Relocating can be a multifaceted undertaking that necessitates meticulous planning and coordination to ensure a hassle-free experience. Ideally, your move will proceed without any unforeseen complications. Nevertheless, certain circumstances may be beyond your control, resulting in unfavorable outcomes. One such challenge that may arise during the relocation process is tardiness on the part of the movers during pick-up or delivery.
Whether you’re waiting for your things to be picked up or your belongings are being delivered, waiting for movers is certainly not pleasant. In general, it’s more frustrating if movers are late for delivery because you won’t have your things with you.
But, steps to handle the issue are pretty much the same with delivery and pick-up delays. When your movers are late, it’s very important that you stay calm because you’ll need composure in order to solve the issue.
You’ll have to call them and hopefully, you’ll reach them quite quickly – we hope you did your homework and hired a licensed and reliable NYC moving company.
Why Are Movers Late?
There are various reasons why movers may experience delays. Traffic congestion can cause unforeseen delays, and technical issues with the moving vehicle can also contribute to tardiness. Additionally, misunderstandings regarding the correct address or unexpected flat tires can further exacerbate the situation. Despite the best efforts of movers to exercise due diligence and professionalism, unforeseen circumstances can occasionally arise.
Late movers are not a reason to hit the panic button straight away. Consider the human factor as well – one of the crew members may be sick. There may be an emergency or an accident. So, remain calm at least until you learn what’s holding them back.
If movers are late with delivering your items to the new address or they’re not on time to pick up your belongings, be proactive and follow the simple steps below. If you’re wondering what to do when movers are late, we’ve got you covered.
Keep Your Cool
The first thing to do is to stay calm. Of course, this may not be exactly the easiest thing to do when things don’t go as planned but you should try and remain calm because you still don’t know what the reason for the delay is and how long until the problem is resolved.
You’re much more likely to solve the issue if you keep your composure than if you panic. This easier said than done step may not sound like much. But, it’s definitely helpful once you’re stressed and have to handle the issue.
Double-Check the Deal
The second thing to do when your movers are late is to take your contract and check if the arrival time is estimated or not. Why should you do this? Because your contract may state that movers will arrive, for example, between 10 am and 11 am, while you may be waiting for them at 9 am.
Always check the time you agreed to in the contract to make sure they’re really late and it’s not about the misunderstanding. In case your contract clearly states the timeframe but your movers are nowhere to be seen, go ahead and follow the next step.
Call Movers
After you’ve made sure that your movers are indeed late, it’s time to give them a call and find out what’s holding them. In case you don’t have their number saved, just check their website and find a phone number. As long as you’ve hired a reputable mover (and we sincerely hope that you did), reaching them shouldn’t be a problem.
Ask for an Explanation and Specific Info
Upon contacting the moving company, it is imperative to request pertinent information regarding your move. Begin by introducing yourself and providing a detailed explanation of the situation. It is recommended to inquire about the specific arrival time of the movers, without placing too much emphasis on the rationale behind their schedule.
Obtaining this information is of utmost importance, and it is advised to remain on the line until a definitive time frame has been established for the arrival of the moving crew.
React Depending on the Info
Once you have a new expected time of crew arriving, it’s time to improvise and use that extra time depending on the info you get. For example, if your movers are arriving in the next 15 minutes, there’s no need to change your plans or move to another task. But in case they’re arriving in a couple of hours, you can get back to your things and make a few checks.
See if your essentials bag has everything you need. Check if your valuables are separated from the rest of your belongings. Check if pathways are clear, if everything is ready to go, etc. In case movers won’t be arriving until the next day, even though it’s highly inconvenient, you’ll still have to improvise and adjust your schedule.
Take Action
Hopefully, you’ll never have to deal with an issue in this manner. But, if you’re unable to get in touch with movers for a few days, it’s time to react and notify authorities about your situation. Go ahead and contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) at 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888- 368-7238) Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time to seek advice on what you are expected to do next. In case your mover is asking for cash to deliver your items, you’ve clearly been a victim of fraud. You should contact the police before calling FMSCA.
In case you’re involved in a moving scam but you’re not happy with the service, make sure to leave a moving review. Be honest and describe your situation with all the details. Your review can help another customer know about your inconvenience. MyMovingReviews and Yelp are some of the reliable moving company reviews websites.
If you’re looking for a licensed and reliable moving company, check out Big Apple movers. We’re at your service and we’ll provide a Brooklyn moving quote completely free of charge.