The Phone Call That Protects Your Move

Most moving fraud happens because customers do not ask enough questions before booking. The company sounds professional, the price sounds right, and the booking is made on a vague verbal understanding. Then on moving day, charges appear that were not in the original quote, goods are mishandled, or the company simply does not show up.

The following ten questions cost you nothing to ask and will tell you almost everything you need to know about a moving company before you hand over any commitment. Read these questions before your next call and note the answers you receive.

Question 1: Are You a Registered Company?

Ask for the company's GST registration number and, if they transport goods commercially, their IBA (Indian Banks Association) certification or membership with the Indian Movers and Packers Association. A legitimate company will answer this instantly. One that hesitates, deflects, or says "we are a small local company, we do not need registration" should be treated with caution.

Question 2: Will You Survey My Goods Before Giving a Final Quote?

Any company that quotes a final price without seeing your goods — either in person or via a video call — is guessing. These guesses are almost always revised upward on moving day when the team arrives and finds more items than quoted for. A reputable company will insist on a pre-move survey before issuing a final quotation.

Question 3: What Exactly Is Included in the Quote?

Get the breakdown in writing. A complete quote should specify:

• Labour charges for packing and loading
• Cost of packing materials
• Transportation charge for the route
• Unloading and unpacking charges at the destination
• Floor surcharges if applicable
• Whether appliances like the refrigerator and washing machine are included

If the company gives you a single number without breaking it down, ask them to separate it. If they refuse or cannot, that is a red flag.

Question 4: Do You Offer Transit Insurance?

Transit insurance covers accidental damage to your goods during the move. Ask whether it is included in the quote or available as an add-on. Ask what the coverage limit is and what the claims process looks like. A company with no insurance offering at all is not worth booking.

Question 5: Who Actually Does the Work?

Some companies act as brokers — they take your booking and then subcontract the actual move to a different, often smaller company. This creates accountability problems: if something goes wrong, the company you booked with may claim the subcontractor is responsible, and vice versa.

Ask directly: "Will your own employees and vehicles handle my move, or do you outsource to a third party?" The answer matters for both quality and accountability.

Question 6: Can You Provide References or Recent Customer Reviews?

Any established moving company has completed hundreds of moves. Ask for contact details of two or three recent customers you can call. Separately, search for the company's name on Google and check their reviews. Look particularly at how they respond to negative reviews — a company that addresses complaints professionally and acknowledges mistakes is more trustworthy than one that ignores or argues with them.

Question 7: What Is Your Policy If Goods Are Damaged?

Ask this directly and listen carefully. A good company will explain their claims process calmly: you document the damage on the delivery receipt, submit photographs within a specified number of hours or days, and they process a claim against their insurance. A company that says damage "never happens" or that becomes defensive about this question is giving you useful information.

Question 8: What Are Your Payment Terms?

Reputable moving companies typically take a booking advance of 10 to 20 percent and the balance on delivery. Be very wary of any company that asks for full payment in advance — this is the most common pattern in moving fraud. Also be cautious of companies that accept only cash and have no formal receipt process.

Question 9: What Is the Estimated Delivery Date?

For intercity moves, ask for a specific delivery window — not a vague "three to five days." Ask what happens if delivery is delayed beyond that window. Some companies provide a penalty clause for delays; most do not, but asking the question tells you how seriously they take delivery commitments.

Question 10: Do You Have Experience with My Specific Route or Move Type?

A company that regularly runs trucks between Delhi and Bangalore knows the border crossing requirements, the usual transit time, and the specific challenges of that route. A company doing it for the first time may not. Similarly, if you have a piano, a large aquarium, or fragile artworks, ask whether they have handled similar items before. Specific experience matters for complex moves.

One More Thing: Get Everything in Writing

After the call, ask for a written quotation by email. This quotation should include all the items discussed, the price breakdown, the payment terms, the estimated delivery date, and the company's claims process for damages. If a company is unwilling to put their quote in writing, do not book them regardless of how reasonable they sounded on the phone.

A moving company that answers all ten questions clearly, provides a written quote, and has verifiable customer reviews is worth trusting with your belongings. One that cannot or will not answer them is not.