Moving is stressful, since many unexpected things can happen. Even if you hire Louisiana cross country moving companies, they cannot guarantee you that everything will end entirely. Sometimes, external conditions can cause some unfavorable situations where your items either get damaged or lost. Other times, due to the mover’s lack of attention, this can happen as well. For this reason, you need to know how to handle disputes with movers. It is in your interest to claim the insurance. If you come across as rude and pushy, movers will not be so forthcoming with you. For this reason, read this guide to know how to handle this situation.
Be careful when hiring a moving company
An excellent way to avoid handling disputes with movers is to hire a reliable moving company. There are several things you should pay attention to when making your final decision. When you are searching for interstate moving companies Texas, do not hire the first one that comes up on your search feed. Pick several companies and read through reviews and comments. After you are sure they are reliable, check if they have a license issued by AMSA. That can help you later if you need to handle disputes with movers. In addition to this, read your moving contract carefully before signing. Look for some hidden costs and pay attention to their policy.
Reasons to file complaints against movers
There are several situations where you need to file a complaint against movers. If you are not sure you should file one, maybe you will find yourself in one of these scenarios.
- Late delivery or pickup – if your moving contract explicitly states the date of your delivery and pickup, but the movers do not show up, you have every right to file a complaint. Just make sure to read your moving contract carefully to see if it mentions compensation for this situation.
- Overcharge – again, it is vital to read your contract carefully. All the additional fees should be listed there, and they can contribute to a higher moving bill.
- Damaged and lost items – the most logical reason of them all; if your things get damaged or lost during the transport, you should file a complaint.
Sometimes, movers don’t deliver your items on time
How to handle disputes with movers when they are willing to cooperate
If you find a reliable moving company, you have better chances of handling conflicts calmly. It is essential to stay calm and composed. Keep in mind that mistakes happen all the time, and you should not overreact. When you call your movers and explain to them what happened, you can come up with the solution together. Movers react better to people who are polite and show that they are well-mannered. In addition to this, keep your moving contract close to you. With your contract, you will be able to file moving complaints and handle disputes with movers. For this reason, read again through your contract as it will act as your evidence.
Filing the complaint
When you see that some of your items are damaged or did not come, you need to file a complaint. You have up to 9 months to notice if something is missing. Then, it is time to write a letter of complaint. You should be brief and accurate when explaining your situation. Try not to exaggerate or to go overboard with an explanation. The more you are to the point, the more serious you will sound. In addition to this, you should also try to be as polite as you can. There is no need to be rude in your letter. You will not achieve much by being disrespectful. However, if movers are the ones acting rude and they decline your complaint, seek help.
Be sure to file a complaint
How to handle disputes with movers if they do not cooperate
Sometimes, movers are the one who does not want to cooperate. However, there is a solution to this problem as well.
- The American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) – remember the license your moving company should have? Now, it is time to contact the association directly, and they will handle disputes with movers on your behalf.
- FMCSO or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Organization – if your move is interstate one, then you need to contact this organization. You can do it online as well, and they will also handle your case on their own.
- Better Business Bureau – you can contact them as well. They will notify the company within 48 hours, and the company will have 14 days to respond. Overall, the whole dispute ends within 30 days.
- The state regulatory agency – if your move is a local one, then contact your state regulatory agency.
Get the good moving insurance
The best way to avoid these problems is to get good moving insurance. If you have some valuable items to ship, you cannot rely only on the necessary insurance. For this reason, if you have better coverage, you can get the insurance money back quite easily. It is also easier to file moving insurance if you have a better one rather than just the basic one. In addition to this, items of extreme value should not be given to the movers. You are the one who should move them to your new home. This way, you will prevent potential damages and losing them in the process.
Get insurance for fragile and valuable items
Be patient when you need to handle disputes with movers
Lastly, it is essential to be patient when handling disputes with movers. The moving itself is stressful. Adding property damages, late delivery, and other situations only cause a headache that will not go away. That leads to losing your composure and fighting with movers instead of handling disputes with them. For this reason, try to stay patient when going through this ordeal.
How to handle disputes with movers
As you can see, even professionals can make mistakes. For this reason, it is important to know how to handle conflicts with movers.