The Hidden Costs of Budget Movers
Think the cheapest moving quote will actually be the cheapest? Think again. The truth is, you get what you pay for in life and moving and storage is no exception. The best movers focus on providing the best moving solution for customers, not giving them the cheapest bid to win their services.
Here are some hidden price factors that may make a “budget mover” not quite as affordable as you might think.
Hidden Cost #1: Fees
Ahh, the bait-and-switch. It’s a classic scheme by budget movers to get customers to commit to an agreement before charging them similar rates to most other moving companies. The budget mover will provide the lowest cost for services up front, but surprise you with fees like gas charges, tools, mileage and more. Even certain aspects of your move, like the number of floors or furniture involved, can result in a surprise fee if the mover isn’t thorough with its estimate. While many of these fees may be fair, these added costs should have been made available to you in your initial quote.
Hidden Cost #2: Scams
Putting you at more risk than just cost considerations, but still worth mentioning, moving scams can cost you greatly if a budget mover uses one to swindle you. In many of these situations, the mover will hold your belongings “ransom” until you pay the agreed rate, which may have increased tremendously since the initial estimate.
Hidden Cost #3: Insurance
Another surprise cost may occur if anything is broken or damaged during transport. If the mover doesn’t have insurance, they likely have a higher damage rate than an insured mover. But you’ll be out of luck if they break or damage anything. The reason budget movers may be more affordable in the first place could be because they don’t carry an insurance policy on their services and their clients now assume the risk.
Hidden Cost #4: Time
Finally, budget movers are notorious for overbooking moves, which leads to delays, cancellations and lots of frustration. If you want to avoid waiting for hours wondering whether your mover will show up or not, trust a reputable mover with verified reviews and professional partners instead.
A Better Option
When it comes to your move, don’t go with the cheapest option. Review all of the quotes, estimates or research you’ve gathered and make the decision that feels best to you. Interviewing movers with a few questions is also an option that can give you better peace of mind. The best mover may be the cheapest one, but that’s not usually the case and requires your own due diligence during the decision process to decide.
If you’d like an upfront, no-obligation quote for your move, with no hidden fees, contact IMS Relocation today.