Evaluating an International Mover

It is time to get the ball rolling on your international move! You have gone through your pre-planning and it is time to start gathering quotes from international movers. Whether directly submitting a quote request on a few companies’ websites or submitting to a lead source website that will send out your to request multiple companies for you, the end result is most likely the same…INFORMATION OVERLOAD!

The Internet is open to everyone and a powerful tool that has connected our world and allowed us to exchange information in unimaginable ways. Anyone can post reviews, blogs, opinions, and even create websites of their own. Unfortunately, we do not always know who that “anyone” might be on the other side of the screen. They could be a fellow consumer like you…or they could be a company’s competitor spreading false information.

How do you tell the “good guys” from the “bad guys” with all these conflicting reports and reviews and questions on the validity of the source?

Do not despair! By being a little proactive and not relying on the Internet to feed you all of your information, you can do a little investigation and have a much better idea of the company with whom you are dealing.

How long has the company been in business? Generally if a company has been in business for 5 years or more, they have gained the knowledge, experience and network to handle your move properly.

Does the company own their own facilities? Companies that own their own warehouses, offices, etc. maintain much better control over the handling and quality of your shipment. It should also be a comfort to you that this company does not intend on going any where any time soon and is in business for the long haul. You can not obtain this same feeling from a broker in a leased, high rise office space.

What associations/affiliations does the company maintain? There are many recognized industry associations and certifications for International Moving companies: AMSA (American Moving and Storage Association), IAM (International Association of Movers), FIDI/FAIM, OMNI, RIM (Registered International Mover). These organizations require their members to meet industry standards, provide training and certification of their staff, and, if applicable, maintain their equipment and facilities to industry standards.

Is the company licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission? If a company is not licensed by the FMC, they are NOT LEGALLY ALLOWED TO HANDLE TRANSPORT OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENT. Any FMC licensed company posts a substantial bond with the FMC and agrees to abide by the Shipping Act of 1984. This is for your safety! Licensed companies are listed on the FMC’s website. Most will also provide you with a copy of their license on request.

Is the company accredited by the Better Business Bureau? Better Business Bureau accreditation is important, but remember to do more than glance at the letter grade and number of complaints! While a quality business will strive to offer the very best in customer service at all times, unfortunately, as the saying goes, “You can’t please everyone all the time”. Customer complaints are inevitable and as the volume of customers increases, so will the number of those inevitable complaints. Don’t believe it? Perform a search on some big, brand name companies and see the number of complaints filed. Instead of focusing on a letter or number, try to look for things like how quickly the complaints were addressed and how many of the complaints were closed. These are good indicators of the level of care and attention a company has when they deal with an issue, whether it be good or bad.

Choosing your international mover is an important decision! Do not put the power of this choice in the hands of some anonymous poster floating around in cyberspace! Take the time to do a little investigation on a company and you will sleep easier knowing you made the right choice.