What to Do If Your Goods Are Damaged During Shifting
Let us be honest about something that most packers and movers companies in Delhi will never say out loud: damage during house shifting does happen. Not often — but it does.
A glass item with a cracked corner. A light scratch on a wooden cabinet. A screen with a hairline mark that was not there before. These are minor, but they are real — and when it is your stuff, nothing about it feels minor.
So what do you actually do when something gets damaged during your shift? Who do you call? What are your rights? And how do you tell whether a moving company is going to own the problem or quietly disappear?
We are going to answer all of that in this guide. And because we believe in being straight with our customers, we are also going to share exactly how Asha Packers and Movers handles damage — including the times it has happened to us in over 15 years of shifting homes across Delhi NCR.
| 📌 Why This Blog Exists Most packers and movers websites only talk about how great their service is. Very few talk honestly about what happens when something goes wrong. We wrote this blog because we think customers deserve to know — before they book anyone — exactly how a company responds when there is a problem. |
Step 1 — What to Do Immediately After You Notice Damage
The first few hours after delivery matter more than most people realise. Here is exactly what you should do the moment you spot something wrong:
- Do not let the crew leave until you have done a basic check. You do not need to unbox everything — but walk through the main items, especially anything fragile or valuable, before signing off on delivery.
- Take photos and videos immediately. Even if you are not sure who is at fault yet, document the damage clearly. Multiple angles, close-up shots, and a photo of the packing material around the damaged item.
- Note the condition of the packaging. Was the box crushed? Was the wrapping torn or missing? This helps figure out at which stage the damage happened — packing, loading, transit, or unloading.
- Contact the moving company on the same day. Do not wait a week and then call. Same-day contact makes it far easier to trace what happened and resolve it fairly for both sides.
- Send photos on WhatsApp, not just a voice call. A written record with photos protects you and makes the complaint process much faster.
| ⚠️ One Mistake People Make Many customers sign the delivery acknowledgement form before checking their goods. Once you sign, it becomes harder to make a damage claim because it can be interpreted as you confirming everything arrived in good condition. Always do a quick check before signing. Any honest moving company will give you the time to do this. |
Step 2 — How to Raise a Damage Complaint the Right Way
Once you have documented the damage, here is how to raise your complaint effectively — regardless of which company handled your shift:
- Contact the company directly — call and follow up with a WhatsApp message that includes your photos. Having it in writing matters.
- Be specific about what is damaged, what it is worth approximately, and what you are expecting — repair, replacement, or compensation.
- Give them a reasonable timeframe to respond — 24 to 48 hours is fair. If they go silent, follow up in writing again.
- If the company has transit insurance on your consignment, ask for the insurance claim process to be initiated.
- If the company refuses to acknowledge the complaint or goes quiet, you can approach the consumer forum in your district. Keep all your documentation ready.
How Asha Packers and Movers Handles Damage Complaints
We want to be upfront about something: in over 15 years of shifting homes across Delhi NCR, minor damage has happened on rare occasions. A glass item with a corner crack. A wooden surface with a light scratch. We are not going to pretend otherwise.
What we can tell you is what happens every single time it does occur at Asha Packers — because this is something we feel strongly about.
| 💬 In the Owner’s Own Words “Jab bhi aisa hua, Asha Packers and Movers ne kabhi responsibility se bhaag kar nahi dekha.” Translation: “Whenever something like this has happened, Asha Packers and Movers has never run away from responsibility.” “Hamare liye sabse important cheez hai customer ka trust.” Translation: “For us, the most important thing is the customer’s trust.” |
Here is our exact process when a customer reports damage:
| Step | Stage | What Happens |
| 01 | Contact Us | Call us or send a photo/video of the damage on WhatsApp — +91 98917 13563. Do this as soon as you notice the issue, ideally on the same day as delivery. |
| 02 | We Review | Our team checks the damage carefully — looking at the packing used, how the item was loaded, and what happened during unloading. We understand the full picture before responding. |
| 03 | We Take Ownership | If the damage happened on our end, we do not make excuses. We move straight to the solution — either arranging repair through a professional or offering suitable compensation. |
| 04 | We Follow Up | We do not consider a complaint closed until the customer is genuinely satisfied. Our team follows up to make sure the resolution actually worked for you. |
The key thing to understand is that we do not consider a complaint resolved until the customer is genuinely satisfied — not just technically closed. That follow-up step is something most companies skip. We do not.
| 💬 What Our Owner Tells Every Worried Customer “Aap tension bilkul mat lo. Asha Packers and Movers mein aapka samaan sirf samaan nahi hota — balki hamari zimmedari hoti hai.” Translation: “Please do not worry at all. At Asha Packers and Movers, your belongings are not just goods to us — they are our responsibility.” “Aur agar rare case mein kuch issue hota bhi hai, to hum problem se bhaagte nahi — solve karte hain.” Translation: “And if in a rare case something does go wrong, we do not run from the problem — we solve it.” |
How Asha Packers Prevents Damage in the First Place
The honest truth is that the best complaint handling is the damage that never happens. Prevention is where our focus really lies — and it starts well before the truck arrives at your door.
Here is exactly what our team does on every single shift to make sure your goods arrive safely:
| Packing Material | Used For | How It Protects Your Goods |
| Bubble Wrap | All items | Creates a cushioned layer around items, absorbing shocks and vibrations during transit. |
| Corrugated Sheets | Furniture, appliances | Thick cardboard layers protect flat surfaces from scratches and pressure during loading. |
| Foam Padding | Fragile & delicate | Especially used for electronics, mirrors, glass items, and antiques. |
| Double-Layer Packing | Extra fragile items | Particularly valuable or fragile items get a second full layer of wrapping. |
| Fragile Labels | Boxes with glass/china | Clearly marked boxes are handled separately and placed on top during loading. |
| This Side Up Labels | Electronics, liquids | Prevents items from being stored or placed in the wrong orientation in the truck. |
| Secure Truck Placement | Everything | Items are arranged and locked in place inside the vehicle to prevent shifting during transit. |
This combination of materials, techniques, and trained staff is why 99% of our shifts are completed without a single item being damaged. The remaining 1% is where our complaints process kicks in — and where we take full ownership.
Common Customer Mistakes That Lead to Damage
This is something most moving companies are too polite to say. But we think being honest with you is more useful than just telling you what you want to hear.
Some damage during shifting is caused not by the moving team — but by things the customer did or did not do. Here are the most common ones we have seen:
| Not telling the team about fragile items If your team does not know that the box in the corner contains your grandmother’s china set, they will handle it like any other box. Always point out fragile and valuable items before packing begins. Never assume the crew will guess. |
| Packing items yourself without proper protection We completely understand the instinct to pack your own things — especially personal items. But items packed in newspaper, thin plastic bags, or just wrapped in clothes have a much higher chance of getting damaged. If you are packing anything yourself, use bubble wrap and seal the box properly. Ask our team for materials if needed. |
| Changing the packing plan at the last minute Last-minute additions — “Oh can you also take this” — disrupt the planned loading arrangement inside the truck. When items are added without being properly packed and placed, the risk of damage goes up. Finalise your goods list the day before the shift. |
| Not checking goods immediately after delivery Delivery day is hectic. We understand. But waiting 3 or 4 days to check your goods makes it much harder to trace any damage back to the shifting process — and much harder to resolve fairly. Check your main items on delivery day itself, even if it is just a quick look. |
We always guide our customers through these points before the shift begins. But cooperation from both sides is what makes a move truly damage-free.
Should You Get Transit Insurance for Your Shift?
Transit insurance is a policy that covers your goods against damage or loss during the shifting process. It is separate from what the moving company offers as standard service — it is a formal insurance product.
Here is our honest take on it:
- For basic household shifts with standard furniture and appliances — standard packing by a reliable company is usually sufficient.
- For high-value items — antique furniture, large screen TVs, expensive art, musical instruments, or jewellery — transit insurance is worth considering seriously.
- For interstate or long-distance moves — the longer the journey, the higher the transit risk. Insurance gives genuine peace of mind for cross-city shifts.
- Always ask the moving company before booking — a good company will discuss insurance options with you honestly, not just sell you an add-on you do not need.
| 📞 Ask Us About Insurance Coverage Before Your Shift At Asha Packers and Movers, we discuss transit insurance options with customers during the booking process — particularly for long-distance moves and high-value items. Call us on +91 98917 13563 and we will walk you through what makes sense for your specific shift. |
Your Damage Prevention Checklist — Before, During and After
Before the Shift
- Tell the moving team about every fragile, valuable, or delicate item — do not assume they will figure it out
- Do not pack fragile items yourself unless you have proper bubble wrap and sturdy boxes
- Finalise your goods list the day before — avoid last-minute additions on moving day
- Ask about transit insurance if you have high-value items or are moving long distance
On Moving Day
- Be present or have someone present during the entire packing and loading process
- Point out any items that need extra care — heavy, fragile, oddly shaped, or sentimental
- Watch how boxes are being labelled — Fragile and This Side Up labels matter
- Do a final check of every room before the truck leaves your old home
After Delivery
- Check your goods before signing any delivery acknowledgement
- If you spot damage — photograph it immediately, same day
- Contact the moving company on the same day with photos via WhatsApp
- Keep all documentation — booking receipt, delivery notes, photos — in one place
Final Thoughts
House shifting involves moving years of your life from one place to another. It makes complete sense that you want every single item to arrive exactly as it left.
The best way to protect your goods is to work with a company that takes prevention seriously — and that takes accountability seriously when something does go wrong. Those two things together are what separate a genuinely reliable moving company from one that just looks good on paper.
At Asha Packers and Movers, we have been doing this for 15 years across Delhi NCR. We are not perfect — no one is. But we are honest, we are accountable, and we do not walk away from a problem. That is a promise we have kept with thousands of families, and one we intend to keep with yours.
| 📞 Book a Safe, Accountable Shift with Asha Packers Call or WhatsApp: +91 98917 13563 Email: ashapackersmovers121@gmail.com Address: C 85E, Chowk, Ganesh Nagar, Delhi 110092 Serving all of Delhi NCR — Krishna Nagar, Anand Vihar, Mayur Vihar, Patparganj, IP Extension, Karkardooma, Nirman Vihar and beyond. 570+ five-star Google reviews. 15,000+ families shifted. We take both numbers seriously. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I do immediately if something is damaged during my shift?
Take photos and videos of the damage right away, while the packaging material is still visible. Contact the moving company on the same day — ideally via WhatsApp so you have a written record with photos attached. Do not wait days before reporting it.
Q: Can I claim compensation from a packers and movers company for damaged goods?
Yes. If the damage occurred due to improper packing, loading, or handling by the moving company, you are entitled to compensation — either repair of the item or a fair monetary settlement. A reputable company will acknowledge this without you needing to escalate. If they refuse, you can approach your local consumer forum with documentation.
Q: Does Asha Packers offer transit insurance?
We discuss transit insurance options with customers during the booking process, particularly for long-distance moves and high-value items. Call us on +91 98917 13563 to discuss what makes sense for your specific shift.
Q: What if the damage was caused by my own packing?
If you packed certain items yourself and they arrive damaged, the responsibility is shared differently than if our team packed them. This is why we always recommend letting our trained team handle all packing — or at minimum, asking us for the right materials if you insist on packing some items yourself.
Q: How does Asha Packers prevent damage during shifting?
We use high-quality bubble wrap, corrugated sheets, and foam padding on all items. Fragile items receive double-layer packing. Every box is labelled — Fragile or This Side Up — and handled separately. Items are securely arranged and locked in the vehicle to prevent movement during transit. Our team is trained specifically in safe loading and unloading techniques.
Q: What if the moving company ignores my damage complaint?
Document everything — photos, WhatsApp messages, booking receipts — and follow up in writing. If the company continues to ignore you, file a complaint at your district consumer forum. In India, the Consumer Protection Act gives you the right to claim compensation for deficient service. Always choose a company with verified reviews and a physical address before booking.
