Surprise Charges (or not) at end of Interstate Move??? (packers, moving company, Allied)

[maja]

We are in the process of getting quotes from movers for our big cross country move. We are only considering big name companies at this point (no mom & pop outfits.) I think we have found a reputable company that we want to go with. However, this is such a huge move and very expensive, I want to be sure we are making wise choices and not overlooking anything. We have been given a "Consumer Guaranteed Quote" but the paperwork we have been given is a bit overwhelming with regard to the legalese (seems like loopholes!) Anybody have any experience with interstate moves and either had NO surprise charges at the end or DID have unexpected charges after the move even after getting a binding quote? TIA

[Alaskan Mutt]

One of the moves our family made using a reputable mover did not have any surprise charges. However the movers marked several of the boxes full of fragile items they packed as "packed by owner". Several items were damaged due to being poorly packed.

[mawipafl]

The only major surprise we encountered in our long distance moves (we've done three) was related to the the second move and weight. We honestly didn't understand the legalese (shame on us) -- we had an estimate, but it wasn't binding and we would be charged for actual weight. There was no restriction on overage or underage. Huge mistake on our part. Our estimator did a good job, but the driver played with the scales (which is possible) and "increased" the weight since part of his pay was based on the weight. Huge surprise when we were handed the bill at our destination!

Live and learn. On our third move we had a binding contract and we made darn sure we understood the contract. In this third case, once the loaded truck was weighed, we would pay the actual if it was under the estimate and only pay up to 2% of any overage (I think it was 2%). Our estimator purposely estimated the weight on the high side, so at our destination we got another surprise, but a nice one :-)

[maja]

Originally Posted by mawipafl

The only major surprise we encountered in our long distance moves (we've done three) was related to the the second move and weight. We honestly didn't understand the legalese (shame on us) -- we had an estimate, but it wasn't binding and we would be charged for actual weight. There was no restriction on overage or underage. Huge mistake on our part. Our estimator did a good job, but the driver played with the scales (which is possible) and "increased" the weight since part of his pay was based on the weight. Huge surprise when we were handed the bill at our destination!

Live and learn. On our third move we had a binding contract and we made darn sure we understood the contract. In this third case, once the loaded truck was weighed, we would pay the actual if it was under the estimate and only pay up to 2% of any overage (I think it was 2%). Our estimator purposely estimated the weight on the high side, so at our destination we got another surprise, but a nice one :-)

Well, that third move sounds like a good deal! Do you remember who you used???

[LostInHouston]

Just a note with regards to the weight comment. I worked a summer during college as a mover for a big national moving company. I mostly did local moves that were charged by the hour (not by weight). However, on one occasion I was put with a long distance driver who did interstate moves. After we loaded the truck we returned to the moving company for the truck to be weighed. Right before we got there, the driver told me and the other helper to hop in the back of the cab where the bed was and to lay down out of view. Being a dumb kid, and not wanting to be confrontational, I did what I was told and 4-500 lbs was added to the customers moving costs.

Best thing to do is request to be present for the weighing. It's not a foolproof way to guarantee you get an accurate weight... but it's about the best you can do.

[SCGranny]

I went with Allied last year. The rep came to the house, looked at everything, and gave us a binding quote, no additions. They moved everything and came to the house 3 days before to pack. Two things - two lamps were broken out of a three BR house and two shops. The driver told us that when they weighed it at the shop, it was 800 lbs more than they thought. But we didn't have to pay a dime more. The rep called us while they packed, while they packed the truck (the truck driver had an attitude that she quickly adjusted for him) and the day before the truck was to arrive to make sure everything was in order - as well as while they were unloading and three days after they unloaded. I liked them very much, in spite of the broken lamps and rude driver (he refused to do any work and sat in the truck and listened to tunes - and insulted the packers while they tried to load.)

[mawipafl]

Originally Posted by maja

Well, that third move sounds like a good deal! Do you remember who you used???

Yes, it was United.

LostInHouston describes just one way to "play" with the scales. Another is that a driver can place his rig just so on the scale to make it appear to weigh more.

But I do want to say right here and now that drivers who do these things are few and far between - the majority are as honest as the day is long.