Hello there cyber land! It’s the Customer Service Ninja at Great Day Moving and today I hope to shed some light on a touchy subject for us in the moving industry: rogue moving companies. One online dictionary defines a rogue as “an unprincipled, deceitful, and unreliable person; a scoundrel or rascal.” Sadly, there are many movers out there that fit this description.

And according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, rogue companies typically operate like this: “Without ever visiting your home or seeing the goods you want moved, they give a low-ball estimate over the phone or Internet. Once your goods are on their truck, they demand more money before they’ll deliver or unload them. They hold your goods hostage and force you to pay more—sometimes much more than you thought you had agreed to—if you want your possessions back.”

Rogue movers might seem like a great value for the consumer at first glance, but in the long run they cost more money and create unhappy customers.  Rogue movers also help to create the negative association that people have with moving companies in general.  Your best defense is to recognize a rogue mover before they have your goods.

Here are some “red flags” to look out for according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):

• The mover doesn’t offer or agree to an on-site inspection of your household goods and gives an estimate over the phone or Internet—sight-unseen. These estimates often sound too good-to-be-true. They usually are.
• The moving company demands cash or a large deposit before the move.
• The company’s website has no local address and no information about licensing or insurance.
• The mover claims all goods are covered by their insurance.
• When you call the mover, the telephone is answered with a generic “Movers” or “Moving Company” rather than the company’s name.
• Offices and warehouse are in poor condition or nonexistent.
• On moving day, a rental truck arrives rather than a company-owned and properly marked fleet truck.

All of Great Day Moving’s franchised locations are properly licensed and insured to operate as local moving companies. To get a company snapshot, visit the FMCSA’s website and search for our name.

I hope this information helps as you do your due diligence and proper research on moving companies. Check out the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website, ProtectYourMove.gov for more great moving tips… Sayonara for now and have a Great Day moving!!!