Moving is stressful enough without encountering problems with your moving company. A moving company's job is to ensure that every facet of your move goes smoothly and professionally, and if they fail to deliver, you may chose to seek some form of remedy.

You could consider filing a complaint against your movers if they:

• were very late to pick up or deliver your possessions
• were rude or unprofessional in their demeanor
• failed to handle your items with care, resulting in damage
• requested a much higher amount of money than quoted
• lost or misplaced some of your items during transit

The best way to avoid going through the trouble and additional stress of resolving a negative moving experience is to select a reputable moving company to work with from the start. (Here are five questions you should ask a moving company you are considering for your move.) However, if you do end up having an issue with your moving company, here are the steps you should take.

Attempt to reach a resolution directly

Your first plan of action should be to work directly with the moving company to reach a peaceful resolution. The only exception to this would be if the company committed a serious offense such as a moving scam.

Contact the company via email, phone, or by filling out a contact form on their website and calmly explain your issue. They may request additional information or evidence such as photos. Try your best not to get angry or defensive because it will only make the situation more difficult.

Most of the time, this method of mediation is effective, and the company will gladly resolve the issue. However, if you cannot reach a satisfactory resolution by working directly with the company or they are unresponsive, there are additional steps you can take.

Write a moving company review

A negative review can sometimes provide the extra push needed to reach a solution for your complaint.

Writing a review about your experience with a moving company is always a good idea — whether it was positive or negative. Sharing your experience with others will help them decide whether they should use the company as well or steer clear.

Since reviews can affect a company's business, most companies are highly motivated to resolve negative ones. Many companies monitor their reviews and will reach out to unsatisfied customers in an attempt to smooth things over.

File a formal moving complaint

If the first two tactics yield no results and you are still unsatisfied, the next step is filing a formal complaint. You have several options as to where to file your moving complaint:

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
• American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA)
• Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Each organization has its own process for filing and dealing with complaints, but generally they will reach out to the moving company in question and give it a window of time in which to respond to the complaint.

Seek resolution in court

The final step you can take if none of the other tactics have resolved the issue to your satisfaction is to file your complaint in small claims court. Consult with an attorney before choosing this course of action, however, because the legal fees may not be worth the effort. Ideally, your complaint will be resolved through one of the other methods and will never be forced to go this far.

Work With Professional Movers You Can Trust

The Minneapolis movers at AAA are certified, full service movers with over 50 years of experience. We move every day and treat each move as if it were our own. If you ever have an issue with any aspect of your move, we'll make it right. If you have an upcoming move, contact us for a free quote!