Choosing a Reputable Mover, Revisited

Posted by David Piotrowski

A while back, I wrote a posting about choosing a reputable mover. The DOT has published a brochure discussing techniques to choose reputable movers.

In sum, to choose a reputable mover, the DOT recommends that people 1) get written estimates from several movers, 2) make sure that the mover has the necessary license to operate and has the required insurance, 3) check the movers complaint history, 4) don’t always select a mover based solely on cost, and 5) research into the company and read additional DOT booklets such as “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.

Choosing a Reputable Mover

Posted by David Piotrowski

Here’s an important “to do” list to help you select the right mover:

Get a written estimate from several movers.

Make sure the mover has insurance and is licensed by the proper authority.

For moves from one State to another, a U.S. DOT number is issued by FMCSA. You can double-check a mover’s license on www.protectyourmove.gov. For moves within a State, requirements vary. Check with your State, county or local consumer affairs agency or your State attorney general.

Remember your priorities when choosing a mover.
If you hire a mover based solely on the cheapest price, you may be sacrificing other things that are actually more important, such as getting your possessions moved and delivered on time. And remember, movers are required by law to deliver your goods for no more than ten percent above the price of a non-binding estimate. This is known as the 110 percent rule. If your move is based on a binding estimate, then the mover can only charge 100% of that estimate.

Do your homework.
Read “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move,” a booklet from the Federal government that your mover is required to give you if you are moving from one State to another. This booklet also has information you’ll need if your goods are lost or damaged during the move.

For more information, visit http://www.protectyourmove.gov.

Protect Your Move

Posted by David Piotrowski

Whenever you move your household, you want to make sure you protect your move by taking appropriate and prudent steps to minimize the possibility of problems. To help protect your move, you should do the following before deciding on a moving company:

• Get your estimate in writing.
• Get moving estimates from multiple moving companies.
• Protect your move by asking your sales rep to clarify and questions you have before the move day.
• Ask the mover to provide you with their delivery timeframe.
• Find out of your estimate is binding or non-binding.
• Protect your move by asking if your mover will provide a visual estimate. This is required unless an exception applies.
• Protect your move by reading and following this moving checklist.
• Visit the Protect Your Move website. This is a website published by the FMCSA.

The Protect Your Move website says, “Moving to a new home is a significant event that is often stressful, and the U.S. Government, in partnership with the moving industry, law enforcement and consumer groups, is arming consumers with the information they need to protect themselves against one of the most stressful situations that can plague a household move: being taken advantage of by a dishonest or rogue mover.”

The Protect Your Move site offers valuable ways to help protect against moving fraud and offers helpful information on making your move less stressful.

Movers Charging By Cubic Feet

Posted by David Piotrowski

Two of the most common ways movers like to charge is 1) by weight (price per pound) and 2) by cubic feet (calculated by the amount of volume the shipment takes up). Both options are legal in certain instances. Many moving companies and consumers, believe that cubic feet charges are illegal at worst, or misleading at best. So long as the mover is reputable and trustworthy, charges based on cubic feet are perfectly legal and reasonable in many cases.

In order for a mover to charge based on cubic feet, the following must apply:

1. The mover must have a provision in their interstate moving tariff that allows for charges based on cubic feet.
2. The written estimate that the moving company provides to the customer must be binding (if the estimate is a non-binding estimate, then the mover may not charge based on cubic feet).
3. The written estimate must state that the estimate is based on cubic feet.
4. The cubic feet charges should be based on the accurate volume of goods, based on a physical survey (unless a physical survey exception applies).

In sum, movers may charge their customers based on cubic feet so long as the movers tariff allows for it, the estimate is binding, the estimate states the the estimate is based on cubic feet, and the cubic feet charges are based on an accurate measurement of the goods.

Moving Company Advertisements

Posted by David Piotrowski

Many moving companies are not aware that their are specific rules they must follow when advertising their services. While regulations take into consideration the first amendment to the U.S. Constititution, guaranteeing the right to free speech, their are particular laws explaining what movers need to include in their advertisements.

For example, movers and their agents must publish and use only truthful, straightforward, and honest advertisements. Movers must include, and movers must require each of their agents to include, in all advertisements for all services (including any accessorial services incidental to or part of interstate household goods transportation), the following two elements:

1. The name of the moving company, as it appears on file with the U.S. DOT, or the name or trade name of the motor carrier under whose operating authority the advertised service will originate; and
2. The U.S. DOT assigned to the moving company.

In addition, the movers U.S. DOT number must be displayed only in the following form in every advertisement: U.S. DOT No. xxxxxx (replacing the x with the actual number).

By following these simple instructions, movers will be in compliance with the rules regulating moving company advertisements.

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