Long-distance moves cost a lot of money. Scammers know people feel stressed and rushed, so they try to take advantage. A bad moving company can take your money, hold your things, or even disappear. The best way to stay safe is to know the common tricks and spot them early.

Scam Example #1: The “Too-Good-To-Be-True” Quote

You call three movers. Two give prices near $3,000. One says they can do it for $1,200. It sounds like a great deal, so you book them. On moving day, the crew loads your items and then says the price is now $3,800. They claim it’s because of the stairs or because your boxes are “heavier than expected.” If you don’t pay, they threaten to leave your things outside.

How to avoid it:
Get at least three written estimates. If one quote is much lower than the others, be careful. Ask what could raise the price and get that answer in writing.

Scam Example #2: Hostage Storage

A company picks up your things and says delivery will take one week. After the truck leaves, they stop answering your calls. Later, you get a message saying your items are in storage and you must pay extra fees to get them delivered. Many people pay because they feel trapped.

How to avoid it:
Ask where your items will go, how long delivery should take, and what happens if there is a delay. Make sure the contract shows delivery dates and storage rules.

Scam Example #3: Fake Company, Real-Looking Website

Some scammers create nice websites with stolen photos and fake reviews. They take your deposit, set a moving day, and then vanish. When you call, the number does not work. There is no real office.

How to avoid it:
Check that the mover has a real address, a working phone number, and a valid license. Look them up on official state or federal sites. Don’t trust reviews from only one place.

Scam Example #4: Bait-and-Switch Subcontractors

You book a company you researched. But on moving day, a different crew shows up with a rented truck. They say they are “partners.” They don’t follow your quote and charge more. If something breaks, the first company says it wasn’t their crew, so they won’t help.

How to avoid it:
Ask if the company uses subcontractors. Get the answer in writing. The contract should clearly say who is responsible for your move.

Simple Safety Steps Before You Book

• Never sign a blank contract.
  
• Don’t pay a large deposit up front.
  
• Get every promise in writing.
  
• Read the estimate carefully and ask questions.
  
• Trust your gut if they rush or pressure you.
  

Move Safely with VIP Moving

Moving scams are real, but you can avoid them by taking the right steps and choosing the right team. If you want a long-distance move with clear pricing, real responsibility, and honest service, get the service from VIP Moving. We give detailed written estimates, use trained crews, and keep you updated from pickup to delivery, so your move stays safe and stress-free.

This post was written by a professional at VIP Moving. Make your next move effortless with VIP Moving, your trusted local movers in Midland and Odessa, TX. We provide top-quality residential and commercial moving services with a personal touch—fast, reliable, and stress-free. Our experts specialize in luxury item moving, including antiques, pianos, and high-value possessions, ensuring your valuables are handled with care. From packing and unpacking delicate items to full-service relocation, we make your move seamless from start to finish. Your move, our priority!

Downsizing before a move can make your transition smoother, more affordable, and less stressful. It helps you get rid of unnecessary belongings, save on moving costs, and make your new home more organized. Whether you are moving to a smaller home or just want a fresh start, working with apartment movers can simplify the process, and decluttering room by room can help you settle in comfortably.

Living Room

The living room often collects many unused or bulky items.

• Keep It Simple: Remove unnecessary decorations and keep only meaningful pieces.
• Digitize Old Media: Convert DVDs, CDs, and photo albums into digital form.
• Measure Furniture: Make sure large pieces fit in your new home before moving them.
• Choose Multi-Purpose Furniture: Opt for items with built-in storage or multiple uses.
• Reduce Electronics: Keep only the devices you actually use.

Kitchen

Kitchens can quickly become cluttered with gadgets and utensils.

• Sort Containers: Get rid of damaged or mismatched food containers.
• Avoid Duplicates: Keep only one of each essential item.
• Use Stackable Sets: Choose space-saving cookware and dishes.
• Replace Single-Use Tools: Keep multi-purpose gadgets instead of ones used rarely.
• Keep Only Useful Cookware: Donate pots, pans, and tools you don’t use often.

Bathroom

A tidy bathroom is easier to manage and clean.

• Keep Functional Decor: Use accessories that are both pretty and practical.
• Simplify Supplies: Toss old products and use multipurpose cleaners.
• Limit Towels: Keep only what you need for family and guests.
• Check Expiry Dates: Discard expired skincare or medicines.

Bedroom

Your bedroom should feel calm and clutter-free.

• Use Storage Beds: Choose a bed with drawers or room for boxes underneath.
• Declutter Closets: Donate clothes that don’t fit or that you don’t wear.
• Measure Furniture: Bring only what fits your new space.
• Minimize Decor: Keep decorations that bring peace or meaning.
• Use Organizers: Store items in vacuum bags or slim hangers to save space.

Home Office

A clean workspace improves focus.

• Keep Essentials Only: Retain only tools and devices you use regularly.
• Go Paperless: Scan important documents and recycle old papers.
• Stay Organized: Use bins, drawers, or shelves to store supplies neatly.
• Reduce Distractions: Keep your desk simple and clutter-free.

Garage or Shed

Garages often hold forgotten or unnecessary items.

• Dispose of Hazardous Materials: Safely get rid of flammable or banned items.
• Hold a Garage Sale: Sell extra tools or unused items.
• Pass on Heirlooms: Give sentimental items to family if you lack space.
• Sell Large Items Online: List bulky items on platforms like Facebook Marketplace.
• Sort by Category: Tackle one section at a time to stay organized.

A large number of people consider relocating to a new home to be one of their least favorite things to do. After all, moving can be very stressful, as there are numerous things to take care of in the process. To make a move much simpler, one can avail the assistance of companies like Safe Ship Moving Services, as well as take steps to de-clutter and downsize their home.

Safe Ship Moving Services underlines a few steps to downsize a home before a move

Moving is the perfect time to take stock of all the things owned by a person, and let go of the items they no longer use. Relocating to a new home can mark a new phase in life, and it is better to take only the things one really needs in this journey. There is no point in spending time and money in packing and transporting things one doesn’t really use from one place to the other. Here are a few simple steps that can help people to downsize a home before a move

• Take inventory of belongings: Taking inventory of one’s belongings is an important phase in the moving process. As one sorts through everything, they must separate goods that they actually need from the things they do not. It is better to get rid of anything that has not been used in the last couple of years.  
• Sort through items room-by-room and minimize duplicates: To stay organized while trying to de-clutter a home, one can use the Three-Box Method. As per this system, one must get three boxes or bins and label them as “Keep,” “Get Rid Of,” and “Put In Storage.” Items that are useful in daily life should go in the “keep” box.  Things that one no longer has to use should be put in the “Get Rid Of” box. These items can be further sorted by identifying what can be sold, donated or passed down to family members, and what is damaged and should be thrown away. Expensive or sentimental items could be put in storage.
• Go digital when possible: Over the years, paper clutter can really add up at a home. Hence, it is important to set aside time to go through old bills, receipts, and other documents, and dispose of anything unnecessary. For older paper files like decade-old tax documents, one should consider storing them in a plastic bin for safekeeping. People can additionally convert other records and receipts into digital copies by scanning them, keeping a digital backup, and then securely shredding and disposing of the physical copies. In a similar manner, it would be a good idea to convert home movies, music, and photos into digital formats. This not only frees up physical space in the living room and office but also preserves these memories in a more accessible and durable form. With the prevalence of streaming services, it is often not worth holding onto outdated formats like VHS tapes, scratched DVDs, or CDs.

While the steps discussed above might be simple, they can be highly useful when trying to de-clutter and downsize a house. Following these steps, and hiring companies like Safe Ship Moving Services can significantly help people to streamline their moving process.