Cross Country Moving Tips – Phony Moving Truck Maneuvers
When we move, it may be a long trip, be it to a new state, a new country, or even to a new continent. These moves are harder to plan for, and require much more stringent assessment of belongings, so that you can afford the move itself.
Perhaps, not you or your family knows enough about a long distance move. Maybe, you are not familiar with the moving industry’s practices and what’s worse is that little knowledge could cost you hundreds of dollars in your long distance move. This is why it is imperative that you close the gap in that knowledge and fully comprehend your right and responsibilities under the law – the same law that governs the moving industry.
Intrastate Moves
Within the moving business, customer relocations are categorized in these groups: Intrastate Relocations – moving without leaving the state. To summarize, the company which moves you doesn’t have to transport your belongings across state lines. For instance relocating from Tampa, FL to Hollywood, FL is thought of as an intrastate relocation.
Interstate Relocations
These moves do cross state boundaries regardless of how short of a distance it is. Moving to Hoboken New Jersey to Queens, New York is an interstate move in spite of the few miles between these two points.
International Moves
We finally have International (Overseas Moves) that cross country boundaries. For instance, relocating from a town in California to Tijuana in Mexico is classified as international moving.
In this article, we’ll focus on some shady moving practices done by long distance moving companies when they engage in an interstate move. When someone moves from one state to another, the moving estimate is based on a price per pound times the weight of the shipping truck. The heavier the amount of your items, the more expensive your move becomes.
Moving Weight Standard:
For your long distance move, if a mover offers a non-binding moving estimate, then charges will be based on the actual weight of your shipment. Legally, the mover can’t add transportation fees calculated by the cubic feet, hour charges, or something else except the weight only to add up your shipment fees. Your belongings are supposed to be weighed by the mover on a state certified scale and a copy of the weight master ticket is supposed to be given as part of final papers to settle the moving transaction.
Moving truck weight is calculated by weighing the truck before loading and after loading – the difference is what you pay for.
The weight readings can also be taken by the moving companies at the destination of the shipment. The driver will take the weight of your truck with your shipment on it and take the weight again without your shipment.
Unscrupulous movers purposely neglect to tell you that as a customer, you have the right to be present at the weight station to watch the procedure and consequently, customers end up spending much more than their fair share.
You’d like to have the assurance that these weights represent the actual weight of your move.
Be certain that:
1. wheels, implements, bedding, carts, dollies and the like all make up the first and last weigh-in. What you want to avoid is having items that were not part of the first weight to be weighed in as part of the final shipment, adding someone else’s weight to your shipment.
2. the diesel the truck has is same before and after the weight process. Full fuel tank on the initial reading must be done the same at the final reading. If the reading was done on an empty fuel tank, you don’t want to pay for additional weight of a full fuel tank. It is imperative that the reading be done so that you will know the actual weight of the things you are moving.
3. you’re present at these weight stations on both initial and final destination. Legally, a trustworthy mover ought to have no issues with consumers initiating this.
Dishonest moving companies might take advantages of this variation in weight and considering the fact that you are not around. The non-binding estimate gives a mover the opportunity to include further weight charges that are totally unsubstantiated to the client in the final paper work. When you are aware of these tactics and take actions to prevent any fraudulent charges, even a shady mover would rethink its strategy to over charge you because it seems like you’ve done your homework.
If you disagree with the weight you were initially given, you can request that the mover reweigh your belongings prior to emptying the truck. The moving company may not charge you for this re-weight; however, the final charges will be assessed based on this new reading.
You have the power to witness the action for each time your cargo is weighed. If you request a re-weight, you must waive your right to observe the reweigh in writing.
Also, not every single move requires a weighing. There is not need to weight the shipment under binding estimates, however, binding estimates do have the potential of being more costly than non-binding estimates.
Finally, small shipments under 3,000 pounds can be weighed on a certified warehouse scale and not be taken to a state certified weight station scale.
Learning as much as you can about the moving industry will save you money, avoid being scammed, and lessen the aggravation of moving.
