Consumers Must Take Steps to Protect Themselves from Unethical Movers
The Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) cautions consumers about “rogue” movers and offers tips on moving to protect them from over-charging, broken promises and unfair practices.
MISSISSAUGA/ONTARIO/CHOOSING A MOVER) -
Consumers who are planning to move during the busy summer moving season are already browsing movers’ websites or asking friends, family members or their real estate agent for a referral to a reliable mover. It is a known fact that approximately 60% of annual household goods moving takes place between June 1- September 15th so most mover’s phones start ringing by early spring with calls from consumers who want a cost estimate for their upcoming move. Well established companies will quickly book up.
Unfortunately, some less reputable moving companies try to take advantage of consumers by offering cut-rate prices, making unrealistic promises, inflating the price on moving day and holding the household possessions for ransom. To make matters worse, there are individuals who set themselves up as move brokers for the busy season, trolling for customers on-line, via print ads or other forms of advertising. These people do not actually have any trucks, manpower, offices, warehouses or insurance coverage. Instead, they simply find customers, and then broker the business out to anyone who will agree to accept the order. They take no responsibility for the level of service delivered.
Considering that consumers are turning over all of their household possessions to a mover, they should be certain that the company they choose does in fact have the resources to do the job. A few red flags that a consumer should be on the lookout for include:
- * Movers with a cell phone number only – no regular business number.
- * Movers without a physical address.
- * Movers who only accept cash so the customer can’t stop payment.
- * Movers who don’t pay the tax.
- * Movers who refuse to come to the home to do a visual survey.
If it looks and sounds too good to be true, it is. Buyer Beware!
Consumers shopping for moving services online will connect with brokers all over the world who will sell their contact information to the highest bidder. Do you really want someone in The Netherlands to find a mover for you?
While there are laws and agencies that are designed to protect Canadian consumers, it’s a lot easier to hire a reputable mover than to try to recover damages from a disreputable one. It’s in the consumer’s interest to check out their mover with CAM before hiring them. Contact CAM at www.mover.net/consumers or 1-866-860-0065 to be referred to a Certified Canadian Mover or a Canadian Certified Overseas Mover.
If you’re moving anywhere in Canada, you have so many choices on how to get there. If you read reviews online, you’ll also find tons of stories of people that made long distance moves in all sorts of various ways. You’ll also see a pattern of fold who chose to move long distance and had hard times. Let’s face it, moving is tough even at the best of times.
