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Moving Glossary: 1
110 Percent Rule
Movers are required
by law to deliver your goods for no more than 10 percent above the price of a
non-binding estimate.
ASMA:
Members of the American Storage and Moving Association offer relocation
services. The association provides certification to companies that meet its
requirements.
Accessorial
(Additional) Services:
Services such as packing, appliance servicing or unpacking that you request to
be performed (or are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special
circumstances). Charges for these services are in addition to the transportation
charges.
Appliance Service
by Third Party
The preparation of
major electrical appliances to make them safe for shipment. Charges for these
services may be in addition to the moving charges
Advanced
Charges:
Charges for services not performed by the mover but instead by a professional,
craftsman or other third party at your request. The charges for these services
are paid for by the mover and added to your bill of lading charges.
Bill of
Lading:
The receipt for your goods and the contract for their transportation. It is your
responsibility to understand the bill of lading before you sign it. If you do
not agree with something on the bill of lading, do not sign it until you are
satisfied that it is correct. The bill of lading is an important document. Don't
lose or misplace your copy.
Binding/Non-Binding Estimate:
A binding estimate
is an agreement with the mover made in advance of the move. It guarantees the
total cost of the move based on the quantities and services shown on the
estimate. A non-binding estimate is the carrier's approximation of the cost
based on the estimated weight of the shipment and the accessorial services
requested. A non-binding estimate is not binding on the carrier and the final
charges will be based on the actual weight and tariff provisions in effect.
Carrier:
The mover providing transportation of your household goods.
C.O.D.:
Stands for cash on delivery. Transportation for a private shipper may require
C.O.D. at the time of delivery at the destination residence (or warehouse).
Expedited
Service:
An agreement with the mover to perform transportation by a set date in exchange
for charges based on a higher minimum weight.
Flight
Charge:
An extra charge for carrying items up or down flights of stairs.
Force Majeure
A defense
protecting the parties in the event that a part of the contract cannot be
performed due to causes which are outside the control of the parties and could
not be avoided by exercise of due care.
Guaranteed
Pickup and Delivery Service:
An additional level of service whereby dates of service are guaranteed, with the
mover providing reimbursement for 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 mover to ensure they are protected accordingly.
Inventory:
The detailed descriptive list of your household goods showing the number and
condition of each item.
Line Haul
Charges:
Charges for the vehicle transportation portion of your move. These charges apply
in addition to the additional service charges.
Long Carry:
An added charge for carrying articles excessive distances between the mover's
vehicle and your residence.
Order for
Service:
The document authorizing the mover to transport your household goods.
Order (Bill
of Lading) Number:
The number used to identify and track your shipment.
Peak Season
Rates:
Higher line haul charges that are applicable during the summer months.
Pickup and
Delivery Charges:
Separate transportation charges applicable for transporting your shipment
between the SIT warehouse and your residence.
Shuttle
Service:
Use of a smaller vehicle to provide service to residences that are not
accessible to the mover's normal line haul equipment.
Storage-in-Transit (SIT):
Temporary warehouse storage of your shipment pending further transportation. For
example, if your new home isn't quite ready to occupy you might use SIT. You
must specifically request SIT service, which may not exceed a total of 180 days
of storage, and you will be responsible for the added charges for SIT service,
as well as the warehouse handling and final delivery charges.
Valuation:
The degree of "worth" of the shipment. The valuation charge compensates the
mover for assuming a greater degree of liability than that provided for in the
base transportation charges.
Warehouse
Handling:
An additional charge applicable each time SIT service is provided. This charge
compensates the mover for the physical placement and removal of items within the
warehouse.
Moving
Glossary
Moving is just
about everyone’s least favorite chore and yet we do it thousands
of times each year. We drive our friends with trucks crazy
helping us move as we swear it will be the last time.
Even moving the
short distance between Dallas and Fort Worth is a huge job and
with the backbreaking work and the price of gas, it just makes
sense to hire movers. One of the advantages of hiring a moving
company to come in and do the heavy work is that you can take
your time and pack things just the way you want them.
Bonded Movers:
Movers are insured and bonded so you can feel comfortable about
letting your precious cargo be moved by someone else. Besides,
movers have equipment like ramps and truck dollies that make
their jobs easier. When we move ourselves, we tend to do all
the heavy lifting ourselves without the use of equipment that
can make the job so much easier.
Cross Country
Moving: Even if you’re just
moving to another home within Houston, you’ll do the same amount
of work as you would if you were moving cross country. It
doesn’t seem fair but it’s true. We pack the same amount of
boxes and carry the same amount of furniture and after we’re
exhausted, we still have to face leaving the old place clean!
Minimize:
When planning a move, it’s a good idea to weed out old items you
no longer want or need. With moving services loading and
unloading the truck, you have time to leisurely go through
clothes and books and such so you won’t move things you’re just
going to get rid of anyway.
Moving Boxes:
Another advantage to using a moving company is that you can get
brand new, uniform size boxes for a nominal fee. Most moving
services will buy back the ones you don’t use so you won’t waste
money buying in bulk. No more dumpster diving for boxes or
waiting at the grocery store only to find that they’ve already
crushed their boxes.
Professional
Movers: Whether you’re
moving in or out of Dallas, Fort Worth or Houston, you’ll have a
big job going back and forth if you do it all yourself. By
hiring movers, there will only be one trip to make instead of
getting caught in the congested traffic at least for some of
those trips. Moving is no fun for anyone, least of all while
we’re trying to take care of our families and go to work too.
Not many people want to take vacation time just so they can
move.
Professional
Packing: Moving companies
usually offer you the option of packing your belongings for you
and if you are ready to wash your hands of the whole thing, this
is the way to go. Imagine doing nothing but leaving your old
home and arriving at your new one to find everything has been
packed and moved without you having to lift a finger.
The task of
moving just isn’t so bad when you let someone else do the dirty
work. It’s amazing too how fast they get the job done. While
we are only one person and usually have a friend or two to help
us, movers arrive in teams that get the work done fast. In
addition, since they do this kind of work everyday, it is not
near as daunting to them as it is to us because they are used to
it and have chosen to work in this field while we abhor it and
put off moving until it is absolutely necessary.
Even if you don’t live in big cities like Dallas, Fort Worth or
Houston, it will make your move a hundred times easier to let
someone else do the hard work. Next time you’re faced with the
task of moving, hire a mover.
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