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Moving Company Scams Information For Long Distance Move

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What is a Long Distance move?
A long distance move is when you move out of your state to another state in the United States. A long distance move is totally different from a local move; it is a whole different ball game. You are not just busy and tired, but you are also very exhausted and have a lot of stress because it takes much longer to pack a long distance move. You also need to find the best shipping or moving company that will move you and do a good job of getting your belongings from the old place to the new place, while doing so safely, on time and without breaking or damaging your items.

How do shipping and moving companies charge for a Long Distance move?
They charge by Cubic Feet or by the amount of Weight, and Packing Materials needed:

Cubic Feet: Cubic feet means by space: the more space your items take up in their truck the more money you will pay.

Weight: The companies will weight the truck before they show up at your doorstep, to know the weight before placing your items inside. After your items are loaded, they will go back to weight the truck again. This will determine the difference in weight and ultimately how much you’ll end up paying.

Packing: When it comes to a long distance shipping, the company will charge for the packing and shipping materials used and not for their time.

What are shipping and moving company scams and how can I get ripped off?
Shipping and moving company scams occur when you get ANY estimate. The estimate changes after the shipping or moving company has your belongings on their truck on the same day of the move or you may get a phone call a few days after the move, in most cases you end up paying more than double the original estimate.

Cubic Feet: The shipping and moving companies will provide you with a very low rate per cubic feet, but when they come to pick up your belongings, the rate per cubic feet will go higher than the estimated price for all your extra items, or they will not pack the truck tightly so it will take more space inside the truck.

Example: Let’s say you are moving from Florida to New York, you have an estimate of 300 cubic feet, at $3.00 per cubic feet, your total for this estimate will be: $900.00.

Note: This estimate starts very low and with an estimate like this you should know that something is wrong, because every company has a minimum for any job, such as $1000-$1100.00. If you get less than the minimum, it is a low-ball estimate. They want you to book the job so they will get you later with their scams. Just think, the gas alone will cost them $350-500, and don’t forget the employees, NO ONE works for free. If you have more items, lets say 100 cubic feet more, the charge per cubic feet will go higher, anywhere from $4.00-$8.00. If they charge you the minimum, that is $4.00 per cubic feet, the extra will be $400.00. This is almost half then the original estimate and this is only the minimum! What if they will charge you $7.00 or $8.00? And what if you have more then 100 cubic feet extra? You do the math.

Some companies will provide you a very low estimate to get your business. They will come to your home, let you sign a blank contract (NEVER DO THIS), and load everything onto their truck. Before they leave, they will give you the total of what the move will cost and will double the estimate. By law, you cannot do anything because you signed that contract and you will be held accountable for what the company says you owe them, or else you will not get your belongings until you pay every penny. If you try to sue them, it will cost you even more than the move. This also applies when you move by weight.

Weight: The shipping or moving companies can use a receipt from someone else’s job for the before weight and use yours for the after. They can weigh the truck with an empty gas tank and after they load your items, weigh the truck with a full gas tank. You can get a very low rate per lbs, which of course would change if you have more lbs.

Packing Materials: Their prices run from $20.00-$40.00 per box. They will not say anything about their packing and materials charges until their employees come to move your belongings. They will use as many packing supplies as they can to get the bill higher. If you tell them not to pack anything, they will make you sign a waiver saying that if something should happen to your items, they will not be responsible. In the end you will feel trapped because you know you are being ripped off and being forced to do something that you do not want to do. So please, be careful, because there are many bad companies out there.

Most moving companies won’t tell you that after they load your items at your old location, they unload them into their warehouse, and when they are ready with a few more jobs going to your state, they will load your items on to the truck that will take them to your new place. They may even sell your job to another carrier to take your items to your new location.
Their employees are hired with no experience, they don’t know how to pack/unpack, or even how to load/unload a truck in a professional way. A lot of companies use Labor Ready guys that don’t know anything about the moving business.

How do the moving scams all starts?
The shipping and moving companies will ask you for a list of items that you have to move. They will want you to underestimate the number of items you have so they can and will charge you more for the extra cubic feet. It will be very hard for you to know how many boxes you will have until you are done packing your belongings, so when they come to move you and see that you have more things, then everything starts to fall apart.

What are the hidden costs of moving scams?
Charges for extra Cubic Feet, Packing, Long Carrie, Stairs, and Elevator charges:

Cubic Feet: More items, more space and more money.

Packing: For every item that the moving company will pack or wrap, you will pay for the packing and materials and know that their prices are outrageous.

Long Carrie: If the truck is more then 50 feet away from your doorstep, there will be a charge of $50-$150.00 per 50 feet.

Stairs: If you live on the 2nd floor, or you have a flight of stairs in your home, there will be a charge of $50-$150.00 per flight of stairs.

Elevator: If you have an elevator that needs to be used to get to your home, there will be a charge of $50-$150.00, one time fee.

How can I save myself and avoid the moving scams?
Don’t worry there is still hope. You do not have to pay so much money and take the risk of the shipping or moving companies holding your belongings as hostage. Rent a container from companies like Door-To-Door, Get a Sam, ABF/U-Pack and let PSI pack and load your belongings.

Who is PSI (Packing Service, Inc.) and what do we do?
PSI was opened in 2003 to help people that don’t know anything about moving company scams and we are here to educate you with our knowledge for FREE. We will help you save time, money and make it less stressful when you move.
We do the most professional packing/unpacking, loading/unloading, and crating for any kind of move at anytime. We are a full packing service company and pack EVERYTHING in only a few hours so you can stop packing for days, weeks or even months ahead of time. Our employees at Packing Service Inc. are professional and have years of packing and moving experience. We take pride in treating your items as if they are our own. We make sure the items are safely packed and protected with the best packing knowledge to ensure nothing gets damaged, broken or even scratched. Packing Service Inc. knows you are paying a lot of money for your move and it is very important to receive your items in the same condition they were in the place you moved from.

Packing Service Inc. tries to make our customers calm and relaxed because we know how hard and stressful moving can be. Packing Service Inc. opened on 2003, member of the Better Business Bureau with no complaints and is NOT a Broker Company, we use our very own professional employees and lots of other companies who work with us by our policy, we all use Packing Service’s Inc. T-shirts, contracts and policies. Brokers sells their job contracts to other moving companies who will come and overcharge you and follow by their own policy, not what was promised to you, this way you will not know what will be the total of the job beforehand, this is how all the moving scams starts because they do not provide flat fees guaranteed.

What is the best way to move?
These days it is better to move with a container company such as:
Door-To-Door, Get a Sam or ABF trucks: they will drop off a truck or a container at your location, you will pack and load the truck or the container, and after it is full, they will come and pick it up. Then you will not need to be afraid of any moving company scams because the truck or the container company will provide you with a flat fee estimate. Also your items will not get loaded and unloaded again and again like with shipping or moving companies, they will stay in one place until you unload them. You can always rent a truck such as: Penske, Budget, Enterprise, U-Haul and drive it yourself.

How can PSI help me?
We will send one of our representatives to your place a time of your convenience to provide you a flat fee guaranteed estimate and will show you pictures of how the items will look like before and after the packing service.
Then we will come on the day you choose, pack everything and then load it on to your truck, container, Pods Container, trailer or storage unit. It will take us ONLY a few hours to do the packing and loading/unloading, unlike someone who does not have the experience.

What are the benefits of using PSI than using a moving company?
* Save a lot of time, let the professionals at Packing Service Inc. complete in just A FEW HOURS what can take you so long to do by yourself. Then we will even load it into a truck for you!!

* Save money off the expensive cost of movers. Enjoy competitive savings over other moving companies.

* Know that your belongings are professionally packed and ready to be moved safely.

* Get an honest and guaranteed FLAT FREE QUOTE.

* Get charged by the items to be packed and not by the hour.

* Protect yourself; Packing Service Inc. will increase your knowledge of how the moving industry works by educating you on the entire moving process and by helping you know what to watch out for.

* Helping you avoid getting ripped off, by hidden fees, and sudden price increase that often accompany moving company estimates.

* Our employees are experts in packing services, loading/unloading trucks and Pods containers. They are seasoned professionals with the best knowledge in the business of how items should be loaded and stacked.

What are the differences in charges between shipping or moving companies and PSI?
Most moving companies charge $30.00-$40.00 per box, our company charges $7.00-$18.00 per box (only in Florida), we don’t charge for time at all.
We don’t charge for elevator use, long carrie, cubic feet, weight or stairs.
We charge for the items to be packed only, including the boxes we provide.

What is a booking agent?
This is the agent you choose as your mover or the member of a van line that will coordinate all dates and services for your move. We don’t have or use any booking agents.

What is a moving broker?
A moving broker is a 3rd party company that will book your move and sell it to a moving company of their choice. Don’t ever book your move with a broker as they don’t have any control over your move and they probably don’t even care, as they are in the booking jobs business, not the moving business.

What is full packing?
Your movers will pack everything in your household for you. Make sure to keep any legal papers, medicines and valuables with you during the move.

How can I ensure that special items will be treated with extra-special care?
You can move some of the items that have high sentimental or monetary value yourself. If you prefer to let your movers complete this task, make sure you clearly indicate which items you would like them to take special care with during the move.

If you choose to move with a moving company, what is the best way to move?
The best way to move will be with a large company such as:
Mayflower, Allied, North American. They are very professional and know what they are doing, but just because they have been in business for a long time, they are more expensive than a small company and the chances are that you cannot afford them, but even so always ask for a flat fee guaranteed estimate before and after they come to do the job. Our advice is to not use a small company because they can close their business after a year and open another one with a new name. A lot of companies do that. This is an easy way for them to hide a bad reputation.

How do we start the moving process?
As with any moving company that would like to provide you with an estimate, they will need a list of items that you have to move. From this list you will get the estimate. You have to be very careful because they have the best sales person of any kind of business, they are worse than car dealers (sharks), they know how to convince anyone and sell anything, and this is why they get paid so much. They want you to be wrong and underestimate the number of items to get you a low rate and when you move your items, they will find more items and then the extra charges will start showing up. Make a list of what you have and our advice is to overestimate the number of boxes you think you will have, so when they move you, the estimate will not go up but should go down, although in most cases this will not happen.

How can I get the most precise estimate?
Let us do the packing for you and then we will pack and prepare everything ready for the moving company so they will not charge you their ridiculous prices. Professionals will pack your items. We will save you money by making an inventory list for you during the packing service, and even tell you how much cubic feet and weight you will have so you can provide it to the moving companies and get a more precise estimate with no extra charges and hidden surprises on the day of the move.

Please don’t forget that our prices are more competitive than any shipping or moving company. We also have the best packing service employees in the business; we demand that our employees have worked for one year for moving companies, or else they cannot work for our company. Most moving companies hire people with no experience in packing or moving items without damaging them. If they charge by the hour, they will waste your time and money because they want to make money as much as they can from your time.

Which companies should I be aware of and how do I find the right mover for my move?
Beware of shipping and moving companies with many complaints. You can find information about companies at the following websites: , www.BBB.org, or www.movingscam.com. Write down the names of the companies you think you want to move with and find out about their history.

Am I expected to tip the guys?
Yes and no, we will not ask for a tip like most other moving companies but it is customary to tip the guys for a job well done.

Are the movers experienced workers?
Our employees are experts in packing services, loading/unloading trucks and pods containers. They are seasoned professionals with the best knowledge in the business of how items should be loaded and stacked. Our employees must work for a different moving company for at leased one year before we will hire them to work for us. Most moving companies hire people with no experience in packing or moving items without damaging them.

Do I have to empty all of my filing cabinets?
Metal filing cabinets with 2-drawers can be left full, but you should empty the top 2 drawers of a 4-drawer cabinet. You should also completely empty all lateral file cabinets and all drawers of a wood cabinet.

What is the delivery time for a Long Distance move?
Depending on your move, if you move within the east coast, it takes 7-10 business days. If you move coast to coast, it takes 14-21 business days.

What is Tariff Discount for a long distance move?
The “Tariff Discount” is not really something you should base your decision on when choosing a moving company. The tariff discounts usually look good on the estimate forms, but in reality they get paid by cubic feet or weight, so what you should care about (money-wise) is the price per cubic feet or per lbs. For local moves it is price per hour, plus all additional costs around. Your first concern when looking for mover is whether they are licensed, insured, and have been in business long enough to have a good record with consumers (check BBB for example). Only then you should be concerned about the price – otherwise you will get a “cheap” estimate that will grow into some really ugly inflated “total” by the end of the move.

Moving Company Scams Info For International Move

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How and when should I arrange for relocation services?

Packing Service, Inc. is able to process shipment information on short notice but would prefer a window of about 1 to 4 weeks prior to the relocation date. This will allow us to schedule an in-house visual survey, prepare an initial quotation and schedule sufficient time to pre-plan the move management of your shipment.

How much time does a pre-move survey take at my home?

One of our fully trained and experienced sales consultants will visit you to discuss when you wish to move, what you are taking with you and what you may need to store. He or she will advise you on what may or may not be practical to transport, assess any special packing or delivery requirements and identify any other requirements such as parking permits, hoists or lifting equipment necessary for the safe removal of your goods. During the visit our consultant will need to view and inventory items for removal so please try to have a clear picture in your mind of those possessions you wish to move.

How moving scams apply on an international move?

Moving or shipping companies charge by Cubic Feet or by the amount of Weight, and Packing Materials needed:

Cubic Feet: The shipping and moving companies will provide you with a very low rate per cubic feet, but when they come to pick up your belongings, the rate per cubic feet will go higher than the estimated price for all your extra items, or they will not pack the truck tightly so it will take more space inside the truck. Some companies will provide you a very low estimate to get your business. They will come to your home, let you sign a blank contract (NEVER DO THIS), and load everything into their truck. Before they leave, they will give you the total of what the move will cost and will double the estimate. By law, you cannot do anything because you signed that contract and you will be held accountable for what the company says you owe, or else you will not get your belongings until you pay every penny. If you try to sue them, it will cost you even more than the move. This also applies when you move by weight.

Packing Materials: every packing company and moving services company prices run from $20.00-$40.00 per box. They will not say anything about their packing and materials charges until their employees come to move your belongings, packing company and moving services companies will use as many packing supplies as they can to get the bill higher. If you tell them not to pack anything, they will make you sign a waiver saying that if something should happen to your items, they will not be responsible. In the end you will feel trapped because you know you are being ripped off and being forced to do something that you do not want to do. So please, be careful of the moving scams, because there are many bad companies out there. Most moving companies won’t tell you that after they load your items at your old location, they unload them into their warehouse, and when they are ready with a few more jobs to be sent out of their state, they will load your items on to the truck that will take them to your new place. They may even sell your job to another carrier to take your items to your new location. Their employees are hired with no experience, don’t know how to pack / unpack, or even how to load / unload a truck in a professional way. A lot of moving and packing companies use Labor Ready guys that don’t know anything about the moving business.

How can I avoid the shipping or moving company scams for an international move?

Write down the names of the companies you are thinking of using and find out more about the history of the company by going to www.movingscam.com www.movingripoff.com www.MovingScam.Info www.ripoffreport.com or www.bbb.org Get an in home estimate before your moving date with a flat price for your move including all fees and expenses and of course ask a lot of questions, if the mover looks or acts unprofessional and you have a doubt about the company just move on as there are a ton of companies out there, PSI is the ONLY PACKING COMPANY that provide information about moving scams.

What are my responsibilities?

Your responsibilities revolve around compliance with the regulations regarding entry into the country of destination and the documentation supporting your move. Packing Service Inc. will be able to advise you on the necessary documentation, but you should still contact the embassy or consulate personally to verify all of the requirements. Regarding the move itself, you should be present throughout the packing and loading process, and delivery at destination. While your shipment is clearing customs it is also important to make yourself available.

How can I ensure that special items will be treated with extra-special care?

You can move some of the items that have high sentimental or monetary value yourself. If you prefer to let your movers complete this task, make sure you clearly indicate which items you would like them to take special care with during the move.

Are PSI’s movers experienced workers?

Our employees are experts in packing services, loading/unloading trucks and Pods containers. They are seasoned professionals with the best knowledge in the business of how items should be loaded and stacked. Our employees must work for different moving and packing companies for at leased one year before we will hire them to work for us. Most shipping relocation, moving services companies and packing companies hire people with no experience in packing or moving items without damaging them.

What items are prohibited from importation?

Certain items cannot be accepted for storage or transportation under general conditions of carriage and terms of Standard Liability. For example: food, cash, bonds, jewelry, alcohol, fireworks or other explosives, flammable gases, liquids or solids, poisons and toxins, corrosives, radioactive materials, ammunition or firearms, scuba tanks, gas cylinders, aerosol cans, butane lighters and other pressurized vessels or pornography of any description. It is also inadvisable to include perishables or liquids, which could leak in transit causing extensive damage.

How do I prepare my appliances?

Before the packers arrive at your home, make certain all of the appliances you plan to take have been cleaned and serviced. Be sure to check your owner’s manuals for cleaning instructions. To prevent mold and mildew, major appliances that use water or produce moisture – such as dishwashers or refrigerators – will need time to dry thoroughly before they are packed. You must have all mechanical and electrical equipment serviced prior to your move. Most washers, dryers, air conditioners, refrigerators, stereos and grandfather clocks have components that must be secured by a trained technician.

What will happen on the day of moving?

Packing And Loading: When our packing services team arrives at your home, your personal belongings will be placed in appropriate cartons or containers. To protect your goods from damages, items will be individually wrapped in paper pads as needed. Made of shock-absorbing fiber, the paper pads are used exclusively for international relocation.

How long is this journey going to take?

If you use airfreight, allow up to 14 days door-to-door. If you are talking about remote areas, it will take longer. By sea, it depends where you are going but a reasonable estimate is Europe/USA – 6/8 weeks, Asia/USA – 4/6 weeks and Australia/USA – 8/12 weeks – Australia/New Zealand 2/3 weeks – U.K. to Australia or New Zealand 8-10 weeks.

What method of shipment do we recommend?

There are a number of considerations when selecting the most appropriate service for moving your home contents. The overall quantity of goods, urgency of delivery, insurance considerations, topography en route and budget all play a part in choosing the service that is right for you.

Sea Freight: This is the most common mode of shipment. Household goods are export packed and stowed in steel water-resistant containers. Containerization of cargo is the key to safety. Containers travel secured in an upright position on modern purpose-built vessels. The internal height is 8ft, so even the tallest items of furniture remain upright and contents rarely shift. With rear doors that are customs-sealed, the containers are virtually pilferage-free. Containers are generally available in 20ft (1050 cubic feet capacity – a typical 3/4 bedroom home) and 40ft (2100 cubic feet capacity) configurations on all major routes. Smaller 20ft insulated containers (850 cubic feet capacity) are also available to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and larger 45ft containers (2400 cubic feet capacity) are also available to the USA and S.E. Asia.

Air Freight: Airfreight has the obvious advantage of speed and is recommended for items that need to be there without delay such as wedding gifts, computers, business clothing and tools of trade. Airfreight can be cost-effective, even for larger consignments, particularly those to inland destinations many miles from a container port. Consignments are export packed, secured in enclosed airline pallets (igloos) and transported in the cargo hold of passenger or freight aircraft. Transit time by air is typically between 7 and 14 days.

What various container services to choose between?

Exclusive Container: If you are shipping sufficient quantities we will recommend a container for your exclusive use. This is the ideal solution as the container will be loaded and sealed at your home and in your presence, delivered directly to the port of departure and shipped on board the first available vessel. Often the container can be delivered direct from the destination terminal to your new home, subject to local customs and quarantine formalities, thereby avoiding any unnecessary handling throughout the journey. This method is also known as an FCL (Full Container Load). Transit by exclusive container varies typically from 2 to 4 weeks to North America, to 5 to 7 weeks to Australasian. This method can also apply if you are shipping a motor vehicle with your household goods where the combined volume amounts to a full container load. Using specialist equipment the car will be loaded and over-cased with your household goods.

Groupage Container: The alternative to the exclusive container is the groupage container, whereby your belongings share container space with other Anglo Pacific consignments bound for the same destination, as soon as sufficient volumes are available. Groupage is a cost-effective solution for smaller shipments as you pay only for the container space utilized.

Less Then Container: Consignments destined for countries not served by regular groupage container services are export packed in sturdy outer plywood cases (lift vans) and delivered to the container terminal for containerization by the shipping line. This method is known as LCL (less than container load). As bookings can be made for a specific sailing transit times are similar to those by exclusive container.

Can I move my car?

Most of the time Packing Service, Inc. can arrange loading your car with the rest of your belongings in trailer or container. If this is not possible, we can arrange for an alternate method.

In some countries, the import duty on cars is so crippling you may not want to even think about importing one. Others will have special regulations regarding emission controls or even have rigorous steam cleaning requirements. Also it can be difficult enough learning to drive on the different side of the road without having to cope with a vehicle, which is not designed for your destination country rules.

How can I determine the taxes for which I will be responsible?

Your International Representative will provide general guidelines regarding duties and taxes. However, used household goods and personal effects are allowed to enter most countries without significant duties or taxes. Official information can be obtained by contacting the Consulate or Embassy of the destination country.

What is insurance coverage based on?

The majority of international moving services companies will offer a comprehensive insurance policy based on Replacement Cost Protection (RCP). You will provide the moving company with an itemized valued inventory list that will detail items with their replacement cost at destination. Ask your moving company about the insurance programs that they provide and the premiums that are charged for that coverage. Make sure you include all items on your valued inventory list and do not underinsure your shipment.

What should I take with me on the plane and not send in the shipment?

You should make sure that the following items are not packed by any packing companies or moving companies, but rather taken with you during the move: passports/visas, travel documents, medicines, luggage and travel items. In addition, there are certain items that you should hand pack, as no insurance policy will provide you coverage for such items if they are moved as an unaccompanied shipment. Such items include jewelry, cash, stocks (or any negotiable instrument), tax returns, medical papers, furs or coin collections (or similar). If you do have an extensive collection, check with your moving consultant to see if coverage can be arranged at an extra premium if you cannot take the items with you.

What defining moving terms should I learn?

Accessorial Service: Work performed other than transportation at your request, such as appliance servicing, extra pickups and storage. Charges for these services are in addition to transportation costs.

Claim: A statement of loss or damage to household goods.
Destination Agent: The agent in the delivery city or locale that provides destination services.

Door-to-Door Moving Services: The relocation of household goods from residence to residence.

Duty: The fees imposed by a country’s sovereign laws on imports or exports.

Estimate: An approximation of moving costs, size and bulk as determined by an agent’s physical survey of a shipment.

Inventory: A detailed list of your household goods, describing each item and its condition at loading. The inventory is prepared for you as your goods are professionally packed, and is used as a customs document for clearance of your shipment. Upon delivery, you also can use the inventory to check for any possible loss or damage.

Liability: The maximum amount for which the mover is normally liable in connection with loss or damage of cargo while in transit or storage.

Lift-Van: A wooden or plywood container used mainly on overseas removals. Built specifically to transport household goods.

Order For Service: The itemized receipt for your household goods and agreement for their transportation, including the terms and conditions under which the goods are moved. Your signature acknowledges the household goods have been “released to the carrier”.

Order Number: Used to identify each shipment, the number appears in the upper right-hand corner of the order for service. You will need this number as a reference whenever you have a question about your shipment.

Origin Agent: The agent who provides services at origin, such as packing and loading

Storage-In Transit: The temporary warehousing of your household goods. If you request storage, check with your agent to see what kind of transit and storage protection you have. Depending on how long your goods will be stored, you might need to apply for an extension of your protection policy.

What is a booking agent?

This is the agent you choose as your mover or the member of a van line that will coordinate all dates and services for your move. We don’t have or use any booking agents.

What is a moving broker?

A moving broker is a 3rd party company that will book your move and sell it to a moving services company of there choice. Don’t ever book your move with a broker as they don’t have any control over your move and they probably don’t even care, as they are in the booking jobs business not the moving business.

What is full packing?

Your movers will pack everything in your household for you. Make sure to keep any legal papers, medicines and valuables with you during the move.

Am I expected to tip the guys?

Yes and no, we will not ask for a tip like most other moving companies but it is customary to tip the guys for a job well done.