13 Rights and Responsibilities b/w You & the Mover

1. Movers must give written estimates.
2. Movers may give binding estimates.
3. Non-binding estimates are not always accurate; actual charges may exceed the estimate.
4. If your mover provides you (or someone representing you) with any partially complete document for your signature, you should verify the document is as complete as possible before signing it. Make sure the document contains all relevant shipping information, except the actual shipment weight and any other information necessary to determine the final charges for all services performed.
5. You may request from your mover the availability of guaranteed pickup and delivery dates.
6. Be sure you understand the mover's responsibility for loss or damage, and request an explanation of the difference between valuation and actual insurance.
7. You have the right to be present each time your shipment is weighed.
8. You may request a reweigh of your shipment.
9. If you agree to move under a non-binding estimate, you should confirm with your mover - in writing - the method of payment at delivery as cash, certified check, cashier's check, money order, or credit card.
10. Movers must offer a dispute settlement program as an alternative means of settling loss or damage claims. ASK YOUR MOVER FOR DETAILS.
11. You should ask the person you speak to whether he or she works for the actual mover or a household goods broker. A household goods broker only arranges for the transportation. A household goods broker must not represent itself as a mover. A household goods broker does not own trucks of its own. The broker is required to find an authorized mover to provide the transportation. You should know that a household goods broker generally has no authority to provide you an estimate on behalf of a specific mover. If a household goods broker provides you an estimate, it may not be binding on the actual mover and you may have to pay the actual charges the mover incurs. A household goods broker is not responsible for loss or damage.
12. You may request complaint information about movers from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under the Freedom of Information Act. You may be assessed a fee to obtain this information. See 49 CFR Part 7 for the schedule of fees.
13. You should seek estimates from at least three different movers. You should not disclose any information to the different movers about their competitors, as it may affect the accuracy of their estimates.
    

Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Know Your Mover & Your Rights

With the height of moving season upon us, I implore everyone planning their relocation with a mover to do their homework. Moving has become a regular five year cycle for many people, giving criminal movers an entire continent to prey on. Don't fall victim, speak up and require all your details in writing because the moment the movers pull away from the curb you are at their mercy, legal or not.

No matter how small the move, it's critical you ask the right questions when hiring a mover. You should know that every moving company is required by law to provide you with a "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet. If they switch the subject when requesting the document or refuse to provide it to you, walk away - immediately!

For all the honest moving companies out there, thank you. We aim to educate the moving masses about the crooks posing as your competition, bringing you more business.

According to Nkiru Asika Oluwasanmi of SmartMoney.com, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a Department of Transportation division that oversees safety, licensing and regulation of trucks and buses, has only five full-time investigators to police more than 3,700 companies. These guys must have heard it all. Here are a out a couple of cases that saw there day in court:

news-releases/2002/103102.htm
news-releases/2003/030403-mcrnr.htm

Oluwasanmi's article:
10 Things Your Mover Company Won't Tell You is an essential read!

Be thorough and trust your instincts. You can't afford assumptions when it comes to having someone else pack and transport your life's irreplaceable treasures.

Welcome!

The BoxQuest team wanted to give all those on the move a place to comment, advise and even vent about their moving experiences for the benefit of those to follow.

Please feel free to discuss any matters related to moving, i.e. boxes, moving supplies, movers, how-to, etc...

Smooth Move,
The BoxQuest Team!

www.boxquest.com