5 Signs Of An Experienced International Moving Company
Most moving companies offer local and long-distance moves, and there are many that offer international moving services as well. However, just because a company offers international moving services does not mean that they have high levels of experience handling packing and moving families overseas. Before you decide which company to hire, you can check for these five signs that they actually have the experience necessary to move your belongings around the world without damaging them or getting caught up in customs.
They Exhibit Excellent Communication Skills in a Variety of Forms
International shipping requires a lot of communication, both before you leave and once you are at your destination. You want to make sure that you will be able to discuss any issues your belongings encounter with the person who is handling your move. For some people, once you reach your destination and are in a different time zone, you may prefer to communicate through email. Others may prefer to contact their moving company by phone. To make sure that they respond to both phone and email message quickly you should try to contact potential moving companies through both of these methods. If it takes them more than a day to return your message, you may want to keep looking for a company that values communication more highly.
They Can State Which Shipping Companies They Work With
An international moving company will likely work with the same few shipping companies on a regular basis. If they cannot or will not tell you which shipping companies they usually work with, it may be a sign that they do not have strong relationships with a shipping company. This may make it more difficult to get your belongings through ports on their way to you, and you may end up with communication from both your shipping company and moving company, which can get confusing.
Once they give you the name of their preferred shipping company, you should check out that business online for reviews and any major issues they might have.
You Can Talk to Their References
While online reviews are important, for an international move you should ask to speak to an actual client that was satisfied with the company. Discuss their situation and any issues they encountered along the way. Not only will they give you a better idea of the company's services, but they can warn you of potential issues that you might face.
They Thoroughly Explain Their Procedure to You
Most people do not frequently move overseas and not all moving companies follow the same procedures. On top of that, international moves can get complicated. Instead of assuming that you know what questions to ask, the company should be forthcoming about their procedures. They should be able to walk you through their packing, shipping and delivery practices and also let you know about issues with ports and customs that can delay your delivery. If they assume that you will understand the details because they are in the contract, you should look for a different company that will work to make sure you understand the entire process.
They Have an Idea of Which Ports Your Belongings Will Pass Through
Shipping routes change and which ports your belongings enter will change based on what day your belongings leave on and how many items are being shipped. However, your moving company should know which ports belongings going to your destination usually pass through. Knowing this information will let you look up port fees of various countries and get a better idea of extra charges you might face.
When you are faced with an international move, it is important that you select an experienced moving company like Hollander Storage & Moving to help you. These details will help you assess whether a company is as experienced and prepared for your move as they claim to be.