Don’t allow removalists to take advantage of you

admin

We’ve established that there are some seriously dodgy removalists operating in the industry, taking advantage of consumers, demanding for storage fees and other costs, not showing up on time or not showing up at all and not taking ownership for damaging goods.

Moving is seriously stressful and if you are one of the unlucky ones to deal with a shonky removalist then it can cause you a lot of grief and may leave you significantly out of pocket.  There is so much that needs to be coordinated when moving, you may need to vacate your property by a certain date, you may need your belongings shortly after you arrive at your new home.  If removalists cannot pickup or deliver when they say they would, then it is probably no use to you.  It’ll end up costing you more and you’ll end up sleeping on the floor.

Let’s look at some tips on how you can save yourself from a lot of heartache:

Do not pay in cash and ask for a receipt

Having records is the key here, never pay in cash and never pay in full.  Use a credit card where possible, that way you have proof of payment and also the option to apply for a charge back if the removalist doesn’t show up.  Ask for a receipt, businesses that provide a service are required to provide customers with a receipt or proof of purchase for anything over $75.

Sign a moving contract

Understanding your moving contract can be in your favour if things get messy.  Ensure the contract states the total price of the move and ensure you are very clear about the services a removalist is offering and how much they will cost.  If your possessions are damaged or lost during a move, you are entitled to compensation.  If a removalist causes major delay and inconvenience that were not caused by factors outside their control, you can seek reimbursement for loss due to the delay.

Understand Consumer Guarantees

When consumers buy products or services in Australia, they are covered by automatic guarantees.  Removalist services must provide acceptable care and skill, take all necessary steps to avoid loss or damage.  Provide the results you and the business agreed to and deliver within a reasonable time.  Businesses may be in breach of Australian Consumer Law by not complying with consumer guarantees, the ACCC and relevant state consumer protection agencies have the power to enforce penalties or remedy options.

Anyone with problems can contact

Department of Fair Trading, NSW: 13 32 20

Consumer Affairs Victoria: 1300 558 181

Consumer and Business Services, SA: 13 18 82

Or the relevant state department.

How my moving experience turned out to be a disaster

admin

So here is my story, I’m a single 25 year old female who has been living in the western suburbs of Sydney my entire life.  I was brought up by great parents who taught me to be polite, well-mannered and be courteous to others.  I moved out of home when I was 18 years of age and quickly learnt to become financially responsible.  The problem was that I fell out of love with the city I grew up in; Sydney has become a place where people work hard to pay off unaffordable mortgages and household debt.  There was a vicious cycle of slaving away that was endless; there was no time to enjoy the things I loved, no time to live life.

One day, an idea popped into my head, moving to Melbourne…it seemed like it made sense, it did make sense.  Melbourne is not as hectic as Sydney, housing is still affordable and it will give me back the time I so desperately wanted.  So the planning began.

I had a date in mind; I figured out what I needed to take with me and successfully reduced what I had in my two bedroom unit into just one.  I needed to find a removalist, how would I go about doing that?  I jumped on the internet and searched for interstate removalists Melbourne, I came across a removalists comparison website: www.findamover.com.au.  The website helps users compare different removalists to find one that’s right for you.

I received several quotes and was amazed between the differences in pricing with some of the removalists.  Some quotes were in the thousands and some were in the hundreds. I had the opportunity to speak with each company that provided me with a quote, after speaking to one in particular; he made me feel comfortable in making a deposit.

What I quickly realised is that after I paid a deposit; it became increasingly difficult to contact the removalist.  Trying to confirm that date and time for my move was becoming a chore, numerous emails and phone calls without a response left me feeling anxious.  In a blink of an eye, moving day had arrived and the removalist was two hours late, they had loaded all my belongings on the back of their truck and didn’t apologize for being late.  I felt powerless to say anything as all my possessions were in their hands.

I began my journey to Melbourne, taking the 9 hour road trip with what I could fit into my small little car. I arrived at my new home and was filled with excitement, a new chapter has begun in my life and I have settled in for a few days.  No signs of my belongings as yet, I attempted to call to follow up and was told that the driver would arrive tomorrow, where was the communication? A simple phone call would have sufficed.

The truck pulled up in front of the house, there is however a problem, the removalists state that my items took up more room in the truck that expected and that I would have to pay more.  I was shocked to find out that I had to pay double the amount quoted. How is this reasonable? How did they come up with this figure?  They told me that they would drive off if I didn’t pay and I was liable for storage fees, they were intimidating and bullying me into paying.  I just wanted it to stop, I eventually caved into their demand. This was my story and I’m not alone, there are plenty of removalists out there who use these scare tactics and it’s time something is done about it.