“Do you have two $20s for a $10?”
Hopefully, you’d never be duped by this deception.
However, with thousands of dollars at stake, intelligent people who’d never be taken in by such a low-budget ruse might be swindled by a slick operator cleverly masquerading as a reputable Michigan moving company.
Hard to believe? Well, government officials recently charged 12 individuals with defrauding more than 900 customers during a five-year period. The allegedly dishonest dozen reportedly filled their pockets via a sticky web of company-name switcheroos, bogus business practices and phony favorable online reviews. Authorities still are investigating whether this multi-state scam suckered even more people.
So what did those hundreds of consumers miss along the way? What warning signs did they overlook that would help them identify a scammer? Or, conversely, how do you ensure you choose a top-flight interstate moving company, such as All Around Moving & Storage?
Scammer tactics
Beware telltale signs an organization lacks permanence. These include no-name vehicles or rented trucks, websites missing a physical business address or generic phone-call replies not mentioning a company name, such as, “Hello, moving and storage.” One tactic the “dishonest dozen” reportedly employed was frequently changing business names. These monikers often resembled those of well-respected companies, likely adding to consumers’ confusion. If “Public Moving Services” called itself “Smart Relocation Solutions” just six months ago and, two years before that, used the name “Unified Van Lines,” find out why. Chances are, good intentions didn’t motivate those moniker modifications.
With more than 30 years in business under the same name, All Around Moving & Storage still is, and most likely always will be, All Around Moving & Storage. We’re not only your Ann Arbor movers, we also serve Bloomfield Hills, Grosse Pointe, Canton, Birmingham, Royal Oak, Troy, Plymouth, Livonia, Northville, Novi, West Bloomfield, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Dearborn, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township and St. Clair Shores.
Whoosh!
Generating an accurate moving quote requires attention to detail and a methodical approach—whether conducted in-person or via a virtual survey. Watch out for zoom-through-your-rooms estimators who can’t be bothered to examine cabinet contents or open closet doors. A good survey is a two-way street: Your movers in Michigan should be asking questions, such as whether you’re planning to slim down your pre-move inventory by donating food or holding a garage sale. Especially be on-guard for Ann Arbor moving companies who claim they can provide accurate phone-only estimates. This is an often-used scammer tactic.
Cash up-front
Reputable movers, such as All Around Moving & Storage, shouldn’t insist on an up-front deposit. Moving-industry practice is to ask for payment at delivery. Regard as suspect any moving company that demands a deposit—particularly cash—before going forward. Don’t sign a contract that features only vague payment terms or incomplete information, either.
A steal?
Raise an eyebrow at interstate movers whose bids fall far below others. This lowball tactic might be omitting a key component that could bring the final price in line with (or exceed) the competition.
Obtaining a minimum of three estimates from competitors will permit you to accurately analyze rates and services. The dishonest dozen’s wallet-expanding scheme allegedly hit customers with last-minute four-figure fees. Items sometimes wouldn’t be returned unless payment was made, government officials stated. Insist on written estimates to protect yourself from a scammer.
Credibility gaps
This age of instant online access makes vetting more convenient than ever. Ensure a mover is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration—which regulates the U.S. trucking industry—and has a U.S. Department of Transportation number. The USDOT number indicates the federal government has authorized a company to conduct interstate moves.
All Around Moving & Storage is an agent of National Van Lines, which is a member of the American Moving & Storage Association, a non-profit moving-industry association. National Van Lines is an AMSA certified ProMover, the hallmark of a reputable cross-country mover. To obtain (and retain) ProMover status, AMSA members must pass an annual criminal background check, be FMCSA-licensed and follow specific ethical standards in advertising and customer transactions.
Don’t just trust the ProMover or AMSA logo on a company’s website. In fact, the organization recently requested an Arizona mover stop using an AMSA logo and cease claiming affiliation with the group. You easily can check a mover’s status by visiting AMSA’s website.
Extreme reviews
Check a mover’s Better Business Bureau rating. (By the way, National Van Lines holds a BBB A+ rating.) How about online reviews? Yelp or Google review sites permit consumers to view and review a company, offering insight into company performance and how an interstate moving company handles unforeseen circumstances.
Beware a company receiving a negative-review barrage. Since online reviews can be faked, also be prepared to take with a grain of salt an avalanche of over-the-top perfect reviews. In fact, the 12 alleged “rogue movers” purportedly perpetrated sham reviews to convince consumers of their credibility.
Don’t play three-card monte with your interstate move. You’ll be in safe hands by choosing All Around Moving & Storage, your go-to home mover among Ann Arbor moving companies. Contact us today for a moving quote: (734) 941-2280. We’re your movers in Michigan.
