Understanding the roles of moving brokers, lead generation sites, and professional moving companies is critical to making an informed decision. These three entities serve different purposes and offer vastly different experiences.
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1. Lead Generation Sites: A Risky First Step
Lead generation sites are not moving companies. Their primary purpose is to collect your personal information via online forms and sell it to multiple brokers:
- How They Operate: When you fill out a form on these sites, your information is often sold to at least 20 moving brokers. This can result in an overwhelming number of calls and emails from companies you didn’t directly contact.
- The Risk: Lead generation sites prioritize quantity over quality, focusing on selling leads rather than ensuring you connect with reputable movers. Many customers end up dealing with unvetted or unreliable service providers.
2. Moving Brokers: Middlemen, Not Movers
Moving brokers act as intermediaries between customers and actual moving companies. While they may seem convenient, there are significant drawbacks:
- How They Operate: Brokers do not own trucks, employ movers, or handle any physical aspect of the moving process. Instead, they find the cheapest mover available to do the job, often prioritizing cost over quality.
- The Risk: Customers often end up with unqualified or low-quality movers. Brokers may also add hidden fees, leaving you with unexpected costs and subpar service. Since brokers aren’t directly involved in the moving process, resolving issues can be challenging.
3. Professional Moving Companies: A Trusted Choice
Professional moving companies, like Allied Van Lines, own the entire moving process from start to finish:
- How They Operate: Allied Van Lines employs trained professionals, owns its fleet of trucks, and takes responsibility for every step of your move. This ensures consistency, accountability, and quality service.
- The Benefit: Working with a professional moving company means personalized care, transparent pricing, and peace of mind. Allied Van Lines offers insurance coverage, dedicated customer support, and a commitment to making your move stress-free.
Why Choose Allied Van Lines Over Brokers or Lead Generation Sites?
- Customer Protection: With Allied, your information isn’t sold or shared. You’ll work directly with the company handling your move.
- Reliable Service: Allied’s experienced team make sure your belongings are packed, transported, and delivered safely and efficiently.
- Comprehensive Support: From the initial consultation to the final delivery, Allied provides dedicated support to address your move specifics.
How to know which is which?
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1. Look for a Clear Description of Services
- Lead Generation Sites: Often lack transparency about what they do. They may claim to “connect you with the best movers” or “provide multiple moving quotes,” without mentioning that they sell your information to brokers.
- Brokers: Will state that they arrange moves but do not perform the moves themselves. If the site says they “coordinate” or “find movers for you” but don’t own trucks or employ movers, it’s a broker.
2. Check the Contact Information
- Lead Generation Sites: Typically, they have vague contact details or none at all. A lack of a physical address or a phone number is a red flag.
- Brokers: May list an office address but often don’t provide specific information about their movers or fleet. Instead, they redirect you to third-party companies.
3. Evaluate the Quotes Process
- Lead Generation Sites: If the site immediately asks for detailed personal information (e.g., full name, phone number, email) to “get quotes” without letting you view moving companies first, it’s likely a lead gen site.
- Brokers: Usually provide you with a generic quote after you enter your information, but they don’t give clear details about who will perform the actual move.
4. Look for Ownership of Moving Trucks
- Professional Moving Companies: Will clearly state that they own and operate their fleet of trucks. Look for images of branded trucks, which are a strong indicator of a legitimate moving company.
- Brokers and Lead Gen Sites: Won’t show trucks because they don’t own any. If you can’t find evidence of physical moving assets, that’s a warning sign.
5. Investigate Reviews and Complaints
- Lead Generation Sites: Often have complaints about excessive calls and emails from multiple companies after filling out a form.
- Brokers: Complaints often mention hidden fees, damaged goods, or unprofessional movers hired by the broker.
6. Check the Terms and Conditions
- Lead Generation Sites: Usually disclose in the fine print that they will “share your information with partners” or “sell your lead to qualified movers.”
- Brokers: May disclose that they act as an intermediary and do not perform the moving services themselves.
7. Verify Licenses
- Professional Moving Companies: Have a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) registration. You can check their license status at FMCSA’s website.
- Brokers: Are required to have a broker license from the FMCSA but will not have the USDOT number for their own trucks.
8. Observe Branding and Language
- Lead Generation Sites: Often use generic language like “best rates in your area” and emphasize price over quality.
- Brokers: May use phrases like “trusted partners” or “network of movers” instead of focusing on their own capabilities.
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