Signs of a Bad Moving Company

Moving companies are a thriving business in the United States, where it is estimated that 16.5 million households (approximately 38.7 million Americans) move homes every year. So, it is not a surprise that many enterprising individuals are putting up moving companies to keep up with the ever-increasing demand. However, because of a lack of control on the standard of service moving companies provide, many horror stories about moving companies can be found online.

So, how will you know if you should NOT work with a moving company? Here are 3 tell-tale signs that you need to run the opposite direction FAST:

Significantly Low Price= Significantly Poor Service

It’s a bad idea to choose a provider just because they gave you the cheapest quote. Everyone wants a good deal, but a price lower by 20-30% compared to quotes given by other providers is a flashing sign that something is wrong. “While finding an affordable mover doesn’t mean you’re about to get scammed, if you feel like you’ve landed an unbelievable deal, it probably is unbelievable,” U.S. News & World Report notes. There have been instances where quotes mysteriously double or triple up on moving day, items turn out missing, or there’s damage to belongings that the company will refuse to pay for.

The Deposit is Unbelievably High

T.J. Peterson, social media coordinator for a New York-based moving company, shares that it is normal for moving companies to require a deposit fee. However, such deposits shouldn’t be above 10% of the total job cost. Some moving companies charge a flat, non-refundable deposit fee. This is to ensure that the company will not incur losses when a client changes his mind and cancels the job. However, a deposit worth 20-25% of the total job cost is a sign that there’s trouble ahead. Don’t pay it—find another moving company with a more reasonable deposit requirement.

The Company is an Internet “John Doe”

It’s absolutely normal to search for a company and its customer reviews on the web. What’s not normal? A company with little-to-no details published online. If you are only seeing paid ads and no third-party reviews, then you have to do some more digging before making a commitment.

Another way to verify the reputation of a company is by asking for its Department of Transportation numbers. If they can easily provide you this information, then you can tell that they are a registered and legitimate business. If they gave you any other answer than what you asked for, head the other way fast. Wise customers also have to check the company’s Better Business Bureau profile. They don’t have any? Then look for a company that has one.

Cain Realty Group takes pride in giving its customers the best in real estate service. And because we want our clients to enjoy a seamless home-buying experience, we provide a list of trusted service providers that can cater to their needs. Lightning Movers is an Austin-based moving company that has been in the business since 2013. We have referred family, friends, and clients to them for years, and we’ve received only good words about them ever since. What’s more cool about it is any Cain Team client is automatically given a 10% discount. To know more about Lightning Movers, you can give us a call at (512) 522-4659 or send us a message now.