PackingScam

When it comes to moving, there are a couple of tricks that moving  or packing companies can do to make your moving, (packing costs) go up dramatically.  It is important that you are around all the time, if you are having professional packers, professional movers do your move.  These tips will help you avoid from being charged unnecessary charges that can occur in many household moves today.

First of all, say you didn’t get a chance to finish packing all of your boxes, or sealing up all your cartons.  One way a moving company can get your costs to increase is by using an obscene amount of tape.  Sometimes the movers will make commission by how much material they sell.  If you think “oh I’ll just have the mover seal them up”.  This could potentially slow your move down, which will add more cost, and the movers could potentially over tape and tape and tape, so you there’s more tape on the box then you even know.  Before you know it, you are being charge for 50 rolls of tape to seal up your boxes.  It’s a good idea if you are packing yourself, to have extra moving tape around, so the movers cannot do this.

If you decide to use professional packers to pack your belongings, get an estimate for packing costs first!  Most moving companies charge per unit (per box), so the number of boxes and how they pack them is important.  Supervise and verify that boxes are properly filled. 

Packing Tricks

One trick a dishonest packer can do is what’s called a “balloon pack”, or put only a few items per box and fill the rest in with wadded newsprint.  This can dramatically raise the number of boxes to be packed.  One small pillow in a large carton filled with paper or each lamp shade getting its own individual box are examples of a “balloon pack”.  Now that doesn’t mean every box that is light is under packed, it means to observe the pack and ask questions and use common sense when evaluating the pack.  This also doesn’t mean that all packing or moving companies will try to use deceptive practices to bump up your costs.  Most companies are fine and do a fine job, but check them out on the front side and observe them during the packing to protect your interests.  “Caveat Emptor” or “Buyer Beware” is always safe advice.