Action 9: Some Movers Generate Complaints With BBB

None — It's the busiest time of the year for moving companies, but some movers are generating big complaints with the Better Business Bureau.

Action 9's Don Griffin said these are the companies that provide only the labor while the people who are moving rent the truck.

If you go onto Craigslist, you'll find lots of companies offering low-cost moving services. In many cases, they're companies that hire day laborers while you provide the truck.

"These aren't competent folks," BBB President Tom Bartholomy said. "They're just people throwing your furniture in the back of a truck."

The BBB has hundreds of horror stories from consumers, including one that said, "My hardwood floors, walls and door frame were damaged. No insurance."

The BBB compiled a list of the 10-worst moving companies, all with F ratings. Included in the list were All Hands Moving & Labor, Atlantis Services, Federal Moving Van Lines, Miracle Movers, Moore on the Move, Quick Moving LLC, Quinton's Moving & Storage, Regional Moving and Labor, Southend Moving Company and United States Moving Services.

Action 9 went looking for Regional Moving and Labor, which changed its name seven times in eight years, at its Montana Drive address, but the company wasn't there.

Griffin dialed the company's number, and a person it had closed and gave another number to call.

When Griffin called that number, he got a recording saying he'd reached Labor and Moving Professional.

Action 9 eventually talked to the owner of that company, who denied having any connection with the previous seven companies.

To protect yourself when hiring movers, check out the company with the BBB and verify that they have a license and insurance. Then, get a guaranteed contract to lock in the price.

"A guaranteed contract might cost a little bit more, but it gives you that peace of mind that it's a guaranteed contract," Bartholomy said.

WSOC