KELOWNA, British Columbia, Oct. 29, 2019 Destroyed and lost belongings. Late arrivals. Lack of equipment and knowledge. No-show service. Uninsured moving trucks. Hidden fees. Withholding goods for an additional payment. Nathan Miller, President of Bekins Moving and Storage Kelowna, has heard his fair share of horror stories in regards to consumers being ripped off by so-called fly-by-night movers.
Miller isn't alone. Consumer complaints about unscrupulous moving services offered by discount movers have been on the up-rise.
"This kind of thing is happening everywhere. People who look at the price only and don't perform due diligence before booking movers are especially vulnerable," Miller, who has more than 20 years of experience as a mover, says. "It's that adage; you get what you pay for. You can have an even more expensive outcome when you use these discount movers instead of a professional moving company."
To avoid making a costly mistake, Miller recommends that consumers first get referrals and recommendations when booking their movers.
While review sites may offer some insight into a company's reputation, Miller suggests consumers go to more trusted resources such as friends, family members, and businesses that have used the moving company before.
Miller also warns consumers to be aware of any company that offers moving services without first providing an in-person consultation or asking for an electronic visual survey of the goods.
"A big red flag is when they don't offer to look at the goods first and only do things over the phone. They should want to come and meet you in person and see your stuff," says Miller. "You should also see if the moving company in Kelowna or elsewhere has a brick and mortar location. Often these discount movers use a third party booking service. It's a problem when there are no actual people involved."
Another thing to check is whether the company is affiliated with a professional van line, made up of respectable moving companies from around Canada.
"If the company is affiliated with a top van line, it means they have to be qualified. The company needs to have a physical location, trained staff, proper equipment, and meet stringent standards to be a member agent," Miller says.
Most importantly, all quotes, estimates, and contracts should come in writing.
"The company should document everything," Miller says.
As a trusted member of United Van Lines since 2015, Bekins Kelowna provides moving services across Canada with the help of more than 150 agents across the country. One of six Bekins locations in B.C., Bekins Kelowna also offers local residential and commercial moving and storage along with specialty and last-minute moving services, and a newly expanded, do-it-yourself moving container service for both long-distance and local moving.
Visit Bekins Kelowna for more information.
About Bekins Kelowna Moving & Storage:
As a trusted moving company in Kelowna and part of the oldest moving franchise in Western Canada, with six branches across BC, Bekins Moving & Storage Kelowna offers complete moving services in and around the Okanagan and beyond. Bekins Kelowna movers are available for businesses needing to relocate or renovate. They also provide long-distance moving services through Bekins' affiliate, United Van Lines, which has more than 200 locations across North America.
SOURCE Bekins Moving & Storage Kelowna
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