This is the fourth part in a series looking at loopholes in consumer protection regulations, which allow moving companies to scam the public. Consumer regulation of interstate moves requires movers to give some type of pre move cost estimate. Moving companies and the shipper, i.e. the householder, can agree to use a binding cost estimate, or a non-binding cost estimate. Movers are required to charge the exact amount of the binding estimate, and no more than 110% of the non-binding estimate.
To the naive consumer, it appears that whether he gets a binding estimate or a non-binding estimate, he will be protected from unfair price gouging. The wording of this section of the regulations seems very reassuring. On first read, a consumer using the non-binding agreement can expect that under the worst circumstances he will only be required to pay 110% of the entire moving cost estimate. And frequently, the mover or broker will give him a low estimate over the telephone, and this puts him even more at ease.
However, a consumer would do well to read the regulation fine print, before concluding that all is well.
In 307.405.7 the consumer regulation states to moving companies that: “(7) If it appears an individual shipper has tendered additional household goods or requires additional services not identified in the non-binding estimate, you are not required to honor the estimate.”
How might this happen? The estimate was made on the phone. The employee of the moving company and or broker read over a list of item types, and the shipper noted how many of each item he has in the house. Then an estimation of the number of boxes it will take to move is added to the estimator form. No one can recall everything in his house. In the time interval between the estimation and the move, he may have acquired new household times, related to the upcoming move. On moving day, the well trained moving scam artists, go through the house packing.
The householder informs them that there are a few extra boxes. The technicians note this down on their pad. Inside they are like the cat that ate the canary, because those extra items nullify the non-binding estimate. Or the movers determine that the shipper failed to pack boxes properly. The result; the boxes must be repacked, and these additional services void the agreement.
Now that the agreement is voided, what’s the next step? By law, before proceeding with the move, the mover must either reaffirm the old agreement, or “negotiate a revised written non-binding estimate listing the additional household goods or services.” How does this work? The movers note down what they are packing, on a piece of paper. Seems innocent enough. Just before loading up, they ask the householder to put his signature on the paper. This seems innocuous, the shipper, not reading all the fine print, believes that for his own protection he is witnessing to the effect that additional items were added to the load. Without knowing it, the shipper has voided the original non-binding agreement, and allowed the mover to increase the estimate.
It is next to impossible for an inexperienced consumer to understand all the ins and outs of the interstate move consumer regulations. It’s more prudent to protect yourself by using an honest Packing company, who will give a packing and moving cost estimate. The expert estimator will come to your house, and walk through each room with you. On moving day, his crew will come to your home and do all the packing in a way that meets the standards of every moving company. Packing Service Inc.com is a packing company dedicated to protecting unwary consumers from moving scam They will help you pack, load and crate, and help you find an honest and safe way to transport your goods interstate.
Get competent hints in the sphere of car finance calculator – your individual guide.
RSS FEED
