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At a national movers
conference held in Zaragoza, Spain (November 2005), it was estimated that around
30% of moving companies in Spain are illegal, with the emphasis being on the use
of casual
labour. Below are some recommendations when planning a move:
1. Take time to visit the
removal company.
This ought to give you a good indication as to whom you are dealing with. Truly
dedicated professionals are proud of their premises, staff, vehicles and will want to impress
potential customers. Most likely you will be offered a quick tour around the
warehouse, be shown a range of packing materials used on a typical move and be
invited to discuss your moving requirements in a relaxed atmosphere. However, other
companies may not be as forthcoming when it comes to publicising
their own business address, and this speaks for itself. Don't arrange everything
over the telephone or you could be in for a nasty surprise. Would you entrust
your possessions to somebody that can only be
contacted on a mobile phone number?
2.
Insist on a written, detailed and binding quotation.
Quotations ensure that
prospective clients know exactly what they are going to be charged for their
move, rather like ordering a meal from the menu at a restaurant. Once a pre-move
survey has been carried out, the estimator will be able to determine the volume
of the consignment, the manpower required to complete the move, the amount of
packaging necessary and the most appropriate vehicles for the job. Most companies
offer this service to potential clients without obligation and free of charge
within their area. It isn't advisable to be guided by "rough" quotes over the
phone as verbal agreements can be broken and you could be exposed to "hidden
extras" by unscrupulous removal companies before you see your belongings again.
Unless the circumstances of the move change (i.e. Unforeseen delays at the
Notary, More items to be moved than previously mentioned to estimator, Elevator
not working on the removal day, etc.), you'll know exactly what to pay for your
move.
3. Make sure you are handed a written inventory.
If you are undertaking a long distance move
or your goods are to be stored, you must insist on a written inventory. This is
your receipt from the mover and an important document if items should go missing
or
are damaged on delivery. To complement the inventory, all items should
be individually labeled with the client's name along with an item number. When
the truck arrives at your new home, you simply check off the items from the
supplied inventory as they are carried through the front door. This way you'll have
the certainty that everything has been delivered, the way it should be.
4. Don't be taken in by what is offered for
"free".
To fully understand what's "free" in the trade, prospective clients must
be aware of the small print not always visible in advertising
campaigns:
-
Free Storage: Normally refers to the
interim period between the collection of a part-load consignment from the
customer's residence and the next scheduled truck for onward delivery. You'll
find most companies offer up to 2 weeks free storage.
-
Free Packing:
Quality packing materials along
with the time needed to carefully wrap and pack full households significantly
contribute to the overall cost of a move and should not be ignored.
What is offered for free? the labour? the
materials? both? How is the furniture going to be wrapped? with blankets? with
thin bubble wrap? with laminated bubble wrap? How strong are the boxes? Are there
different sized boxes? All these points should be taken into account when
comparing different quotations.
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Free Insurance: As mentioned in other
places on this website, if
a company offers you free insurance, it will certainly only be "In transit
insurance". This won't cover you for breakages, damages or missing items during
loading and unloading. Only reputable companies are able to provide an All
Risk cover subject to the client completing a proposal form. Insurance is
calculated as a percentage of the declared value of the goods and is never
"free".
-
Free Estimates/Advice: All removal
companies will provide free quotations/estimates in writing subject to the
client providing enough information, but not all will carry out on site surveys.
-
Free Collection/Delivery: When enquiring
about moving, you must ensure you're being quoted for a "door to door" service.
Many clients are enticed by cheap rates but often these are for a basic "depot
to depot" service, with extra handout charges. A "door to door" service has no
hidden extras.
5.
Look for well established companies.
Ensure you're dealing with a VAT registered
company. Without a proper invoice you're leaving yourself open to abuse. If
based in Spain, they must have a valid transport license and Spanish registered
vehicles. Unfortunately there a many "man & van" outfits advertising
cheap rates in the local press that don't fulfill these requirements and cannot
offer the same level of service of the more established and reputable companies.
National moving associations such as BAR(UK) and Fedem(Spain) make sure their
members adhere to strict codes of practice and this is always a guarantee for
the consumer. Look out for the badge on the vehicles or in the advertisements.
6. Don't be mislead by fancy
websites.
Nowadays it's
very easy and cheap to have a fancy website but you'll be amazed at the lengths
some companies will go to attract potential customers: photos of vehicles and
warehouses copied from other websites (often quite visibly altered), imaginary
depots/branches that don't physically exist, fake company names, etc. There are
also many intermediaries on the web, websites set up purely to pass on enquiries
to moving companies. Also beware of websites that don't publish their business
address and have generic company names. Try
www.whois.sc
for a detailed analysis of the website's proprietor, contact details, etc. and
see if they match.
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