How to Get the Best Deal on Your Next Move

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of flickr

Having owned and operated a business called “Scott’s Discount Moving” you would assume I was the poster child for helping people get the best deal on a move.  I am.  That being said, it still irks me when someone tries to get me to go lower than my already discounted prices.  Mind you, I don’t blame the consumer for this.  I blame competitors in the moving business who advertise ridiculously low prices, then fail to deliver as advertised.

Many movers that advertise low, low prices online only do so to suck the consumer into a classic bait and switch.  I mean, do you honestly believe that any moving company with a truck and a crew is going to move anything anywhere for $199?  If they do, they won’t be in business for long.  More likely is that once you are seated in front of the proprietor, he will explain that the advertised price only includes a limited number of items, or that it doesn’t include mileage.  In short, the ad is a fishing expedition where the fish soon finds out that the juicy worm they were promised has a lot of strings attached.

Sharp Curves Ahead

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Even worse, are consumers who come to me after they have been left in the lurch by movers who took their deposit, then failed to show up at the designated time and place.  Other underhanded operators will smilingly load and transport your goods, only to demand a steep additional fee to unload the truck. This surcharge can be based on the fact that the movers needed to negotiate stairs, it can be based on the fact that they had to park the truck further away from the property than was expected, or some other pretense.   If you don’t pay this highway robbery, your belongings will either be offloaded onto the lawn, or the driver may elect to close up the truck and drive off with all your stuff.  This happens to unwary families more often than you would think.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t get a deal when it comes to moving your home or office.  You just need to understand the rules of the game going in.  Rule #1 is there is no free lunch.  That means if the deal seems too good, it probably is.  There is a big difference between a cheap move and an affordably priced one.  Cheap movers hire day laborers as opposed to an experienced moving crew.  One of the first questions I would ask any potential mover is whether their crew is composed of employees or independent contractors.  I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to trust my precious possessions to a crew that is here today and gone tomorrow.  That cheap deal might not seem so cheap if your belongings are lost, damaged or destroyed.

Image courtesy of flickr

Speaking of damages, the second thing I would ask a potential mover is the insurance coverage the “cheap move” includes.  Some moving companies only carry the minimum amount of insurance coverage required by law.  Since uninsured goods that are damaged will only be reimbursed at the rate of 60 cents per pound, you could be out a lot of money if that $2,000 Smart TV gets damaged in the move and the mover has inadequate insurance.  (Also, a moving company that insures your belongings should not charge extra for this coverage.)

The third thing you want to quiz a potential mover about is how long they have been in business.  You’d be shocked at how many companies have only been in the moving business for a short time.  Sure, the parent company might have been in business for 50 years or more, if you are dealing with a franchise.  But that doesn’t mean the local operator has been in the game for more than a year.  When it comes to vetting a moving company, you need to check them out online, you need to talk to other people who have recently had their home or office moved by the firm you are considering, and you should also find out if they have any video testimonials you can view.  If you don’t find much in the way of online reviews or video testimonials, run do not walk to the nearest exit, since it is all too easy to close a business with a lot of complaints, only to reopen under a new name.

Image courtesy of flickr

Speaking of name, if any mover names a lowball price, only to demand a steep deposit, this is a warning sign you should heed.  A legitimate moving company will never ask for a cash deposit.  Most will have you sign an agreement, after which you will render payment via credit card after the fact.  If you are offered a cash discount, don’t fall for it.  Face it, if you are asked to put up cash or check as a deposit, you have no recourse should the mover do you wrong. 

The Devil’s in the Details

The last and most important part of the vetting process involves the details of the contract.  Since some movers charge by the hour, while others charge by the pound, you had better understand which is which.  If the contract contains the words “non-binding estimate” you could be in for a shock when the mover hands you a bill for additional charges based on the certified weight of your cargo.  If your new home is in a high-rise, or includes a second floor, you need to find out of the mover is going to charge you extra for this service.  Looking to move in the summer?  Peak season rates may apply.  Does the contract include “Guaranteed Pickup and/or Delivery?”  If it does and the mover fails to show or is significantly late to arrive on moving day, you should be entitled to reimbursement for any delays.

If you want to save money on your next move, follow these rules: 

1. Book early (as opposed to 2-weeks before you need to move out)
2. Move off-season (Our busy season runs from June-September)
3. Make sure your fragile items are well padded 
4. Thoroughly research movers in your area

While the process needed to determine whether you are getting a good deal on your move is not a simple one, hiring the wrong mover can cost you far more than you would ever wish to pay.  And that’s no deal at all.

With over 4,000 moves, Scott's Discount Movers has handled moves of all sizes, including local and cross country. If you are looking to move your home or office, you can depend on Scott's Discount Movers to provide a stress-free relocation.