Moving scams happen all the time And even if https//removals-barrowcouk/ don't, uninformed consumers coast through the procedure of hiring a moving company, let's assume that everything will undoubtedly be fine Sadly, this 'coasting' approach all too often leads to inconvenience and even disaster Moving companies can be quite a great convenience, and may take a lot of the trouble out of relocating your house and family But remember whoever you choose to handle your move, you are entrusting with all you own That is not a decision to take lightly In that spirit, utilize this guide to help you avoid a number of the common pitfalls that consumers encounter when coping with moving companies These tips can save you a lot of money and heartache First - A Little Bit of History Before 1980, moving company prices were regulated by the now defunct Interstate Commerce Commission, or ICC The ICC governed the pricing structure that moving companies were permitted to charge consumers for moving services In 1980, Congress passed family members Goods Transportation Act This act deregulated moving industry pricing, allowing movers to issue their very own estimates and develop their own pricing structure This brought new competition into the moving industry, sufficient reason for this competition came lower prices and an ever dwindling profit percentage What Does This Mean FOR ME PERSONALLY Moving companies are out to make money With thin profit margins and keen competition, moving companies will have a tendency to do whatever needs doing to squeeze as much money as they can from your upcoming move Sometimes this may mean hidden fees or extra charges Other times it may mean out right scams As a consumer, you would prosper to be as educated as you can about your moving company and the moving process generally Here are some tips to avoid scams, hidden fees, and other moving nightmares Get yourself a binding, in-home estimate Typically, over-the-phone or over-the-internet estimates are generally not considered binding Your mover must inspect your property and household goods to accurately provide an estimate for you Avoid companies that show no fascination with providing an in-home estimate, that only accept cash, or that want large deposits previous to the move Read reviews on the internet There are numerous of consumer watch dog sites and also user driven review sites that may offer you feedback on your moving company Google Maps offers a review system, and is usually a good place to begin for information about your moving company In addition, ask your moving company to supply references and become sure to call them Also, contact your neighborhood Better Business Bureau and see if any reports have been generated relating to your moving company Ask for a copy of one's Rights and Responsibilities When You Move Federal regulations require that your moving company supplies you with a copy of this booklet during the planning stages of an interstate move Avoid companies that arrive in rental trucks or that answer their phones with generic responses such as 'Movers' Avoid companies that list no local address on the website or that are unable to produce any information regarding their state or federal licensing Require a copy of your moving company's insurance certificate Find out if your moving company charges minimum rates eg a minimum billing for four hours of work, regardless of real-time expended, travel expenses, fuel charges, or other fees that'll be included in your estimate Find out if your moving company is really a broker A broker creates moving jobs for another company If you opt to go with a broker, research the company they are brokering your move to Be involved at all times Read everything you sign Ask questions Get everything on paper The higher documented your move is, the higher able you are to protect yourself By the end of day, there are various good moving companies on the market We'd like to think that we're one of these But you do need to look after yourself Applying the tips above will let you do just that