4 Simple Steps to Help You Avoid a Bad Moving Experience

Moving in NYC is stressful enough without having to deal with a bad moving company. Whether you are moving across town or need long distance moving services, you want your moving company to value your business and to do the job right.

It is imperative that you conduct the proper research into your moving company before hiring them. Roadway Moving Company believes in transparency and values customer satisfaction.

When vetting your moving company, you will need to conduct some basic research before agreeing to any contract. Putting a little effort into sourcing the top-rated moving company in NYC will help you prevent a bad moving experience.

Here are 4 simple steps to help you avoid a bad moving experience:

1. Research reviews and online reputations

You should start your moving process with a simple Google search for the service you are looking for. For instance, if you are moving to another country, then you might search, “Best international moving company.” Then, you should check the reviews and online reputations of some of the companies found in the results.

Google does a good job including the reviews of each company in the search results. You should take a minute to look through the good and bad reviews of each moving company that you are considering. Doing this will help you get a good idea of how each company performed during each move reviewed.

It is also important to read the reviews and not to just look at the rating. Some people may have had a bad experience that wasn’t necessarily the moving company’s fault.

2. Check the moving company’s information

There are online organizations that will help you avoid moving scams or hiring unscrupulous movers. The American Moving and Storage Association has a program called “ProMover.” ProMover is a certification program that AMSA members participate in annually. The program is for companies like Roadway Moving that provide interstate moving services and local moving services. Each member is subjected to background checks before they are granted the privilege of displaying the ProMover logo.

After checking online reviews, you should make sure that the moving company that you choose is an AMSA member that has been certified by the ProMover program. They have a list of members on their website.

You should also search the moving company’s safety records, complaints filed against them, and their contact information on the Department of Transportation’s database on their website. In addition to safety records, you should make sure that the contact information listed on the DOT website matches that on the moving company’s website. If it does not, then that is a major red flag and you should not hire that moving company.

3. FAQs for your moving company

Now that you have properly vetted your moving company online, it is important that you contact them and begin the process of scheduling your move. Companies like Roadway Moving have dedicated customer service representatives available to you to answer any questions you may have about their services. Only reputable moving companies provide this service.

Here are some FAQs you should be prepared to ask your moving company:

1. Are you licensed and insured?
2. Do you have storage capabilities?
3. Do you provide packing services?
4. Are you a broker, do you hire subcontractors?
5. Can I get a Certificate of Insurance for Moving for my building?
6. Do you provide an Arrival Window?
7. How long will my move take?

Top-rated moving companies like Roadway Moving will have no problem answering these questions and any others that you may have. And they will happily provide you with their insurance information and necessary documentation.

You should never hire NYC movers that are willing to answer your questions, provide insurance information, or give you an appropriate arrival window.

4. Make sure you choose the correct type of moving estimate

When you are researching long distance moving services, international moving, or local moving, you will need to understand the estimate process.

Rogue moving companies and scam artists might try to lure you in with too-good-to-be-true low-ball estimates, so it is important that you understand the language and research your quote before signing any contract.

Here are 3 different types of estimates moving companies provide:

Non-Binding Estimate: This is a quote based on the estimated weight of a customer’s belongings. This type of agreement should be avoided because the actual cost of your move will typically be much higher once your belongings are officially weighed.

Binding Estimate: A binding estimate is when a mover guarantees a fixed-price estimate based on the estimated weight of your belongings. If you agree to this type of estimate, then you will know the cost of your move up front and the carrier can’t change the price at the last minute. While this is not the best kind of estimate, it will provide you with peace of mind because you will know exactly what your long-distance move is going to cost.

Guaranteed Not-to-Exceed Estimate: This is the most popular kind of estimate for interstate or local moving customers. In this estimate type, you are provided with a quoted price that you will pay even if the actual weight of your load is more than the estimate. However, this estimate is different than the non-binding estimate because, if your weight is less than estimated, then you will only have to pay for the actual weight of the shipment. Therefore, you can end up paying less than the originally agreed upon price of your move.

Roadway Moving Company

The most important thing you can do as a long distance or local moving customer is to research and properly vet your moving company of choice. Roadway Moving Company prides itself on customer satisfaction and will provide you with everything you need to ensure you have the best moving experience.

Roadway Moving Company’s knowledgeable customer service representatives are available and ready to answer any questions that you may have. Call them today 212-812-5240.