Make Your Cross-Country Move Stress Free - Watch Out for Brokers and Non-Authorized Movers

We’ve all heard the horror stories. Stories of movers taking off with an aunt’s entire household, never to be heard from again. Or of the friends who had multiple items damaged during a long distance move only to find out that the person that scheduled their move was a broker, not an actual mover, and that the so-called ‘moving company’ was not licensed and wouldn’t return their calls, leaving them to pick up the pieces. Even of the co-worker who had the price triple after her movers loaded and left with all of her stuff and was then told it would not be delivered until she made an additional deposit of thousands of dollars. Of course those are stories of some of the worst moves. The majority of moves go off without a hitch.  Becoming educated about the process and knowing available resources before making a commitment to let someone load up your life and take off with it, is the best measure for a successful long distance interstate move.
Moving to a new state, whether that state is next door or across country, is both exciting and daunting. Whether you're relocating for a job, for family, or for a simple change of scenery, there’s a lot to coordinate when planning and managing an interstate move. One of the biggest decisions you’ll face is whether to use a moving broker to book your move or book with a moving company directly.
What is a Moving Broker?
A moving broker is not a moving company. They act as a middleman between you and moving companies. They don’t actually perform the move themselves; instead, they shop around on your behalf and book you with a moving company based on your needs and budget. While this might sound super convenient and cheap, there are significant drawbacks to consider.
Why Be Wary of Moving Brokers?

1. Hidden Fees and Lack of Transparency: Brokers often advertise low prices to attract customers but may not disclose additional fees and actual moving company charges until after the move is scheduled and a non-refundable deposit has been collected. This can lead to unexpected costs that completely blow your budget. In addition, they may not be transparent about the fine print in the contract, leading you to agree to services and potential charges you are unaware of until it’s too late.
2. Lack of Accountability: If something goes wrong during the move, it can be almost impossible to hold a broker accountable. The broker may not give you a straight answer, but rather route you to the claims department of the moving company that performed your move. This can lead to a long arduous process to find any kind of resolution.
3. Quality of Service: Brokers typically partner with multiple moving companies and take the deal that offers the most profit for them, rather than looking out for your best interests. Not all of their partner moving companies provide the same level of service or reliability. You might unknowingly end up with a less reputable mover, resulting in a very stressful and costly experience.
4. Misleading Estimates: Brokers may provide an estimate that seem too good to be true, only to have the actual moving company adjust the estimate significantly once they have inventoried your items. Often this is after you’ve made the commitment and paid upfront fees.
   
   

How to Plan Your Long Distance Move Yourself
1. Research Licensed and Reputable Moving Companies
Start by compiling a list of reputable moving companies that operate in your area. In Oregon, the best place to start is by looking up companies on ODOT’s website https://www.oregon.gov/odot/mct/pages/household-goods-moving.aspx. If a local company is not authorized to perform work in Oregon, they likely do not have interstate authority. Next, turn to the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) and look up the companies on your list. Make sure they have a DOT and MC number and that they are authorized to move household goods across state lines. https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/hhg/search.asp. Lastly, look for reviews online, ask for recommendations from friends and family, and check ratings on platforms like the Better Business Bureau.
2. Get Multiple Estimates
Once you have a shortlist, contact each moving company to get an estimate. Moving companies are required to perform a visual survey either in person or virtually for interstate moves in order to provide the closest estimation of the weight of your shipment in order to calculate costs. Look for transparency in pricing and understand what’s included in the quote. Take time to ask each moving company the same questions and feel out which one will be the best fit for your move. Building a relationship with your mover based on trust and knowledge will give you the confidence that you’re in good hands during all phases of the moving process.
3. Understand Your Rights and Responsibilities
Familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations governing interstate household goods moving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides resources that outline your rights as a consumer. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move. Understanding these can help protect you from potential scams and choose a reputable moving company.
4. Declutter Before You Move
Before obtaining estimates for your move, take the opportunity to declutter your belongings. Consider donating, selling or recycling items you no longer need. This will not only reduce the amount you need to move but can also save you money. Remember, long distance move pricing is based on a weight times distance calculation. The more weight you have, the higher the overall cost.
5. Consider Packing Options
Full service moving companies offer packing services. If you are potentially interested in having movers pack your items, make sure you ask for this pricing in the initial quote. If you choose to pack yourself, note that the mover is not liable for items packed by owner (PBO). This is an important option to consider when it comes to potential damage. If you choose to pack yourself, packing efficiently and using the right boxes and packing materials can save time and money.
6. Call Your Insurance Company
All interstate moves come with Basic Carrier Liability. This means that reimbursement for broken or damaged items is at 60 cents per pound per article. Full Value Protection can be purchased from your moving company for an additional fee. This fee is based on the weight of your shipment. There are third party insurance companies that can additionally insure your move, but it’s best to start with your own insurance company. You may find that you already have coverage on your existing homeowners insurance policy or that your agent can offer coverage with a simple addendum.
6. Create a Moving Checklist
Organize your long distance move with a checklist that outlines everything you need to do before, during and after the move. This could include notifying utilities, changing your address and setting up services at your new location. Ask your moving company if they have moving tips that can help you prepare. At Elite Relocation Services, we have a website page dedicated to helping our clients plan and prepare for their move https://www.eliterelocationservices.com/moving-checklist.html. In addition, we send all clients our Move Day Tips & Reminders a week before their move so they know what to expect on move day.
7. Communication is Key
Once you’ve chosen a reputable moving company, maintain clear communication. Confirm the moving dates, details about your belongings, if any of the logistics or the scope of the move have changed since the initial survey, and any specific requirements you may have. This helps ensure everyone is on the same page. At Elite Relocation Services, we always confirm with our clients the week before their move to make sure we have addresses and dates correct and to let them know the size of the crew that will be arriving and the start time on move day.
Moving across state lines and even across country can be a seamless and positive experience if you take the right steps to educate yourself, make smart decisions, and avoid relying on brokers or third party agents. By conducting thorough research, comparing estimates, asking questions of potential moving companies and preparing your belongings, you can take control of your move and avoid unexpected pitfalls. Embrace the adventure of your new journey. Happy moving!