Moving Company Agents

Posted by David Piotrowski

What happens when a shipper receives an estimate from “Moving Company A” and then, to his or her surprise, “Moving Company B” shows up on the day of the move to load the goods onto “Moving Company B’s” truck? This is actually quite common in the moving industry and although possibly unnerving, is generally legal if certain requirements are met.

Moving Company Agents Comes as a Surprise to Many Shippers

Consider a shipper who is unfamiliar with the moving process. Perhaps this is the shipper’s first move or the first move in many years and the shipper is filled with trepidation and uncertainty. This particular customer had a friend who recently moved and her friend told her the horror that occurred during her move. The shipper, wanting to make sure that the horror story is not repeated, conducts extensive research on moving companies, checks the moving company’s background, history, claims, and complaints, and then decides to hire a particular mover. While not the cheapest estimate, this shipper feels that the price quoted coupled with the services offered and the moving company’s reputation is a nice balance. Up until the day prior to the move, the customer has been in communication with the moving company she has hired to perform her move. Then comes moving day. The truck and crew arrive at the customer’s house on time and as scheduled, however, the truck has a different moving company’s name on it! Frantic, the shipper contacts the moving company she hired for an explanation and considers cancelling the move because the customer thought she was hiring “Moving Company A” and not “Moving Company B.”

The Use of Moving Company Agents is Not Uncommon

The use of moving company agents is a common practice in the moving industry. Customers should not feel frightened if a different moving company is used for at least a portion of the move. This is especially true for long-distance moves. If not a different company on pickup, it is common for many movers to subcontract their jobs to other movers throughout the country. The reason for this is so that the goods can move quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. Often times, a mover will not have a truck available or may not be going to a certain area of the country. Movers have networks of agents throughout the country to assist in the transportation of goods.

In the above scenario, the right thing for “Moving Company A” to have done would have been to notify the shipper that the company may employ agents in the transportation of goods, and, when reasonably known, to notify the shipper of the name of the agent and to provide the shipper with the agents contact information as soon as this information is known to the company. This would reduce the fear and surprise or seeing “Moving Company B” when “Moving Company A” was expected.

Two Types of Moving Agents

Generally speaking, there are two (2) types of household goods moving agents. These are “prime agents” and “emergency / temporary agents.”

Prime agents provide transportation services for moving companies, including the selling of, or arranging for, a transportation service. Moving companies permit or require the agent to provide services under the terms of an agreement or arrangement with the carrier. A prime agent does not provide services on an emergency or temporary basis. A prime agent does not include a household goods broker or freight forwarder.

Emergency or temporary agents provide origin or destination services on the carrier’s behalf, excluding the selling of, or arranging for, a transportation service. Carrier’s permit or require the agent to provide such services under the terms of an agreement or arrangement with the carrier. The agent performs such services only on an emergency or temporary basis.

When is the Use of Moving Company Agents Legal?

The use of moving company agents is legal when the moving company has a written, signed agreement with the agent. The moving company should provide the shipper with the name and contact information of the agent as soon as the company receives this information. The agent must be licensed, insured, and adhere to all the rules and regulations governing interstate movers.

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