-
- Binding
Estimate
- A flat price based upon a given inventory. No matter how long
the job takes, the flat price is always paid.
-
- Carrier
- This
refers to the mover that you are working with.
-
- C.O.D.
- Cash
on delivery.
-
- Inventory
- The detailed descriptive list
of your household goods showing the quantity and condition of each item.
-
Local moving
- Local moving usually refers to moves of less than 100 miles
within the same state. This type of move is based on hourly rates and is regulated
by the states DOT or other regulatory body.
-
- Long Distance
- These
refer to moves of more than 100 miles within one state or moves between two states.
Non-binding or hourly rate Customers are charged by the hour per man, per truck.
-
- Order for Service
- This is the authorizing document that allowing
movers to move your goods.
-
- Order Number
- This also refers
to the Bill of Lading. It's the number used to identify and track your shipment.
- Peak Season Rates
- A premium rate is typically charged
at certain times of the year, usually summer. You can sometimes get a break on
fees in the winter.
-
- Stair-Carry Charge
- This is an extra
charge for carrying items up or down flights of stairs.
-
- Storage-In-Transit
(SIT)
- This refers to temporary warehousing of your goods pending further
transportation or transportation to your new home if it isn't ready for occupancy.
You may not exceed a total of 180 days of storage.
-
- Valuation
- The amount your goods are worth.
Now Let's Look at some
Pitfalls to Avoid: 1. Not getting an on-site estimate could mean you
don't have an accurate estimate. Most moving companies offer free on-site estimates.
Take several up on that offer so you can compare. Be sure to give the same information
to each company. 2. Not following a list of action items leading up to
your move can mean forgetting some key things. Make a list and follow it�or use
ours as a guideline checklist. 3. Not being organized will get you every
time. Moving is nothing but organization. Without it, you will spend half your
time searching for things and the other half trying to clean up the mess you created
while searching. 4. Packing essential items is a big pitfall. This is so
easy to do if you don't have a place the entire family knows is off limits to
a box. Try cleaning out the linen closet and giving everyone a shelf for "not
to pack" items. This list should always include passports, official papers, checkbooks,
medicines and the like. 5. Not checking the moving company's license with
your state's Department of Transportation and the Better Business Bureau. 6.
Not getting several estimates and not insisting on a "not to exceed" estimate
are both pitfalls to avoid. The "not to exceed" estimate protects you. Interviewing
several companies gives you the best deal. 7. Not considering ALL the costs
associated with a DIY move, including the boxes, van, pizza, etc. You may find
that hiring a local mover is just as inexpensive and eliminates all the heavy
lifting! Can't argue with that. 8. Not being ready for the mover on moving
day. If you are not completely packed, it will cost you extra. Be ready. 9.
Not reading your insurance coverage for the move carefully enough. You want to
make sure your stuff is covered completely. You may also want to check your existing
homeowner's insurance to see if it will cover the move. 10. Not paying
the moving company because it was a bad move. This is never a good idea. You are
still legally obligated to pay for the service, regardless of how bad. Now you
can negotiate with the company for a reduced rate or file a complaint with the
local Better Business Bureau�but you can't just not pay. You Are All
Set You can talk, compare estimates, and insure your property. All
that's left is taking our quiz. Then you can move on to the final module: Make
Your Home Your Castle: Cost-Effective Redecorating Ideas. It's time
to test your knowledge. It's a good idea to take a quick quiz to be
sure you're retaining the course material. Be sure to review the sections of the
course related to your WRONG answers!
Page
9 of 10
| 
