It takes a lifetime to build a home but only takes one move with fake or rogue movers in Nairobi to destroy an entire investment.
When searching for professional home movers in Nairobi, you will often come across many companies and individuals posing as legitimate service providers. Some may be unlicensed and uninsured, and some might be scammers. These rogue movers give the moving industry a bad reputation and it’s essential to spot the warning signs of such scammers.
If you’re looking for home moving services in Nairobi, watch out for the following signs to avoid scammers;
1. No Branding Presence
A company’s brand represents people’s external perception of the company. Professional, reputable residential movers in Nairobi often have solid online and offline branding presence. Look for features such as a company logo on the moving vehicles, staff uniform, packing boxes, and business cards.
If the moving company you’re dealing with doesn’t have these basic branding elements, it may not be as professional or reputable as it claims to be.
2. Fake or Negative Online Reviews
Rogue moving companies in Kenya often lack a review section on their websites or only have negative reviews. You can also check their social media pages, as comments from users will provide a better idea of what to expect from the company.
If you can’t find any reviews or all of them are overwhelmingly positive, that could be a sign that the moving company is not genuine. Third-party sites such as Google Reviews and Trustpilot could give better insights into what former clients say about the mover.
A few ways to spot fake reviews, include;
- All the reviews are overwhelmingly positive.
- Way more reviews than what you see on other companies’ Google profiles
- Repeated reviews – oftentimes copying the exact wording.
- When a relatively new moving company has more reviews than older companies
3. No Physical Address or Brick-and-Mortar Offices
A website alone is not enough. If something goes wrong during your move, you should be able to track down your mover because you know where their offices or storefronts are located.
When hiring a moving company in Nairobi, ask for their physical address. This will ascertain their legitimacy so that you’re not dealing with a rogue element. Rogue movers often don’t include a physical address on their website or anywhere else.
If you’re provided with a physical address, visit it in person to see if it’s a residential area or a commercial area. An office in commercial areas is a good sign. However, avoid that company if the offices are located in an empty lot or abandoned building.
4. Extremely Cheap or Poor Estimates and Quotation Models
Rogue movers in Nairobi will often give a very low estimate to lure you in. Most will tell you they will beat any other quote you’ve been given. Once they pack and move with your belongings, they can hold them for ransom and demand more money before releasing them.
In some cases, rogue movers will use low-quality scales that are not the industry standard to weigh your belongings, then end up charging you more than what was initially quoted. Ensure you get proper estimates in writing before signing contracts for moving services in Nairobi.
5. Requesting Full Payment Upfront
When a home mover quickly quotes a price without first doing a pre-move assessment and understanding the customer’s unique needs such as size and weight of the load, special handling for certain items, avoid them completely. Rogue movers in Nairobi often want to come across as more affordable but it often leads to disaster.
Before getting into any agreements, request an estimate of total moving costs. Avoid rogue movers who entice you with extremely low prices so that they can request full cash payments upfront.
6. Rogue Nairobi Movers Offer Poor Customer Service
Fake movers in Nairobi often have very poor customer service, both in person and on the phone. They may be unresponsive to questions or requests, act rudely or dismissively, generally giving you a bad feeling. If you’re not treated with respect from the beginning, it will only get worse from there.
A good litmus test is to pose a few reasonable questions to their customer service representative and gauge how they respond. If they’re not helpful or seem uninterested, it’s best to look elsewhere for your moving needs.
7. Lack of Proper Moving Tools and Equipment
Rogue movers often lack the proper tools to move your belongings safely. Most may not have well-serviced trucks, furniture pads, and straps, or they may be old and damaged.
Some may try to save money by renting trucks too small for the job. Rogue movers in Nairobi never focus on the quality of the job; they just want to get it done as quickly and cheaply as possible, which often leads to damaged belongings.
8. No License and Liability Coverage
Licenses and insurance coverage are key aspects to look for when hiring a home moving company. A moving insurance policy shows that the company is financially liable to cover the cost of losses and damage during the move.
Rogue movers often don’t have insurance, or they may have a policy that only covers a small percentage of the total value of your belongings.
They may also not be properly licensed for moving operations or even incorporated. This is because many often don’t follow proper licensing procedures. This puts you at risk if something goes wrong during the move.
Always check their credentials, such as professional memberships. Since Kenya doesn’t have a local trade association for moving companies, the top moving companies in Kenya join international organizations such as the International Association of Movers and the British Association of Removers.
Moving with a Reputable Home Mover in Nairobi
As a discerning moving client, it is essential to document all steps of your moving process in writing as proof should anything go wrong. If you get a “funny” feeling about a mover, err on the side of caution – listen to your gut and look elsewhere.
Moving houses in Nairobi? Get quality residential moving services with the IAM-trusted Nellions Moving Company in Nairobi. We offer transparent pricing, expert packing, safe transportation, and on-time delivery to ensure a stress-free moving experience for you.
Book a free survey today via +254700000002 or email move@nellions.co.ke
