Three for Thursday 02.20.2020
Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.
Hi friends! Everywhere I go, people are talking about internet and phone scams. The problem has reached epidemic proportions because computer assisted dialing allows con artists to dial millions of numbers simultaneously day and night. My advice? Place the names of important contacts in your phone, and don't answer numbers you don't recognize. If it's important, they'll leave a message!
Watch this Investigation
Watch this investigation
Ask Dale
Lori asks: Dale, do I have to pay a moving company that is holding my belongings "hostage" to get them returned?
And here's more info on my blog to help with choosing a moving company...click below!
Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!
Today's seven-point lesson on choosing a moving company:
Fast - Do they want your money NOW? Never pay a large upfront deposit, and thoroughly vet the mover's reputation before you sign a contract.
Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? If not, it's likely too good to be true. Beware of movers who quote an unreasonably low rate for moving by the hour. Those initial estimates can explode into huge fees!
Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money. Make certain the mover has a findable office, and don't necessarily take an image in an ad on the internet as evidence. View the address on Google Earth.
Define - Your deal by comparing Products, Offers and Prices. Moving contracts can be ridiculously complicated and hard to understand. Click the button on the left for my thoughts on getting a fair deal.
Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract and an Effective Guarantee. Like the homebuilder story above, avoid signing a contract with a mandatory arbitration clause. You want to retain the right sue the mover in small claims court.
Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking Reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. This is perhaps the most important rule to follow when choosing a mover. Check with your state authority to make certain the mover is licensed.
Legitimize - Your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is Lawsuit and background checked.This may be hard to believe, but a surprising percentage of people who move call a number they find tacked to a phone pole. These are NOT better deals, but an invitation to a liability lawsuit if a non-insured laborer gets hurt. Hire only reputable movers.
SCAMMERS BEWARE: SEASONED CONSUMER INVESTIGATOR DALE CARDWELL GIVES READERS A GAME PLAN TO AVOID RIP-OFFS