When booking something in advance, you may be asked to put some money down to secure the service as a deposit. Movers in Auburn, AL, are no exception—especially during peak moving season. After all, a sudden cancellation will cost the movers both money and time.
To prevent that, charging a moving deposit has become a standard practice. Nevertheless, certain fraudulent companies request outrageous down payments or disappear as soon as the money hits their pockets. To prevent that from happening to you, here’s what to expect from down payments before a move—and some red flags to look out for.
Why Do Moving Companies Ask for a Deposit?
While not all movers charge a deposit, it’s not uncommon for them to request a small down payment to hold a moving date. The law permits each mover to establish their terms and conditions for payment and deposits. In exchange, they must provide each customer with a written disclosure of these terms and conditions, though.
Requiring a moving deposit is not a sign of a company’s legitimacy or dependability—in fact, more often than not, a competent mover will ask for a deposit. This shows that they value their time and are committed to booking that date and time for you.
What Is a Reasonable Moving Deposit?
The amount of the requested moving deposit may vary because each moving company has its policies and terms. Many movers base the deposit on a percentage of the total moving cost, so factors like your moving date, the size of your move, and the distance all influence the total down payment.
Usually, the deposit is no more than 25% of the total moving expense. If a mover is asking you to pay half of the total costs or more upfront, it’s not a positive sign.
Are Moving Deposits Refundable?
Each moving company has its own cancellation policy, but moving deposits should be refundable—as long as you cancel within the time limit, that is.
If you give the company at least five business days’ notice, you will typically receive a 100% refund of your deposit and no rescheduling fees.
Check if deposits are refundable before signing. Furthermore, the deposit is not a separate fee and should be applied toward the total cost of the move. Never pay the required moving deposit with cash; instead, use a check or credit card. This will simplify recovering your deposit (if that comes to that).
Additionally, we advise postmarking and mailing the cancellation notice to the moving company via prepaid US Registered or Certified Mail, along with a request for a return receipt. Emails, faxes, or phone calls could be considered inappropriate cancellation notifications.
Learn More About Hiring Movers in Auburn, AL
Moving deposits are like insurance for movers. They ensure you don’t lose that much money if the customer suddenly bails and cancels the move. However, moving deposits should only be for a small amount and refundable with sufficient cancellation notice.
It’s important to compare different companies’ payment policies to find the best option for you. If you’d like to learn about Pink Zebra Moving policies, find a location near you and contact us!