Chandler, a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, has the right mix of everything an individual needs to live a happy, satisfied life. From a rich startup culture and exciting shopping spots to restaurants that tickle your taste buds and lush golf courses. Not to forget Chandler’s vibrant arts and culture scene and the joyful yearly festivals and events.
Anyone who digs a bit about Chandler knows that it’s a great place to live. This is one of the reasons why there’s a steady stream of people moving to Chandler and calling it home. Whether you’re moving into Chandler or moving to a different part of the city, you need the help of professional moving services.
There are a lot of movers in Chandler, AZ. And, all of them offer quality services. Choosing one from the never-ending list is a difficult task. We’re here to simplify that.
There are two ways of filtering out bad moving companies. They are,
- Look for their pros and choose them
- Look for their cons and reject them
This article talks about the second point. We’re going to list out a few red flags you can use to not choose a moving company. Not opting for an unprofessional moving company will make the moving process a lot smoother.
Red Flag 1: They don’t want to share their license or insurance information
If a potential moving company doesn’t want to share their license or insurance information, do a 180 and keep walking. The first time you meet them, ask for their U.S. DOT Number. Use that number in FMCSA’s portal to find out more about the moving company. A thing to note is that interstate movers are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Intrastate movers follow the regulations of the state. Make sure to check whichever laws are applicable.
All moving companies need to be insured. This offers protection to the moving company’s employees and customers when an accident happens. Do not choose moving companies that refuse to show insurance information or do not have any insurance at all. You are at risk of suffering massive losses if an accident happens.
Red Flag 2: They are not professional
There are several ways to find out how unprofessional a moving company is. Some of them are,
- Rude behavior
- No uniforms
- Rented vehicles and equipment
- No business cards
You do not want to hire a moving company that exhibits these behaviors. You risk getting insulted or being charged an exorbitant bill if you proceed to go with them.
Red Flag 3: The estimate is too good
Moving your possessions can get very expensive. Moving companies often prepare estimates based on the amount of stuff you have and other similar factors. A company offering an unbelievably low estimate might be a trap. Odds are the company has tons of hidden costs, and they will quietly pop up when you’re halfway through the moving process.
Red Flag 4: They have lots of bad reviews
Just about every product or service on the planet has bad reviews. A few bad reviews aren’t particularly worrying. But if a moving company has lots of bad reviews, then it’s a cause for concern. Try going through the reviews to find patterns for the issues mentioned. Search multiple platforms for reviews and make your decision accordingly.
Red Flag 5: Demanding to be paid up front
This is an obvious red flag. Most moving companies never ask for deposits or payments before moving. Even the ones who ask for deposits request a small sum. A moving company wanting to be paid up front or asking for an excessively high deposit is a red flag. Say goodbye to your money and belongings if you proceed with a moving company that asks for an advance payment.
Red Flag 6: They don’t give you a bill of lading
All moving companies are required by law to provide a bill of lading. It is a legal document issued by the moving company containing information about the type and quantity of the goods being carried. It also carries the address to which the goods must be delivered.
A moving company that does not issue a bill of lading is a massive red flag. Do not hand over your possessions to a moving company that doesn’t issue a bill of lading. You are guaranteed to lose them.
Conclusion
This is not an exhaustive list of the red flags you must look out for. But it does list some of the most important ones that you must consider. As exciting as moving can be, it is fraught with risks. Do your research and practice caution so that you don’t end up getting scammed or losing your possessions.
