What if they dodge the carrier name?

Walk. A crew you cannot name is the hostage pattern.

Should I ask about tipping?

Yes, after the job is defined. See the tipping page. Do not let a tip replace a written rate.

Ask. A 2-bed walk-up with two people is how Saturday dies. See crew size.

Usually no. Keep passports and meds with you.

Hire

Ask who owns the truck, what the stairs cost, and when you pay. As of September 2026 those three still catch more bad jobs than a star rating.

Haulest data team · 17 September 2026 · Research fallback. Not a first-party median.

The dread is standing on a driveway with a crew you cannot name, holding a paper that does not mention the shuttle.

We put the ugly questions on one page and a call under them. No pep talk. No fake review excerpts.

A person on the phone is faster than a form if you already know the dates. If you cannot talk now, leave From, To, and a number.

We do not invent a star total.

Ask these out loud.
Question	Why it bites
Who is the carrier on moving day?	Brokers can be fine. A nameless truck is not.
Is this binding, non-binding, or a UK fixed quote?	Payment at the door changes.
What is the shuttle / long-carry / waiting-time rate?	Accessorials are the real bill.
Does valuation or GIT cover boxes I packed?	China cracks. Policies blink.
What deposit, and who is named on it?	Cash-only huge deposits are the tell.

USDOT. Binding vs not. 110% rule on interstate non-binding. Released Value vs Full Value. Weigh ticket if the tariff is weight.

There is no federal mover licence. CVOR or safety-fitness, WSIB, GST/HST, name on the van. Condo elevator slot in writing.

Companies House. GIT limit and self-pack exclusion. Waiting time on completion day. ULEZ. BAR is a scheme, not a licence.

1. Written estimate after a look
Interstate movers must give the booklet and a written estimate after a survey or a full description. A $499 ad is not an estimate.
FMCSA Protect Your Move
2. Legal name matches SAFER
USDOT on the paper, the truck doors, and the census. A different name is the walk.
USDOT / Companies House lookup
3. Walk from cash and blank paper
FTC: unregistered interstate, huge deposit, cash only, or a blank contract. Photograph and leave.
FTC: hiring a mover
4. 110% on a COD non-binding job
Pay up to 110% plus agreed extras and they must hand over the load. Not a cap on extras you signed.
US interstate rules

Links go to the publisher. Haulest does not add findings. We checked these URLs in September 2026. If the live page moved, believe the agency.

FMCSA Protect Your Move
Opens a government site. Checked September 2026.
Companies House search
Opens an official public-body page. Checked September 2026.

What if they dodge the carrier name?: Walk. A crew you cannot name is the hostage pattern.
Should I ask about tipping?: Yes, after the job is defined. See the tipping page. Do not let a tip replace a written rate.
How many movers will show up?: Ask. A 2-bed walk-up with two people is how Saturday dies. See crew size.
Can I ride with them?: Usually no. Keep passports and meds with you.