Moving Scams- Binding Estimate

Moving Scams, Vagueness in the Binding Estimate That Is Exploited By Movers.

An intelligent but naive consumer recently was ripped off by a moving company that had offered him a “binding agreement. Although he was under the impression that the binding agreement was absolute, he was informed by the company that there would be an additional $1100 charge for extra packing and tape. The company told him that the binding move cost estimate only applied to the weight.

Legally, the “binding estimate” applies to all the services shown on the estimate, not just the weight of the goods being transported.” However, what is significant about this story is that it illustrates the actual belief this victim had in the estimate, and how easily the moving company was able to manipulate his belief.

In the first place, a moving contract contains a lot of fine print. And while this man, as well as most consumers, heard the words “binding,” it was clear that he was not aware of what might be contained in the fine print. When the movers told him the binding only referred to the weight, it may signify that this company specifically put down a tiny stipulation that the estimate would not cover additional packing services required on the day of the move. Unfortunately, for this victim, movers are usually able to manipulate events on the day of the move, and force the homeowner to allow them to do more packing and taping than was described in the contract. They usually do this by telling the homeowner they can’t insure his belongings unless he allows them to repack certain items.

Movers can manipulate yet another technicality in the contract to totally void the agreement on the actual day of the move.

In most states, the law stipulates that if a party makes a change to a contract and fails to get it initialed by all the parties concerned then all prior agreements are voided. Unscrupulous moving companies have been known to encourage homeowners to ascent to a slight change in the contract, and then they fail to initial it. Once this occurs, this in effect allows the movers to raise the price, and at the same time gives them a technicality they can use in court if the homeowner should later contest the agreement.

You can protect yourselves from the tricks movers use to void the binding agreement, by contracting with a packing company to do you’re packing and loading. Packing Service, Inc. is an honest packing company that is dedicated to protecting consumers from moving scam. They will give you a flat guaranteed estimate for the cost of packing and loading all your items. If you will be transporting your goods with a moving company they will also provide you a complete packing list detailing the weight of all your items.

A good way for consumers to protect themselves in a move is to hire a packing service to pack and load for them. Packing Service, Inc. is an honest company that offers a Flat Fee Estimate and is dedicated to protecting consumers from moving scams they will pack and then load your belongings tightly on the moving truck, and will give you a complete packing list detailing the exact weight and cubic feet of your goods, so you won’t be overcharged by the movers.