5 Things to Remember When Choosing an International Moving Company
When you’re going through the process of international moving, there’s a lot to think about. The best way to approach such a monumental task is to divide it into steps and tackle them one by one. Before you start panicking and feeling overwhelmed, one of the first things you need to do is select an international moving company. A good moving company will actually take some of the stress out of the process, and help you with your potentially life-changing transition.
When choosing an international moving company, there are a number of important criteria to keep in mind. As you shop around and do research, you always want to watch out for some significant red flags that will tell you to avoid a particular international moving company. Read on to learn about what the warning signs are of a bad moving company, and how to find the right one for your needs.
1. Avoid International Moving Companies without Recommendations or Referrals
If you’ve never moved abroad, you have most likely never dealt with an international moving company before, and may not know where to start. That’s why it’s important to ask family, friends and coworkers for recommendations or referrals. If you don’t have family, friends or coworkers who have gone through an international move, inquire as to whether they know anyone who has. Not only can they tell you which companies to avoid, they can also provide helpful advice about what to look for in an international moving company.
2. Don’t Pick the First Company You Call
Settling on the first company you happen to come across is generally not a good idea. You will be severely limited unless you conduct more research. With a little digging, you significantly increase your chances of finding a company that will meet your specific needs. That said, you don’t need to call ten companies – three will probably get you the results you want.
3. Don’t Settle on the Cheapest Quote
As the saying goes, “You get what you pay for.” This especially applies to moving companies. If you’re not paying very much, chances are you might not be getting very much in terms of service or professionalism. You want a company that will properly track your belongings and employ professional, courteous workers who will carefully pack and store them. If you’re paying for a discount service, you’ll discover that the company could be skimping on things such as trucks, skilled employees, and materials that will protect your goods during their long journey.
4. Don’t Forget to Verify the Company’s Address
Another essential part of your selection process should be to verify the company’s address. Look up the company online. If you can’t find their address, it might mean that the moving company is located at a residential address, so it might not really be a company. The address the company gives you should match the company’s name in the listing. Otherwise, you should definitely avoid it.
5. Don’t Overlook the Importance of Professional Accreditation
It might sound like window dressing to you, but choosing an international moving company that’s a member of a professional association really does assure its overall quality and the professionalism of its staff. Professional associations, such as the International Association of Movers (IAM), require members to maintain certain standards. For example, the IAM’s code of ethics mandate that movers deal fairly with clients and other businesses, adhere to lawful agreements to which they’re party, and comply with laws and regulations.
If you follow these 5 simple guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to choosing an international mover that will carry out your re-location as smoothly as possible. If you’ve ever spoken to anyone that has gone through the process, you’ll know that keeping stress and problems to a minimum is the key to a successful international move.
