Moving Companies - How To Pick One Without Being Scammed

If you are considering an interstate move (that is, a move from one state to another), then your moving company should provide you with a "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet. This is a publication of the Federal Department of Transportation (Federal DOT).

The mover is supposed to give you the booklet in order to provide information about your rights and responsibilities as moving company customer (a/k/a an "individual shipper of household goods"). Basically, your primary responsibilities are:

• to select a reputable mover (a/k/a a "household goods carrier"),


• to ensure that you understand the terms and conditions of the contract, and


• to understand and pursue the remedies that are available to you in case problems arise.

The booklet is supposed to help you carry out your responsibilities!

If this is your first time moving, I'm sure you will have questions! Don't be shy--ask your mover all the questions you may have. The mover should also let you know in writing its procedure for handling your questions and complaints, and a telephone number you can call to obtain additional information about your move.

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. 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, money order, cashier's check, or credit card.


9. Movers must offer a dispute settlement program as an alternative means of settling loss or damage claims.


10. 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 assesses. A household goods broker is not responsible for loss or damage.


11. You may request complaint information about movers from FMCSA under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). You may be assessed a fee to obtain this information.


12. 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.

Full Value Protection or FVP is the most comprehensive option available for the protection of your stuff. This is automatic unless you waive full-value protection in writing and agree to Released Value Protection.

If you have FVP, your shipment will be transported under your mover's FULL (REPLACEMENT) VALUE level of liability. If any thing is lost, destroyed, or damaged while in your mover's custody, your mover will, at its option, either:

1. repair the article to the extent necessary to restore it to the same condition as when it was received by your mover, or pay you for the cost of such repairs;
2. replace the article with an article of like kind; or
3. pay you for the cost of a replacement article at the current market replacement value, regardless of the age of the lost or damaged article.

Bear in mind, however, that the mover will charge you for this level of protection.

The cost for FVP is based on the value that you place on your shipment; for example, the valuation charge for a shipment valued at $25,000 would be about $250.00. However, the exact cost for full-value protection may vary by mover. Ask your mover for the details and cost of its specific plan.

Under the FVP level of liability, movers are permitted to limit their liability for loss or damage to articles of extraordinary value, unless you specifically list these articles on the shipping documents. An article of extraordinary value is any item whose value exceeds $100 per pound (for example, jewelry, silverware, china, furs, antiques, oriental rugs, and computer software). Ask your mover for a complete explanation of this limitation before your move. It is your responsibility to study this provision carefully and to make the necessary declaration.

"Released Value" protection is the most economical protection option available; however, this no-cost option provides only minimal protection.

Under this option, the mover assumes liability for no more than 60 cents per pound, per article. Loss or damage claims are

settled based on the weight of the article multiplied by 60 cents per pound. For example, if a 10-pound stereo component, valued at $1000 were lost or destroyed, the mover would be liable for no more than $6.00 (10 pounds x 60 cents per pound). Obviously, you should think carefully before agreeing to such an arrangement.

There is no extra charge for this minimal protection, but you must sign a specific statement on the bill of lading agreeing to it. If you do not select this alternative level of liability, your shipment will be transported at the Full (Replacement) Value level of liability and you will be assessed the applicable valuation charge.

Federal and State law generally provides that hazardous materials cannot be shipped with your mover. Hazardous materials include explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives, and radioactive materials.

Examples include the following: nail polish remover, paints, paint thinners, lighter fluid, gasoline, fireworks, oxygen bottles, propane cylinders, automotive repair and maintenance chemicals, and radio-pharmaceuticals.

There are special exceptions for small quantities (up to 70 ounces total) of medicinal and toilet articles carried in your household goods and certain smoking materials carried on your person.

If you have this stuff, dispose of it safely prior to moving!

CityMove.com acts as an objective third party to help you choose the most appropriate mover for you. Using innovative technology, CityMove works to maintain high quality customer reviews and ratings of movers and moving companies.

By providing an effective review system, customers can benefit from each other's moving experiences and have a forum to express their concerns, their praises, and their overall assessment of their movers, thereby creating a community that monitors the quality of the movers.

At the same time, quality movers can learn from their reviews and improve their services where it is needed. More importantly, movers can establish a reputation for exceptional service, and can gain the trust of customers, by accumulating positive reviews for their hard work.

CityMove devised a ranking system to rank the top movers based on their performance, creating a competitive environment for movers to prove they offer the best service. The combined ranking and review system allows reputable, high-quality movers to expand their business and reach more customers, while unprofessional movers are forced to shape up or take their business elsewhere.

CityMove has also devised an innovative reverse auction, mover bidding system, where customers can enter their job information and let the movers bid on their job. Customers can then choose a mover based on price and based on review.

By allowing customers to view previously entered moving jobs, customers can get an idea of what their job will look like on CityMove, what information will be seen by the movers, and how much they can expect to pay.

Movers benefit from our thorough job entry system that provides them jobs with comprehensive details, which enables them to accurately determine their estimated price.

Other features of CityMove include a comprehensive Google map mapping out the moving route and a blog that features tips and hints for a successful move.

Right now, CityMove is especially useful for helping you find New York movers and moving companies.