How to get your deposit back when moving house
When it comes to the deposit and moving, you have to be very careful. Unfortunately, various scams can happen today, and you can also come across them. Most often via the Internet, relying on moving reviews and other ads. People often make mistakes with companies that ask them to pay the full price of the move up front, and then never show up again. But is paying a deposit a normal thing? When you buy or rent a house or apartment, your landlord will surely ask you for a deposit. The same is true when it comes to moving companies. In the moving industry, the deposit is a type of insurance, and if you cancel the move, it becomes compensation for the moving company. Today, Best Cross Country Movers will reveal everything you need to know about the deposit, as well as how to get your deposit back when moving.
All you need to know about deposit
We are sure that you have encountered the deposit several times by now, but you didn’t know how to recognize it. Setting aside a certain amount of money for a restaurant reservation, buying a new car, booking an airline ticket, booking accommodation, or paying 25% of the total price of a vacation package is a type of deposit. The same thing applies when you book a moving company. Also, it’s essential that you know that there are companies that will ask you to pay a maximum of 25% before moving, companies that will not ask you for a deposit, and companies that will ask you to pay the entire amount. In this case, you have to be very careful because you can easily come across a scam.
You should pay special attention to the payment of the entire amount before your move. Check the moving company, read the contract and be well informed. Also, in the beginning, you will hardly be able to recognize whether it’s a scam. That’s why it might be the best option to bypass this way of doing business.
Why does the moving company require a deposit payment before the final moving day?
Each moving company has its own business policy. Some will ask you for a deposit and some will not. What you need to know is that each company has its own reservation calendar, which it works on. And also, want to secure their job. Because if, for example, you cancel your commercial moving, they have lost a whole day or two. Which can represent economic losses for them. Therefore, the deposit serves as insurance due to cancellation.
The amount of your deposit
Requiring the payment of a deposit before the move has become the practice of most moving companies in order to secure their job. The amount of money you will pay in advance can depend exclusively on:
- Prices of movers
- Period of your move (in/off-season)
- Distances of your move
- Size of your move
The amount of deposit usually ranges from 10% to 25% of the total price of your move. Also, when using only storage services, it’s possible that you will encounter the same thing. But the deposit, in that case, can be significantly smaller. Also, the deposit for a local move can be from $100 to $500, while for other types of moves such as cross-country moving, and interstate moving, they can be much more.
Is it possible to recover your deposit when moving?
The answer to this question will depend on the business policy of your chosen moving company. What is very important is that you always choose proven and reliable moving companies that can meet you in any situation, even when you want to cancel your move. If you are looking for such a company, feel free to contact us! Therefore, whether you can get your deposit back will depend solely on the contract you signed with your moving company. Some companies have a specific cancellation period, others don’t. Also, some companies have a certain deadline for requesting the return of the deposit after the move. So, be well informed about it.
How can you get your deposit back when moving?
There is a certain period of time for returning the deposit. It usually lasts from 5 to 15 working days. During that time, you can get a full or partial refund. Also, moving companies give a deadline for requesting a deposit. In addition, moving companies can offer you many deposit return solutions. If, for example, your residential moving is complete, you can pay the difference from the total price after deducting the amount of the deposit. Also, you can pay the entire amount and then, within 5 days, send a request for a refund of the deposit.
You can request a refund of your deposit by sending a request via email, or by submitting it in person at your company’s representative office. If your moving company doesn’t cooperate with you, you have the possibility to submit a request to the FMCSA, because they can affect the work of the moving company. Also, you can file a complaint with the BBB, as well as send a complaint to AMSA.
Don’t be afraid to pay a deposit!
If you cooperate with a verified and reliable moving company, then you have no reason to worry. Every verified company will return your deposit or offer some other solutions that will suit you. You are entitled to a refund of the deposit in case of cancellation if you cancel the move within the stipulated period. And if you are late, you, unfortunately lose that right. So, carefully read each item of your contract, and don’t worry! Good luck!