How to escape Manhattan moving scams?

Posted on April 25, 2018January 25, 2024 by BigApple

Moving can be stressful and overwhelming so being well organized is imperative. Hiring the right movers is the most important thing in your moving process. Be sure to look for the best moving services in Manhattan and hire your reliable movers. Reliability, honesty, and professionalism are the most important traits a moving company should have. But, how do you know that your moving company is reliable? You should do a detailed background check and make sure that you follow the guidelines you are going to read here. Yes, moving scams are possible and doing a detailed check is the best way to avoid Manhattan moving scams.

road sign that says SCAM - avoid Manhattan moving scams — Do a detailed background check to avoid Manhattan moving scams

How to avoid Manhattan moving scams

You should always choose an experienced moving company with a long history. If a moving company has been out there for a very long time they are probably very reputable. These companies care about their reputation and that is why they are still working and functioning. Just think about it, if there were scams they would be reported. If a lot of people report scams the authorities will check this out and close the business of the moving company. If this hasn’t happened by now it probably will not happen in the future. So this is a good guarantee that the moving company is legit.

Check if the company is insured

It is very important to check if the company has all of the necessary papers and that they are insured. They need to have insurance against any unfortunate mistakes that might happen. They should also ask you if you have insurance. If you don’t they should offer you to buy an insurance policy from them. If this happens it is a sure sign that they are reputable and that they care about their clients. In addition, you should check if their workers are bounded. A reputable moving company will have bounded workers that work under a legitimate contract. You should check this as well.

Get references and check their BBB rating

What you should definitely do is check online reviews of the company. This should give you some kind of an insight into the experiences of the prior customers. Moreover, to be completely sure they are legit ask for a contact number and names of some previous satisfied customers. A good and reputable company will not have a problem with this.They will gladly comply with your wishes. However, if they don’t accept you should just move on. It is a good idea to check the company at Better Business Bureau. Focus on moving scam reports. You will be able to track any kind of bad reports of the company here. This is a sure way to avoid Manhattan moving scams.

lap top that says fraud alert - avoid Manhattan moving scams — Check online reviews to avoid Manhattan moving scams

Additional things to do to avoid Manhattan moving scams

Here is a valuable piece of advice for you. You should plan your move well in advance because this is a sure way to hire the best and the most reliable companies. If you plan in time you will get these benefits

You will hire the best and most reliable companies
Tou might get a discount. So first learn about the NYC moving costs and them book way before the move to get great discounts.

If you don’t act in time others will book all of the best moving companies.

Ask your real estate agent for some advice

You might be quite inexperienced when it comes to moving scams but your real estate agent has seen it all a million times before. Both good and bad news spread like wildfire. You should ask your real estate agent for some information and recommendations. If the moving company you want to opt for has been involved in any Manhattan moving scams your agent will probably have some information about this. You should ask them about the good and bad experiences of their previous clients. They are a wonderful and reliable source of information.

Ask for a detailed contract

A reliable moving company will make a detailed and elaborate contract. Be sure to know what you are signing. The contract should include their estimate, all of their fees and additional fees and exact date of the move. Check all of this before you sign anything.It should match the information they have given you beforehand. If there is no paperwork than you can be sure that you are dealing with scammers.

Never settle for large deposits

If the moving company is asking you to pay a large deposit there is something wrong there. A reliable company will only ask you to leave a small deposit as a sign of trust and goodwill. If you are asking about the sum of money it is usually between 100 and 500 dollars. If your moving company is asking for much more than this something is fishy and you should avoid them. Pay attention to the cost of the move. If the cost is too cheap or much cheaper than you expected than something is probably wrong. You could be dealing with rogue movers or scammers.

Your movers should have an office

There is an increase in scammers who pretend to have Internet only moving companies. It is not enough to check the website of the moving company. It could be top notch or too good to be true and promise you the best service. However, your moving company needs to have an office. You should go to the address you find on the website and check that the company is there. If you don’t find them there, they are probably just part-time scammers.

a scammer taking a file from a computer — The moving company should have an office

Check their trucks and storage units

If the moving company is professional and reputable they should have trucks that are in excellent condition. If the trucks are in a great condition it means that your belongings will stay safe during transport. You should check if they have affordable storage units. However, it is more important that the storage units they offer are safe and hygienic.

Following all of these tips is a good way to avoid Manhattan moving scams. Your move will be safe and everything will go more smoothly.

New movers in NY – How to check their reliability?

Posted on January 15, 2018 by BigApple

Not every negative experience has to necessarily be a scam. It could simply be unpleasant in any way – poor communication, tardiness, quality of service, etc. The prejudice is that this usually happens with new movers in NY. However, in some cases, it’s not unpleasantry but actual deception, regardless of whether you are moving to New York, or within it. You may be deceived by the price, for instance. You’d agree upon one price and during the moving day, the price would change, leaving you cornered and in despair. There are also scenarios where the movers would keep your belongings hostage until they received a better price from you. Continue reading “New movers in NY – How to check their reliability?”

Moving Checklist: Step by Step Guide

Posted on January 13, 2018August 11, 2023 by BigApple

I’m the type of person who needs things written down. If it’s not written down, it might not happen. If I forget to write something down and remember it too late, I get very angry.

I found out a long time ago that writing things down helps me. I make lists for groceries and things to do. I also found out that it helps when I move. The first time I moved by myself, I saw how much writing things down helped me.

The best part is – the moving checklist that I’ve made hasn’t changed much since the first move. It just gets upgraded, sometimes. I hope you can put my moving checklist to some good use.

Moving Checklist Guide – Timeline

The moving checklist has been organized chronologically, with a comprehensive timeline culminating in the actual moving day. This timeline serves as the basis for a detailed moving checklist, which outlines tasks that require attention within specific timeframes.

To streamline the process, the timeline is divided into categories such as tasks to be completed two months prior, one month prior, one week prior, a few days prior, and on the day of the move.

You want to start your move ahead of time, it is one of the keys to a successful move. If you procrastinate and delay the things that need to be done way ahead of time you will face utter failure.

Two Months Before

The two months before period should start lightly and without any dangerous deadlines. Start swaying into the move itself but without burning yourself out. Basically, the two most important things you should do is find the best movers you can find in New York and create a list of things you want to keep and things you want to throw out.

Finding Movers

You will want to do research. In the age of internet ignorance is a choice. So chose otherwise. There are numerous tips on what to look for when finding movers. Basically, you want to have legally registered movers with insurance, that have good online (or word of mouth) reviews, that won’t do your quote over the phone and that have a USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) number.

Basically, if they exist for a while, have good reviews and seem professional enough – they usually are. The moving scams occur when you want to save money and look for movers on Craigslist. But nobody in their right mind would do that… Or would they?

Keep or Throw Away

It is advisable to conduct a thorough inspection of all the rooms in your residence and carefully assess your possessions. It may be appropriate to part ways with certain items that have been unused for an extended period of time. Consider gifting them to a friend who has expressed interest or donating them to a charitable organization. Relocating can be a challenging process, and it is important to avoid any unnecessary burdens.

One Month Before

Things are getting a bit spicy, you are closing in on the moving day. Get a bit more serious but still not too serious. Keep a light mood, for your sanity sake.

Make a Final Choice of Movers

So you’ve gone through all of the moving agency options, you interviewed them all. You’ve received a moving estimate and you’re finally set on that one moving agency that gave you the best vibe. Fine. Get a written confirmation of your moving date, as well as the final price and all other details.

Start Packing

Start packing light. Packing for moving in NYC is no easy task. First, kick off with the things you use the least, and the things you most likely won’t be using within the next month. This will be a good icebreaker. Also, while you’re packing make sure to make note of every single belonging valued over $100 (i.e. your computer) so that you can declare them in writing in order to be eligible for insurance.

File for Change of Address

This change of address takes time, so you might as well go to the post office and do the change of address form. You will still want your old neighbors to look out for any mail that might have been sent months ago, otherwise, you’ll be safe just in time.

Relocate Medical Records

Just make sure that all of your medical records are relocated to the new health care provider, in your new neighborhood.

Label Stuff

The most important thing when packing your boxes is to develop a habit of labeling everything. This way you’ll know what’s what at all times. There are also ways you can find cheap or free moving boxes in New York.

One Week Before

One of the final laps in the move. Feel the pressure!

Make Sure You Take a Day Off for the Move

Call the office, announce that you will be moving and ask for a day off. You’ll need it.

Confirm the Move with the Moving Company

Call them, make sure you confirm that everything is on schedule. There might be changes that you missed a notification about.

Pack Your Bags

Pack everything. Leave out the most frequently used things and pack those in hand luggage. Keep them on you, as well as any other tiny valuables (jewelry, electronic devices, etc.). Just leave out clothes you will wear for a few days, everything else sealed and ready to go.

Stock Up on Prescription Meds

If you have any prescription medication, make sure you stock up on them now for it maybe even a week before you have the chance to do it again.

Few Days Before

The last 100-yard dash.

Empty Out the Freezer and the Fridge

If you’re taking the fridge with you make sure you defrost it. If not, make sure you defrost it anyway, take out everything and leave it in mint condition.

Double Check on Everything

Go over all the documentation and packed belongings.

Prepare Payment for the Movers

Prep a credit card or cash, or any other means of payment.

Moving Day

The finish line!

Verify Everything

First, verify that the truck that showed up belongs to the company you hired. Second, verify the USDOT number. Have the movers identify themselves. Scams like this are not alien to this world.

Make an Inventory List

Before you depart from your movers go through the inventory list, make sure everything is there and accounted for.

Best of Luck!

How to find reliable office movers NYC

Posted on December 22, 2017 by BigApple

Moving an office is a totally different ball game when compared to moving an apartment. The stakes are higher, the amount of things being moved is usually higher and the time is all that matters. Businesses can’t take waiting too long for the relocation since if they do – the business suffers. This is why it is imperative to find reliable office movers NYC. The word reliable is key since they have to be dependable, accurate and punctual. Also, a high level of professionalism needs to exist. Continue reading “How to find reliable office movers NYC”

Essential tools for DIY Home Redecoration

Posted on December 18, 2017December 20, 2017 by BigApple

There has been an ongoing battle between me and my wife since the beginning of time – should we hire someone or should we do it ourselves? When I say ‘we’ I usually mean me. My wife is always in favor of hiring a professional, and I’m always all about doing it myself. It’s cheaper and it’s much more fun. Plus it’s relaxing and rewarding. But a craftsman is only as good as his tools, hence here’s somewhat of a list of tools for DIY home redecoration. Continue reading “Essential tools for DIY Home Redecoration”

How to Declutter Home Before Moving

Posted on December 15, 2017August 11, 2023 by BigApple

Moving is a lengthy process, and packing takes a huge part of it. Sometimes, packing may take up to four or six weeks, depending on how big your house is! And that is perfectly fine, as long as you do a thorough job. One important aspect of packing is decluttering your house first.

The act of decluttering facilitates the identification of items that will accompany you on your relocation journey and those that are to be discarded. While there are several approaches to decluttering, a meticulously planned method is deemed most effective.

This article outlines essential considerations to bear in mind as you embark on the process of decluttering your home in preparation for your move.

Creating a Sorting System

The first step in decluttering your home is to create a sorting system. Find a couple of bins or some free cardboard boxes and mark them with different categories. You will need a bin for the things you are keeping, one for throwing things away and the final one for taking things into the storage.

Make these bins available as you go from one room to the next, and be ruthless. Everything that’s out of its place – put into one of the bins. Be careful and thoughtful – and be honest. If you don’t really need something, don’t be scared to throw it out! Having fewer things means spending less money on moving them to your new home.

Clean the beans after finishing each room. The things you decide to keep you should return to the proper place or pack if the moving day is drawing close. You need to decide what you will do with the things in the second bin. You can either recycle your items, sell them for extra money or donate them to a charity organization. The things in the final bin can go into your storage until you figure out what you will do with them.

Declutter Your Bathroom

The process of decluttering bathrooms can prove to be a challenging task. The presence of various items in drawers and medicine cabinets, coupled with the accumulation of random objects over time, can make it a daunting undertaking. It is not uncommon to find books and cups occupying space in some bathrooms. Therefore, the question arises, how does one effectively declutter such a space?

Start with the medicine cabinet, and then after you’re done, move to the drawers. When decluttering, take everything out. Don’t leave things in there, even if that is their proper place. Once you have all the clutter out, you can decide what you will keep or not.

Get rid of old medicine, makeup, and skin products. Check all areas of the bathroom, including under the sink and in the tub.

Declutter Bedrooms

The process of decluttering a bedroom bears a resemblance to that of decluttering a bathroom, albeit in reverse. The initial step involves clearing the tops of nightstands, wardrobes, and dressers, and placing all items into designated bins, rather than returning them to their original positions.

This same approach should be applied to items on the floor or bed. Subsequently, all items within drawers should be removed, and a decision made as to what should be retained and what should be discarded, with the respective items placed in their designated bins.

Clothing May be the Hardest Part

For some people, decluttering their wardrobes is the hardest thing in the world. It is because they just do not want to say goodbye to some of their clothing items. This is why there are many creative ways to declutter your wardrobe.

One of the best is to divide your clothes by type – shoes, boots, denim, cotton, shirts, dresses etc. Sort them however you want. That way it’s easier to throw away an item when you compare it to others of the same sort. For example, you might love a pair of jeans, but you can realize how worn out it is only after seeing it next to other jeans you own.

If you have more time, you can try the Oprah Winfrey Closet Decluttering Method. Simply place the hangers in your dresses in the opposite direction. After you wear an item, place the hanger in the correct direction. After some time (she suggests six months, however, sometimes you don’t have that much time), you will see which clothes you like wearing and which you seldom do. Take these into consideration for throwing out when decluttering.

Declutter Kitchen

The kitchen may be one of the most challenging rooms in your house – just because we all keep so many things in it. What’s really hard here is deciding how you will go about decluttering. You can do it by the type of your stuff (like glassware, plates, cutting boards) or area by area. Whichever way you go about it, be sure to empty all the drawers and divide them into bins.

Declutter Living Room

Maintaining a clutter-free living room on a daily basis can prove to be a challenging task. Given that this space is where we spend a significant amount of our time, it is not uncommon for it to lack adequate storage options. To tackle this issue, it is recommended to begin by decluttering bookshelves and TV consoles, followed by smaller areas such as side tables and coffee tables.

When it comes to electronics, a useful guideline is to dispose of anything that is not connected to your TV set. This is likely an indication that the item is not frequently used, and it is advisable to consider whether it will be of value in your new residence.

Once you have finished decluttering your home, it’s time to call some professional movers. When you declutter home, you reduce the stress and speed up the packing process. This way, you help both yourself and the movers.

This is why we recommend you do it. Even if you are not moving to your new home, you should declutter home at least once a year. Living in a place where everything is in its place is often calming. Decluttering is good because you do not need any fancy equipment, but it does take some time, so be careful and plan it well.