Certain events may occur during the move that cause us to be dissatisfied with the way the moving companies performed their duties. This is the moment when you will have to file a complaint to a moving company. And if you are wondering how to do it, then this article is just for you. Meanwhile, movers in Virginia will tell you what to pay attention to and how to do it properly. Here are some of the things you need to have in mind.
Should you just file a formal complaint or take more action?
When it comes to filing the formal complaint, you will notice that it is only meant for the situations when the movers are violating the terms and conditions of the contract you both signed. One of the examples for this case is when, for instance, you settled for paying $1000 with 10 days of delivery, but it took longer or cost more. On the other hand, when you are experiencing really bad customer service or shady practices, then you need to take these things a bit more seriously. You would want to warn potential future customers by contacting the Better Business Bureau, Google, or Yelp. There you will leave public reviews that everyone can read.
But before anything else, you need to solve the issues with your company first. It is important not to skip this step because, that way, you will help future potential customers avoid them. Usually, these things happen when people hire amateur or shady movers. They have some hidden moving costs that they do not talk about. But, if you hire professional residential movers in Northern VA, you won’t have to deal with any malpractice. Professional movers will know how to handle your move without any issues, and they will offer you only the best moving services.
When should you file a complaint to a moving company?
The best time to file a complaint is when the company is breaking the terms of the contract. You shouldn’t feel helpless when you are obviously a victim of a bad business. That is why you need to know several good reasons to make a complaint, and they include:
- The pickup and the delivery were late.
- Some items are stolen.
- You are a victim of a scam. They took your money but never moved you.
- They are holding your belongings “hostage” until you pay.
- The service is very slow.
- There are some hidden costs they never told you about.
These are some of the biggest reasons you will need to file a complaint against the moving company. Remember, hiring professional moving companies Woodbridge VA allows you to avoid any possible scams during the move. It is a good way to transport your items safely and not worry about anything.
Steps to take when filing a claim
You shouldn’t lose hope when it comes to this. Especially when the moving company is not ready to resolve your conflict. In this situation, you shouldn’t back down. That is why you can still take action and file a complaint against them. And you can do this in several ways:
- Reaching out directly to the movers
- Submit the complaint to the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database
- Contact the states agencies
- Call ATA for the arbitration
When it comes to this, the best solution is to go straight and try to settle everything directly. That way, you will avoid any potential bigger problems and you will see what kind of people you are dealing with. This is something that can be very important to do if you want to move safely and without any problems. Especially when you’re moving long distance. In this case, always think about hiring long distance movers VA. They will offer you some of the best moving services you can get.
Always document your concerns
This is the part when you need to gather as much information as you can. That includes names, dates, and other information that can be crucial for your claim. There are some things you need to have before filing a complaint such as:
- Your own information (address, phone number, name)
- The same information about the moving company
- The pickup adress and the delivery
- The moving company’s USDOT and MC number
- Description of the reason you’re filling a complaint
This way, you will have detailed information about the incident that you would want to report to the relevant authorities. But, before that, make sure to learn how to properly write a formal complaint. It is something that can help your case a lot and will surely benefit you in some future instances as well. It is a skill you won’t forget.
Always check your contract before filing a complaint to a moving company
This is perhaps the most important part you need to do before officially doing anything. If you believe you have been scammed, then you need to check the contract first. Some fraudulent movers will leave out some details or print them in small font so you won’t bother reading them. It is something that you absolutely need to do if you wish to legally protect yourself when moving. Not only that, but you will be able to avoid any scammers this way for sure.
These are some of the best ways you can file a complaint to a moving company. And we are certain that this article provides you with all the information you will need before you do it. If you are still looking for some tips and tricks about your move or how to handle these situations, then feel free to read our blog. It will provide you with everything you will need for your move.