Frequently Asked Questions
If you have never
made an interstate household goods move, perhaps you are wondering: “What
do I do first?” “ How is the cost of my move calculated?” “What
documents are used, and what is their purpose?” “Is
storage available?” When questions like these are left
unanswered, your anxiety level builds.
ABC Moving & Storage,
along with Atlas Van Lines, believes that a portion of that stress
can be alleviated by helping you
understand
the basics of the van line system and the interstate move process.
This website is designed to acquaint you with the events that
occur at various stages during the move process industry terminology
and
the documentation usually required. It contains answers to common
questions handled by our support staff, along with some tips
and tricks that we have found useful and presented here as questions.
1.
How can I get an estimate?
2. How is the cost calculated?
3. More on cost…
4. What happens after the estimate?
5. What should I expect at delivery?
6. Can I pack my household goods?
How can I get an estimate?
The
most accurate estimate is done after an “in-home” survey
of your household goods. To schedule an appointment
for a free in-home survey, call us
toll-free at 800-325-1306.
When scheduling
your appointment, allow the sales representative at least
one hour
of meeting time. The
main objective of the appointment
is to
provide you
with an approximate cost for your move. Take full advantage
of this time to express any concerns you may have. The more
you communicate
with your
representative,
the more “personalized” your estimate becomes.
For example,
suppose you are building a home in your new location an there’s
a slight possibility that it won’t be completed in time for
delivery. Storage-in-transit might be an option.
Or, perhaps it’s important that costs be kept to a minimum.
Your representative can assist you by offering a special pricing
program suitable for your budget
or may even offer some tips on how you can cut costs associated
with your move.
Feel free to try our
online estimate form.
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How is the
cost calculated?
The cost of your move
can be divided into three categories: the transportation charge,
the cost of valuation
and the
cost of materials
and services
required to complete the move. Let’s look at each
individually:
Transportation Charge – This
is usually your largest expense (60- 75%). It is based
on a tariff rate determined by the actual weight of your
shipment
and the number of miles it will be traveling.
This charge includes the cost of loading your goods, transporting
them
and unloading them at destination.
Valuation – Valuation
is the liability the carrier assumes for your
goods while in its care. Most major carriers offer three
plans: standard
liability,
declared value liability and full value liability.
Your
selection will determine the cost. Be sure
to ask your sales representative for a copy of “You
Deserve A Choice In Protection.”
Materials and Services – Any
materials and/or services required to complete
your move result in additional charges. For instance,
when packing and unpacking
are requested, you pay for the cost of packing
materials as well as the labor charges for the actual service.
Delivery conditions at your new location
may
also require additional services. And, unless
the conditions are revealed to your sales representative
in advance,
costs for these services are not included
in you estimate. See “More on cost” for
a list of services that may result in additional
charges.
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More on cost…
Since
deregulation in 1980, the moving industry has become a competitive
market. Although discounting
is now recognized
by
most carriers,
poor service may result
from “deep” discounting. Don’t
let “cost” be
the principal factor in selecting a carrier.
Choosing the lowest price may not always
be the wisest choice.
Occasionally, due to unknown factors, there
are additional charges due at delivery. For
example:
the driver
arrives to deliver your
shipment and finds that your
residence is not accessible to an over- the-road
vehicle. To complete the delivery, a shuttle
service is required.
Because
inaccessibility
was an
unknown factor,
the cost for shuttle service was not included
in the original estimate. Therefore, additional
charges
are
due (even on
a binding estimate).
Listed below are examples
of services which may result in additional charges:
-Auxiliary
(shuttle) service – using smaller equipment to transfer
the shipment between the residence and
the over-the-road vehicle or vice versa.
-Extra pick-up and/or
deliveries (e/g/, to
or from a vacaton home).
-Excessive distance
carries.
-Overtime loading or
unloading.
-Piano and/or organ
handling.
-Stair carries.
-Appliance
servicing (i.e., servicing a washer and dryer).
-Automobile
handling.
-Bulky articles handling
(such as large satellite dishes,
motorcycles, playhouses,
hot tubs,
etc.)
-Elevator carries.
Be
sure to tell your representative about stairs, elevators,
excessive distances,
or other conditions
at your new
home or apartment so
you’ll know beforehand
if additional charges
are due at destination.
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What happens
after the estimate?
Once you’ve
decided on a carrier, notify your agency representative immediately.
This assures
immediate scheduling of your agreed pick- up and
delivery
dates.
This
is especially important during the peak season (May 15 through
September
30) when carriers experience about 48% of their business.
Your
representative, also known as
the booking agent,
is
now responsible
for making the
necessary
arrangements for
your
move – from
scheduling
packing
dates, to hiring
an
outside contractor
to
perform specialized
service
for items
that
require special handling
(such
as disassembly of a grandfather’s
clock
or pool table).
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What
should I expect
at delivery?
The
agreed delivery
date on your Bill
of Lading specifies
the preferred
time period that delivery
of your goods
can be expected.
(Example: 5/26 to
6/07) Most drivers
try to advise
you of
their anticipated arrival
at least 24
hours
in advance.
In the unlikely
event that your
shipment is delayed
past the agreed
delivery period,
you will be notified
of the change.
If
you
request notification
of
the actual
weight
and
charges by checking
the
appropriate box
on
the Bill
of
Lading, a representative
will
inform
you
of
the amount
due
prior
to
delivery.
Unless
other
means
have
been
prearranged,
payment
is
due
at
the
time
of
delivery
by
cash,
certified
check
or
postal
money
order.
The
driver
will
not
begin
unloading
until
payment
is
received.
Many
carriers
now
honor
major
credit
cards…but
don’t
assume
so.
Check
with
your
agency
representative
in
advance
to
confirm
that
the
agency
participates
in
a
charge
card
program.
Verify
which
cards
are
accepted
and
if
any
restrictions
apply.
As
the driver
begins to
unload at
your new
residence, you
should check
off the
items on
your copy
of the
Inventory as
they are
carried in.
This helps
to determine
if all
furniture and/or
cartons are
accounted for.
You should
also record
any noticeable
damage. Once
you have
completed your
inventory check,
transfer any
notations onto
the driver’s
copy of
the Inventory
and sign
it.
Hopefully,
you’ve had an opportunity to plan ahead in regard to
furniture placement. Although most drivers are very cooperative,
they are only required
to place furniture only once.
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Can
I pack
my household
goods?
In
choosing to
do your
own packing,
you will
be accepting
a major
responsibility and
challenge. A
challenge that,
when met
properly, can
save you
money on
the total
cost of
your move.
Let your
agency representative
help you
in making
that decision.
Packing by
professionally trained
and experienced
packers will
minimize shifting
of household
goods in
transit: shifting
can cause
damage during
the move.
As
with any
move, ABC and Atlas
has the
right to
inspect packed-by-
owner (PBO)
items to
make sure
packing is
adequate to
protect your
goods during
transit. If,
in the
mover’s judgment, a container is packed
improperly, the driver may ask the customer
to repack it; or, the driver may choose to repack
the container
and charge you for the service. If any PBO container
is damaged in transit, ABC’s
liability may be affected.
Again,
let your
agency representative
help you.
As a
professional in
the field,
they can
give you
suggestions on
proper selection
of packing
materials and
containers and
can provide
helpful hints
for protecting
your goods.
Customer involvement
leads to
customer satisfaction.
Letting ABC
and Atlas
help you
makes for
a successful
move.
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