This article is the fourth in a series of reports on tricks scam moving companies use to void binding agreements, and thereby overcharge the consumer.
In typical moving scam, the conniving movers will give a low moving quote, usually over the Internet. Once the goods are loaded up, the dirt hits the fan, and the unwitting victim finds out that the price is now two or three times the original estimate. If the shocked homeowner refuses to pay, the movers will hold his goods hostage, often threatening to sell them at auction. While many consumers agree to some type of binding moving cost estimate, they frequently are unaware of the many tricks moving companies use to annul the agreement and raise the price. For example, consumer regulations specify that any change in the agreed upon price must be noted in writing, before loading begins. Moving company con artists will use a whole range of tricks to get the householder to annul the agreement so he can raise the price.
In a previous article in this series, I described a homeowner who signed a new agreement because he was pressed for time, to make his move. A variant of that is the homeowner who needs to make his move, but who is also intimidated by the movers on moving day. See how this tactic is used in the following story taken from the pages of movingscam.com. :
The consumer-victim, chose the company because they had the lowest moving quote. The estimate was made over the phone. The victim reported that:
“Anyway, I called her one day before the move and as per the inventory, from the initial estimate of $1200. The latest estimate went to $2250. I wanted to cancel but I already paid off the deposit and didn’t know,” (of a), “better choice since the time was running out” “D., the person who came to pick up did not let me read any of the contracts. He left 1 heavy box and all the extra small stuff (for which I was ready to pay for) since the truck was full and asked me to send it by Fedex. He was just in hurry to leave once the stuff was loaded in truck and asked me to immediately sign the contract. I was being intimidated by D., held hostage to and had no choice but sign since everything was in truck. He took my signature on several papers including the bill of lading and customer survey etc which I never saw again. I was not made aware of my rights as a customer for full coverage which was your duty as an interstate moving company as per the FTC regulations. Not only that, it was you initially who didn’t even give the option for full damage coverage which according to law you are bound to.”
The papers should have been signed ahead of time, but the company may have email signatures backing them up. However, it is obvious that the victim did not carefully examine the papers. She was simply intimidated by her lack of time, and by the manor of the worker D. In this case, D. claimed he was in a rush to get going, and there wasn’t time to sign the contracts.” This is a very common line used by unscrupulous movers, especially when they believe the customer is weak minded. As a result, when the goods finally arrived 3 1.2 weeks later, she was in no position to request compensation for goods lost and or damaged during the move.
Moving scam artists are frequently very knowledgeable about the moving regulations, as they are always seeking ways to get around the law and cheat the victim. An excellent way to protect your self is to employ the services of a packing company. Packing Service Inc. is a name you can trust in the packing service industry.. They are a company dedicated to exposing moving quote. They will provide you with an in person guaranteed flat fee estimate for their packing and loading services, with no estimate revisions and no add-ons on moving day. They only hire workers with a minimum of one year experience in the moving industry. Their experienced help will protect your belongings throughout the packing and loading process. And Packing Service In. will recommend a container company to transport your belongings in sealed containers that only you and your designated packers will have access to.
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