Avoiding Scam Moving Companies in Seattle

When finding moving companies in Seattle, A lot of people look online for their top picks.  But a lot has been going around about internet moving scams and how to avoid them.  Let's face it, the internet is the perfect place for slight-of-hand artists to hang out.  With over 80% of shoppers starting their relocation search online, these guys are going to be around for a long time. 

The problem is, when most people are comparing moving companies in Seattle they tend to look at the bottom line - money, instead of what could save them thousands - quality.  With unregulated virtual bulletin boards, reverse-auction sites, and find-a-mover web services, many get duped into thinking that getting the best price is the least expensive way to go.  But consider this one trick of discount movers and you can see how cheap does not mean least expensive:

All moving companies have a “released rate” valuation coverage.  This coverage is how the moving company values the total shipment. Most Seattle discount online moving companies will value your shipment at only $0.60 per pound per article for any lost or damaged items.  This is the lowest valuation they can offer according to the Federal Government.  It must be offered at no additional charge. Now, for example, if a 10-pound antique valued at $1,000 was damaged, you would only receive $6.00 in compensation (60 cents x 10 pounds).

Here are three important definitions a online mover might be vague in explaining:

1. Full Service Mover – This is a Household Goods or Furnishing transportation company that has been licensed by state or federal governmental agencies to provide local and long distance moving and storage services. They own their equipment, have personnel, and operate facilities qualified under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), or state Department of Transportation (DOT) or public utility corporation regulations to perform the services contracted by the customer.

Just be aware that qualified isn't necessarily synonymous with quality. One is a compliance standard and the other is a service objective.

2. Moving Coordinator (Move Manager) - Full Service Movers can also function as a Moving Coordinator.  this is where they partner with other movers across the country to complete a move.  Lets say a person in Oregon is moving to Detroit. But they call a moving company in Seattle.  Well, the Seattle company books the move, has an Oregon company pick it up, and has a moving company in Detroit drop it off.  This happens all the time.  And as long as the moving company is a part of a van lines, this goes pretty well.  the van lines makes sure that all move companies involved are professional and above board. 

3. Moving Services Provider or Moving Broker – This is the shady group.  Except for the two options discussed above, this is the unregulated group. It consists primarily of a combination of individuals and companies that are not held to quality standards and may or may not be a legitimate business.  How these people work is that they find someone who is moving, then find someone to pick it up, someone drive it, and someone to drop it off.  This normally is given to the lowest bidder and not much is done to screen the individual providers.  Oh, and if something goes wrong, good luck hearing from the Broker.


All in all, stick with the pros.  Find a moving company that is apart of a van lines.  Look for quality.  The price you pay in headache, stolen and damaged items, and unspecified fees could end up costing a lot more in the end.