One of the best ways to ensure your move goes smoothly is to plan it well in advance. The Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) urges consumers to get an early start, giving them time to find the best mover for them – and to ensure they don’t get caught hiring a rogue mover at the last minute.
Pitfalls to planning poorly or leaving booking until the very last minute are that you risk getting limited choices for movers, unreliable estimates, empty promises and poor service.
Here are 10 points to help you get a good move:
DOs
1. DO hire a reputable mover. Check with your provincial government, the Better Business Bureau and/or the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) before you contract a mover.
2. DO get three on-site estimates – in writing. An in-home estimate is a more accurate estimate, and that means fewer disputes later on, during or after the move.
3. DO validate any estimate that is significantly different from the others. Check the mover’s reputation and confirm their affiliations.
4. DO read Industry Canada’s Consumer Checklist for Choosing a Moving Company on CAM’s website, mover.net. CAM has important information on moving for consumers.
5. DO ask how your goods are protected against loss or damage and insured while in transit. You may wish to request additional cargo protection that is based on your valuation of your shipment. And always get it in writing.
DON’Ts
1. DON’T make your decision based on the mover’s advertisement or salesman’s promises. Glossy ads, slick websites and verbal promises won’t ensure a good move. Always get promises in writing.
2. DON’T make your decision based on the lowest price or the company waiving the tax. Low prices are often altered on moving day with additional fees and only a disreputable mover will avoid collecting tax.
3. DON’T allow any company to do an over-the-phone estimate. A phone estimate is not binding unless it is followed up in writing and is often unreliable because the mover does not have all of the necessary information.
4. DON’T accept the references a company provides at face value. References can be a marketing strategy so they should not be your deciding factor.
5. DON’T accept any verbal agreement. A verbal commitment cannot be proven in a dispute. Always get promises in writing. You have a responsibility to protect yourself. Find out about your rights and responsibilities. There are consumer protection laws to protect you, but it’s far easier to get a reputable mover than to try and get a remedy after the move.
– See more at: BHHS Florida Market News
