Its happened again! A local U.S. Marine veteran of 10 years looking to peacefully reside in Gig Harbor, WA, believes he's been scammed by an out-of-state moving company from New York. Precision Moving, located in New York City offered him the lowest price to move his belonings across country. Amount of the original Estimate - $5,700.
Once Precision Moving had his goods loaded on their truck, they kept tacking on more charges. Even demanded a fifteen percent tip at pick-up!
The current cost of the move to Gig Harbor is now up to almost $9,000 and the company wants cash payment at time of delivery.
This is a real story. With the peak summer moving season just beginning, consumers need to really do their homework when selecting a moving company.
For local moves within Washington State, check out professional, ethical, and properly Permitted moving companies at www.wmcmovers.com.
For moves going out of state, log on to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration web site at www.protectyourmove.gov for needed information about cross country moves.
Be very careful about hooking up with a moving company foumd through an internet search for moving companuies.
With the beginning of the peak moving season, consumers need to do their homework before hiring a moving company.
1. Get three written in-home estimates. Be wary of phone or internet estimates. Show the mover everything that will be moved, including items in attics, basements, garages, storage areas, sheds, etc. Be sure to point out any items that are especially important to you or are of high value so your sales consultant can note them for special treatment.
2. Obtain and read “Moving in Washington State” . The mover must provide you a copy when he gives you a written estimate.
3. Avoid large down payments. Be wary of carriers seeking large down payments to hold dates or to reserve service and never sign any blank forms.
4. Ask questions. If you do not understand something, ask. The moving business is complex and has its own language. If you aren’t satisfied with the answers to your questions or if the carrier hesitates when you ask for clarification, talk to another carrier.
5. Be Reachable by Phone. Make sure the mover has your cell phone number and is able to reach you by phone during your move. This can save time and storage costs if the driver is ready to deliver and you are ready to receive your shipment. Be sure to have the driver's full name, id and truck number to allow for fast and easy communication.
6. Take Valuables with You. Valuables, such as cash, coins, jewelry, photographs, rare collectibles and important papers should be taken with you, or sent ahead using a traceable service, such as FedEx and United Parcel Service.
7. Segregate Personal Travel Items. The items traveling with you, such as clothes and papers, should be put in one place or in the vehicle you are taking with you. Avoid having those items loaded on the truck and having to find them later.
8. Try to Relax. No matter how prepared you are things occasionally go wrong. Moving is one of the most stressful times in your life. Take a deep breath, be patient, and get a good night’s sleep before moving day.
9. Use a WMC member mover. If you’re moving between within Washington State, make sure your mover is a member of the Washington Movers Conference. Visit WMC’s consumer website: www.wmcmoving.com.
10. Watch out for internet scams!
With the month of May National Moving Month just around the corner, professional moving companies are beginning to fill their booking sheets for the months of June, July, and August.
And as the peak moving season picks up so do the number of advertisements from illegal, rogue moving companies operating out there. Savy consumers really need to be especially careful this time of year when selecting a moving company from the internet via the various web site postings that are easily found.
Always insure the moving company you select has a valid physical address, not a P.O. Box, and that they are registered with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) located in Olympia. The company's registration is confirmed by the listing of their "HG number" in thier advertisement or posting on a web site. Always ask the moving company for that number for your protection! Otherwise you may have no recourse if your goods don't show up at the intended destination or their is loss or damage to your goods.
Be safe, be selective, and have an enjoyable move.
American Moving and Storage Association President and CEO Linda Bauer Darr issued the following statement following Senate passage of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, the Senate version of multi-year legislation reauthorizing federal highway and transit infrastructure improvement programs:
“MAP-21 contains long overdue improvements to household goods consumer protections to address the problem of unfit movers and rogues. The Senate legislation would strengthen FMCSA entry requirements by mandating additional registration requirements for household goods carriers, including proficiency testing and subsequent consumer protection standards reviews or audits. It would create a Household Goods Transportation Assistance Program to be jointly implemented by FMCSA and an industry group to educate consumers, improve enforcement activities, and assist consumers being victimized by rogues. And it makes household goods consumer protection enforcement activities eligible for special additional grant funding. Finally, the legislation creates a household goods consumer education task force of consumer, educator and industry representatives to make recommendations to improve the household goods consumer education process and materials.
Added Jim Tutton, Executive Director Washington Movers Conference, "This much needed action will be a benefit to HHG moving consumers nationwide."
If you are looking to hire a moving company for a move across town or across the state, its time to start doing your homework now so as not to get scammed later.
Here in Washington State, there are a large number of moving companies falsely advertising they are “licensed and insured.” Only in-state moving companies properly permitted by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commisson are allowed to make legal household good moves. So always ask the moving company you are talking with for their valid permit number which has a prefix of THG or HG, for example: HG-66677. This is for your protection! Customers who hire illegally operating moving companies typically have little or no recourse if their belongings are damaged, lost, stolen or taken hostage.
Log on to www.wmcmovers.com to find professional, properly permitted movers in Washington State. You will also find useful information and tips for a safe move.
Washington State regulators took action on January 25, 2012, against 10 residential moving companies that have been operating illegally without valid operating permits in Washington. The majority of these "rogue movers" were tracked down from their illegal advertising on Craigs List.
In what the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) refers to as “Movers Court”, the agency fined four residential moving companies $5,000 each for operating without valid permits. The four companies are:
• Seattle-based A-1 Movers also operating as Big Movers R Us, Big Donz Moving Service and Big Don Moving Service owned by Donald Adams.
• Seattle-based Northwest Moving Services, formerly known as Seattle Moving Services and owned by Larry Heath.
• Rain City Services, headquartered in Seattle, and owned by Derrick DeJesus.
• Integrity Moving and Transport of University Place, owned by Jordan Wood.
The following illegal moving companies failed to appear at a hearing before the WUTC. If they continue to operate, the WUTC will seek enforcement through the courts and the Washington State Patrol.
An additional five residential moving companies each received reduced monetary penalties after agreeing to shut down operations in Washington. The five illegally operating carriers are:
• Ace Movers of Kennewick, owned by Branden Jones.
• Seattle-based Affordable and Careful Movers, owned by Shawn Mace.
• Bob the Mover, also operating as Accommodating Movers of Seattle, owned by Robert Rindfuss.
• Furniture Moving/Fantastic Movers of Seattle, owned by Yukio Haberzettl.
• Sequim-based Getter Done Moving, owned by John Glavin.
In these cases, the companies received penalties of $3,000 to $5,000 each, which the WUTC reduced to $300 to $500 on the condition that the company cease operations and comply with the commission’s written orders.
Finally, A-AAA Rich’s Reliable Movers of Lynnwood, agreed to file an application for a house-hold goods permit and comply with the WUTC’s rules. The company received a $5,000 penalty for five violations, $4,500 of which was suspended for one year provided the company complies with the commission order. The company is owned by Richard Worrell.
You have made the decision to move and you have decided doing it yourself will be too much work and an inconvenience because of your busy schedule. What are your next steps in planning for a stress free move?
1. Choose a professional moving company with a valid Operating Authority issued by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), www.utc.wa.gov. Moving companies doing moves within Washington State without a valid Operating Authority are violating state law!
2. Understand your rights and responsibilities. All professional moving companies will provide you a Booklet title "Your Guide to Moving in Washington State."
3. Obtain a written estimate of the rates and charges your selected moving company estimates it will cost to handle your move. Have the signed estimate available when you are asked to pay the bill.
4. Ask for an Inventory and check it for accuracy. This is an important document should there be a need to file a claim for any loss or damage to your goods at a later date.
5. Have the moving company representative explain his company's liability for loss and/or damage. Don't be caught by surprise after the move is completed.
6. Be at the destination at the agreed upon time to accept delivery of your goods.
7. Check the condition of your goods at delivery before you sign the Bill of Lading. Note any visual damage or missing items or cartons and have the moving company representative acknowlege your comments.
8. Make sure you obtain and keep a copy of the completed Bill of Lading. This is your record.
9. Maintain good open lines of communication with your moving company at all times.
10. And finally, should you have any problems during the moving process, call the WUTC at (888) 333-9882 or online at consumer@utc.wa.gov
Happy New Year! May 2012 meet all of your expectations. Please know that when selecting your moving company from the list of professional, ethical, and reliable moving companies who are members of the Washington Movers Conference found on this web site your relocation can be stress free.
If the moving company you are presently talking to discusses with you the need to add a Fuel Surcharge or attempts to assess a sales tax on to the cost of your move you are likely dealing with a non-permitted "rogue" moving company. Beware!
By requiring a written estimate from a potential moving company prior to your next household goods move means the salesperson must visit your home to look at everything you want the company to move. Filling out an internet questionnaire is NOT adequate; neither is providing a telephone estimate! Using either of these methods allows too much room for error and more costs. To be safe, you should obtain at least three written estimates to adequately review pricing. Do your homework. Move Smart!
