Moving Companies - A Glossary Of Moving Terms
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Below is a glossary of terms use frequently by moving companies and government
regulators. These terms should help you figure out the best services and options
for you when hiring moving companies.
ACCESSORIAL (ADDITIONAL) SERVICES - These are services such
as packing, appliance servicing, unpacking, or piano stair carries that you
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.
ADVANCED CHARGES - These are charges for services performed
by someone other than the mover. A professional, craftsman, or other third party
may perform these services at your request. The mover pays for these services
and adds the charges to your bill of lading charges.
AGENT - A local moving company authorized to act on behalf
of a larger, national company.
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 line haul charges.
BILL OF LADING - The receipt for your goods and the contract
for their transportation.
CARRIER - The mover transporting your household goods.
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.
ESTIMATE, BINDING - This is an agreement made in advance with
your mover. It guarantees the total cost of the move based upon the quantities
and services shown on the estimate.
ESTIMATE, NON-BINDING - This is what your mover 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 your shipment, the services
provided, and the tariff provisions in effect.
EXPEDITED SERVICE - This is an agreement with the mover to
perform transportation by a set date in exchange for charges based upon a higher
minimum weight.
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.
GUARANTEED PICKUP AND DELIVERY SERVICE - An additional level
of service featuring guaranteed dates of service. Your mover will provide reimbursement
to you for delays. This premium service is often subject to minimum weight requirements.
HIGH VALUE ARTICLE - These are items included in a shipment
valued at more than $100 per pound ($220 per kilogram).
LINE HAUL CHARGES - The charges for the vehicle transportation
portion of your move. These charges, if separately stated, apply in addition
to the accessorial 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.
ORDER FOR SERVICE - The document authorizing the mover to
transport your household goods.
PEAK SEASON RATES - Higher line haul charges applicable during
the summer months.
PICKUP AND DELIVERY CHARGES - Separate transportation charges
applicable for transporting your shipment between the storage-in-transit warehouse
and your residence.
REASONABLE DISPATCH - The performance of transportation on
the dates, or during the period of time, agreed upon by you and your mover and
shown on the Order for Service/Bill of Lading. For example, if your mover deliberately
withholds any shipment from delivery after you offer to pay the binding estimate
or 110 percent of a non-binding estimate, your mover has not transported the
goods with reasonable dispatch. The term "reasonable dispatch" excludes
transportation provided under your mover's tariff provisions requiring guaranteed
service dates. Your mover will have the defense of force majeure, i.e., that
the contract cannot be performed owing to causes that are outside the control
of the parties and that could not be avoided by exercise of due care.
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