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.