It can be very tempting to believe that you can pay less and get more. In today’s society we live in, everyone is always looking for the next best way to save a buck or be thrifty. This may be a perfectly reasonable strategy for most decisions but you have to be very careful when taking this approach to hiring a moving company. Don’t be lured in by the promise of a cheap move and get surprised by hidden fees, broken items, or unethical demands.
You can do a quick search on Google for the term “rogue movers in Texas” and read some of the recent horror stories of Texas families taken advantage of by fraudulent moving companies. These dangerous movers take advantage of uneducated customers and often say what you want to hear in order to get your items in their possession, then they hold your items “hostage” and charge significantly more than you would have paid with a trustworthy, established moving company. 3 Men Movers was actually highlighted as one of the “good guys” in 2013 by ABC 13 News coverage of new laws against rogue movers. Click here to view the news clip on new laws and dangers of hiring cheap movers.
It can be a little tricky to decide on which moving company to trust. The reason why is because it’s such an IMPORTANT decision. A moving company packs up your world, all of your possessions, a lifetime of collections and treasures. They then put it all in their truck and expect you to trust that they will treat it with the care it deserves.
We wouldn’t recommend holding out for the most expensive company but beware of those super cheap moving quotes that are given out over the phone. If a rate is significantly lower than all the others that is a big red flag.
Read below to learn how to see through the promises of a cheap rate and hire the moving company that is going to give you the best move for the best price.
1.) Moving is an industry where repeat business tells you everything. Remember once your stuff is on that moving truck, they have the control. No matter what the quote is that your future moving company gives you, ALWAYS research what people are saying about them online. A few bad reviews are to be expected, especially if they have a large volume of reviews. But a large volume of reviews is actually a very good thing.
2.) Cheaper rates don’t mean that you won’t end up paying more in the end. Depending on what type of quoting system the company is using, you may end up paying MUCH more than what they are originally quoting you.
Some companies even use what is called a “per item” quoting system. This can sometimes be a way for a company to quote you lower in the beginning and charge you outrageous extra charges after they get into the move. It is easy to underestimate how much you need to be moved and any little thing you forget to tell the mover about is an outrageous extra charge. Think of it like when you pay by the minute with a cell phone provider and your teenager goes over. Every additional minute costs you! Some companies use this same concept, except with boxes and couches.
3.) Good reviews and an average to slightly higher rate tells you that you won’t have extra charges tacked onto the move that you are unaware of. Like we said before, your mover has all the power once they have your items loaded. Good reviews online show that you can more than likely trust your moving company.
4.) If the movers are more efficient and experienced they will move quicker and get the job done much faster, actually charging you less. A moving company that has been around for awhile is a good bet because they likely have movers that have worked there for a long time with a lot of success. Look for a company with a history in the community. These companies may cost a little bit more, but they have survived in a tough industry for a reason. Fair prices, with honest up front quotes, are the main reason why a moving company lasts for the long haul.
5.) Movers with BBB and quality service awards are proven to be trustworthy. There are very shady businesses out there that will pack your stuff up in a truck and change your rate on you because of “technicalities” and basically hi-jack your belongings, forcing you to pay outrageous fees.
It is sad that these companies exist, but we want you to be aware of the dangers so you can steer clear of them in the future. There are many established, trustworthy moving companies that would never treat your belongings this way. You can also get a good idea of the moving company by surfing around their website and seeing if they are involved in the community or with any local charitable organizations.
6.) Reputable moving companies don’t charge during their breaks or for standard items, not including something extra heavy like a gun safe, piano, or pool table. Beware of a company with extra moving fees that are not explained upfront. That is usually a way to take that low quote and turn it into a nightmare.
Do your research and trust your gut.