How to Avoid the Most Common Moving Scams in Sydney, Nova Scotia

There are several excellent moving companies to choose from in Sydney, Nova Scotia, but of course, there will always be a handful that relies on unscrupulous tactics. You’ve probably heard a horror story or two about moving scams, and while there is no way to protect yourself completely from moving scams, you can avoid them as much as possible by being well-informed and doing your homework.

Be Wary of Quick, Too-Good-To-Be-True Estimates

Sydney movers who look over your belongings and provide you an estimate within minutes are unlikely to be providing you with a realistic estimate. It takes a lot more than a quick walk-through to get an accurate idea of how much your move will cost. Good estimators will estimate the bulk and weight of all of your items in order to provide you with the most accurate quote possible.

Do Not Pay a Deposit to a Sydney Mover

If a Sydney moving company demands that you pay a deposit in order to schedule a move with them, beware. A reputable Sydney mover will never require you to pay a deposit before the move. Payments are generally made after your belongings are delivered. You can pay using your credit card to protect yourself from fraud.

Beware of Name-Changers

There are some Sydney moving companies that frequently change their business name in order to escape their bad reputation and continue doing business. Before hiring a Sydney mover, make sure that they have a local address and contact information, as well as a valid license and insurance certificate. You can verify that the numbers of their license and insurance certificate are accurate to be sure that they are telling the truth.

Another way you can protect yourself from moving companies that frequently change names is to get references. Make sure the references are recent and that they are customers in the local area. Contact the references and speak to them over the phone or in person to ask them about their experiences. You can also conduct an online search to see if any complaints have been made about the Sydney moving company in question.

Get at Least Three Estimates

When you’re shopping around for a Sydney moving company, make sure to get at least three estimates so you can compare rates. If one of the estimates is much lower than the others, you probably have good reason to be suspicious.

Get Everything in Writing

No matter how friendly a Sydney mover seems, you should never sign the dotted line without getting everything you agree on in writing. Everything from the pickup and delivery dates to the estimate and additional fees should be detailed in the contract.

Look at the Condition of the Moving Trucks

Before hiring a Sydney mover, make sure to look at the condition of their moving trucks. If the trucks are pretty beat up, you can assume that your furniture will be treated in a similar fashion. A clean, well-kept moving truck is a good indication that the moving company will take proper care of your belongings.