If you’re researching an upcoming move to Hawaii, you may have noticed that one or more of the companies you’re investigating have Certified Moving Consultants on staff.
What does it mean to be a Certified Moving Consultant? And, more importantly, what does it mean for you and your move?
The Certified Moving Consultant credential is issued by the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA). As with many other professional certifications, becoming a Certified Moving Consultant requires learning an established curriculum and passing an exam.
Ultimately, those who become Certified Moving Consultants graduate with 1) a solid understanding of how the industry works that 2) also includes the ethical standards AMSA members are expected to follow.
So as someone who’s looking for help with your move, what does working with a Certified Moving Consultant mean to you? When you choose a company who employs Certified Moving Consultants, you’ll work with professionals who have:
#1: The Knowledge to Deliver a Seamless Move
To become a Certified Moving Consultant, you must study seven different aspects of the household goods moving industry—and pass a test that proves your knowledge in the areas of:
- History
- Ethics
- Laws governing the moving industry
- Estimates and quotes
- Executing a move
- Insurance and the claims process
- Finances and accounting
As a result, every Certified Moving Consultant finishes the program with a solid foundation in the most important aspects of the moving industry and the elements of creating an easy move for their customers.
So when you’re talking with a Certified Moving Consultant, you can be sure he or she understands how to create a textbook move for you, including calculating an accurate estimate, providing the correct paperwork that confirms the items you’re moving as well as the rate you’ve agreed on and assisting with the claims process, should something happen during your move.
That’s the kind of knowledge you’ll benefit from when working with a Certified Moving Consultant.
#2: A Dedication to Professionalism and Ethics
In addition to a depth of knowledge, taking the time to earn the Certified Moving Consultant credential also shows a commitment to the profession of moving—and to professionalism itself.
When someone goes through the effort to get certified, you can feel secure knowing that you’re working with a professional who’s dedicated him or herself to the highest level of service.
Additionally, the Certified Moving Consultant certification is only available to employees whose companies are members of AMSA, an organization that’s dedicated itself to honest, ethical, efficient, and quality moving services. You can trust an AMSA member’s dedication to the highest level of ethics and standards. Certified Moving Consultants are also required to agree to the CMC Code of Ethics, demonstrating a formal commitment to upholding the industry’s conduct standards.
This commitment to ethics matters in the moving industry. There are very few times in your life when you’ll entrust all of your earthly possessions to another party. Moving is one of them. You’ll want to make sure you’re working with people who are committed to the safety and security of your belongings.
Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous moving companies operating today. We hate to hear horror stories about customers who were misled or have lost entire containers’ worth of their personal possessions. There are several different types of moving scams out there, including:
- Companies who have simply disappeared after taking possession of families’ household goods.
- Others who have held household goods hostage while they demand additional payments.
- And still, others who operate without a valid license.
So what can you, as a consumer, do to protect yourself? In addition to looking at elements like a company’s Better Business Bureau ratings, check to see if they have:
- Memberships in professional organizations like AMSA or the International Association of Moving (IAM).
- Members on staff with certifications like the Certified Moving Consultant or Registered International Mover.
Fly-by-night companies generally won’t go through the trouble to establish themselves with professional organizations. Partnering with a company that belongs to a professional organization will give you the best chance of finding an ethical mover who will take pristine care of your household goods.
As a member of AMSA, Royal Hawaiian Movers is committed to helping our team members earn their certifications so they can deliver a seamless, worry-free moving experience for you. In fact, we have Certified Moving Consultants available on all four major Hawaiian islands. We also have Registered International Movers on our team who are ready to deliver a simple and easy move, even when you’re relocating abroad.
#3: Protection Under the Law
Finally, one of the most critical elements of the Certified Moving Consultant curriculum is a strong focus on understanding the laws surrounding moving household goods in the United States.
In order to protect consumers like you, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has set forth a number of regulations that household carriers are obliged to follow.
A Certified Moving Consultant will have a strong understanding of these laws.
He or she will ensure that, for starters, you receive a copy of the FMCSA’s publication: Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, which details all of your rights under the law. The booklet covers items like:
- Your right to a written estimate
- The extent to which your mover is liable for any goods damaged in transit
- Notice about your mover’s claims procedure
- Paperwork that your mover is obligated to provide, including an inventory, a bill of lading and more
The FMCSA put these regulations in place to protect your rights and clarify your responsibilities. That way, you’ll understand exactly what to expect when you move, so there are no surprises, just a stress-free moving experience.
By choosing to work with a Certified Moving Consultant, you’ll partner with someone who’s taken the extra time and trouble to study these laws. You can rest assured that your Certified Moving Consultant takes your rights seriously and will work closely with you to deliver the experience that you should expect.
Partnering with the Professionals Who Deliver
In some industries, such as finance, many professionals must obtain certifications before they can work with customers. In contrast, the Certified Moving Consultant credential is entirely optional. As a result, when it comes to Certified Moving Consultants, you can trust that you’re working with professionals who have gone the extra mile in their profession. They’ve dedicated themselves to furthering their education and committed to the industry’s highest standards of ethics.
When you talk with a Certified Moving Consultant, you can rest assured that you’ve chosen someone who will handle your move with the highest level of care and professionalism to deliver a smooth move to your new destination.
Need some help on your Hawaii move? Talk to one of our Certified Moving Consultants on Oahu, Kauai, Maui or the Big Island. Our professionals will work closely with you from start to finish to deliver a simple, easy and worry-free relocation to your new home.
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