- Avoiding the moving day nightmare ...
 Moving can be a nightmare without
proper planning. The moving industry itself is one of few in our country that
is virtually without regulation at the state or federal levels. The demise of
the Interstate Commerce Commission placed regulation of the moving industry
into the hands several federal agencies, all of which were charged with enforcing the regulations of the former ICC, but none of which was given additional funding to accomplish the tasks. Additionally, states have little if any funds for or interest in investigating claims against moving companies and have no authority to investigate interstate claims at all. So if you are searching for a mover, make sure that you take your time and do your homework.
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Read this before you hire a moving company...
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- Create an accurate inventory list and use it to check every item after it is unloaded.
- List everything that is to be moved item by item unless you can afford to lose that item. Without an accurate inventory you will have no way of knowing if it came off the truck upon arrival at your destination. It is in the mover's best interest to have you sign off on the Bill of Lading as soon as possible. It is in your best interest not to sign it at all until you have inspected every item on the inventory and found it to be in satisfactory condition. You can bet you'll be asked to sign a statement as soon as the movers are finished unloading your belongings stating that you have received everything that you were supposed to have received and that it was received in good condition.If you sign that statement you have no basis for claims of damages against the mover...so don't sign it even if the mover intimidates you!!!
- Obtain 3 written and signed BINDING estimates.
 When moving long distance, always get three written and signed BINDING estimates from authorized representatives who have visually inspected all that is to be moved. If you do not have a written and signed BINDING estimate, or if that written and signed BINDING estimate has been modified in any way whatsoever without the initials of all parties to the contract, then you have no control over what your ultimate bill will be. It might be ten times higher than you thought. Get initials on even the slightest modification to the Binding Estimate. Contract law in most states provides that any change to a contract that is not signed by every party involved in the contract voids any prior agreement. Some movers will actual lead you into making a change and then intentionally not initial it.Movers are notorious for lowballing the estimate to get your business. The "Guesstimate", or even a Binding estimate that has been modified without initials, is not worth the paper it is written or not written on. If you have no Written Binding Estimate or if you have modified the Written Binding Estimate without the initials of all parties to the contract, you can bet that you will be presented with a demand for an exorbitant cash payment upon the mover's arrival at your destination that may be ten times higher than you were led to believe. Your belongings will be held hostage until you pay the bill...in cash...in full You have NO PROTECTION at this point without the binding estimate. If you refuse to pay, the law allows the mover to store your belongings at the location and price of his choice. When the bill is not paid after the prescribed date, usually 30 days, the law allows the mover to sell your belongings to pay the bill and to seek a judgment against you if he chooses to sell your belongings for less than what the bill is. Some movers will allow you to pay this bill with a credit card if they determine that you do not have enough cash to pay the bill. In return for the privilege of using the credit card, movers have been known to force their clients to pay additionally as much as 10% of the bill as a service charge. BUT...If on a long distance move you have an unmodified Written Binding Estimate, the law forbids the mover from charging more than 110% of the written estimate. If there is a dispute, the mover is required by law to unload and release the goods until the dispute is settled. You then have 30 days to settle the dispute.
- Understand what a "Bill
of Lading" is.
- The Bill of Lading is a legal and binding contract.
Each carrier is required by law to present you with one at the end of your move.
This document is the only legal document involved in the moving process. It
should include all services and costs. All costs must be itemized to include
your hourly rate (local moves) or weight and distance (long distance or Storage in Transit moves).
- Read and Understand your "Bill
of Lading" Before you sign it.
- The Bill of Lading is your invoice, receipt and contract all rolled into one. It should list all inventory (items to be moved), labor, material, packing, insurance and travel charges. It is in your best interest to READ AND UNDERSTAND THE BILL OF LADING BEFORE YOU SIGN IT!!! It will also list your rights and responsibilities on the reverse
side.
- Packing and packing material scams
- Some unscrupulous movers will charge as much as $15-$16 for a wardrobe box and then, on a full service long distance move charge another $12-$!4 to pack a single lamp shade in that box. You could pay up to $30 for the material and labor cost for packing just one lamp shade! Moving company employees are often encouraged to use as much tape, bubble wrap and paper as possible and are sometimes paid a commission on the products they sell.
- Last minute packing can cost you an arm and a leg.
- Be very cautions if a mover offers to finish up any remaining packing for you on the day of the move. The cost for this service is rarely mentioned on the day you make the moving agreement - and once the work is completed, you're obligated to pay it.
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Remember these items before signing a moving contract:
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- Obtain 3 written and signed BINDING Estimates
- Include language in the Written Binding Estimate that provides for a "cost not to exceed" as a safeguard against unscrupulous movers.
- Movers can "sell a move". This means that the movers who picked up your belongings may not be the movers who finish the delivery. Find out who is responsible for damage claims should your move be "sold".
- Make sure the movers sent by the moving company speak your language, ie English, Spanish, etc.
- Schedule your move in advance, particularly March through September which is the mover's busiest time.
- In general, movers have up to 14 days on either side of the delivery date to deliver your belongings.
- Cancel or postpone your move immediately should your plans change. If you wait too long, a cancellation fee may be charged to you.
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| Prior to Moving Day..... |
- Create a plan for packing and obtaining packing materials (Buying packing materials from the mover will cost much more)
- Be sure to label every box plainly by room
- Mark all breakables such as mirrors and pictures in Red with the word FRAGILE.
- Never disconnect water, power or telephone until the day after a move.
- Make sure the mover has a way to reach you on moving day. Cell phones and pagers come in handy.
- Pack the children's toys last. It may help keep them busy and from under foot.
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| On Moving Day..... |
- If you are moving a long distance, demand a "before" and "after" certified weight ticket.
- Make sure the mover has a way to reach you on moving day. Cell phones and pagers come in handy.
- Make sure the truck has a clear path to enter your property
- Keep plenty of cold beverages on hand. Movers are human too and will need food and water. Things go more smoothly if you keep them happy.
- Pianos and other big items require special moving equipment. Let the movers know in advance if you have any of these items.
- For local moves, note the time of arrival and the time of completion. The price of a local move is usually calculated based on time and materials.
- Check each box as it comes off the truck, or you will have no way of knowing whether it arrived or not until the mover has left.
- NEVER EVER EVER (EVEN IF THE MOVER INTIMIDATES YOU) SIGN A BILL OF LADING UNLESS YOU HAVE PERSONALLY INSPECTED EVERY SINGLE ITEM THAT WAS MOVED AND YOU ARE SATISFIED THAT ALL ITEMS ARE IN SATISFACTORY CONDITION. ONCE YOU SIGN THIS, YOU HAVE RELEASED THE MOVER FROM LIABILITY.
- Tip the movers if they do a good job.
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