So, How do you chose the right removal company for you?
- Reliability
- Trustworthy
- Skilled, they are trained to handle the furniture with care and attention
- Polite, Respectful and Helpful
- Have the right size Vehicle and Materials for the move.
- A competitive price for the move.
As a customer, how do you find out the above? When you speak to a Removal Company all of them will confirm with the above – many UK Removals Companies don’t tell you the 100% truth about the service they offer.
What process should you use to find a Quality Removal Company?
As Removals Specialists either telephone us to discuss your House Move or request a House Removals Quote. – we only work with Quality House Removals Companies, so we have done all the work for you.
The Appointment
The majority of the time you will meet a representative of the company (may be the owner) who will be in a suit, and driving their own vehicle. Upon first meeting the representative, the expression “First Impressions Count” is very important.
You are to entrust a stranger with the full contents of your home, which you have aquired over years, with much sentimental attachment. It is true that ‘People buy from People‘ not companies. .
Look out for the simplest of things –
- Did they smile, and appear pleased to meet you – or did it feel just like another appointment.
- Did they wipe their feet, or ask if OK to wear shoes in your house?
- Did they show total interest in you and your move?
- Did they appear knowledgeable?
- Whilst at your house, did they answer all your questions?
- Did they explain fully how they would look after your items?
- Did they explain what level of Insurance they hold?
- Are they a member of a Trade Association – only 12% of UK removal companies are members of a Trade Association.
- Have they offered all their services to you.
- Do they provide you with a contract, an invoice, and receipts for payment.
- If they are pushing for cash payments then approach with CAUTION
- Do they have a landline telephone number and a business address, not just a mobile number – anyone can get a PAYG mobile number which is untraceable.
- Are they a Limited Company registered with Companies House. If they are, then this is added security for you.
- Ask yourself the question – “Do you trust this person with your belongings”?
The Quote
How long did it take for the company to get the quote to you. Is it acceptable for the company to take 2 or 3 days to get a quote to you after taking your time for a meeting. How interested are they in your business.
We aim to get all quotes to the customer the same day – if not, then the following day. This shows we are keen for the business, and treat the customer with importance – this is the start of the relationship between the removal company and the customer so “start as you mean to go on” which is with efficiency.
Testimonials
The only way a company can truly confirm the level of service they provide is by Testimonials. However, not all testimonials are equal.
A short “they provided an excellent service” does not take much thought from the customer – whereas:
a couple of lines of meaningful thoughts is worth it’s weight in gold.
Research the company on Google
In the modern age of the Internet, customers who are unsatisfied no longer just write to the MD to complain – they post a complaint on to the internet for the world to see – which is Great !!! It mean’s all Removal Companies have to raise their standards – which is good for the customer.
If you Google the company name adding the following Complaints, Reviews, Testimonials.
Customer Service Statistics
Ask for Statistics – if a company says they have never had a complaint or a breakage then I would question this. Can they provide complaint / insurance claim / damage statistics?
Our Statistics
In 3 and a half years (since June 2007) there have only had 2 insurance claims against companies we use and a 3% complaint rate (a complaint to us is any expression of dis-satisfaction not matter how trivial) the 3% rate is way below the industry standard.
Good points made. I particularily agree with the points raised about appearance and first impressions. I think people can tell if your genuinely interested in them and their move. I also believe that attention to detail and providing additional information that they may find useful can be very important.
The obvious things like fixed address and landline numbers are essential as are recent testimonials and trade association membership. If not then at least get anything promised put in writing and check the trading terms and conditions.
Along with trade association membership there is an industry Ombudsman which would provide the ultimate protection if the remover in question is on the scheme.
It is worth mentioning that just because a remover has been recommended by a friend doesnt guarantee you a repeat experience, it helps but should be looked at with other factors before deciding. Its also inportant to mention that you can do all the hard work deciding which remover but will come to no avail if you pick a date that they cant do! So it is important to decide early and work closely with them they will be happy to make provisional bookings which will reduce the stress of finding a remover at short notice.
I think if your organised and aware of the potential dangers an informed choice would be alot easier.
A couple of final points are social media & blogs- if the company has helpful and interesting blogposts then you can assume they are knowledgeable and are interested in their customers experience. also worth looking to see if the company engages in social media, this will give you a feel of the type of people they are.
Great post!