Unfortunately, not all moving companies work in your best interest. In fact, many removalists will happily cut corners on quality and offer misleading prices and unreliable packing materials to save their time and waste your money. Therefore, when you search for quality services for moving and storage in Sydney, there are a few red flags you must be aware of. Making sure you are not falling into any trap will allow you to avoid moving nightmares made of destroyed belongings and hidden charges.
So, scroll down to the next section and find the red flags to look for when hiring a moving and storage company!
Moving And Storage Company Red Flags You Should Be Aware Of In Sydney
There are numerous companies in Australia that have been delivering moving services for years. These companies are licensed, have trained staff and have all the facilities you require for a stress-free move. However, due to low costs and unrealistic promises, people often fall for companies that rarely deliver satisfactory services. Make sure you don’t make the same mistake by avoiding the below red flags.
1. No physical address or depot
Making claims is a typical way to get attention from customers. However, making claims like completing over twenty thousand moves in a year is simply a way to fool customers. These claims become even more likely to be fake when the company does not even have a physical address. Where is their storage facility located? Where do they keep their trucks? These are some questions you need to ask yourself before contacting these companies.
2. Too many good reviews to hide the bad ones
It’s not challenging for companies to trade ratings on customer sites. If you see a company showing off numerous 5-star reviews containing poor spelling and vocabulary, there’s a good chance those reviews aren’t genuine. Companies often do this to hide those 1-star reviews claiming that they have damaged the client’s goods or charged them more money than promised. So, take a closer look at the good and bad review ratio and analyse the company’s online presence before hiring them.
3. Using hired vehicles
Any moving and storage in Sydney that have been in the business for a few years would have their own trucks. They won’t need to use photoshopped stock images on their website to prove the existence of their fleet. The ones that use this trick often rent trucks incapable of safely transporting your things.
4. No valid credentials or untrained staff
Many companies employ inexperienced staff to save money and give their customers unbelievable moving costs. These employees don’t have the motivation, credentials or training to handle your valuables. It often leads to delayed execution and damaged goods. And because these people don’t have a licence or other permits, taking action against them becomes a challenge. Hence, when you hire a removal company in Australia, confirm they at least have an AFRA membership.
5. Lack of insurance support
Accidents don’t knock on doors before coming. Therefore, most reputed moving companies advise considering insurance. Some providers have their own policies, while others may recommend you to third parties. Regardless of how you get the insurance, carefully read the documents. And if your removalist company is discouraging you from taking insurance, replace them.
6. Signs of damage in storage
Water damage is one of the most common signs of a neglected storage facility. Before hiring a storage company, remember to visit the facility and ensure the rooms are clean, well-maintained, ventilated and don’t have signs of water or other damage. Damp places are the ideal spot for mould growth which can damage all your belongings.
7. No pest control
Storage facilities are vulnerable to pest infestation due to the sheer amount of things they store. That’s why most storage units conduct routine pest prevention methods. During your visit to the storage unit, keep a lookout for signs of pest infestation, such as hair, droppings, dead pests or chewed-up food.
8. Lack of security
To ensure your belongings remain safe in the storage facility, ask about the security measures of the unit. Do they have CCTV cameras? What kinds of locks do they use? Are there any codes they use to keep track of valuables? How many guards do they have at the facility? These are some questions you must ask the storage provider.
Summing Up
Hopefully, these red flags will help you recognise the worst and best company for moving and storage in Sydney. Remember, your valuables are too precious to be damaged in transportation. Hence, before handing them over to strangers, do your research.
