How do I verify a packers and movers company is genuine?

Ask for their GST number and check it on the government GST portal, confirm a real office address you could visit, and call the landline. Check reviews across Google — read the 1-star reviews specifically, and note whether the company replies to them. A genuine mover survives all three checks in ten minutes.

What is the “hostage goods” scam and how do I avoid it?

A mover quotes very low, loads your goods, then demands a much higher payment before delivery — with your possessions as leverage. Avoid it by never booking on a phone-only estimate, insisting on a written itemised quote after a survey, paying only a small token advance, and using a company with a verifiable office and GST registration.

Should I pick the cheapest quote?

Compare only complete written quotes (material, labour, floors, GST, insurance all included). Among complete quotes, a modest difference is normal negotiation room; a quote 30–40% below the others is usually missing items that reappear on moving day — or worse.

Is transit insurance worth it?

For intercity moves, almost always. The premium is a small percentage of declared value, and it is the only real remedy if a truck accident or fire damages the consignment. Note that insurance requires a proper invoice — another reason to book a registered mover.

Moving Guides

How to choose packers and movers — without getting cheated

Updated September 2026 · by American Express Packers and Movers

The moving industry has a trust problem, and it is earned: fake “branded” movers with copied names, phone-estimate bait pricing, and goods held hostage for surprise charges. As a moving company we see the aftermath of these stories every month — families who came to us after a bad experience. Here is the checklist we would give our own relatives.

1. Verify the company exists

Three checks, ten minutes: ask for the GST number and verify it free on the government GST portal (the registered name should match the invoice name); confirm a physical office address — on Google Maps, ideally one you could actually visit; and search the company name plus the word “complaint”. A mover who hesitates on the GST number has answered your question.

2. Beware of lookalike names

This industry is full of near-identical company names riding on better-known brands — one letter changed, a different domain, the same logo style. Always confirm you are talking to the company you found: check that the phone number on the website matches the one you are calling, and that the quote letterhead matches the website name.

3. Insist on a survey and a written quote

No serious mover prices a full household over a phone call. A pre-move survey — at your home or on a video call — is what makes a fixed quote possible. The written quote should itemise: packing material, labour, vehicle, floor charges at both ends, GST, and insurance if taken. “We will adjust it on the day” is not a quote; it is an opening bid.

4. Read reviews the smart way

Skip the 5-star average and read the 1-star reviews: are the complaints about a rude phone call, or about goods held for extra payment? The first happens to every business; the second is disqualifying. Also check whether the company responds to complaints — silence tells you how your problem would be handled.

5. Understand the payment structure

Standard practice is a small token advance at booking with the balance on delivery — before unloading is complete, not before the truck leaves your old home. Be wary of large advances, cash-only demands, or a driver renegotiating at the destination. Pay digitally so there is a record.

6. Match the mover to the move

A great local crew is not automatically the right choice for a Gurgaon–Bangalore move. For intercity, ask: dedicated vehicle or part-load? Who unloads at the destination — your own branch crew or an unknown local contractor? (We answer that one with our own Bangalore branch.) For local shifts, ask how they handle society rules — gate passes, service lifts, NOCs.

Choosing well takes one evening of checking. It is the highest-value hour of your entire move. If you would like to run these checks on us, start with our about page — or call +91 90085 90012 and ask the awkward questions. We like customers who ask them.