Summer is here, and if you are not planning your weekend bbq parties, it may mean you are planning a move this season. Summer is usually reversed for moving and that means the stress of packing up all your belongings and handing them over to a mover is on your mind. Not only do you worry about how your worldly possessions will be handled but you also worry about the expense of a move.

And for many of us price drives us to pick one moving company over another. As a consumer reporter for many years, I have heard, horror stories of movers scamming people out of their money by giving low-ball estimates or by tacking on extra charges after its too late.

I didn’t have to go far to hear about a nightmarish move. My best friend Doryne finally got her dream house only to find out that the trek to it would be frightful. Her ever money-conscious husband Milt contracted with a mover to take their stuff to their new home. They settled on a price. But when the movers got there they would not release the goods until my buddies paid more money! When Milt refused to hand over more moola, the movers held their furniture hostage. Well the stand off went on till midnight and the police were called. Still Milt and Doryne had to pay more money. Nice welcome to the neighborhood!

Thousands of people complain to consumer authorities every year about rogue movers. And I always ask my consumer cronies why these bad guys aren’t put out of business, arrested even fined. They tell me there isn’t enough regulation or funding to go after these guys.

So it’s really up to you to do your research, before signing the dotted line with a bad mover.

Here are some tips from the Better Business Bureau.      
1. Never accept an estimate over the phone or online.

2. Don’t choose a mover on price alone. A low price may indicate a scam in the making.

3. Don’t go with a mover who insists on a huge down payment or a mover who will only accept cash.

4. Make sure an on-line mover has a local address and can show you their insurance information.

5. Make sure you know what is covered under their insurance.

6. Contact your homeowner’s insurance company and inform them of your move.

7. Ask for references and check them.

8. Check the company’s record out with the BBB.