Lookout and secure yourself from moving frauds

 Sorting, packing, moving, and relocating your precious belongings from one place to another can be complex. However, it becomes worse when a person planning to move fails to choose a reliable moving partner and ends up getting trapped in a moving scam. Though there are several top-notch moving companies such as Agarwal packers and movers who are the experts in providing packing and moving facilities but still many of us get stuck at the wrong place with the incapable moving companies.

However, the problem can be easily dealt with, if you act smartly and recognize the red flags that suggest that a company you are willing to opt for is not genuine.

Today in this article we will be discussing few red flags that determine that the movers are rogue:

Red Flag no 1- Overpricing

The most common fraud that is often attempted by a fraud mover is ‘overpricing’. This is basically done to lure innocent customers with extremely low priced quotes. In this, the movers charge less than the market rates and promise to offer the best possible services at such low rates. But that is not the truth; this is a technique by which they make more money than the actual worth of the whole move. The prices are hiked at a fast pace as soon as the customer handover’s his/her goods to such movers. While in some cases, they even hostile the goods and force the customer to pay more in the form of hidden charges, extra charges, and others before actually delivering the goods at a destination.

Red Flag no. 2- False promises and fascinating advertisements

The point is relatable with the above but is considered a separate red flag that a person must look for while planning a move. There are many companies showcasing their websites and framing advertisements with unbelievable offers and discounts. They just concentrate on grabbing the opportunity to befool the customers.

Red Flag no. 3- False risk coverage

A reputable company offers the facility of protecting the customer’s goods from all the unforeseen conditions that may occur in the middle of the journey. And to make sure that everything goes well, they provide risk coverage in the form of transit insurance ensuring maximum protection till the goods are safely delivered at the destination. While a spurious moving company promises to provide the risk coverage at the beginning of the move but doesn’t give any assurance in physical or documentation form. They just say yes, your goods are safe and covered against transit risk and when something gets damaged, they step back and deny taking responsibility making an absence of proof in form of documents with the customer.

Red Flag no. 4- Moving estimates over the phone

A genuine mover schedules a pre-move survey date as soon as you have raised a query to relocate your household stuff with them. They visit your premises and inspect every item thoroughly and provide you with the estimated moving quote depending upon several other factors. However, the scenario goes totally opposite when a company provides you the moving estimates over the phone call.

Seem impossible right? Movers and packers not real, call a person to get a list of his stuff and compute the estimated quote without even checking the goods physically. Therefore, this clearly depicts that a company doing this is unauthentic.  

Red Flag no. 5- Outsourcing tasks to other vendors

There are some situations when a moving professional lacks in performing the packing and moving activities on their own due to a shortage of manpower and strength. And they prefer to outsource that particular consignment to some other local vendor who has totally unprofessional staff, local moving trucks, no office framed. This can directly affect the safety of your goods as you don’t know who will be actually relocating your stuff and where you can claim if something gets damaged.

Red Flag no. 6 – No physical presence

A rogue mover never actually work upon renting an office, they usually deal over the phone. Thus, it is beneficial to check whether the company you are dealing with is physically present. And for this, you must check and visit the office premises to make that it is genuine.

Red Flag no. 7- Incorrect phone numbers

To avoid getting extra phone calls, a fraud moving company either provides its customers with the incorrect phone number or get the numbers changed after they packed and taken the consignment with them. Thus, make sure you get phone numbers from more than 3 persons working in the company (you can take the mobile numbers from manager, driver, packer, and one customer care executive).

Red Flag no. 8- No shifting assistant

Usually, a person is allotted to look after a separate move till that particular consignment gets properly packed, moved, and unpacked at the destination. The allotted person looks after all the affairs carefully and listens to the customer grievances if any. In short, he is available to handle a particular move all the while but many companies fail to appoint such a manager or executive which ultimately affects the safety of your goods.

Red Flag no. 9- Demanding full payment in advance

There is no point in paying for the whole move in advance. A company asking for the complete payment to be made in advance clearly states that it is not genuine. Reputable movers never do this to their customers. They have properly framed payment policies which are quite fair and favorable for the customers.

Red Flag no. 10- No written record

Written records work as solid proof on all the grounds whereas rogue moving companies avoid providing anything in written form. They believe in verbal discussions as they eliminate the risk of giving proof to the customers in case if something gets damaged or misplaced by them.

These are the 10 common red flags that you must read and keep in mind while searching for a mover for your next move. Also, you can directly get in touch with Agarwal Packers for a safe and pleasant moving experience.

Happy Moving!