Some factors that cause moving to be stressful include:

  • Time compression or sensitivity
  • Lots of disparate details that must dovetail correctly
  • The requirement of coordination among multiple parties
  • Infrequency for most, which implies a lack of knowledge or experience

As a result, scammers attempt to take advantage of an unknowing public. As usual, knowledge is power. The best way to safeguard against scammers is to educate yourself about movers in Westchester County. Learn from bad incidents and keep your emotions under control.

Here are three common moving scams:

1) “They said it would take 24 to 48 hours to deliver…It’s been 13 days.”

2) The initial estimate was $3,800…and then everything they owned was put on a truck. A few weeks later, they got a call and a new bill of lading that said they owed more than $7,000. Basically, the scheme begins with a low-cost moving quote. Once the personal property is loaded, the fraudsters demand higher fees.

3) In another dispute, “the movers claimed the customer had more items in her home than they had on their list. After months of trying to fight the balance, the customer learned that between storage and re-delivery fee, she would have to pay an additional $5,500 to get her stuff back”.

To characterize the above, we see:

  • Non-delivery
  • Bait and switch pricing
  • Disagreement about basic facts, such as inventory and therefore debate over fees

So, we advise:

  • Get moving estimates in writing from several moving companies
  • Detail basic facts such as distance moved and inventory items
  • Ascertain that the mover is licensed and insured
  • Check complaint history with the Better Business Bureau or the FMCSA database
  • Read customer reviews
  • The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides a good checklist
  • Here are additional factors to consider in selecting a commercial or residential mover

Reputable movers in Westchester County typically have:

  • Years of experience
  • A physical address
  • Their own trucks or specialized equipment
  • USDOT number
  • A website with testimonials or a third-party site such as Google with reviews

If you have additional queries, call us at (914) 747-1533. Remember, to move the right way – call McAvey!