You believe you’ve agreed upon a price, only to find out it’s going to cost you a lot more than that.

“These salespeople are commission-based and will do whatever it takes to get a deposit on file and lock the customer into a signed estimate,” says Tom O’Gorman, sales director for Gentle Giant Moving Co. “Then, when push comes to shove, there’s a lot of gray area around this estimate.

“They will say, ‘The estimate was based on moving only these things. You weren’t packed, so it took us four extra hours to pack.’”

O’Gorman says some of these outfits give the impression that “you are dealing with a moving company, but you’re really dealing with an online broker who passes the job off to some local moving company in some region for a commission. So you’re not even dealing with the end user. You have no control over who ends up in your home.”

MoveRescue, an organization created by moving companies, says it receives 4,000 moving complaints a year. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association says more than $1.2 million in federal moving fines were issued in 2007. However, the FMCSA’s information and investigations are only as good as the consumer complaints it receives.

“The consumers have to be diligent in reporting carriers,” says Shashunga Clayton, a spokeswoman for the FMCSA, “because a lot of them continue with the same poor practices.”

While the FMCSA oversees moves from state to state and maintains a federal complaint database, it handles only moves between states. Moves within states are regulated by the states, and local moves produce even more horror stories.

O’Gorman says disreputable local movers take stuff and run or “they deliver whenever they choose to. The problem is, many overbook their schedule and pick the more profitable jobs, leaving the other customers high and dry.”

Here are 10 tips to help keep you from being scammed.

1. Ask your real-estate agent
The general consensus among moving professionals is that word of mouth is the best way to find a good mover. While friends and family are always good sources, O’Gorman believes real-estate agents know the ins and outs of the housing industry and are the most reliable sources.

“Referrals are the key to good selection for a moving company, and using some reputable referral sources, such as the real-estate agents with whom you’re buying or selling your home,” he says. “Realtors want to make sure that your (moving) transaction is a good one.”

2. Investigate the companies
Check with your area’s Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed and whether there are reliable Web sites solely dedicated to moving scams.

MovingScam.com maintains a “black list” with 376 movers currently on it. The site also endorses quality movers, such as All Star Moving in New York and STS Movers in California. MovingScam.com maintains a message board filled with consumer experiences, bad and good.

Through FMCSA’s ProtectYourMove.gov, a consumer can learn if a mover’s license is current and if the company has ever had a federal complaint. Some states have consumer mover-advocate associations.

3. Make sure the moving company visits your home
“They should always have a representative come to their apartment or their house and physically look at the logistics and what has to be moved,” says Jim Molloy, CEO of Molloy Brothers Moving and Storage.

Good companies will spend 20 minutes or more with a potential client answering questions and giving packing tips, Molloy says, and should offer to show their warehouses for temporary storage.

“Many of these Internet companies don’t even have a facility,” Molloy says.

Make sure the weight of the load looks right. O’Gorman says a low-balling company will claim a 10,000-pound load is only 7,000 pounds so it can provide the low bid.

“They’re not giving them a true, thorough description of everything that’s being moved or planned to be moved,” he says.

4. Get 3 estimates
When shopping for movers, it’s best to get at least three estimates, says Jennifer Bonham, spokeswoman for MoveRescue.

“If you’ve got one that’s really, really low compared to the other two, you’re going to know something’s up,” she says.

5. Demand a contract that covers everything
A moving contract should spell out all the details, and there should not be any hidden charges, such as a “driver’s fee.”

“When you’re really giving the customer information or protection, there’s a lot more paperwork,” Molloy says. “The scam guys make it very easy and simple: ‘You’re moving from point A to point B; here’s your price.’

“But once they start doing the services, the contract didn’t include this and that. And all of a sudden they’re charging for pads, packing and all kinds of things they never mentioned.”

Some movers demand a 20% gratuity on top of the bill — even before they unload the truck — with no mention of it in the contract.

“Tipping is customary, but down to the level of the customer’s own discretion,” O’Gorman says.

If there’s no contract on the move, there’s no record of sale.

“Companies that are just charging you cash, there’s no transaction recorded,” O’Gorman says. “They could run off with your stuff and pretend nothing happened.”

6. Ask about the claims process
Even reputable movers occasionally drop vases and scratch tables. The difference between a good mover and a bad mover when this happens is that a good mover has a solid claims process to make sure you recoup damages.

You should learn about the claims process before signing the contract. Does the company have its own claims agent? Does it outsource claims to a third party? Do you have to go directly to the insurance company that you’re buying your valuation through?

“If it’s a reputable company, it would have an internal quality-control department and a contact to help you with your claim,” O’Gorman says.

7. Do the movers conduct drug tests and background checks?
You’re allowing these people into your home and they will be responsible for the safety of your possessions. Not to mention, they will have access to your loved ones. Learning if a potential mover has conducted thorough background checks and drug testing is absolutely necessary, says Zuni Corkerton, president for RefCheck Information Services Inc.

But Corkerton says many consumers accept a company’s word at face value. She recommends requesting verification that the moving company has conducted a background check.

“Oftentimes, they will openly check misdemeanors in the past seven years, but not for felonies,” Corkerton says. “With today’s technology, you can get a pretty good insight into a person’s background.”

8. Be cautious of Internet movers
If you were to Google “movers” or “cheap move,” your screen would be filled with special moving deals from companies that have legitimate-sounding company names. But Clayton says that if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

“Unfortunately, the Internet is making it easy for scam artists to prey on consumers,” Clayton says.

Veteran moving consumers are not the ones who are falling victim, Bonham says.

“It’s people who haven’t moved as much in their life and they don’t know what to look for,” she says. “We as a society are so used to just going on the Internet and finding something. You don’t think about the fact that this truck’s going to have all of your worldly possessions in it. You need to make sure you can trust somebody who’s driving off with this.”

9. Look at the actual trucks used
When you’re shopping, take a look at the trucks. Do they look clean and well-kept? The condition of the truck is a good indication of how your furniture will be treated.

When it’s moving time and your hired mover shows up with a rental truck, it behooves you to cancel the agreement right there and demand your deposit back.

10. Pay little upfront
Some companies require a down payment or deposit as high as 25% of the total move. But reputable companies do not require you to pay everything upfront. Nevertheless, with any deposit, consumers should make sure it is refundable, because the closing could always fall through.

“I’d be very wary of a local move situation that expects a (hefty) payment upfront,” O’Gorman says.

By Fred Minnick, Bankrate.com

• Start by padding the bottom of the carton with a generous amount of packing   material.
• Wrap electronic with paper and place in carton.
• Tightly pack padding around and on top of the unit to prevent damage.
• Firmly seal the carton
• Label the carton as “Fragile – Top Load”

OLD BETHPAGE, NY- – The Advance Group (www.theadvancegrp.com) has formally   unveiled a new brand identity that represents a significant milestone in the   company’s 40-year history. This signals its evolution into the largest and most   experienced moving and relocation company in the New York metropolitan area. The   Advance Group is formed from leading businesses in the commercial moving, office   furniture installation, distribution, storage, document management, and employee   relocation fields.

Recently, Advance Commercial Movers, The Advance Group’s commercial moving   business unit, celebrated its 30th anniversary. Begun in 1979 by T. James Molloy   as Advance Relocation and Storage, Advance Commercial Movers capitalized on the   growing need of businesses to relocate throughout the New York market and across   the nation. Molloy Bros. Moving and Storage, another business unit and a part of   Mayflower Transit, has earned quality performance awards since 1998.

As part of the introductory program, The Advance Group will launch a series   of new marketing and advertising initiatives including new websites,   comprehensive sales materials, and an aggressive media campaign. The goal of the   program is to create awareness within the business community and existing   clientele of The Advance Group’s leadership position and its extensive resources   and capabilities.

This program is part of a fundamental transition in the way The Advance Group   will market its services. It has always been the vision of the company’s founder   and CEO, Jim Molloy, to become the favored solutions provider for the most   challenging relocation projects from the largest companies in the New York   market.

“Planning is second nature to us in the moving business, and we have been   planning this project for several years. With the changes to the economy, we   felt now was an ideal time to roll out our new brand identity and marketing   initiatives. Together, these new programs will allow us to improve the client   experience for both new and existing customers. As the economy regains its   strength, The Advance Group will be in an even stronger position to take   advantage of opportunities,” said Mr. Molloy.

The Advance Group is formed from leading businesses in the commercial moving,   office furniture installation, distribution, storage, document management, and   employee relocation fields. The Advance Group has over 40 years of broad-based   experience, national and international connections for complex moves, the   largest talent pool and most experienced management-level team in the industry,   and a centralized management operation. Together, these services provide a   seamless, cost-effective, and highly coordinated response to the most   challenging move and relocation projects.

Follow these links for more detail:

• Move Coordination
• Estimating
• Packing  & Loading
• Storage
• Unloading  & Unpacking
• Specialty  Services 

Move Coordination

The efficient and friendly coordination of your move is the  top priority of our experienced move coordinators. They will assist you  throughout your move to keep you informed, answer all your questions, and to  suggest ideas that you may not have thought about.

When you’ve moved as many people for over 60 years as Molloy  Mayflower has you develop a complete system that takes you seamlessly from your  first call to you final post-delivery follow-up.

This system consists of four phases:

• Estimating
• Packing and Loading
• Storage (if necessary)
• Unloading & Unpacking

Estimating

Your move estimate is triggered when you make an  appointment. You will be assigned a sales representative who will arrive  promptly at your location. His or her goal is to provide you with an accurate estimate  and to put you at ease with the move process.

Using the proven Molloy Mayflower checklist, your sales  representative will tour your location, ask you all the necessary questions,  and listen to your specific needs.  Before your sales  representative leaves you will receive a printed  form with your estimated move cost.   Several days after the visit you will receive a courtesy call and  follow-up letter.

Some important points to remember:

• Provide as much detail as possible. This helps  to ensure an accurate estimate.
• Ask questions. The more questions you ask, the  more your sales representative will understand your specific needs.
• Contact your move coordinator with any changes  in your move plan such as dates and items being moved or not moved.

Packing And Loading

We have an extensive list of detailed information to make  packing and loading as simple and trouble free as possible. The key points to  remember are:

• Plan how you will pack.
• Use professional materials to safeguard your  valuables.
• Refer to our checklists.
• Reach out to your move coordinator for  last-minute support.

Many individuals underestimate the time and effort for safe  packing. If you choose to do some or all packing yourself, have your sales  representative or move coordinator take you through all the details. This way  you won’t be unprepared and stressed as the move day arrives.

View or download the following packing and moving aids:

• Planning checklist
• Packing hints with packing carton options
• Checklist for items not to pack
• Do-it-yourself packing guide

Storage

Molloy Mayflower maintains over 325,000  square feet of storage space in three tri-state locations (Long Island, Queens,  and New Jersey) and has access to storage facilities across the country. We’ve  got your solution regardless of length of storage, type of storage, specialty  considerations, and location.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR STORAGE RESOURCES

Unloading And Unpacking

Our move professionals will help ensure  the safe arrival of your precious household items.

Part of our move process is to unload  your most important items first.  We take  care of this at the time we provide your move estimate, and at the time of  loading.

Your move coordinator can also arrange  for the following services at your new destination:

•                                       Appliance disconnect/reconnect
• Handyman services
• Arrival concierge services such as maid service
• Electronics disconnected/re-connected