Melanie_Alnwick's Blog

Everyone has a story about getting "taken" by movers. Here's mine: When I was moving from Raleigh, NC back home to DC... I figured the drive time for the crew would take about 4 and a half hours. After all, it usually took me about 4. My stuff was loaded up in the truck, the guys drove out of the apartment complex, and I started the clock. I left about a half hour later ... but when I got to the storage facility in Alexandria... they weren't there. They actually didn't show up for another two and a half hours! The manager on the phone admitted to me that the guys didn't hit the road directly from my apartment, but went back to the office to pick up some stuff, then got gas before their journey. I ended up having to pay them for the extra time (several hundred dollars) because they said they wouldn't unload my things unless I did.

NOW I find out that's illegal, and I could have called the police to intervene. So, expensive lesson learned. I know there are honest, legitimate moving companies out there, but you have to approach this area with caution. You have to ask all kinds of questions up front -- and get it all in writing. I didn't specifically ask if these guys were leaving directly from my apartment, or whether they'd include any stopping times along the way.

We've added links on our Money page to local consumer protection bureaus where you can check out the complaint records of moving companies, and check to make sure they're licensed for your type of move. Interstate movers must be federally licensed. In Virginia, local movers have to be registered with DMV. Also, be wary of quotes you get from companies on the internet. Make sure they have a physical address in your state, so you have some state protection if things go wrong.

What are your moving nightmares?