Accidents and unexpected circumstances can occur when clients’ goods are lost during moves. Leaders at moving companies want to prevent these situations as often as possible. Fortunately, there are services that can serve as insurance against these unfortunate scenarios. Find an arbitration program with a certificate for your moving company.
What Are Arbitration Programs for Moving Companies?
Companies providing moving company arbitration services have teams of arbiters that know what responsibilities fall onto the business and the individual. They can advise on how to become more compliant with federal regulations, but their primary role is to handle customer-submitted claims over lost, damaged or stolen property.
Arbitration programs are a legal requirement for household goods (HHG) movers, as mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The certificate must be viewable at the offices for all to see, and moving companies must publicize the availability of these services to customers. This must happen before the moving company even opens its doors to the public.
These programs are a wonderful alternative to traditional court settlements. However, all parties must agree to use the arbitrator as the final decision-maker in the dispute, as their decision is binding and enforceable. This streamlines and quickens resolution times compared to conventionally long legal battles.
Why Would Moving Companies Need Arbiters?
Here are the most convincing reasons why movers should advertise and leverage the knowledge of these experts.
Minimize Financial Losses From Lawsuits
One dispute with an independently owned moving company could jeopardize the entire business. Even for larger enterprises, lawsuit expenses add up. Damage, losses and unhappy customers should be anticipated, no matter how hard movers try to keep them at bay. Instead of being entirely prevention-focused, partnering with the right arbitration team takes a proactive approach to corporate issues — especially budget concerns.
Provide Faster Customer Resolution
Customers are already handling the burden of a move, and dealing with a legal battle should not be added to their already overwhelming to-do list. To avoid putting clients in a state of limbo, waiting for the legal system to provide an answer, arbitration programs give faster decisions. While something undesirable may occur, prioritizing the customer’s time can help them feel satisfied by the end, leaving with a good impression.
Protect a Company’s Image
A swarm of negative reviews can tarnish a moving company’s future, especially in the digital age. Positive feedback and customer reviews are more important than ever. Becoming known as a company locked in legal battles constantly hurts the bottom line by losing potential customers. If a mover utilizes their arbiters, then they become known for fairness.
Where Can You Find an Arbitration Program With a Certificate for Moving Companies?
Moving company owners and leaders should select a reputable arbitration program to avoid costly mistakes and negative press. Expert organizations, such as the Business Consumer Alliance (BCA), have the resources that business professionals and moving company stakeholders need.
1. Understand What You Are Getting
You should know what you are paying for when you invest in an arbitration program. Many companies are investing in security to mitigate legal fees and foster better customer relationships. While it may seem like a legal requirement, the process becomes easier if you know what the time and resources will yield for the company’s future. By joining a program like BCA, you get access to these crucial services.
2. Vet Reputable Providers
Moving companies want an arbitration team that is fluent in dispute resolution, legal jargon and regulatory requirements. The best companies also possess industry-specific certifications and in-depth knowledge about the moving sector, such as those at BCA.
3. Join an Organization and Advertise Affiliations
Joining arbitration programs represents your moving company’s dedication to protecting clients and their property. After joining, displaying the membership is vital. It adds another layer of authority to your company. BCA recommends putting the seal or logo on websites, contracts and advertising materials. Eventually, customers will begin to associate you with a dependable organization that values adherence to compliance and legal transparency.
4. Incorporate Arbitration Into Contracts
When clients read the fine print, they must understand their options in the event of an unforeseen incident affecting their property. BCA recommends incorporating an arbitration clause into contracts, clearly outlining who is responsible for what and how disputes will be settled in the event of a disagreement. Companies can even stipulate that clients agree, by signing, to choose the program over going to court.
Many programs offer templates that are compliant with the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Contractors State License Board. This ensures you start the draft accurately and ethically. Arbiters may also have resources available to review contract drafts to ensure they are airtight.
5. Leverage Arbiters to Solve Disputes and Protect Your Business
Once you have researched, joined and woven the arbitration program into the moving company, all that is left to do is to maximize its knowledge and resources to better assist customers and provide improved services. Having the organization as an asset will help make the organization accountable for how it treats customers and respects their belongings.
Additionally, programs like BCA offer customer feedback for those filing disputes. This is a reliable resource for proactively approaching disagreements and building new business practices from them. You can take positive and negative critiques in equal measure, using them to inform goals for how to change workflows, processes and staff trainings.
As time passes, you will learn how to utilize these professionals to your optimal advantage, especially when it comes to resolving complaints with minimal tension and taking on more clients with complex needs.
Move Your Business Forward With Arbitration
Connecting with an arbitration program will provide peace of mind for moving companies of all sizes and experience levels. Developing a long-lasting, productive partnership with experts, like those at BCA, can transform a business. Over time, your company can learn from disputes to grow and scale, while providing customers with the care they deserve.
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