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"You Load/We Drive" moves are usually much less expensive than full-service moves. You control your moving costs by loading your items yourself within the space you reserve. Charges are based on space used and distance traveled; weight is not considered. Because you load your own shipment, you are primarily responsible if scratches, dents, and breakage occur, although your shipment is covered for damage caused by company negligence or catastrophes.
Full service moving companies do the loading, driving, and unloading for you and also pack your items if desired. However, these moves are usually much more expensive than self-moves. Charges are based on the weight of the shipment and distance traveled. Items are covered for damage caused by company negligence or catastrophes and you can also buy enhanced valuation coverage for scratches, dents, and breakage from the company.
Auto transport companies These auto transporters own their own trucks and have their own drivers. They are not brokers that would shop your move to the lowest bidder and keep you waiting until someone agrees to move your car. If you ship your car with them, you can talk to the driver so you will always know where your car is. They are not cut-rate operators, but reviews show that they have performed very well for customers at reasonable cost.
Auto transport brokers do not own their own trucks. They book your car with the actual carrier and charge a small fee (typically $150-$200) to do so. A good broker with many contacts can be very helpful. However, choose one like ProStar that works with high-quality carriers and will not just place your car with the lowest bidder. The broker should also stay on top of your move so you know where your car is and when it will be delivered.
International moving companies arrange for your goods to be seen and measured, packaged, moved to port or airport, transported internationally, and delivered. For safety, be sure that any company you contract with is licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).
MovingScam-Approved Companies There are many good moving companies besides the few companies that are formally endorsed by MovingScam. The following companies are properly licensed and insured. They have numerous excellent, believable reviews and few or no complaints, showing that they are committed to providing high-quality moves. They have each assigned a person to help MovingScam customers with any problems that may arise.  
 
In view of this, MovingScam has given these companies its seal of approval. This seal of approval is a step below formal endorsement only because, as van line agents, they are not able to control every move from start to finish, although they are able to control moves that they do using their own trucks and drivers. Especially for the latter type of move, MovingScam.com recommends these companies with confidence.
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Consumer Information Available from AMSA

By John Bisney,
Director of Public Relations, AMSA

Companies We Endorse

The following are the only companies officially endorsed by MovingScam.com at this time. Our endorsement is based on the positive experiences of many consumers who have used them. MovingScam accepts referral fees from these companies.

Move your cursor over the headings for a brief explanation of each type of company and then use the links to read reviews of the companies. Click on the company name to go to that company's website.

You Load/We Drive Companies:
 
Full Service Moving Companies:
 
Auto Transport Companies:
 
Auto Transport Broker:
 
International Moving Companies:

For more information on international moving, read this article.

AMSA 's consumer Web site, www.moving.org, compliments the information available here at www.movingscam.com by providing a wealth of information on dealing with a full-service professional mover Whether you're moving around the block or around the world, you'll find reliable, practical information in easy-to-understand terms.

  • The "Find a ProMover" tab explains our ProMover program for screening quality interstate movers and can help you locate ProMovers in your area.
  • The "Moving Resources" tab helps you understand more about the moving process, how to get an estimate and ways to have a better, less stressful moving experience.
  • The "Have a Question" tab provides information on how to place a value on your shipment before you move and an extensive series of answers to the questions that we receive most often.
  • Read about how AMSA members are giving back to their communities under our "Moving Heroes" tab, and find out more about who we are under the "About AMSA" tab.
  • Watch short videos on AMSA TV about moving.

If you use the Internet to look for an AMSA member, be wary. Unethical movers, and even some legitimate ones who don't participate in our ProMover program, sometime display our logos on their W eb sites without authorization. Feel free to call our Membership Department toll-free at (888) 849-AMSA [2672] to verify their participation before deciding to use a mover that displays our logos.

Many Internet sites also promote companies that either arrange moves (brokers) or provide lists of referrals to movers for a fee (the fee is paid by you, the mover, or sometimes by both you and your mover) after you have completed an on-line inventory of the items you wish to move.

While some of these companies may require that their advertisers (brokers or movers) comply with the consumer protection regulations of the federal government, most do not. So, be careful: don't assume that just because a company has a Web site it means they're a legitimate and reputable moving company. For interstate moves, check with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) at www.protectyourmove.gov to see if your mover is licensed and insured.

How can AMSA help if you are dissatisfied with a move? We are a non-profit trade association that acts as a clearinghouse for matters relating to consumer protection, information and arbitration. AMSA is not a governmental agency and we do not have the authority to order your mover to provide refunds or reimbursements for damages, force a settlement or to demand any type of compensatory payment from your mover; however, we will help you begin the arbitration process with any AMSA interstate mover member; and we do remove movers from our membership that don't follow the rules.

Read John's previous article: Stepping Up to the Plate

Quick Links
How to Find a Reputable Moving Company - Our Most Popular Article!
Wholesale Moving Boxes & Supplies - Free shipping, next-day delivery
Need a Full-Service Mover? Customers Recommend
Moovers, Inc.
A Guide to International Shipping - Ed Singer
Use Angie’s List consumer reviews to find the best local moving companies.
Your Rights & Responsibilities When You Move - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
How to File Moving Complaints - A MovingScam.com article
Free shipping label template available for download!

Latest News
Find a Low-Cost Mover without Getting Scammed - Amy Suardi, Frugal Mama
On The Money: Consumer Alert: Don't Be a Victim of Moving Scams - Carlo Dellaverson - CNBC.com On the Money
When Relying on Online Brokers, Beware 'Move It or Lose It' Scams - Michelle Singletary, The Washington Post
Beware Of Movers Who Take You For a Ride - Michelle Singletary, The Washington Post
GAO: Consumers Still Held Hostage by Movers.
Congress Protects Movers at Expense of Consumers - Joseph S. Enoch, ConsumerAffairs.Com
FMC Obtains Injunction Against International Household Goods Movers - Federal Maritime Commission
The hidden costs of moving - Liz Pulliam Weston, MSN Money
Phony Internet Moving Brokerages Take Consumers for a Ride - Cindy Skrzycki, Washington Post
10 Things Your Moving Company Won't Tell You - Nkiru Asika Oluwasanmi, Smart Money Magazine
Don't get scammed by your mover - Liz Pulliam Weston, MSN Money
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