It has become very easy for anyone to dupe you of your money. They just need to put up colorful hoardings and advertise a few lucrative offers on their official website and customers come drawn to them like a moth to a flame. Everybody wants to save money and these so-called professional movers know exactly what promotional content to put out there so that they can trap unsuspecting and innocent families within a matter of a few minutes.
They are aware that advertising an unusually low price on their packing and moving services is going to get everybody talking. People are going to line up at their doorstep for their services. This is what motivates these fraudsters and criminals and it is exactly what you need to be aware of. There are numerous packers and movers in Canada that would come across as highly affordable, easily accessible, and won’t even require you to fill out any lengthy forms or sign an agreement. It all seems very rosy and easy.
Let’s dig a little deeper into these offers and understand how you can protect yourself and your hard-earned money from these unprofessional movers.
Stay Away From Any Low-Price Offers
This is the very first sign of something fishy going on. If a moving company in Canada offers you packing and moving services at dirt-cheap prices, it is better to stay away from them. If they happen to have a brochure or some kind of a written offer, ask them to give you a complete breakdown of the cost before you sign anywhere at all. Also, ask them to explain to you the damage coverage that they offer and get in touch with the insurance provider that they recommend you choose. Remember, nothing high quality is going to come at a dirt cheap price.
No Agreement Or Contract
Where is the contract? Have you seen any paperwork? Did you find any agreement or even a file or folder with the professional movers? If this is something that is happening to you, it is better to stay away from them. Any reputable or highly recommended packing and moving company in Canada is always going to stress creating a contract or agreement before anything else. This is going to list down all the details of the package and will also explain a complete breakdown of the cost. If the packers and movers are avoiding presenting a contract to you, it is not a good sign.
Payment In Advance
No moving company in Canada is going to ask you for the entire amount in advance. Also, if the professional movers ask you to pay the entire amount in cash or make a deposit by credit card, it does come across as suspicious. Usually, these companies only ask for a 20% deposit which is a very nominal amount. Some of them might only settle for 10% or 15% of the total figure. If they do not agree to this minimum percentage, it is better to look for other more reliable alternatives.
No Physical Address
What? Does the moving company have no physical address? Where do they receive all their letters and correspondence? Where are their moving vehicles located? How do they store their packing materials and moving equipment? This is a no-brainer. If the packers and movers do not have a physical address, it is quite clear that they are a bogus company. You should not go forward with this agreement under any circumstances. If you have paid a certain amount to them in advance, it is better to ask them to return that to you immediately.
Lack Of Authentic References
This is also again a very big red flag and it helps you protect your money from such perpetrators. If you cannot find any reliable review or comment or a testimonial whether it is on their official website or social media platforms, it is better to stay away from them. Reviews and testimonials along with references are a great way to identify fake companies very easily. One more very clear sign that a packing and moving company is a fraud is a lack of negative reviews. It is quite obvious that a relocation company cannot have all reviews praising its services. There are bound to be a few families or individuals that are not impressed with its services that much. If the reviews and references seem too good to be true, it is also a sign that you should stay away from them.
Guaranteed Service/Price
No packers and movers in Canada are going to give you this guarantee. This is for the simple reason that transporting your cargo from one location to another involves a lot of risk. There are a lot of unexpected incidents that the moving company has to take into consideration. It can be anything ranging from bad weather to road blockages or accidents. So if somebody gives you a guaranteed price, do take that with not a pinch but a bag of salt. A reputable packing and moving company is never going to advertise its services with a “guarantee” of any kind.
Absence Of License Or Insurance
This goes without saying because relevant licenses and insurance are essential for any business to be able to function in Canada. If they cannot produce the required documents and certifications, it is quite clear that the company is a fraud. You must also remember that these professionals are responsible for relocating some of your most complicated and critical electrical appliances, fragile furniture items, and a lot of other expensive possessions. If they do not have the necessary licenses and certifications, they do not have the skill or expertise to carry out this move in the first place.
How Do You Deal With This Scam?
Remember, in the end, it is very important to understand how to deal with these scams. The most practical way to determine whether the packers and movers in Canada are authentic or not is to visit their physical office and then their official website. Connect with people that have verifiable reviews and testimonials on social media only. As a conclusive point, always ask for a contract right in the beginning and do enquire about any hidden costs as well. Happy moving.