16     The Senior Reporter  |  January Regional Senior Housing Directory 2018

Moving is very stressful and 

can lead to feelings of being 

overwhelmed. The best way to 

avoid those feelings? Do your 

research and find a trustworthy 

moving company. Better Business 

Bureau ® of Minnesota and North 

Dakota (BBB) offers helpful tips 

on how to do this and thereby 

avoid common moving pitfalls.
Nationally, BBB received more 

than 1.3 million moving-related 

inquiries and 5,710 complaints 

against movers last year. 

Complaints included damaged 

or missing items, charges over 

originally quoted estimates, late 

deliveries and even goods being 

“held hostage.” 
Here are some tips to help ensure 

that your move is as stress-free as 

possible:
Plan ahead. Tens of millions of 

Americans move every year, so 

it’s always a good idea to begin 

planning your move well in 

advance.
Research and verify the 

company. Research companies 

by accessing BBB Business 

Profiles and customer reviews for 

free at bbb.org. Make sure that 

the company provides a physical 

address and contact information. 

While state regulations vary, all 

interstate movers must be licensed 

by the Federal Motor Carrier 

Safety Administration (FMSCA), 

which assigns a unique motor 

carrier number that can and should 

be verified at protectyourmove.

gov.
Get at least three written, 

in-home estimates. Quotes given 

online and over the phone are 

unreliable by nature. If a mover 

insists on giving you a final 

estimate without an in-home 

visit, find another mover. Also, 

remember that the lowest estimate 

can sometimes be an unrealistic 

number thrown out to get your 

business—and could well cost you 

more in the end.   
Know your rights. Research your 

rights with either the FMCSA 

for interstate moves or with the 

appropriate state agency for 

in-state moves. Interstate movers 

must give you two booklets 

detailing your rights. Be sure to 

enlist the help of BBB or local 

law enforcement if any moving 

company threatens to hold your 

belongings hostage.
Follow safe moving practices. 

Research how to correctly pack 

fragile belongings such as large 

mirrors, glassware or electronics to 

avoid damaged possessions. Warn 

the moving company about any 

obstacles in the moving process, 

such as flights of stairs or narrow 

hallways.
Consider purchasing full value 

protection. This coverage may 

cost more money upfront, but 

purchasing full (replacement) 

value protection from your mover 

means any lost or damaged articles 

will be repaired or replaced, or a 

cash settlement will be made to 

repair the item or replace it at its 

current market value. 
To check out a mover near you, visit 

bbb.org, as well as the American 

Moving and Storage Association’s 

website: moving.org. 

Advice for a Safe and Secure Move

by Barb Grieman, Senior Vice President, Better Business Bureau, Minnesota and North Dakota