Some of the scariest stories we hear all year have nothing to do with ghosts. They start with a moving quote that looked too good to be true.

Here’s a real horror story from one of our customers, Juhee, in her own words:

“I went through two consecutive moving experience in 2018 first of which involved FBI investigation (and ultimately indicting them), and a litigation attorney suing the second company. I had to see a counselor to go through the tough times. The first company basically took my belongings as a ransom and I had to cough up a large amount of $$ to get my household goods back. Because of this ordeal, I had to live in an empty place for 6 weeks. The second moving company subcontracted the moving operation down to the level they did not even recognize who actually moved my stuff.”

When she was ready to move again, she called us. Here’s what she wrote afterward:

“For me to give 5 stars to a moving company is like Simon Cowell giving a standing ovation to a singer… I am so glad Call the Movers wiped out my moving company trauma.”

Juhee W., Vienna, VA

Read Juhee’s full review on Google →

7 moving traps, and how to avoid every one

1. The lowball quote.

A price far below everyone else’s usually means the real bill comes later.
→ Why did my moving quote go up on moving day?

2. The truck that got “heavier” overnight.

Weight-based estimates can balloon once the truck hits the scale. Even with a “binding” estimate, check what it’s binding for.
→ Why we never price long-distance moves by weight

3. Belongings went missing for weeks.

Your things sit in a warehouse, waiting for a shared truck to fill up. Nobody can tell you where they are.
→ How to choose a mover you can actually reach

4. The crew nobody had ever met.

You booked one company, a broker sold your move to another, and your things ride in a shared truck for weeks.
→ Broker vs. moving company: how to tell

5. The movers who never showed up.

You took the day off and packed everything. Nobody comes, and nobody calls.
→ How to read moving reviews before you book

6. The deposit that disappeared.

“Just send 30% to hold your date.” Then silence.
→ How much of a deposit is normal? (Spoiler: we ask for none. You pay after the move.)

7. The $2,000 TV worth $24.

Basic “released value” protection pays just 60 cents per pound.
→ Released value vs. full value protection

The good news:

every one of these traps is avoidable if you know the right question to ask. So we answered 47 of the most common moving questions in our new FAQ, from pricing and parking permits to spotting fake reviews.

Read the new FAQ →

November through April is the quiet season, which means better dates, more flexibility and lower demand. If a move is on your calendar for the winter, now is the best time to lock in your day. Get a free written estimate at 703-577-9227 or online.

Here’s to moves with no surprises,
The Call The Movers team

P.S. Juhee isn’t the only one who came to us after a bad move. Read what other customers say on BBB →