Seven Tips to Help You Avoid Fraudulent Moving Companies When Looking for Local Movers in Wichita
Moving is one of life’s most stressful events. We’re willing to bet your stress hormones raised a bit just reading the word! The only thing more stressful than a local move in Wichita is the stress of dealing with unscrupulous moving companies.
What should be a moment of great relief (after all, you’re all moved in to your new home) turns into a moment of sinking dread as soon as you’re handed the bill, which is usually much more than you expected.
Because so many people are moving to and from Wichita every year, there are sadly more opportunities to fall prey to a moving scam. Don’t let desperation force you into a bad situation.
Small Movers of Wichita Ks compiled this list to try and lessen the stress of local moves in Wichita. We’re a moving company with years of experience and though we may be a small operation, our dedication to customer service is what sets us apart from the rest. And we always provide our estimates in writing and in person upon request. Give us a call and sort out the details today!
Follow these tips and plan ahead and your move will be smooth as butter.
1. A Moving Estimate Is Your Right as a Consumer
Your estimate shouldn’t be done over the phone. If you had to, do you think you could give an inventory of everything you own off the top of your head? Probably not. And yet that is what many moving companies require from their clients, and then they end up charging a surplus on the basis of a bad moving estimate.
Always have your movers visit. Door to door moving requires a lot of finesse and expertise, and every home is different. By knowing your home’s layout beforehand, there won’t be nasty surprises by the time the bill comes.
2. Slow Movers are Safe Movers
We know exactly how stressful moving is. We do it every day, after all. There’s a temptation to skimp on an hourly rate or do a rush job in order to lessen the pain. But door to door moving is not the same as ripping off a bandage: the faster you do it, the more likely it is to hurt.
Be sure your moving company is willing to work reasonably quickly but also preserve the integrity of your stuff! We’re not just talking about fragile boxes: everything you own should be treated with the love and care it deserves.
3. Trust Local Movers Who Provide Local Names
Don’t be afraid to ask for references. If your moving company is in fact located in Wichita, they should have no problem giving you names and contact information of satisfied clients who live in your neighborhood.
If they stumble or can’t provide three names, they’re probably out-of-towners who will charge you for exorbitant gas bills.
4. Watch Out for Unprofessional Phone Communication
If there is one serious sign of an unprofessional moving company, then strange and unreliable phone communication could very well be it. When you contact us at Small Movers of Wichita Ks, you will always be greeted with a polite and skilled professional who knows the Wichita area inside out. If you are unsure if you have just had a conversation with a fraudulent mover, then simply ask yourself how many times did he or she mention the company name during the conversation? If the answer to this question is less than one or two, then this is a red flag and an obvious sign that you need to steer clear of this particular business. Similarly, if you call more than once and have only ever got in touch with the answering machine, then this is another indicator that you should probably take your hard-earned money elsewhere. The important thing to remember is that if you are dealing with a genuine moving company, then you will receive a company name, number and email address within the first two minutes of the conversation.
5. Have They Requested a Massive Deposit From You?
If the moving company you are working with has sought a massive deposit from you, then you know something is wrong! The simple fact of the matter is that reliable movers like us at Small Movers of Wichita Ks are entitled to ask for a small and fair cash deposit in advance but it will never be an astronomical fee and will reflect the total amount of items being moved. On top of that, we will only ever seek full payment from you when the job is done and not a minute before then. So, if you are dealing with a moving company that has asked you for a 50% deposit upfront then this should be enough of a warning sign for you to stay far away from this company.
6. Are They Keeping Your Items From You?
This is a little bit of a worst-case scenario but unfortunately it is not one that is completely unheard of either. If you have made the mistake of enlisting the help of a moving company with a bad reputation, then this may be one of their most common tactics. Doing this is both illegal and immoral and an approach that simply would not be pursued by a serious moving company. However, if you find yourself in this challenging situation, it is important to know that help is at hand. So, if a moving company is threatening to or has actually held some valuables items against your will, then you can take legal action to protect your belongings. The best way of doing this is by contacting the police but it is also possible to pursue other courses of action if need be. One thing you must never do is to pay this sum. That is entrapment and blackmail and you need to avoid this at all costs.
7. Check Online Reviews
This is one of the easiest ways to check on the reputation of a moving company. You want safe and honest movers. Really take the time to research the business in depth, and don’t be afraid to follow up with the moving company if something catches your eye. Misunderstandings happen, but if they have zero stars, best check elsewhere.