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Paying for International Removals services in advance is a common concern, especially when international removals costs can run into thousands of pounds, so how do you make sure your money is protected once you pay for your move and why is that important?
Why is protecting your international removals payment important?
A company local to us went into liquidation a the end of 2014. One of their customers called us to ask for our help in collecting his consignment and completing their shipping service. This customer had lost the money they had already paid to the previous company and had no way of getting it back which was a horrible situation for anyone to be in. That's why we thought we’d put together some tips and answers to frequently asked questions about advance payments to help you avoid ending up in the same situation.
You can read more about the experiences customers of this company have had since it has ceased trading here.
Is it normal to pay for your international removal in advance?
Yes. Most companies will take full payment in advance of the move, typically no later than 7 days before collection.
Is there any protection for what I’ve already paid for my International Removal?
This is where the type of mover you book with is REALLY important. If you move with a member of the BAR Overseas group you get the BAR advance payment guarantee for free as part of your service. This means that if something happens to your International Removals company after you have paid but before the service is complete then another BAR member will step in and complete the service for you at no additional cost which in the event of a company going into liquidation could save you thousands of pounds.
It is important to check the BAR Overseas website to verify the member is listed to ensure their membership is current and up to date. If a member has cancelled their membership but not removed the badge from their website or stationery yet the BAR may not be able to help. Visit the BAR directory to check if your mover is a member.
Remember to look out for the BAR overseas remover ribbon as the advance payment guarantee is only provided on international moves with qualified members.
The spread of the Coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented in modern times and its impact on all industries has been sudden and extremely damaging, including that of UK removals. It is against this background that the BAR finds itself having to suspend its Advanced Payment Guarantee Scheme with effect from 20/03/2020. Existing claims against the scheme will of course be fulfilled, but no new claims will be considered from that date. The BAR regrets the necessity to take this course of action and will continue to review the situation over the coming months.
What else can I do to protect my payment when buying International Removals services?
Make sure you get a full written quotation and copy of the terms and conditions of business. Read them, make sure you understand them and make sure you get a confirmation of your payment. If anything is being agreed verbally that is different to the terms and conditions (e.g. if you’re taking a waiver or if a different delivery period is agreed) then make sure you get this in writing either on your quote or by email/letter.
In the unfortunate event that something goes wrong having copies of all your paperwork should make things easier in rectifying the situation.
What else can I look for to make sure my mover is reputable?
With what is reported to be over 3000 moving companies in the UK and the ease of creating a professional looking website and sales process, how do you protect yourself from rogue movers OR suffering because your chosen company wasn’t quite as professional as you hoped?
Moving overseas can be complicated, but with the right people to help it doesn't need to be stressful. We've written a guide explaining everything you need to know about international removal companies to help you understand what to look for in choosing your mover to make sure your move runs smoothly. You can download a full copy of the guide below.
