Moving Company Attorney

GLOSSARY OF MOVING COMPANY TERMS:

ACCESSORIAL SERVICES: These are services such as packing, appliance servicing, unpacking, or piano stair carries that a shipper may request to be performed. Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges.

ACTUAL CASH VALUE (ACV): Money equal to the cost of replacing lost, stolen or damaged property after depreciation. A method of determining the worth of an improvement.

ADVANCED CHARGES: Charges for services not performed by the moving company but instead by a professional, craftsman or other third party at the shipper's request. The charges for these services are paid for by the moving company and added to your bill of lading charges.

AGENT: A local moving company authorized to act on behalf of the carrier.

APPLIANCE SERVICE: Preparation of major electrical appliances to make them safe for shipment.

BILL OF LADING: The receipt for the goods and the contract for their transportation.

BROKER: An interstate broker is any person or company who for compensation arranged for or offers to arrange the transportation of property by an authorized moving company.

BULKY ARTICLE: Include such items as boats, snowmobiles, golf carts, and campers. These "bulky" items usually carry an extra charge to compensate the hauler for the difficulty of loading and unloading, as well as for their unusual bulk or low-weight density.

CERTIFIED SCALE: Any scale designed for weighing motor vehicles, including trailers or semi-trailers not attached to a tractor, and certified by an authorized scale inspection and licensing authority. A certified scale may also be a platform or warehouse type scale that is properly inspected and certified.

CARRIER/MOVER: The moving company and its agents, contractors, employees, and representatives.

CASH ON DELIVERY (COD): This means payment is required at the time of delivery and prior to unloading at the destination residence (or warehouse).

CLAIM: A statement of loss or damage to any of the household goods while in the custody of the moving company or its affiliated agent.

CONSULTANT: Person with whom a shipper discusses the particular move requirements, who usually makes a note of items to be moved, provides information about their company and an estimate for services.

COST PER CUBIC METER: A rate given on the estimated space that the property will fill on a truck / container.

COST PER 100 LBS.: A rate given on the estimated weight of the property being transported.

COST PER CUBIC FOOT: A rate given on the estimated space the property will fill on a truck / container.

COST PER HOUR: A rate given per hour based on the number of men and size of truck that will be charged on the time taken to carry out the move.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT): The federal agency which, through the Surface Transportation Board within the DOT, governs the interstate transportation industry, including movers of household goods.

ESTIMATE, BINDING: An agreement made in advance with the moving company. It provides that the total cost of the move will be based upon the quantities (specific item list) and services shown on the estimate.

ESTIMATE, NON-BINDING: What the moving company believes the cost will be, based upon the estimated weight of the shipment and the accessorial services requested. A non-binding estimate is not binding on the mover. The final charges will be based upon the actual weight of the shipment, the services provided, and the tariff provisions in effect.

GUARANTEED PICKUP AND DELIVERY SERVICE: An additional level of service featuring guaranteed dates of service. The moving company will provide reimbursement for any delays. This premium service is often subject to minimum weight requirements.

HIGH VALUE ARTICLE: Items included in a shipment that are valued at more than $100 per pound. These items should be disclosed to the moving company to ensure they are protected accordingly.

INTRASTATE: Intrastate transportation of household goods is the movement of property from an origin to a destination within the same state. For example, when a shipper moves from Dallas, Texas, to Austin, Texas. Moving companies performing services as an intrastate mover must be licensed with that individual state's regulatory body. Generally, the regulatory agencies governing intrastate moving companies are the States' Public Utilities Commission (PUC) or Department of Transportation (State DOT).

INTERNATIONAL: International transportation of household goods is the movement of property from an origin in one country to a destination in another country. For example, when a shipper moves from the United States to England. For Unites States based companies, international moves are regulated by the Federal Maritime Commission. (www.fmc.gov).

INTERSTATE: Interstate transportation of household goods is the movement of property from an origin in one state to a destination in another state. For example, when a shipper moves from San Francisco, California to Phoenix, Arizona. Interstate moving companies transporting household goods are regulated and licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. (FMCSA) More information about the regulatory and licensing requirements may be found at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

INVENTORY: The detailed descriptive list of the household goods showing the number and condition of each item.

LINE HAUL CHARGES: The charges for the vehicle transportation portion of the move. These charges, if separately stated, apply in addition to the special/additional service charges.

LONG CARRY: A charge for carrying articles excessive distances between the mover's vehicle and your residence. Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges.

OPERATING AUTHORITY: The certification issued by a state or federal governmental department authorizing a mover or carrier to move household goods between designated geographical areas.

ORDER FOR SERVICE: The document authorizing the motor carrier to transport the household goods. An order for services is not a contract.

ORDER (BILL OF LADING) NUMBER: The number used to identify and track the shipment.

PBO (packed by owner): Occurs when articles are packed by the shipper, for moving.

PEAK SEASON RATES: Higher line haul charges that are applicable during the summer months.

SHIPPER: The customer or customer's agent or representative who engaged the carrier to perform interstate domestic moving services.

SHUTTLE SERVICE: The use of a smaller vehicle to provide service to residences not accessible to the mover's normal line haul vehicles.

SPECIAL/ADDITIONAL SERVICES: These are services such as packing, appliance servicing, unpacking, or piano stair carries that the shipper request to be performed (or that are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges.

STAIRS FLIGHT CHARGE: A charge for carrying items up or down flights of stairs. Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges.

STORAGE IN TRANSIT (SIT): Temporary warehouse storage of the shipment pending further transportation. For example, if the shipper's new home isn't quite ready to occupy they might request SIT.

STORAGE VAULTS: Large wooden container, in which the property is loaded into, sealed and then stacked away.

TARIFF: An issuance (in whole or in part) containing rates, rules, regulations, classifications, or other provisions. The Surface Transportation Board requires that a tariff contain three specific items. First, an accurate description of the services the mover offers to the public. Second, the specific applicable rates (or the basis for calculating the specific applicable rates) and service terms for services offered to the public. Third, the mover's tariff must be arranged in a way that allows you to determine the exact rate(s) and service terms applicable to your shipment.

VALUATION: The degree of worth of the shipment. The valuation charge compensates the mover for assuming a greater degree of liability than is provided for in its base transportation charges.

WAREHOUSE HANDLING: An additional charge applicable each time storage-in-transit service is provided.

WEIGHT TICKET/CERTIFICATE: The truck is weighed before and after the shipment is loaded. Each time the truck is weighed, the driver gets a dated weight ticket listing the weight and where the truck was weighed. A copy of the weight ticket should be with the freight bill.