It’s crucial that you trust the company who you are choosing to move your most prized possessions and everything you have worked so hard for. Word of mouth is certainly a common way that many people find a moving company, yet it’s important that you consider your source and check it out for yourself, both good and bad. Online reviews, The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Moving Industry’s national trade association, American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) are a common way that people who are moving help decide if the company they are considering will be the company they ultimatelychoose.
There are also other reputable online review platforms and rating systems. Of course you will find that there are many ‘Janes and Joes’ out there who will move your things for what sounds like a good price. Lately it seems like everyone with a pickup and a little muscle has been calling themselves a mover. The price might turn out to be the least of your concerns when you dig a little deeper or receive your bill. Not everyone is dishonest and I am sure there are a lot of people who have chosen a mover from a homemade sign or classified ad and been extremely happy, but that is a personal decision you need to make.
AMSA President and CEO, Linda Bauer Darr, said in a 2009 op-ed article introducing the AMSAs ProMover program, “The ProMover program is the key to putting rogue operators out of business. Please note I don’t refer to them as ‘rogue movers,’ as they really aren’t any sort of professional mover at all.” Bauer Darr went on to state, “We are quite serious about making sure we live up to the obligations of the ProMover program – so we have a process in place to either expel any AMSA interstate member who fails to live up to the program’s standards, or to place them on probation to carefully monitor improvements. This initiative, in place since January (2009), now gives consumers an easy way to separate reputable, professional movers from the con artists.” http://www.promover.org/content.asp?contentid=1018)
Did you know that National companies are held to a higher standard with the Department of Transportation (DOT)? The reason why is because national companies must drug screen and have health certificates for their drivers. In addition to that, both loaders and drivers must be background checked to ensure that no weirdoes are allowed to move or drive your stuff. According to the Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations(FMCSA) Web site, the primary mission of the FMCSA is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries. (www.fmcsa.dot.gov)
As you can see, there are agencies in place to keep movers honest and many others who offer special certifications or qualifications that help distinguish good movers from great movers, but regardless of the mover, what happens if damage occurs; who is responsible? What about valuation coverage and certifications? Are they certified movers? Do they carry their own insurance and what happens if one of the crew members is injured while they are moving your things out of your home? These questions can be answered with a bit of research and checking into the background of the movers you are considering.
If there’s something we can do to help you make that decision, let us know. The contact information for your local office can be found here. If you want to read client testimonials, click here. If you choose myBekins, we’ll do a free in-home appointment and can give you a non-binding estimate with a final not-to-exceed price.
- Jon Huser and Lance Grooms
