Troubles abound with moving services
Transplants beware; it’s the wild west for moving companies these days. Across the US complaints are up, scams are surging, and reputable companies are struggling to meet demand.
Lost and damaged items, belongings held hostage
In 2021, Florida regulators received nearly twice as many moving company complaints as they did in 2020. A quick Google News search of “moving company complaints” reveals similar stories across the country.
If it was just item damage, that would be bad enough. But the problems go much further. Some shipments are never being delivered, while some are even being held hostage while movers demand more money.
So, what’s driving this surge? Sometimes, its dishonest companies preying on low-income customers. Other times, reputable companies are unavailable due to high demand, forcing folks to turn to shady operations. Then there are lump sum relocation payments.
What do lump sums have to do with it?
Traditionally, employee relocation was handled by a relocation company, including contracting movers and handling fees. These companies have a reliable network of movers, minimizing risk.
Nowadays, lump sum payments are popular. A company will pay, say, $30k to the employee, and the employee makes all arrangements on their own. These employees are left to navigate their relocation solo, often making them an easy target for unscrupulous operators.
How to prevent problems
Always do your research, like checking a company’s reputation on BBB.org. And consider working with an experienced relocation company. They’ll take care of everything and keep you safe from scams.
Which metro won out during 2021’s relocation surge?
There’s been an impressive surge in relocation since 2020. Data published by Redfin reveals which metros got the most attention in 2021.
Tampa, Florida
An impressive 4,365, people wanted to make the move to this sunny coastal city. While many relocations were in-state moves from Orlando, there were also a lot of New York City expats seeking warmer climes.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas saw a net inflow of 4,713, roughly 1,000 less than the previous year. Clearly, even when numbers are down, Las Vegas remains a hot destination. The top origin for movers? Los Angeles.
Sacramento, California
With an inflow of nearly 5,000, this Sacramento drew relocators from more expensive West Coast metros, particularly San Francisco and Seattle.
Phoenix, Arizona
Folks fleeing the costs and crowds of Los Angeles drove an impressive 6,343 person inflow to the Valley of the Sun.
Miami, Florida
Finally, Miami. While not the most affordable metro in the US, Miami does feature a lower cost of living and much more welcoming climate than New York City. That proved to be a winning formula, drawing an impressive surge of relocations dominated by folks from the Big Apple. In total, the inflow was nearly 7,000.
Employers paying location-agnostic salaries
Remote work has led to a reckoning about location-based salaries. These employers have opted to pay the same salary for the same work, regardless of where their employees live in the US.
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