Removal firm problem - advice needed

bluemaroo3

Hi all,
Just need a bit of advice on this one. We're moving home and were choosing between two removal firms. One is BAR registered and is sending us a written quote for the move. The other is a local firm that my husband has seen around for a couple of years. We just decided to go for the second firm as it was £100 cheeper which is a lot of money to us (especially with a baby on the way). Only thing is when my husband booked they refused to send a written quote saying that was old days, and others don't because it keeps costs low . Am I right to be concerened by this? Or is it standard practice not to give written quotes? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Running_Horse

Not giving a written quote may be acceptable, as they must get so many requests.

But I would expect a written confirmation (including price) from any company that wanted to do business with me. Cheap is not always best, so take everything into account.

BitterAndTwisted

Not providing you with a written quotation allows the moving firm to add additional charges or even invent some after the fact. Have they offered to pop round and then give you an estimate? For the sake of £100 I wouldn't touch them with a barge-pole!

bluemaroo3

They haven't offered to come over. We did give them a very thorough item by item inventory of what we want moving and about tricky parking etc. What worries me is that I can understand not giving out estimates in general, but to refuse one when a customer requests it comes across as a bit dodgy to me. Problem is my husband already booked them today before telling me about the lack of written quotation (which I had asked him to ask for). We haven't paid a deposit or anything so I guess it will be ok to cancel them?

epsilondraconis

bluemaroo3 wrote: »

They haven't offered to come over. We did give them a very thorough item by item inventory of what we want moving and about tricky parking etc. What worries me is that I can understand not giving out estimates in general, but to refuse one when a customer requests it comes across as a bit dodgy to me. Problem is my husband already booked them today before telling me about the lack of written quotation (which I had asked him to ask for). We haven't paid a deposit or anything so I guess it will be ok to cancel them?

Just phone them up and ask when you will be receiving your written quotation. If they still insist they will not provide you with a written quotation, tell them you no longer require their services.

Gwhiz

I can guarantee that after the move the final bill will be nowhere near £100 cheaper than the other. Probably a lot more.

Why anyone would do business with a company that will not give you written confirmation of the costs is beyond me!

pinkteapot

You should have something in writing saying what the total charge will be. Otherwise, you could pay the deposit then on the day they could demand any amount off you! Can they email you the price at least?

I would also use a BAR member if you can afford to. For the sake of £100 I'd use the other firm.

bluemaroo3

Thanks everyone for all the advice. We have cancelled with the removal firm and will book with the other one once the written estimate comes through (they said it should be with us tomorrow).

pinkteapot

bluemaroo3 wrote: »

We haven't paid a deposit or anything so I guess it will be ok to cancel them?

If they don't do anything in writing you haven't been given cancellation terms, so as far as I'm concerned you can cancel with no come-back.

pinkteapot

bluemaroo3 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for all the advice. We have cancelled with the removal firm and will book with the other one once the written estimate comes through (they said it should be with us tomorrow).

Check all the details for any extra charges that can be made on the day. With ours, they would charge us an hourly rate on top of the quote if they had to work after 6pm.

g_attrill

I would agree that a firm that outright refuses to provide a written quotation is one to be wary of.