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