The Cost-How is it 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.
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Transportation Charge-this is usually
your largest expense (60-75%). It is based on a tariff
rate per hundred pounds for 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. |
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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 premium cost.
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Materials and Services-any materials
and/or services required to complete your move results in
additional charges. For instance, when pacing and
unpacking are requested, you pay for the cost of packing
material as well as the labor charges for the actual service. |
Listed below are examples of services
which may result in additional costs:
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Extra pick up and/or deliveries (e.g., to
or from a vacation home)
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Excess distance carriers
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Overtime loading or unloading
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Piano and/or organ handling
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Stair carrier
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Appliance servicing (i.e., servicing a
washer and dryer)
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Automobile handling
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Bulky articles handling (e.g., satellite
dishes, motorcycles, playhouses, hot tubs, etc.)
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Elevator carries
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Your representative is making a mental
note of the various services that your move requires as well as
completing a Table of Measurements, or cube sheet, as you tour
each room of your home. This document is used to determine
the cubic feet that your furniture, appliances, cartons and
miscellaneous articles will occupy in the van. By
assigning an average weight value per cubic foot, the
representative converts the total cubic feet into pounds; thus
determining the estimated weight of your shipment. The
estimated cost is then prepared based on that figure. Your
sales representative provides you with an Estimate/Order for
Service detailing the breakdown of charges. |
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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 percent
of their business. |
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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 services
for items that require special handling (such as disassembly
of a grandfather clock or pool table). |
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If you intend to do your own packing, it
is recommended that you purchase special moving cartons and
packing material from your local carrier representative.
When properly used, these containers aid in protecting your
goods while in transit. Otherwise, check with liquor
stores about acquiring good, sturdy boxes. Packing
brochures, with helpful tips, are usually available from your
agency representative. |
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Labeling your boxes appropriately assists
both you and the driver in room placement at your new residence.
If your move requires full or partial packing, your origin agent
(who may also be the booking agent) notifies you of the date and
time that the packing crew is scheduled to arrive to begin
preparing your household goods for transit. Depending on
the size of your home and the amount of packing required, it may
take one or more days to complete. Usually the actual
loading of the van takes place the following day. |
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Moving Day
Upon arrival, your driver asks you to
sign the Bill of Lading. Your signature acts as
authorization for the carrier to transport your belongings.
It's a imperative that you check the document for accuracy and
completeness. In the space provided, in your own
handwriting, enter the type of valuation you have chosen. |
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Your driver is required to complete a
Household Goods Descriptive Inventory of the items that are
being shipped and to note their condition. Once the
Inventory is completed, the driver asks you to sign acknowledge,
a true and complete list of the goods being tendered to the
carrier and the condition in which the goods are received.
(If an automobile or boat is included, a signed Motor Vehicle
Descriptive Inventory is also required.) |
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When additional services are necessary to
complete your move, the Additional Services Performed
Origin/Destination Service and Delivery Report (ASPOD) must be
completed. (The name of this form may vary from one van
line to another.) The ASPOD indicates, when applicable,
the amount of manpower and time that was necessary to accomplish
the particular service listed and who performed the services.
Your initials confirm that the services listed were completed as
stated. |
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Now that the preliminaries are over, just
sit back, relax, and let the driver and helpers do their job. |
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Delivery
What should you expect?
The agreed delivery date on your Bill of Lading specifies the
spread of dates or 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. |
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If you request notification of the actual
weight and charges by checking the appropriate box on the Bill
of Lading, and Atlas representative will inform you of the
amount due prior to delivery. Unless another means has
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. Verify
which cards are accepted and if any restrictions apply (e.g.,
can the transaction occur at origin or destination? Can
the charges be split between two different charge cards?). |
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In the event the actual charges exceed
the estimated charges by more than 10%, the driver can release
your goods when you pay what is called the 110% Collection
Option (not applicable on binding estimates). For example,
if the cost of your move was estimated at $2,500.00) and the
actual charges are $2,800, you are only required to pay on
delivery the estimated charges (2,500.00) plus 10% ($250.00) or
a total of $2,750.00 The balance of the charges is due in
30 days. |
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To this point, there have been up to
three agencies involved in your relocation-the booking agent,
the origin agent, and the hauling agent. (Recall that it's
possible for the booking agent to act as the origin agent
and even the hauling agent.) Now, a fourth agency is about
to join the moving team. |
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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
you 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. |
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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 once. |
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After Delivery
Although your carrier's objective is to
transport your personal belongings without incident, there
may be times when loss or damage does occur. If you
should discover that items are missing or damaged, here's
what you should do:
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Finish your unpacking, then make a list
of the damage and/or missing articles. DO NOT THROW
AWAY ANY OF THE DAMAGED ITEMS!
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Gather your documents for reference
purposes. As mentioned before, you save time knowing
your shipment registration number. Call your
carrier's Customer Service Department at the corporate
headquarters to request a claim form (your agency
representative can provide you with a toll-free number).
Claim forms are mailed promptly.
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When received, fill our the claim form as
completely and accurately as possible and return it to the
the Customer Service representative. Although you
actually have nine months from the date of possible.
All claims are settled within the parameters defined by
the liability option you previously selected.
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Processing begins at the corporate office
upon receipt or your claim. A copy of the claim form
with an assignment sheet is faxed or mailed to a reputable
repair firm authorizing it to make an inspection or proceed
in restoring an item damage in transit. An article
that is non-repairable is reported to the Customer Service
representative for further assessment. |
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Every effort is made to locate a missing
item. If your carrier is unable to recover it,
restitution for a lost and/or non-repairable item will be
considered in your final settlement. A letter will be
issued advising you of those terms. |
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