The best way to get a refund from moving companies is to contact the moving company to file a complaint and request arbitration or file a lawsuit if you don't succeed. If the moving company is holding your items hostage, don't panic. We'll explain what steps you can take and how to prevent them from moving unintentionally in the future. As long as you have your budget in writing without commitment, the moving company cannot force you to pay more than 110% of the original budget before unload your merchandise.
You have 30 days to pay, during which the moving company cannot hold your items hostage. You have the legal option of challenging the moving company within this time frame if you believe that unfair charges have been filed. You have two options for resolving a dispute if you choose to challenge the additional charges of a moving company. The first is to file a lawsuit, which is often a costly and time-consuming process.
Alternatively, you can request neutral arbitration, a process through which a third party reviews the customer's complaint and company policies and offers a decision. Legitimate moving companies must cooperate with arbitration requests, although dishonest moving companies may ignore them. If this happens, a lawsuit is your only remedy. If moving companies start demanding payment before completing the delivery, don't pay.
Fraudsters often demand cash or money orders, which will prevent you from disputing charges with a credit card company in the future. Insist that moving companies unload all your belongings from the truck before paying. Your contract with the company means that you're already legally obligated to pay, so there's no reason for the moving company to hold your items hostage to guarantee payment. Certain state agencies, such as those in Pennsylvania or California, may be able to help, as they regulate moving companies.
Contact your state's Public Utilities Commission or Office of Commerce. Organizations such as MoveRescue, which is sponsored by United Van Lines, can also provide tips and advice. If outside agencies can't help you, turn to arbitration and civil legal action. It's a good idea to start with arbitration, as you don't need to hire an attorney and a professional moving company should respond. The dispute resolution brochure should tell you how to start the process.
Filing a lawsuit should be a last resort, but it can be a powerful weapon against traffic fraud. The best way to get a refund from moving companies is to contact the moving company to file a complaint and request arbitration or file a lawsuit if you don't succeed. If you think you've run into a scam, contact the FMCSA, BBB, AMSA, or a state protection agency to the consumer. If moving companies damage your property, contact the company directly to see if you can negotiate a resolution.
If you have moving or home insurance, you can file a claim for damages with the insurance company. To have the moving company return your deposit, verify that your deposit is refundable under the terms of your contract. If you believe you have been subject to fraud, you can dispute the charge with your credit card issuer or contact the FMCSA or BBB. If you're worried that the moving company has stolen your things, you can contact your moving company and file a complaint about the lost item to open an investigation.
You can also call the police to file an official complaint. Of course, you should report as soon as possible that your chosen moving company is holding your items and refusing to deliver them. Of course, it can be another annoying headache that you'd rather not face after an already stressful move, but in most cases, reputable moving companies will take your claims seriously if they can be justified. For example, if you live in California, you can contact the Office of Household Goods and Services to file a complaint against a moving company.
Contact the Office of the Inspector General to have special agents of the Office investigate companies and individuals that have violated criminal laws relating to motor vehicle safety regulations. Yes, there are bad moving companies intent on defrauding customers, but they are the exception to the rule. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has always been on the lookout for unscrupulous and unscrupulous moving companies and, in these situations, they are going to be of great help. In some cases, moving companies are holding things hostage, claiming that the actual weight exceeded the estimate.
Moving companies may charge you an additional fee of up to 15% of the estimated price without obligation for items that are not included in the budget, but they must first legally deliver the goods to you. Of course, there are cases in which the cost of moving can legitimately increase, but sometimes companies artificially inflate the price to line their pockets at your expense. After reviewing your home, the advisors of accredited interstate moving companies will give you a copy of the inventory on which they will base your estimate. Moving companies can't charge you more than 110% of the promised budget before they deliver your household belongings to you.
If this is the case, familiarize yourself with their regulations, consumer protection programs and phone numbers BEFORE you move. During the inventory process, drivers or their assistants will (or should) place a small numbered label on each item they are moving. It's a remote possibility, but some customers have been successful in reporting thefts against moving companies that refused to deliver their products in accordance with federal regulations.
