Moving companies generally strive to provide the best services and prices. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Sometimes movers infer damages to items, steal things or show unprofessional behavior. This is the moment when you should take action. As much as you may not wish to do it the best thing to do is protect your rights. The exact steps to take for filing a complaint against a moving company are described on this link. Here in this article you can find an example of a complaint letter which you can also download as a pdf file here and a few tips on how to write it.
A few tips to follow for your letter
Be exact and specific. Write dates, time if you can and speak with factology. A complaint that contains just general phrases like “unprofessional behavior” or “very bad moving” are not enough for your claim to be examined. Instead, write down the specifics like “Three of the boxes were delivered broken and there were missing items in one of them”. If there was something missing describe it exactly – for example if a laptop is gone write down the model, make, inventory number, condition and value. If you have been given verbal promises include them also.
Attach every document related to the moving: insurance, bill of lading, inventory list, etc. These are the papers that prove your words and this goes especially true if you decide to use a lawyer. First try to resolve the matter with the moving company directly and if it doesn’t happen you can go to the official institutions with the documents of your move. A lot of people think that they just have to start the case and the judge collects the evidence but this is not true. You are the one who needs to provide the evidence and based on the proofs you have presented the verdict can be taken. And finally include in your letter exactly what you want. If you are not sure about any of these facts you can ask us.
How to file a complaint against a moving company – example letter*
Your name: John Gray Wallis
Address: New York 10160, 17 Acres street
Tel: 212 345 7290
Mover’s/ Broker’s name: “Moving company”
Address: New York 10012, 68 Lane street, fl. 12, office 344
Tel: 212 333 168
US D.O.T: 23893720 /if applicable/
MC number: 942555 /if applicable/
Bill of lading No. 012345678900
Origin: Boston
Destination: New York
Re: Unprofessional behavior by “Moving company”, broken and lost items
Dear ______________,
On 3 Mar 2012 I contacted “Moving company” with a request for a quote. I received immediate answer with an approximate estimate and asked a representative of the company to come to my house so we can actually make an exact inventory sheet and have a final binding estimate. The person who came seemed to very experienced and answered the questions I have.
I was sure that I will receive a quality full moving service and so I trusted “Moving company” with my belongings. The moving date was set for 16 April. I was expecting the movers at 9 a.m. but they came 5 hours late without a warning which made loading last until late in the evening.
On the moving day after my belongings were unloaded I noticed that one box was missing, two of the boxes had broken sides and there were things in them that were damages. The missing box contained a laptop model /describe/, almost brand new, which costed $1,800. The items that were damaged are a genuine leather purse with a $900 value, a computer game /describe/ worth $700 that is currently not functioning and a pair of designer shoes for $3,000 which are completely ruined /attach pictures of the damaged items/.
Having in mind the total amount of damages for which the above stated moving company is liable /as can be seen by the attached copies of document/ I would like to have the sum of $6,400 to be returned to me.
Sincerely,
/Your name/________
What else is important for you to know?
Write in your complaint letter just factology and support it with documental proofs where possible.
This complaint letter is just a sample to show you the elements you need to fill in in your actual real letter. The true case can be a lot more different and whatever it is you have experienced do not leave things as they are. Write reviews, file a complaint at the Department of Transportation and the Better Business Bureau and alternatively also contact a lawyer. In case of unprofessional attitude and miscompliance with written documentation you have the full right to ask for a financial compensation and require to have back what was initially yours. In no way do not stay passive. Such a moving company needs to be stopped and has to take the consequences for its behavior otherwise it may continue its malpractices and other people will be affected.
If you are about to move, take as many precautions as you can. What would help is if you have had a moving insurance. If you have included in it the values of the items from the mover’s inventory list you can claim the amount stated there. Also be alert in order to track if the moving goes as planned; do not sign anything before reading it and if you spot something wrong react as soon as possible. Check movers’ license and registrations, go to their office and request to see the trucks they use, etc. Make a list with the questions that will guarantee the safety of your moving and ask them to the moving company you choose. That is the best option instead of having to file a complaint.
If you have been the victim of a scam or other unprofessional attitude from a mover write a review to let everyone know to be careful. Have you ever filed a complaint? If yes, please feel free to share your experience below.
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*All the data in the complaint letter is fictitious and does not represent any real people or companies.
