For many years, the Canadian Association of Movers and the Better Business Bureau have worked together to inform Canadians about the importance of hiring a trusted moving company.

 

Moving Made Manageable: Tips for a Smooth Relocation

 

The prospect of moving to a new home can be thrilling, but the process itself is widely regarded as one of life's most stressful events. With so many details to coordinate, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, with some advance planning and guidance from trustworthy sources, your move doesn't have to be mayhem.

 

As May marks "Moving Month," Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) have teamed up to help make consumers' transitions as smooth as possible. Their top tip? Do your research to ensure you are working with a trusted business.  The BBB is reminding the public to ensure they do their research and that they find someone trustworthy and qualified for their moving (and storage) needs.

 

Mary O'Sullivan-Andersen, President & CEO, BBB - Calgary office explains: "When researching online, the moving industry sees a higher number of fake reviews than other industries. By starting your research early, and working with an established company, you reduce the risk of scrambling last-minute and falling prey to scammers or inexperienced movers."

 

CAM president Nancy Irvine agrees, noting, "Don't just go for the lowest bid. Do your homework to find a mover you can trust with your belongings."

 

Unfortunately, some dishonest movers exploit consumers through tactics like drastically inflating costs mid-move or failing to deliver goods unless paid exorbitant fees. Many victims connect with such scammers through online classified ads. Consumers can better prepare themselves for moving season by ensuring a well-laid out moving plan, and being realistic with the planning.

 

To avoid this, BBB and CAM suggest researching companies thoroughly and checking their credibility on sites like BBB.org and Mover.net.

 

Moving day will likely still be hectic, but careful planning and vetting will provide peace of mind. As Irvine puts it, "When entrusting your possessions to someone, it's worth doing the background work to prevent heartache."

 

With some forethought and guidance from reputable organizations, your move can be more thrill than chill. Don't leave it to chance; let BBB and CAM help make your relocation a smooth transition.

 

Basic Principles of Moving

Whether you're going across town or across the country, moving can be one of life’s most stressful experiences.  Always remember the four basic principles of moving:

• Find a reputable mover through the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the provincial government’s consumer protection agency and/or CAM.

• Ask at least three movers for estimates.  

• Get the terms and conditions of your move in writing.

• Make sure you have adequate insurance protection for your goods.

 

General Moving Information 

Here is some fundamental information on what to expect and how to plan your move, which we hope will be helpful.

• Getting an Estimate 
• Moving Checklist
• Moving Tips 
• Understanding Moving Protection 

 

Choosing Your Mover

You are about to turn over all of your household possessions to a mover. Choosing the right mover can help you and your family avoid serious emotional stress and inflated financial costs.

 

WHAT’S THE RISK?

 

Cheap prices, unrealistic promises, ransom demands, extortion.

Yes, this can happen when you move if you don’t research your mover. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns that “fly-by-night and no-name ‘truck-for-hire’ types can take advantage of the fact that consumers are under emotional, financial and time pressures when moving.”¹

 

The Toronto Police Service agrees. You need to be wary of the “criminal enterprise disguised as a moving company.”² Moving scams are becoming more sophisticated and often start by individuals who set up as ‘move brokers’ trolling you online and through social media.

 

Brokers don’t own trucks, have offices, or even their own manpower, and certainly have no insurance or workplace safety certificates that leave consumers liable for any worker accidents in their homes. These con artists take no responsibility for the level of service delivered because they sell off the business to anyone who will agree to accept the order.

 

Scam operators “deliberately try to confuse the customer – estimate with one company, then a sister company comes and picks up the shipment, then the credit card is charged through a third company, so the consumer has no idea who has their things because they don’t know who they are dealing with.”³

 

Be certain that the company you choose does, in fact, have the resources to do the job.

 

RED FLAGS

 

Moving is more than relocating your belongings to a new home. It requires time, patience, money and trust. You should be on the lookout for operators:

• without a physical address (so you can’t find them)
• who only accept cash (so you can’t stop payment)
• who don’t put their promises in writing (so you can’t prove anything)
• who won't do a visual survey of your home to confirm the shipment size (so they can demand more money after pick-up).

 

IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

 

The Canadian moving industry is unregulated federally and each province has its own legislation regarding moving services. Scam operators (rogues) have learned how to skirt regulations and manipulate consumers to their advantage. The police remind you that “you really have to do your research when you are going to hire a moving company.”⁴

• Check out BBB and CAM references
• Ask at least three movers for quotes
• Get all promises in writing
• Find out how and when payment is required
• Ask your mover what happens if something is broken or lost

 

LOOK FOR BEST VALUE – NOT BEST PRICE

 

CAM wants you to verify that your mover is certified. “You are entrusting your entire lifelong belongings to someone you likely don’t know. There are many factors to look at - not just price. Remember that the cheapest price might turn into the costliest move.”⁵

 

If it looks and sounds too good to be true, it is. Buyer Beware! Why take the chance? Move with Certified Canadian Mover member of CAM.

 

OUR PLEDGE TO YOU

 

As a member of CAM’s Certified Canadian Mover Program, we will deliver a professional moving service that is safe, timely, and fair in practice and cost. We abide by CAM’s Code of Ethics and Canada’s Good Practice Guidelines for Canadian Movers⁶ and want you to be confident in your choice of mover and the information provided to you.

 

CAM members, like us, work toward a common goal of fostering high standards of ethical conduct within the Association and throughout the industry and pledge to follow professional conduct guidelines.

 

¹Mary O’Sullivan-Andersen, president and CEO of BBB Serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay, 2019-04-30.

²Det. Kevin Hooper, Toronto Police Service, 2010-05-20, CNEWS “Cops haul in moving-scam suspects”.

³Acting Inspector Ian Nichol, Financial Crimes Unit, Toronto Police Service, 2017-05-31 news conference.

⁴Acting Inspector Ian Nichol, Financial Crimes Unit, Toronto Police Service, 2017-05-31 news conference.

⁵Nancy Irvine, President of Canadian Association of Movers, 2019-04-30 press release.

⁶Developed by Canada’s Office of Consumer Affairs and a committee of stakeholders from the moving industry.

 

To check out a company through the BBB, click here

To Find a Trusted and Reliable Mover from CAM, click here