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Whether your relocation is nearby or across the country, our movers will go the distance to make your move a success.
In addition to residential and commercial moves, you can also use Great Guys to book specialty services, like appliance delivery, piano moves, pool table shipping, and more.
Great Guys works exclusively with movers that are licensed for statewide and nationwide transport, so you’re always in the best hands.
Licensed moving companies carry insurance to protect your goods throughout the moving process. You’re protected when you find a mover through Great Guys.
Professional movers are trained to handle your household items with care to ensure they make it to your new home without getting broken, scratched or torn.
When you hire a professional mover, they come with the tools and equipment necessary to make your relocation a success.
Trusted pros. Quality services. Cheaper rates.
A quality move doesn’t have to cost a fortune! Great Guys Long Distance Movers brings you the best quality long distance moving at great rates!
If you’re moving long distances, you need professionals on your team to help handle the logistics. Moving isn’t easy, but we’re in the business of making it easier for you. During a time that is undoubtedly already hectic, trusting your move to the experts and we can help relieve unnecessary stress and effort… all at an affordable price!
No two moves are really the same.
Get a custom-tailored moving service built for your exact needs.
Whether you want a full service moving experience or want to keep costs as low as possible, we can customize your move to fit your needs. Discuss your moving needs with a customer service agent.. Do you need packing materials? Do you want someone else to do the packing? Is the timing of your move flexible? Answering these types of questions will enable us to create a move that’s perfect for you and work within your budget to get you moved!
Browse our extensive resources and how-to guides to be better prepared for moving day.
Confused about where you should even start? Check out our tools and tips section to gain useful knowledge for your move. We offer comprehensive moving checklists to get your move off to the right start. Moving can be much easier than you ever imagined!
Don’t trust a shady unlicensed mover to handle your precious belongings!
When embarking on your move, you want to know your belongings are in trustworthy and capable hands. Our network of professional movers have handled thousands of long distance interstate moves. With their millions of miles of experience, you can rest assured that all your things will make it – from the treasured wardrobe passed down from Grammy to your glass coffee table.
Relax and trust the trained professionals to make this the easiest move you’ve ever made.
Get a moving experience that caters to YOUR needs. Ask your personalized moving representative for a package that fits within your budget and timing, while helping you consider any add-ons like storage and packing that could make your move even easier. When you schedule your move, you can rest assured that your moving professionals will show up on time to get the move done and move your items safely from point A to point B.
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Decluttering before a move can save you a lot of time and money for several reasons: You won’t have to pack nearly as many items, and careful packing – which includes wrapping and padding items and sealing and labeling boxes – can take a lot of time. You’ll be unpacking fewer items when you arrive, […]
While owning a slate pool table means endless hours of entertainment, it also means dealing with a massive hassle when you decide to move. Due to its size and weight, it’s imperative for you to disassemble your slate pool table before moving it. Taking it apart makes it easier to transport, with a lower risk […]
Thinking about selling some of your stuff before your move? Having less furniture to move translates to cheaper moving costs. However, if you’re thinking of selling on Craigslist you might worry about scammed or experiencing bodily harm. On the other hand, Craigslist can also be a vein of gold for the right seller. Savvy Craigslist […]
When you move with Great Guys, you have access to the best full-service long-distance moving companies. These cross state movers provide unparalleled out of state moving services, including:
Packing for a move and then unpacking after the move can be two sources of unneeded stress in your life. Many individuals and families across the country choose to leave these tedious tasks to professionals that specialize in packing valuables in a manner that ensures safe delivery from one home to the next. Professional packing can be especially beneficial for long-distance moves, during which items travel for extended periods of time over long stretches of road. The same movers who box up your belongings can also help unload and unpack your items, helping you settle into your new home faster, so you aren’t left facing a mountain of boxes for weeks to come. Great Guys Long Distance Movers can help make sure your belongings arrive in the same condition they left in by connecting you with multiple movers that offer full-service moving, including packing and unpacking services.
At first glance, you may think that moving furniture is simply an issue of having enough people to lift the heaviest items. However, if you’ve ever moved from state-to-state or across the country before, you know that there is much more to consider than simply picking the piece up and putting it on a moving truck. Besides ensuring that you do not damage the furniture or the walls of your old or new home trying to manhandle the piece around tight corners, you also need to disassemble pieces, wrap them in moving blankets, and make sure they are secured in the moving vehicle. Furthermore, during a long-distance move, it can be difficult finding friends or family that are available for the entire move. Are your loved ones willing to driving hundreds of miles with you to help you unload your dressers and credenzas? Using the services of Great Guys Long Distance Movers, you can rest assured that the moving company you pick to handle your furniture is properly vetted, insured, and licensed for interstate moving. They’ll ensure safe delivery of your furniture to your new place without you lifting a finger!
The state to state movers that we partner with accommodate any size move, no matter how large or how small. Even if you liquidate most of your belongings, as many people do before a long-distance move, you undoubtedly have some cherished belongings that you just can’t part with. Even if you only have a small number of items that you need moved, hiring a professional mover may still be the right option for you to ensure that these invaluable items make it safely in one piece. Hiring a pro moving company can be just as important with these small moves as they are necessary for a large-scale, whole house move.
Moving your cherished and expensive piano requires professionals with the right equipment. This is even more applicable if you are moving over a long distance versus just down the street. If you’re the owner of a massive, heavy piano, the last thing you want to do is try to maneuver it yourself after a long and tiresome journey. Hiring a professional mover that has the experience and proper equipment necessary to relocate your instrument will remove a large portion of stress from an already stressful long-distance relocation.
Do you need boxes, tape, furniture covers, dollies, or other moving supplies and equipment? Unless you recently moved, it’s very unlikely that you have these items laying around your house. Instead of buying them separately, our partner relocation specialists have everything you’ll need to keep your belongings from suffering any damage during your next move. Don’t cut corners when it comes to protecting your most valued possessions. Instead, allow Great Guys Long Distance Movers to connect you with a previously vetted, insured, and bonded moving company that always stocks the needed supplies and who can accommodate even the most unique moving requirements.
Many individuals and families leave the packing and moving of their households to professional movers while they catch a plane to their new hometown. If you want to complete your move without having to drive hundreds or thousands of miles yourself, leave it to one of our auto shipping companies to get your car or motorcycle to your new home worry-free! Our partners have the equipment needed to transport your vehicle or bike safely without putting miles on it.
If you are not selling or donating your belongings prior to a long-distance move, you will have a variety of furniture, small possessions, appliances, boxes, and other belongings to pack and move from one location to the other. Whether you have a studio apartment or a large household to move, Great Guys Long Distance Movers can help! All the companies that we partner with are fully equipped to provide full-service long-distance moving services, no matter how large or small the job!
Many times, if you find yourself moving state-to-state, it can be more affordable to simply sell your appliances and replace them when you get to your new location. However, you may want to bring certain appliances, such as high-end refrigerators or washer/dryer units, with you. In this case, having a relocation specialist that can offer you affordable appliance shipping options, is very important to ensure that your move stays within the budget you have set. Our partners alo have the appropriate equipment to move heavy appliances, maneuver them into their new space, and set them up for you. Get a free quote today to see how much you can save using a professional mover to move your hard-to-replace appliances.
The logistics, preparation, and care that must be taken to move one-of-a-kind, expensive works of art is something that you cannot afford to take shortcuts with. During transit, one should take care to ensure that items are adequately protected from the elements and other items on the truck. Leaving the transport of important works of art to a less-than-competent mover can be devastating. Using our network of relocation companies, you can have peace of mind knowing that your art is protected from the moment the journey begins until it is delivered in its final location.
Often, people moving a long distance might need to place items in storage for a period. The need for temporary storage could be due to many different circumstances, such as the new home not being ready for immediate move-in. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to work with a logistics specialist that maintains climate-controlled, secure storage facilities so your belongings are safe and sound until you need them. Our partner moving companies are individually vetted to ensure that they meet these high standards and hold the proper insurance necessary to replace your items if they are damaged or vandalized. If you need storage options, get a free quote today to see how affordable it can really be!
If you are moving long-distance, no matter if it is intrastate, interstate, or across the country, there are quite a few things to consider that make the option of hiring a professional mover more attractive.
Why are you moving? The type of move matters a great deal when weighing whether to hire a mover. For instance, if you are moving due to a change or promotion in your career, you may find that managing your move while settling into a new office is too overwhelming. If your employer is paying for or reimbursing your move, you should consider hiring a professional to hammer out the complicated logistics for you.
The nature of moving cross-country or even hours away in the same state creates the potential for damage to occur. There are also many logistical concerns when it comes to moving long distances such as the how to pack the moving truck or where to find a safe place to park the truck overnight. Hiring a professional mover to transport your possessions places these concerns in the hands of certified, insured, and bonded professionals that make it their business to ensure safe delivery of your valuable and cherished belongings.
If you hire a professional relocation service to manage your move, you won’t have to worry about buying proper equipment, a breakdown while on the road, or damage to your belongings from improper packing. Plus, you won’t have to deal with the often, nerve-wracking prospect of driving a big, bulky moving truck on busy interstate roads.
Statistically speaking, the longer you are on the road, the more prone you are to have an accident. Our partner companies comply with all state and federal DOT guidelines to ensure safety on the road and prompt and efficient delivery of your valuables. They drive large moving trucks hundreds of miles every day, so they have the expertise to safely deliver items to your new home. In the unlikely event that an accident does occur, out partner companies carry the proper insurance to reimburse you for any damage.
Moving on your own is massively stressful. Successfully completing a long-distance move by yourself means thoroughly thinking through every detail of the transition, while you still juggle everything else in your life. Hiring a pro mover will allow you to relax and have peace of mind knowing that the only thing you need to worry about is getting yourself to your new home. You can leave the rest to the professionals.
Don’t leave it to chance. If you are faced with an out-of-town or across-the-country relocation, get a quote from our properly vetted, licensed, bonded, and insured professional moving specialists and make sure everything from your home makes it where it needs to go!
Whether you’re starting a new job a few states away or you are moving just for a change of scenery, long distance moving can be a tricky process. Regardless of when or where you make a move within the United States, you’ll need to decide whether or not you’ll move yourself or hire a professional […]
You have several options when it comes to choosing how to move across the country:
Many people moving long distances, especially those moving across the country or out of the country, choose to sell most of their belongings before the move. This saves on time, the cost of renting a truck or hiring movers, and can put extra cash in your pocket for unexpected expenses along the way. Then, when you arrive at your destination, you have the flexibility to examine your environment and buy what you need for your new space instead of trying to make old belongings fit in a new location. The downside to selling your belongings is that you may not get your asking price. Additionally, more than likely, you will not receive the true value for your goods, especially if you get rid of items in a hurry. When considering this option, make sure to consider how much you’ll be able to get for your current items and how much you can expect to pay to replace them after the move.
If you’ve ever moved in your life, you are likely familiar with renting a moving truck. There are a few nationwide companies that rent out long-distance moving trucks for DIY moves. While this might seem like the most affordable option for transporting your stuff, what you probably don’t know is that it can literally cost you thousands of dollars by the time you have paid for the truck fee, mileage, and fuel to move your belongings out of state. Furthermore, if you are doing all the work on your own, you must contend with stops along the way, plus food, supplies, and equipment rentals. While renting a moving truck for in-town moves can be a very affordable option, you may find it just as costly as hiring a professional mover for a cross-country relocation. Additionally, you may not have anyone to help you unload when you get to your new home. These factors, along with not having to deal with the stress of a DIY move, can make hiring a pro the more attractive option.
A cargo trailer attaches to your personal vehicle via a tow hitch. This is a great option if you don’t mind driving long distances in your personal vehicle or you plan on driving to your new home anyway. You may want to consider renting a cargo trailer for your long-distance move if you need to save money, you don’t have much stuff or if your belongings do not need to be handled with extreme care. However, be aware that towing a trailer does pose the danger of “jackknifing” if you are not familiar with driving with an attached trailer or if road conditions are dangerous. If you are looking for a cheap moving solution and don’t mind the risks of towing a trailer, then renting a cargo trailer just may be what you are looking for.
Renting a moving container is a relatively inexpensive and reliable method for moving long distance. It is an especially convenient moving solution when you need temporary storage during the move. Moving container companies typically allow customers to have a storage container dropped off at their residence on demand. Then, you can pack it at your leisure, request pick-up, and have it stored in a climate-controlled facility until you are ready to have it delivered to you. This may cost less than a full-service move and is sometimes cheaper than renting a truck. The one major downside of renting a moving container is that you’re still responsible for loading and unloading it. Just as with a rental truck, finding people to help you unload a truck hundreds of miles away from your new home can be challenging.
If you have a long-distance move ahead of you, hiring a professional relocation service may be your best option. In addition to eliminating the headaches associated with the logistics of moving a household from one state to another, hiring a professional can ensure that your belongings are safe and secure during the moving process. Additionally, legitimate moving companies are licensed and insured, which means they assume full responsibility for your things if something does go wrong. After you consider the costs associated with other methods of moving, you might be surprised at the relative affordability of hiring a full-service moving company.
It never hurts to explore all your options when tackling a relocation of this magnitude. Price out your options, so you can choose the most affordable and convenient solution for you! Great Guys Long Distance Movers allows you to request free moving quotes from licensed and insured interstate moving companies. We can also help you get quotes on renting moving containers or auto transport services. With this information, you can make an informed decision about your method of moving.
During a long-distance move, there are many ways to save money, depending on how you choose to make the move. Each move is different, and you may require certain services that other people may not. For instance, you may find a professional mover that is able to offer you a package price on a full-service move that is cheaper than many of the other options available. However, if you are not looking for a full-service option, consider the following strategies to trim expenses off the total cost of your move:
This advice applies whether you are renting a truck, storing your goods, or hiring a full-service professional mover. By getting competing quotes from multiple services, you can compare prices, services offered, equipment used, insurance, and every other facet that is important during a move. Great Guys Long Distance Movers can help you save money on your move by providing you with multiple quotes from professional movers, all of which provide multiple levels of service and options, including full-service moves, storage rentals, and more.
If you are hiring a moving company, consider packing your belongings yourself instead of opting for a full-service move. If you are not familiar with the best practices for packing for long-distance transit, you can find free tutorials online to ensure that your items are packed in a manner that will keep them safe during the move. Packing yourself can save you hundreds of dollars!
Not only can reusing boxes save you money; it is also environmentally-friendly. It takes heavy machinery and lots of resources to manufacture the cardboard used for boxes, even when recycled products are used to make them. If a box is not damaged, and the corners are intact, you can reuse a cardboard box many times over before it loses its integrity. If you are a price-conscious and green consumer, consider asking friends and family for their used boxes or sourcing your boxes from businesses that discard boxes from shipments.
If you are renting a truck to move, you can also rent a “vehicle dolly” to tow your personal vehicle. Not only does this save you potentially hundreds of dollars in fuel costs but is also prevents adding unwanted wear-and-tear to your car or truck. Even if you are hiring a professional mover, many companies offer vehicle towing as an option as well, in case you wish to use alternative means of travel, such as flying, to reach your destination while your belongings are in transit.
Moving companies are typically slammed during the summer months. Starting in May, as the weather warms up and kids get out of school, the moving season ramps up and doesn’t slow back down until October. During this hectic time, not only are moving services priced at a premium, but it may be difficult to find movers who can work on your schedule. If possible, try to book your move during the slow season from October through April.
Most of us have unwanted or unused items stockpiled in closets or lurking in the back of cabinets and drawers. Not only do these things clutter your home, but they cost money to move! If you have items you’ve been hanging onto that you no longer use, now is the time to get rid of them. Have a garage sale, post stuff on Craigslist, or donate to a local thrift shop. It doesn’t matter how you choose to dispose of these items, discarding them now will save you money on your move!
Whether you’re starting a new job a few states away or you are moving just for a change of scenery, long distance moving can be a tricky process. Regardless of when or where you make a move within the United States, you’ll need to decide whether or not you’ll move yourself or hire a professional […]
When preparing for a move, professional movers offer three primary types of estimates when preparing quotes for customers. These include:
A binding quote is the most accurate type of quote. With this type of quote, the moving company gives a price for the services required, and this price does not fluctuate. A binding quote is the best option when it comes to protecting yourself from unscrupulous scam artists, as it is a set-in-stone price and does not allow wiggle room for the mover to add unexpected expenses.
Just as with a binding quote, a “not-to-exceed” quote gives the customer a firm price. The difference here is that the price given is the maximum cost for the move. With this type of quote, your final price could vary from the amount quoted, but this variance can only be less than the “not-to-exceed” price; so, you could end up paying less than the amount you were quoted, but never more. This is the most favorable type of quote for a customer.
A non-binding estimate is an estimated price to move your belongings that is subject to change. Non-binding quotes are generally given when the moving service does not have all the information needed in order to give a more accurate binding quote. These are the types of quotes that are generally given over the phone and are considered a “ballpark” figure for the entire move. They are usually the first type of quote given before the mover has had a chance to completely analyze the extent of the services a customer may require. Non-binding quotes are subject to change, and this means that they are also subject to abuse. While they are a good tool to give you a general range, you should always follow up and request a binding quote before you sign any contract, or you may find yourself getting charged for services way outside of your original quote range.
The estimate process usually involves giving you a “ballpark” figure after gathering a minimal amount of information from you. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of movers, provide the final two or three companies with your home inventory and schedule a walk-through with a representative. After a walk-through, an honest relocation company should be able to provide you with a binding quote or a “not-to-exceed” binding quote, so that you may lock in the price and know for certain what the services will cost. You should always be skeptical of a moving service that will only provide you with a non-binding estimate, as any professional should be able to give you a binding quote after having a physical look at your current housing arrangement and the services required to get you to your new home.
Preparing for a long-distance move can be stressful. Unlike with a local move, where you can literally load up a rented truck and do most of the work yourself within a day, a long distance move takes careful planning and ample time for execution. If you leave something valuable behind, you can’t simply drive back across town or down the street to your old home to retrieve it, so it is important to make sure a proper plan is put into place to make sure that headaches are eliminated. Here are some of the steps you should take when preparing for a long-distance move:
Will you use a professional mover to perform a full-service move or will you simply hire someone to drive your possessions to your new out-of-state home? Do you prefer packing a storage container at your own leisure or will you allow the moving company you hire to pack, stack, move, load, drive, unload, and set-up everything? The first step you should take when preparing for a long-distance move is determining the services you will need. Once you have done this, you can move down the list.
Whether you use a handy pre-made checklist or if you simply write everything down in a notebook, creating a home inventory is a must during a long-distance move. Any time you are going to have a stranger handling your belongings, making such a checklist is essential. By taking inventory of your belongings, you document everything you own as well as the condition it is in before any professionals enter the process. This protects you from theft and damage. Consider snapping photos of your expensive or cherished possessions to supplement the checklist as well. This inventory can come in handy in the future for insurance claims as well.
Saving money during any big life change is always desirable, so taking the time to get multiple quotes from different long-distance moving companies is always something that is worth the effort. Whether you are using a service, such as Great Guys Long Distance Movers, to get these quotes or not, you should always take this step to make sure you are getting the best value for your money. When shopping for an estimate, you can prevent unexpected expenses by giving the moving company or broker as much information as possible, including your home inventory, so that the quote can be as complete and as accurate as possible.
It is very likely that you have special or sentimental items that you do not want to put in the back of a moving truck or entrust to the hands of strangers, no matter how professional they are. Taking a second to rescan your belongings and your home inventory to determine what you want to carry with you during the move is an important part of making sure your most important belongings make it to your new location in one piece.
If you decide against hiring a professional for a full-service move, you’ll need to purchase moving supplies yourself. Don’t forget sturdy cardboard boxes, packing tape, packing paper, scissors, and labels.
Let’s face it – children get bored during long trips just as much as adults do (if not more so). You may need to plan sight-seeing games and activities (or movies if you have in-car entertainment), pack snacks and drinks, and even an extra change of clothes for your kids if you are moving a long distance away from your current home.
Regarding your pets, if you are going to keep them in a crate, making sure that it is large enough to accommodate your beloved pets is a must. Keep in mind, you will have to stop to allow your animals time to stretch, eat, and use the restroom. Make sure to plan these stops into your itinerary so that you are not behind on your trip.
If you are driving the entire distance of a long-distance move, make sure you keep enough cash on you in case you need to stop somewhere that doesn’t or cannot accept debit/credit cards for any reason. The last thing you need is to stop for gas, only to be told by the station attendant that the credit card machine is down.
Anytime you move, you already know that you must transfer your utilities to the new address or cancel and start over with new service providers. When you are moving out of state, this can become a great hassle, because you may not be dealing with the same providers when it comes to electric, phone, cable, internet, natural gas for heat, etc. Spend a little time on the internet researching the providers for these services on your own, and when you have finalized your moving plans, make sure to give these utility companies enough notice beforehand to have the services active on the date of your move-in at your new home. This step will save you a ton of headaches.
Whether you’re starting a new job a few states away or you are moving just for a change of scenery, long distance moving can be a tricky process. Regardless of when or where you make a move within the United States, you’ll need to decide whether or not you’ll move yourself or hire a professional […]
· Intrastate Movers: Intrastate moving, in relation to a long-distance move, simply refers to a move that is done within the same state. For instance, relocating from Los Angeles to Sacramento or from Atlanta to Savannah are both intrastate moves. Movers that specialize in intrastate moving generally have all the same services available as interstate movers and local movers but may not carry the insurance or bonds required to move across state lines.
· Interstate Movers: Interstate moving refers to a move taking place from one state to another. Also known as a cross-country move, an interstate move is the most stressful type of move. A relocation company that specializes in interstate moves will generally have to carry licensing, insurance, and bonding in the state where they are headquartered as well as any other states that they provide services in. Additionally, interstate moving companies must meet federal Department of Transportation requirements.
· Moving Broker: A moving broker is an individual or agency that does not actually offer the moving service but acts as a conduit between consumers and professional movers. A moving broker will generally offer quotes and perform research into the companies that they connect consumers to, making the process of moving more convenient and safer.
· Peak Moving Season: The peak moving season refers to the time of year where the volume of moves is at its highest. This is also a more expensive time to move as moving services are in high demand. For most moving companies, peak moving season is typically from May – September.
· Piggyback Move or Consolidated: A consolidated shipment, also known as a piggyback move, occurs when multiple destinations are along the same route or close to one another. To save on costs, a professional moving company may combine shipments onto one truck, carefully separating the contents, to be delivered by the same crew. Customers can save quite a bit of money by opting to be included in a piggyback move, if it’s available for the area they are moving to.
· Dedicated Shipment: A dedicated shipment is the opposite of a consolidated shipment. This term refers to a shipment that takes place for the purpose of relocating a single load or a single customer. Items moved in a dedicated shipment are destined for the one end location for the one client.
· Moving Estimate: A moving estimate refers to the process of estimating costs and providing a monetary quote to the individual or family that is relocating. An estimate may change during the actual process due to unforeseen events or circumstances that arise.
· Bill of Lading: A bill of lading is a document that is required to move a shipment. It is a legal document that acknowledged receipt of the goods to be moved by the carrier relocating the goods. A bill of lading serves as a contract and a title document for the goods in transit.
· Home Inventory: A home inventory is a complete, room-by-room checklist of the items that you are moving. This is a vital tool when hiring a moving professional to relocate your cherished belongings. Several major insurance companies offer blank home inventory templates with instructions.
· Shipping Weight vs. Shipping Volume: Shipping weight relates to the heaviness of an item being shipped; whereas shipping volume related to the amount of space the item being shipped takes up. The final cost of your move is typically determined by the shipping weight.
· Certified Scale: A certified scale is a scale that has been manufactured and calibrated according to the laws and regulations of the applicable state authority responsible for weights and balances. For instance, in Florida, the agency responsible is the Florida Department of Agriculture. In other states, the responsibility of certifying scales may fall to the state transportation authority. Certified scales are inspected for accuracy and calibrated at intervals determined by the legislature or regulatory agency for the state in which they are located.
Just as in any industry, scams exist in the moving industry. Unfortunately, you will find that there are unscrupulous rogue agencies who stand ready to separate you from your hard-earned money. Hands down, the best way to prevent falling victim to a scam is to make sure that you are only doing business with a licensed, insured, and bonded relocation specialist with a great reputation.Great Guys Long Distance Movers can help you stay safe during your next move. We only deal with properly vetted professional movers, and we do the work of ensuring that each partner company that we connect you with has the legally required amount of insurance, the proper licensing, and the required bond to operate as a professional mover. Here are some of the common scams and pitfalls that customers commonly encounter with rogue moving companies:
This is the most common scam you will come across among professional movers. Dishonest operation can run the gamut from the company lying about the amount of insurance they have to outright illegal, unlicensed operation. If you fall victim to an illegal moving company, you may not even know it. However, if your goods are damaged during the move, you will quickly learn that you have little recourse in recovering funds for damaged caused, which can be devastating. By ensuring that you only work with properly vetted professionals, Great Guys Long Distance Movers can help you avoid this potentially expensive scam altogether. Also, you can always avoid this scam by asking for the moving company’s US Dept of Transportation (USDOT) registration number and doing the research yourself for added peace of mind.
Hostage holding involves the rogue company refusing to give you your cherished possessions unless you hand them large sums of cash. The company will appear to be professional and honest, but after they’ve picked up your things, they might threaten to keep your property unless you hand over cash. This is a felony criminal offense akin to grand theft or larceny, and if a moving “professional” is caught doing this, you will have the weight of the law on your side. You can avoid this scam by doing your research on the mover you choose, including a search on the Better Business Bureau website to check for complaints as well as a search on the US Government’s Federal Trade Commission Scam Alert website, found at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts.
With this scam, you might be given a reasonable quote before your move only to get a much higher bill at the end of your move. The company might add extra charges to your final invoice, such as charges for supplies that they never used or an overcharge for mileage that they never traveled. To avoid this common scam, you should always get the most complete original estimate as possible, including a home inventory and estimate from the moving company before the move, so they cannot later try to charge you for a service never received or for an “unforeseen expense.”
During peak moving season (see the “terms” section above), it is customary for professional movers to request a nonrefundable deposit to reserve their services. It is very common for people to back out at the last moment. During peak moving season, this can cost movers lots of money, as they have likely already scheduled the customer’s move and declined others for that same time on the company calendar. The security deposit ensures that, after you have made the choice to hire the mover, you do not back out and cost them money in the process. Rogue movers will artificially inflate the security deposit, asking you for a huge sum up front before disappearing. If you are not careful, you could be out hundreds of dollars paid to a company you will never be able to locate again, as fraudsters involved in this scam almost never give their correct identifying information. This is another scam that Great Guys Long Distance Movers can help you to avoid by only giving you quotes to reputable movers. Furthermore, accessing company information through the BBB or FTC can also limit the possibility of falling victim to this costly fraud.
