the original estimate. How do this happen and how will you be able to protect yourself from it? The answer is by having a better understanding on the common misconceptions about the moving industry, and here are some:

On-site Estimates are Final

Of course, this holds true for most decent moving companies because their on-site estimates ensure accuracy in appraising the moving costs involved. However, this won’t be an assurance and total protection against scamming schemes. Other companies will always find tons of excuses so that they’ll be able to increase the price. Some of these include not telling the estimator you wanted the company to pack the good, not showing the estimator the whole set of your furniture, deciding to take all the items you told the estimator which are actually to be left behind, and the list goes on and on. Thus, it is best to ask questions because this will help you determine honest companies form those that are not.

Licensed moving companies are always reputable

Again, the chance of landing a reputable moving company is better if you get a licensed one, but moving licenses are quite easy to obtain—almost anyone can get it. So, if you really want to ensure that you’re dealing with reputable movers in Largo, the first step is checking the Department of Transportation’s website to verify their license information. Once that’s done, do a research on the number of years the company has been in operation, and see if any complaint has been filed. If they are just new in the business, double check the owner’s track record, making sure that he/she has never been involved in any scam because they can previously be under a different company name.

A great website is equivalent to a terrific moving company

While a great website is important in attracting business, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the company is legitimate. It’s pretty easy to make fancy websites in today’s setting, and promoting a moving company to seem the best in the world has grown easier with online advertising. As such, never base you decision of hiring a company on their website alone. Always consider all possible factors like license, track record, years in the business, testimonials and others.

Final Words

If the mover offers an amazingly low price, this is almost always a surefire way of knowing that they’ll most likely pack in hidden extra charges. This is because there’s absolutely no way a moving company will render their services for a significantly lower price than the standard because it will surely result to their loss. This may even get you to pay more than the highest estimates that reputable movers can give you.

Finding trusted and reliable movers in Largo could be a really exhausting task, but once you find the right one, it will be worth every effort you’ve exerted. The knowledge of these common misconceptions will serve as a guide in avoiding fraudulent activities and scams. 

Common Moving Insurance for Movers in Brandon

Insuring your prized possessions when moving is something of a norm because even with the assistance of the finest movers in Brandon, we never know what can happen along the way. No matter how prepared you will be or how careful the company is, accidents can still happen whether it’s inside the house or while loading and transporting the packages. So with that, just like a health coverage, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Thus, it is wise to get additional moving insurance so that the full value of your goods could still be recovered just in case anything happens.

Moving valuation is provided by such companies, as mandated by the law. This is a basic, limited liability that is written on the contract, and it is better known within the industry as the Bill of Lading. Of course, there are other moving insurance options which could be provided by the moving company itself, or a third party insurance agent or company. The only insurance directly offered by movers is the Full Value Protection.

As stated earlier, moving valuation is mandated by the federal laws, and this basic limited liability coverage is acquire immediately after signing their contract. In this coverage, no extra costs are paid, but more often than not, it will not match the actual value of your belongings. Movers in Brandon will often have $0.30 to $0.60 per pound rates for local or long distance moves, per item. If you trust the company or do not really want to fork more cash for expanded insurance, then it is better to go with just that. Otherwise, you can opt for a full value moving insurance coverage.

It’s a common misconception, though, for moving valuation to be mistaken as moving insurance. But the main defining feature of a moving insurance over a valuation is the ability to allow punitive damage—when the bed sustains significant damage during the move, you can actually file a punitive damage claim for sleep lose. The only thing valuation does is to compensate for the broken item.

So what are additional moving insurance then? Full Value Protection is one of the most common ones and this is paid by you. Under this insurance, the moving company will be held liable for replacing every damaged or missing item in your package with its full value. This is otherwise known as “Full Value Moving Insurance”, since it’s easier to understand without having to explain in tedious detail. Since this is like any other insurance, there is an applicable deductible and minimum amount of coverage.

Conclusion

If you ever decide to avail of moving insurance in line with movers in Brandon, first thing you need to do is take some pictures of the items insured. They should have time stamps as well, so that you’ll be prepared if you need to file a claim. After purchasing the FVP, your mover will then take a full inventory of every item packed and their condition before loading them to the truck. Once the move is done, you have a maximum of nine months to file a claim, depending on the insurance option.

How to Avoid Problems with Movers in Dunedin

Deciding to move to a new home should require a lot of foresight; therefore, planning should be done as soon as possible. It is rather stressful, even if you think that you’re ready to face this challenge head-on, because there are some things that may still go out of control. Most of the time, things are a lot easier when you opt for movers in Dunedin to do the job for you, but still, some things should be done in order to stay focused even if the times are difficult. With that, here are some things you should do in order to have a smooth transfer:

Plan Ahead

Relocating is a very huge venture, and laziness and procrastination are the bane of this endeavor. Minor transfers, like relocating from one apartment to another within the same town, can cost you a lot (not to mention stress you) if they aren’t thought out carefully. If you have time to laze around doing nothing, you might as well start planning the move months in advance.

Make travel arrangements, do research on the various movers in Dunedin, pack some of the unused things, and get any existing financial or logistical issues in order. Keep a record for any moving-related data that could help you, like moving estimate copies or even good restaurant suggestions located in your new place.

Good Timing and Excellent Scheduling

Timing is critical. Summer months are very hectic for moving companies because of the fact that the weather is often clear. In some cases though, it can get pretty busy during spring and autumn, too. Most of all, moving companies have the tendency to lose availability during holidays, so it is really important to start researching on your options in terms of moving companies a month or two beforehand. This is to ensure that you will avoid either getting stuck with an untrustworthy company that demands for ludicrously high rates, or worst, getting no moving company at all.

Even if you plan to move on your own using a moving truck, make sure to have it rented days before the actual move. It is also important to know the exact dimensions of the truck’s cargo compartment, and the best way to do this is to ask the rental company in order to get a gist of the cargo space required for you to have a successful move.

Conclusion

While a lot of things could go wrong during relocation, this should not get the best of you. Sure, moving to a new place can be physically and mentally exhausting, but with the use of proper planning, timing and scheduling, you can alleviate these problems to a manageable level. Furthermore, you can always hire honest movers in Dunedin who will take much of the physical work and mental stress out of the endeavor. So, keep on researching and finding the best deal out there, and make sure to do this as early as possible. This way, you will simply sit back and relax when the exact date of the move comes. Moving may be a great task but it does not have to be exhausting and stressful.