Benefits and Risks of Working with a Moving Broker

Moving broker and moving carrier is different, as a moving broker is like an agent who will provide a moving quote from an actual moving company. Moving brokers are not movers, but they coordinate your move with movers. While the moving carriers are moving companies with a well-equipped moving crew and necessary moving supplies, and they are authorized to carry your belongings.

It is just a brief about the moving broker and moving carrier. We will discuss in detail and understand the difference between the two.

What is Moving Broker?

According to FMCSA, a moving broker are a team of sales professionals who book the move and sell the lead to an actual moving company. A moving broker is not a mover and has no authority to transport your belongings, and they also do not have any mover or moving truck. If you are working with a moving broker, you can access multiple moving quotes in one place. The process of your moving becomes easy and cheaper if you work with them, as they will handle all the logistics and get you multiple moving quotes from moving carriers. 

Moving Broker- Benefits

Moving brokers are beneficial in several ways like they have a diverse network of different service providers. Since they have movers, packers, and other move-related service providers in their association, they make moving more efficient. 

They will handle everything from finding a mover to unpacking your belongings. Though everything comes with a price, moving with a moving broker is cost-saving in many ways. You are free from the stress of finding the mover, a person to uninstall and disassemble the furniture and appliances, packers, quality packing material and more. They connect you with a full-service moving company as per your moving requirement. 

A moving broker can save money when choosing the moving company as multiple movers compete to get the business. So, if you move with an individual moving carrier, you might be paying more. 

Moving Broker- Drawbacks

The major drawback while moving with a broker is the chance of being a fraud. Many brokers are works as mentioned in the latter section of the article. But many are fraudulent and take advantage of their customers. 

Now the question arises, how they can take advantage? Here is the answer, when you book a move with a broker, they will provide the cheapest moving rates, but on the moving day, when the mover arrives, they inform the rates are entirely different. Many people complained that there was a great difference between the rates mentioned by the broker and the actual rates quoted by the carrier. 

Many brokers scam you during the transition as they take your stuff and ask for a large amount of money to give your stuff back. 

Moving Carrier

A moving carrier is a team of professionals working together to execute the move. Moving carriers have trained professionals, moving vans and trucks, drivers and packers. They own moving supplies, warehouses and more. A moving carrier must have a license, insurance and all the required permits to move nationwide. The moving carrier is authorized to move your belongings and they are also responsible for any damage or loss to the items in the shipment. If you are moving with a reputed carrier, it must explain to you its claim policy before finalizing the moving contract. 

Moving Carrier- Benefits

The only benefit of moving with a carrier is the consistency in the work. Since moving carriers don’t have to coordinate with other service providers there is no chance of miscommunication. The chances of being scammed on the moving prices are nil when you book your move with a carrier. 

Moving Carrier- Drawbacks

The moving carriers are a bit pricey compared to moving brokers. They quote you the actual price as they find no competitor to beat their moving rates. Though you can individually approach multiple carriers, gather some moving quotes and ask for negotiation with the carrier you plan to move with. 

Like moving brokers, moving carriers may not have a broad network of service providers, and they handle everything within the available resources. You might have to put in extra money for different services that your carrier might not provide. 

How to differentiate between the moving broker & moving carrier to avoid scams?

To avoid any scam or fraud, you can research the company online. Several platforms provide legit information about moving carriers and moving brokers. 

• FMCSA Database
• Better Business Bureau
• Consumer Affairs
• The Company Snapshot by the U.S. Department of Transportation
• Movingscams.com

Other than these, get referrals from your friends and family who have moved recently. If possible, visit the office of the moving carrier or broker you decide to book.