Protect Yourself From Rogue Movers

Protect Yourself From 00 FRAGILE ROGUE MOVERS Too many Canadians are falling victim to fly-by-night companies who add surprise fees onto the bill and hold your belongings hostage when you don't pay. Here's how to recognize and avoid them. $ Creating Demand: Canadians Are On The Move 4.5 million 5-6 July SEP The number of times we move in Peak moving season in The number of Canadians our lifetimes. Canada. who move every year. Rogue Moving Companies are a Real Threat 128.751 i INQUIRIES 9300 1 234 5 CAM COMPLAINTS In the US, the Better Rogue Movers are #2 on the Better Business Bureau's list of top 5 The Canadian Council of The Canadian Better Business Bureaus Association of Movers Business Bureau fielded 128,751 inquiries about movers in 2010 – second only to roofing companies. has thousands of received more than scams for 2014. complaints on its books. 9,300 complaints against movers. How Rogue Movers Operate The Setup.. They quote a very low price over the phone (often an hourly rate) for a van and a specified number of movers. They often claim “everything is included". Apply Pressure.. On moving day, they arrive and start telling you that there are extra fees for things like heavy objects or stairs. They present you with a contract that you often don't have time to read, and pressure you into signing so they can start. They ask for cash deposits. PO Gotcha! If you object to the extra fees before loading up they threaten to leave - leaving you stranded in peak season and little hope of hiring other movers on short notice. If you object to the final bill they: Threaten to dump your stuff on the sidewalk. Hold your belongings hostage! Warning Signs Spot the Rogues: CAM BBB. They don't visit your home to assess how much stuff you have or provide an advance estimate in writing. Start With Trust They are not listed on the Better Business Bureau or the Canadian A low price that's well below the market rate. Association of Movers websites FRAGILE You don't see the contract before moving day. They hold your belongings to make you pay extra fees. That's illegal in Ontario. Vans with no logos or even ramps. Careless handling of your belongings. On moving day, the final cost cannot be more than 10% higher than the estimate. What Should You Do If You Think You've Been Scammed? Invoice Contract CONSUMER PROTECTION ONTARIO Keep copies of all documents and follow Write "Paid Under File a complaint with Protest" on the final Consumer Protection invoice. up with the company. Ontario. Court Orders CAM ВВ. Start With Trust Some homeowners have successfully sued Rogue Movers – but this is rare. They often disappear if they sense trouble! File complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the Canadian Association of Movers. How to Protect Yourself stim Estimate BBB. Estimate Verify the company is in good standing with the BBB and CAM: search these Watch out – some Rogue Movers put BBB and CAM logos on their sites when they're not listed. Get written estimates in advance from at least 3 different providers. websites and call to confirm. Don't just focus on price that super low cost could Bona fide moving companies will send an estimator to your home, and you'll Real moving companies have brick-and-mortar storefronts. mean added fees later on. receive and written estimate and a A search on Google Maps will contract well in advance of moving day. should reveal the truth! A nice website or a local phone number is no guarantee a local number can go to an overseas provider who outsources locally. We Wish You a Stress-Free Move! Brought to you by Cassidy's Cassidy's - Ottawa Tel: 1-613-836-4225 Cassidy's – Pembroke Tel: 1-613-735-6881 Transfer & Storage Ltd. YEARS Toll Free: 1-800-337-2175 Toll Free: 1-800-663-6615 Since 1908 WeMoveTheWorld.com References: The Canadian Association of Movers The Council of Better Business Bureaus http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/home-cents/moving-is-stressful-make-sure-its-not-also-a-huge-financial-pain/article4492148/ http://www.vanierinstitute.ca/include/get.php?nodeid=3231 http://www.bbb.org/council/news-events/consumer-tips/2014/05/consumers-urged-to-be-smart-and-safe-when-moving/ http://www.bbb.org/council/news-events/consumer-tips/2014/06/bbbs-top-five-summer-scams/ http://www.ontario.ca/consumers/hiring-mover CBC Marketplace: “Movin' Day Showdown": http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/Shows/Marketplace/ID/2411699910/ FRAGILE XXXXXXXX xxxxxx xxxxxx