You want to make sure a company is reputable before you do business with it. That means doing a thorough check of movers, contractors, auto repair shops, travel consolidators and anyone else who could inconvenience you or, worse, rip you off.
Don't just pick a name from the phone book or off the Web. Start by asking friends and family for recommendations. Or check with an association (there's practically one for every profession and industry. Here are several resources you can use to check out a company.
Associations
American Moving and Storage Association has a tool that helps you find AMSA certified movers and van lines.
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AAA lets you enter your zip code to find AAA-approved auto repair shops in your area.
American Society of Travel Agents locates your local ASTA travel agents.
Consumer protection groups
Council of Better Business Bureaus has a searchable database of reliability reports on companies, an online complaint filing system and consumer tips.
Federal Citizen Information Center has contact information and links to consumer protection offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Bermuda and the Virgin Islands. These offices receive and mediate complaints, conduct investigations, prosecute offenders of consumer laws, license and regulate a variety of professionals.
Government agencies
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Protection Division accepts complaints online and provides consumer tips.
National Association of Attorneys General provides links and contact information for the attorneys general of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Somoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a searchable database where you can see if interstate movers are licensed.
Nationalcontractors.com has a state-by-state listing of licensing boards that oversee the construction industry and specialty trades such as landscaping and architects.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners has an interactive map with contact information for each state's agency that oversees the insurance industry.
Complaint compilers
Rip-off Report lets you file and search consumer complaints.
Movingscam.com offers news, a message board and blacklist of movers.
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