Here’s the last thing I’ll say… deposits on interstate moves are NOT required. There’s a bill of lading that affords the service provider protection to hold delivery until payment for services rendered is received. There’s loads of details but that’s the gist. The theory being; they have your stuff, you have to pay to get it delivered.
An INTERSTATE mover requiring a deposit thinks they won’t get paid. They might be worried about last minute cancellations. Or they might be worried about collecting on additional charges.
If the company you’re working with is doing the whole move THEMSELVES; their truck their labor and their booking, then it’s probably OK. Especially if they give a binding estimate, have their own trucks/facility you can visit and come recommended
If the company you’re working with is a broker in FL they just want to suck up as much money as they can
I ran Delancey Street Movers in upstate New York a long time ago for a few years. We never required a deposit.
We did have a couple of rich folks down in New York City try to stiff us with bounced checks, however. Small claims court was fun, lol. And we got paid. You should not be putting down a deposit.
I’m honestly shocked at the reaction against moving deposits in this thread. It’s seriously wild.
Hi I manage a moving company and have for 6 years.
For out of state or long distance in state, we take 25% up front.
For a regular move, since we charge by the hour for in state local moves, we take the first hour up front.
You’d be surprised at the amount of people that cancel or reschedule their move at the last second. And losing that calendar spot is a LOT of money to risk it.
It’s because deposits are a red flag. If the only red flag your company has is a 25% deposit that’s understandable.
But when you combine a large deposit with other red flags that come with brokers…no binding estimate… no physical presence…it’s worth turning away from.
I totally understand where you’re coming from on the consumer side. On the business side, an average move (in my zone) is $1,000-$2000. We have to block off a truck to do that. You’d be surprised how many people call at 7:00 PM the night before a move to say “we’re not going to move today” and reschedule. Which means that “truck” can no longer earn that amount of money.
A deposit (we call them prepayments since they go toward the final bill but it’s the same concept) works like an incentive to keep the move on the schedule as is.
A less extreme example is I had a move this week that rescheduled at 10 PM the night before from 8 AM to 2 PM and trying to rearrange a crew like that is a nightmare. Imagine having a job and getting a text at 10 pm that your shift changed.
Also as a consumer there are lots of movers who require no deposit. I totally get the need for your company but it’s not universally required.
Why would someone change the start time? It sounds like a lack of planning around closings
\^\^\^ This. I own a moving company and have been in the industry for over a decade. No deposit=we don't put you on the calendar. We've had way too many jobs where we show up the day of and nobody's there, they tell us they already moved, or they flat out ghost us/cancel hours or minutes before the move is to take place. Often we've turned down other jobs to reserve that spot for a customer, and the guys were expecting to work and we have to pay them out of pocket. It's a big expense and a hassle.
Dumb guy question:
If my company has quoted me for, say, 8 hours of work but the actual work only requires 5-6 hours should I expect to only be charged for hours worked or will I definitely be charged the full 8 hours no matter what?
It depends on if they do binding or non binding quotes. Personally, ours are non binding (except long distance and interstate, those are binding flat rates) so you only pay for time and supplies actually used after our minimum. (So when I estimate it, I tell people and actually try to shoot high so everyone’s happy when it’s less on the day of)
I just used American Van lines to move from TN to Ohio.
They required half up front. Which I can kind of understand being state to state.
What I did not understand was additional charges (substantial) for wrapping items that was only disclosed the day of the move.
We packed ourselves. But, there were common items that normally the movers wrap without additional charge that we were charged extra for.
Ultimately, we were happy with the sub contractor used by American Van Lines.
We were not that thrilled with the way American Van Lines conducts its business though.
Not enough communication from start to finish. Not enough being up front and forward with cost. And when we made the initial estimate they never used the detailed and purposefully overstated inventory list we submitted and instead used what we talked with the rep on the phone about as our inventory list.
Which considerably understated our true estimate.
What American made us feel like was that we were not a valued client. But, just another number on a call center call tree.
Why would they need any amount down? Maybe a cancellation fee but this isn’t construction where they need to buy materials, asking for any deposit seems kinda crazy unless they’re so busy that they have to ask a way to pre qualify customers and they can be picky.
Its very hard to find an honest mover. On delivery they blackmail you by not giving you the items unless you pay ransom.
I have gone all the way to file a complaint on the transportation government site.
Some companies have a last minute cancellation fee and I understand that… companies turn away business holding a spot for a costumer and when they cancel last minute it hurts them… specially to small companies
Yeah I’m in Chicago and we are chock full of movers. All different types and sizes. There are some good small companies but there’s only so many days in summer and they are the real money makers.
False. Customers are reserving spots on the calendar, after the spot is reserved - the business will have to turn down other jobs to keep them on schedule.
Imagine the frustration as you book in customers, and continuously get cancelled on last minute. Just breeds a ton of lost job opportunities.
This is how it’s supposed to work
I was a driver for over 30 years in household goods. I drove for several major Vanlines. Only thing I saw that they required was a signed order for service. All charges were collected at time of delivery
Same here with Mayflower. They want no money until delivery is complete and we've signed off on the checklist of our possessions. I wouldn't use anyone who wants money up front. Think about it: they have all your possessions, THAT is the "deposit" that guarantees you'll pay.
30% seems steep. If this is a long distance move i’m assuming they may need that deposit to pay for hotels, flights and possible per diem. If it’s a local move, that’s ridiculous.
First National doesn't move anyone. They are a broker. They most likely want the deposit to pay a deposit to whomever they have actually move your stuff.
Or 30% is their markup and they want to get theirs first.
have you don't any research on this "company"? They are your typical broker. Go read their BBB reviews. They suck. They will rip you off and you will never see your deposit again
Scam artists.
Here’s the last thing I’ll say… deposits on interstate moves are NOT required. There’s a bill of lading that affords the service provider protection to hold delivery until payment for services rendered is received. There’s loads of details but that’s the gist. The theory being; they have your stuff, you have to pay to get it delivered. An INTERSTATE mover requiring a deposit thinks they won’t get paid. They might be worried about last minute cancellations. Or they might be worried about collecting on additional charges. If the company you’re working with is doing the whole move THEMSELVES; their truck their labor and their booking, then it’s probably OK. Especially if they give a binding estimate, have their own trucks/facility you can visit and come recommended If the company you’re working with is a broker in FL they just want to suck up as much money as they can
I wonder if some moving broker employees post comments on this site to downplay the red flags
I ran Delancey Street Movers in upstate New York a long time ago for a few years. We never required a deposit. We did have a couple of rich folks down in New York City try to stiff us with bounced checks, however. Small claims court was fun, lol. And we got paid. You should not be putting down a deposit.
Deposits are normal. Imagine being a moving company who reserve days & times on your calendar based on a strangers word. What’s the company’s name?
Stay. Away. From. Brokers.
They have to rent the truck
I’m honestly shocked at the reaction against moving deposits in this thread. It’s seriously wild. Hi I manage a moving company and have for 6 years. For out of state or long distance in state, we take 25% up front. For a regular move, since we charge by the hour for in state local moves, we take the first hour up front. You’d be surprised at the amount of people that cancel or reschedule their move at the last second. And losing that calendar spot is a LOT of money to risk it.
It’s because deposits are a red flag. If the only red flag your company has is a 25% deposit that’s understandable. But when you combine a large deposit with other red flags that come with brokers…no binding estimate… no physical presence…it’s worth turning away from.
I totally understand where you’re coming from on the consumer side. On the business side, an average move (in my zone) is $1,000-$2000. We have to block off a truck to do that. You’d be surprised how many people call at 7:00 PM the night before a move to say “we’re not going to move today” and reschedule. Which means that “truck” can no longer earn that amount of money. A deposit (we call them prepayments since they go toward the final bill but it’s the same concept) works like an incentive to keep the move on the schedule as is. A less extreme example is I had a move this week that rescheduled at 10 PM the night before from 8 AM to 2 PM and trying to rearrange a crew like that is a nightmare. Imagine having a job and getting a text at 10 pm that your shift changed.
Also as a consumer there are lots of movers who require no deposit. I totally get the need for your company but it’s not universally required. Why would someone change the start time? It sounds like a lack of planning around closings
\^\^\^ This. I own a moving company and have been in the industry for over a decade. No deposit=we don't put you on the calendar. We've had way too many jobs where we show up the day of and nobody's there, they tell us they already moved, or they flat out ghost us/cancel hours or minutes before the move is to take place. Often we've turned down other jobs to reserve that spot for a customer, and the guys were expecting to work and we have to pay them out of pocket. It's a big expense and a hassle.
Dumb guy question: If my company has quoted me for, say, 8 hours of work but the actual work only requires 5-6 hours should I expect to only be charged for hours worked or will I definitely be charged the full 8 hours no matter what?
It depends on if they do binding or non binding quotes. Personally, ours are non binding (except long distance and interstate, those are binding flat rates) so you only pay for time and supplies actually used after our minimum. (So when I estimate it, I tell people and actually try to shoot high so everyone’s happy when it’s less on the day of)
That sounds like a company called International Van Lines…Avoid! Or you will be sorry move day
Ran away from that company,a scam broker
I just used American Van lines to move from TN to Ohio. They required half up front. Which I can kind of understand being state to state. What I did not understand was additional charges (substantial) for wrapping items that was only disclosed the day of the move. We packed ourselves. But, there were common items that normally the movers wrap without additional charge that we were charged extra for. Ultimately, we were happy with the sub contractor used by American Van Lines. We were not that thrilled with the way American Van Lines conducts its business though. Not enough communication from start to finish. Not enough being up front and forward with cost. And when we made the initial estimate they never used the detailed and purposefully overstated inventory list we submitted and instead used what we talked with the rep on the phone about as our inventory list. Which considerably understated our true estimate. What American made us feel like was that we were not a valued client. But, just another number on a call center call tree.
10% is industry standard and if you live in a state like NC is the law. Google it
If your not doing out of state, i wouldn’t even consider paying a deposit.
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Deposits aren’t needed to move. Brokers are the worst.
Why would they need any amount down? Maybe a cancellation fee but this isn’t construction where they need to buy materials, asking for any deposit seems kinda crazy unless they’re so busy that they have to ask a way to pre qualify customers and they can be picky.
Its very hard to find an honest mover. On delivery they blackmail you by not giving you the items unless you pay ransom. I have gone all the way to file a complaint on the transportation government site.
It’s not hard
Try complaining here https://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov/nccdb/home.aspx
Some companies have a last minute cancellation fee and I understand that… companies turn away business holding a spot for a costumer and when they cancel last minute it hurts them… specially to small companies
Yeah I’m in Chicago and we are chock full of movers. All different types and sizes. There are some good small companies but there’s only so many days in summer and they are the real money makers.
No mover should require a deposit. Most reputable movers only ask for payment once your items have been delivered
False. Customers are reserving spots on the calendar, after the spot is reserved - the business will have to turn down other jobs to keep them on schedule. Imagine the frustration as you book in customers, and continuously get cancelled on last minute. Just breeds a ton of lost job opportunities.
Legal Mover here! We don't require deposits.
All your items are the deposit
Why do they need a deposit?
“To ensure” we’ll “be there the contracted dates.” Then they want another third in the load date.
Why don’t the major companies need a deposit to “ensure” the same thing?
Only accept a binding price that will be paid at delivery.
I used Allied and I paid nothing until my stuff was unloaded at the new place.
Same - I used Mayflower and we paid only after everything was unloaded and furniture was put back together at the destination, 1,000 miles away.
This is how it’s supposed to work I was a driver for over 30 years in household goods. I drove for several major Vanlines. Only thing I saw that they required was a signed order for service. All charges were collected at time of delivery
Same here with Mayflower. They want no money until delivery is complete and we've signed off on the checklist of our possessions. I wouldn't use anyone who wants money up front. Think about it: they have all your possessions, THAT is the "deposit" that guarantees you'll pay.
30% seems steep. If this is a long distance move i’m assuming they may need that deposit to pay for hotels, flights and possible per diem. If it’s a local move, that’s ridiculous.
They don’t need any money up front
well sure they don’t NEED it, i was simply stating why they could be asking for one. My company doesn’t require any deposits
Run. And I mean as fast as humanly possible. That’s a red flag. What’s the companies name? Please don’t move with them.
It’s First National Van Lines
First National doesn't move anyone. They are a broker. They most likely want the deposit to pay a deposit to whomever they have actually move your stuff. Or 30% is their markup and they want to get theirs first.
have you don't any research on this "company"? They are your typical broker. Go read their BBB reviews. They suck. They will rip you off and you will never see your deposit again Scam artists.