Watch out for internet moving quotes!
Posted 01-28-2009 at 07:31 AM by Scott Luther
Updated 02-04-2009 at 05:44 PM by Scott Luther (Formatting, cont.)
Updated 02-04-2009 at 05:44 PM by Scott Luther (Formatting, cont.)
As a real estate broker and a relocation consultant in the moving industry, I have some unique insight in the relocation industry. It is my goal here to be a help to anyone who needs it with unbiased and honest information. I have been in the industry for 26 years with the three biggest names in moving. I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. I am also new to this forum so please bear with me as I learn. 
In my first entry, I will outline some of the most common scams coming from internet moving quotes. In following posts I will share with you how to avoid less-than-reputable moving companies and what to watch out for.
1“The bait-and-switch.” This is the most common complaint. If you think about it, their whole business model revolves around booking business in volume over the internet. What is the easiest/laziest way to do that? Just be cheaper than everyone else. What they will do is bait you with a low price and then after they have your furniture loaded on the truck, switch the price to something much higher and promise not to give your things back until you pay the much higher price. Frequently the second price they give you is much higher than prices you have gotten from other more reputable companies. Their premise for raising the price is usually: “This is more than what we had estimated” or "you didn't tell us about this". This under the letter of the law is perfectly valid. There will be much more on this later.
2. Service failures. Another huge problem is more than likely, the company you hired doesn’t even have a “brick and mortar” facility anywhere near your origin or destination. When issues arise like the men not having enough packing material or not having enough room on a truck, they have no one in the area to physically help
3. Quality of service. Most likely you are dealing with a mover, or move broker (much worse!) with a very low standard of performance, if any. Most times they hire whatever warm body they can who is willing to do the work. Remember they are trying to make money in volume of sales, not with referrals. Their men and drivers are frequently people that can’t get work in the industry any where else.
4. Service history. Another consistent problem has been a lot of these “internet movers” just stop doing business under one name, and then continue business in the same manner under an new business name. It is the easiest way for these types of businesses to operate. As soon as there is a problem with too many complaints (or with the law) it is also the cheapest way out for them.
In my first entry, I will outline some of the most common scams coming from internet moving quotes. In following posts I will share with you how to avoid less-than-reputable moving companies and what to watch out for.
1“The bait-and-switch.” This is the most common complaint. If you think about it, their whole business model revolves around booking business in volume over the internet. What is the easiest/laziest way to do that? Just be cheaper than everyone else. What they will do is bait you with a low price and then after they have your furniture loaded on the truck, switch the price to something much higher and promise not to give your things back until you pay the much higher price. Frequently the second price they give you is much higher than prices you have gotten from other more reputable companies. Their premise for raising the price is usually: “This is more than what we had estimated” or "you didn't tell us about this". This under the letter of the law is perfectly valid. There will be much more on this later.
2. Service failures. Another huge problem is more than likely, the company you hired doesn’t even have a “brick and mortar” facility anywhere near your origin or destination. When issues arise like the men not having enough packing material or not having enough room on a truck, they have no one in the area to physically help
3. Quality of service. Most likely you are dealing with a mover, or move broker (much worse!) with a very low standard of performance, if any. Most times they hire whatever warm body they can who is willing to do the work. Remember they are trying to make money in volume of sales, not with referrals. Their men and drivers are frequently people that can’t get work in the industry any where else.
4. Service history. Another consistent problem has been a lot of these “internet movers” just stop doing business under one name, and then continue business in the same manner under an new business name. It is the easiest way for these types of businesses to operate. As soon as there is a problem with too many complaints (or with the law) it is also the cheapest way out for them.
Total Comments 1
Comments
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Deleted because it was a solicitationPosted 11-28-2013 at 03:52 AM by TORONTOMOVERS
Updated 06-27-2019 at 06:52 AM by Scott Luther (This is a solicitation from a mover)
