Complain about a product or service

Movers • Public Citizen: Movers Database Missing Crucial Information • GAO: Consumers Still Held Hostage by Movers • Movers Keep Upper Hand in Interstate Moves • Consumers Held Hostage • Congress May Act • GAO Urges Action • Florida Movers Indicted • A Mover's Advice • A Working Stiff's Advice

It's hard to think of anything less pleasant than moving.  Moving companies large and small tend to be pretty rough around the edges -- and the situation has gotten much worse since Congress brilliantly eliminated the Interstate Commerce Commission, which formerly regulated interstate movers. (See Movers Hold Consumers Hostage).

A General Accounting Office report recently found the problem is growing more severe but stopped short of recommending that the states be given more authority to protect consumers, and elements in Congress are working overtime to make matters worse.

The federal Transportation Department has mounted a consumer protection campaign. DOT's www.protectyourmove.gov provides a guide to moving rights and information on how to research movers and brokers registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Complaints related to household goods movers or other commercial motor carriers may be reported to the agency�s hotline at 1-888-368-7238, filed online at www.1-888-dot-saft.com, or sent using a form on the Web site via mail to FMCSA 400 Seventh St., SW, MC-PA, Washington, DC 20590 or fax 202-366-7298.

Whatever else you may or may not do, check out our advice from a professional mover. Thinking of storing your stuff yourself? See our Storage Lockers section. Thinking of moving yourself? Check out Stephanie Moore's On the Road Again before doing anything rash.

In general, when moving, it's best to plan for the worst.  Expect the movers to show up late, with the wrong equipment and with too few or too many helpers.  Then expect them to leave some items behind and to break others.

Replay the scenario backwards on the other end of the move and you'll be ready for a typical moving experience.

Back to the top |

Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

Copyright © 2003-2008 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.    The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission.