Anyone who has ever had a horrific moving experience will tell you that rogue movers exist. The Canadian Association of Movers coined the term “rogue movers” to identify companies or individuals who prey on the moving public by:

  • Holding goods for ransom unless the owner pays two or more times the expected cost
  • Excessively long delivery delays
  • Damage claims not honoured for missing or damaged items

You can avoid being a victim by checking a potential moving company through your local Better Business Bureau and contacting the Canadian Association of Movers to ensure they are a member. Rogue movers often operate under several different names and have more than one website.

Physical Location

Professional moving companies have a warehouse, an office, signage, and trucks. Beware of a company that does not want to give you their address or does not have one listed on their website. Google the address if there is one listed. Is it an apartment or a commercial building that has no signage? This is a red flag that they are not a professional moving company.

Professional movers will welcome you to visit their facilities. Rogues do not want you to see where they do business as most do not have a proper warehouse or trucks.

Moving Cost

A professional moving company will provide you with a detailed cost estimate which outlines all the charges for your move. This is normally based on an in-home visit to view all the items to be moved. Rogue movers do not send anyone to your home and their final cost can vary wildly from what you were expecting, usually on the very- low side to get your move.

Affiliations

In Canada, the long-standing, traditional van lines are Allied Van Lines, Atlas Van Lines, Mayflower Van Lines, North American Van Lines, and United Van Lines. 

Premiere is affiliated with Atlas Van Lines, a worldwide company. This is important because it offers another layer of protection in the event of a dispute. With a rogue mover, you will spend all your time chasing after them with no results. With a coast-to-coast van line affiliated mover, there is a corporate entity with staff available to discuss your complaint.

A professional mover has the proper insurance in the event of a vehicle accident. They can also offer you a full-value replacement cargo protection plan to cover your shipment while it is in transit. Rogue movers do not have insurance, they often broker your move to a third- party or they have no plans to service it at all.

For more information or to arrange for a no-cost moving quote, contact Premiere Van Lines at 1-877-671-6683.