This well known statement is the foundation of our legal system. It means that as the buyer, you have the responsibility to research, look into and be responsible for any decision you make when buying something. One of the top mistakes made by people who are moving is to ring around to get quotes, but they forget to get information at the same time!!

Information about who you are going to get to help you move is essential before you can make an informed decision!  If you were having your house redecorated, would you just go with the cheapest price and forget to find out about the styles, designs and the personal taste of the decorator you chose? So why would you leave it all to chance when thousands of dollars of assets and personal effects are at stake!

Background information about a company is essential – especially in an industry where there are no barriers to entry. Any old Joe can rent a truck, give themselves a name and a catchy slogan and pretend to be a professional operator, but a few strategically placed questions and you will discover the truth about who you are using! 

Consider the following points and how they can help you make the right decision:

a) Company background – the history of a company is its fingerprint. It tells you about the commitment of the owner, the policies and principles it stands for and importantly whether you can trust them. Ask questions such as how long have they been operating for? What is the experience of the owner (how long have they been in the industry)? How many staff do they employ? Do they train their staff? How big are they?

b) Guarantees/Warranty’s – these questions will ensure you know about their commitment to customer service. A company that has strong customer service principles will always have some form of customer service policy or guarantee to back their quality.  Ask questions such as does the company guarantee their work? Is there any warranty associated with damage or breakage of goods? What happens if you are not happy at the end?

c) Job Terms & Conditions – find out what a company is really committing to ensure you are getting value for money. Ask questions such as how many men will come and do the job? Is your furniture wrapped for protection? What time are they going to show up – or when will they notify you of a concrete time? Will they properly place and re-assemble your furniture or will they just drop it into your garage/living area?

d) Additional services – now is a good time to ask about ancillary services such as can you help with packing or unpacking my goods (you'd be surprised at how affordable this can be!), what if I need storage temporarily, what will that cost?

e) About the quote – you need to find out heaps of information to make an informed choice here. Ask questions like – is the price flexible for extra items or do you need to keep them informed of changes? What payment options are available and when do they expect you to pay them (at uplift or delivery)? Does the price include general insurance (regulations state that companies cannot charge you for specific insurance on your goods – you need to go through an insurance broker)? Are they charging you from door to door, or depot to depot (if from depot to depot – work out how long it should take them and pre-arrange a fee to save on delays)

With all this information, you should be able to accurately compare different operators to ensure that you are getting value for your money. It is here that you will the subtle differences in price and quality that can mean so much!

Remember that hindsight is a valuable tool, but to save your heartbreak, be confident enough to spend the time to ask these questions to make sure you are going to get the full value and service that you deserve!!