House shifting is one of the most strenuous activities in the world. You have to prepare and plan out everything in detail to conduct a swift and smooth move. Planning and executing are not enough; you need to have enough financial bandwidth to carry out a house shifting without any shortfall. You should also be prepared to face all the risks associated with the house shifting process. Moving scams is one of the biggest terrors that most customers face as they consider moving. In this article, I have provided you with the best tips to stay away from the scams while house shifting.
The packers and movers business is one of the most infamous trades in the world. Scores of customers complain about being the victims of moving scams. In recent years, there is an alarming number of scams while house shifting. House shifting is an arduous process and falling prey to the fraudulent packers and movers can turn it into a hellish experience.
As you move your belongings from one place to another you entrust a moving company believing that they will deliver your goods safe and on time. But the rouge packers and movers will flee with your goods or the money that you paid them in advance and sometimes both! You need to be extremely vigilant while choosing the packers and movers Mumbai to Bhubaneswar company for your house shifting. Here are the best tips to stay away from scams while house shifting:
Check the documents
All the authentic moving companies are licensed by a legitimate authority and they hold documents of being legally registered. Check for documents like shop establishment license, GST registration certificate, company incorporation certificate, and PAN card of the company. Also, read the terms and conditions of the moving company before signing any document.
Hire IBA certified packers & movers
“Indian Banks’ Association”, abbreviated as IBA, is a delegated board of management in the banking sector, that validates the moving and transportation companies in India. IBA grants and attests only those moving and logistics companies that are licensed and certified. So, while finalising your moving company, ensure it is IBA-certified packers and movers. This will guarantee you a safe and convenient move.
Don’t get swayed by the low prices
You may find a moving company giving out unbelievably lucrative discounts and you fall head over heels for it. Don’t fall for such baits because it is a tricky marketing strategy by the fraudulent packers and movers to attract innocent customers. Rather choose an IBA-approved moving company that asks for moving costs at par with the industry standards. Make sure that you check the Google ratings and customer reviews of the moving company before closing the deal.
Visit the moving company office
An authentic and reputed moving company will have a registered office address. So, visit the office of a moving company before finalising the deal. This way you will get to know how they treat their prospective clients and what additional facilities they provide. Enquire whether the office is owned, rented, or leased.
Get invoice in writing
You have every right to ask for the moving quotations in writing as you are a potential client. Ask the moving company to mention a detailed payment breakdown in the invoice as it is the binding estimate of the entire moving cost and ensures that there are no hidden charges.
Don’t pay in cash
While making payments to the packers and movers, do not pay in cash as there is a greater risk of scams in doing cash transactions. If you pay through debit or credit cards, the payment goes straight into their banks post verification by generating a secure pin or an OTP. In case, you face any trouble due to monetary transactions while moving, you can trace the moving company using their bank details.
Don’t pay the total moving cost in advance
Paying the entire moving cost in advance can be an ultimate blunder as the fraudulent moving companies have chances of running away with your money leaving you looted, dejected, and in a pauper-like condition. Pay them a fraction of the total moving cost initially and the remaining payment after the house shifting gets over. Make sure that you keep the bills and receipts after you pay them the initial instalment.
Carry out a pre-move survey
All IBA-approved packers and movers invariably conduct a pre-move survey of the house of their potential customers before giving them a binding cost estimate. The moving cost depends on the distance of the move and the size of the move. Stay away from the moving companies who sent you the moving quotation without conducting this survey.
Avail insurance coverage
The authentic packers and movers value the goods of their customers as their reputation is at stake if there is any loss or damage of the same. That’s why they make sure that the goods are carefully moved to the new location without any damage. But just in case, there is any loss or damage of the goods, the moving company proffers in-transit insurance to their customers to incur their monetary losses.
Get a labelled moving vehicle
A certified moving company will always have its labelled moving vehicle. If a company provides you with a moving vehicle without any identification or logo, it can be a fraud company. Moving companies using a leased truck for transportation can also be double-crossing as it is easier for them to flee with the goods of the customers without being traced.
Trust only the verified online platforms
Several websites provide verified details of the authentic packers and movers across the nation. These online portals help you to connect with numerous packers and movers in the vicinity within minutes. This way, you can save a lot of time on research, as well as compare them based on the moving costs, amenities provided, and cities served. Hence, you can shortlist the leads provided by the portal and fix the moving company best suited for you.
Also, Read This:- Tips to Relocate your Car with Packers and Movers
The Final Verdict
While short-listing the best packers and movers according to your budget and preferences, consider these criteria. Most importantly, the moving company should be IBA-approved. Verify the documents of the company and never make the entire payment of moving costs in advance or in cash. Visit the moving company office and request them to produce an authentic bill for their services. Follow the aforementioned best tips to stay away from scams while house shifting. Wishing you good luck!