Local (in state) Moves
For Moves performed inside the state of New Jersey:
Important Notice to Consumers Utilizing Public Movers
As prescribed by the New
Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
This information is of importance to you as a shipper of
household goods and is being furnished pursuant to a requirement of the New Jersey State Division of Consumer Affairs. It
relates to the transportation of household goods in intrastate commerce by licensed public movers. You should be sure to obtain
the complete and correct name, business address, license number and telephone number of the public mover who is to transport
your shipment, and keep that public mover informed as to how and where you may be reached at all times until the shipment
is delivered . Before completing arrangements for the shipment of your household goods, all of the information herein should
be considered carefully by you.
MOST IMPORTANTLY , BE SURE THE PUBLIC MOVER YOU SELECT IS LICENSED
BY THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. |
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You
may contact Vincent Buonanno with the Regulated Business Section at: (973) 504-6442 to determine if a mover is licensed and
in good standing with them.
Telephone estimates are not permitted and a visual survey of your goods must be made by the mover
before an estimate is prepared. This estimate must be in writing and a copy given to you. To get a reasonably accurate estimate
you must show the estimator everything you intend to ship. An estimate is not a bid or a contract, and choosing the public
mover submitting the lowest estimate will not assure you the lowest cost move. Regardless of any estimate, the actual weight
of goods and the mover or the actual time involved will determine the final amount you must pay for your move. Some movers
charge additional fees, such as travel time, etc. Be sure to ask for all additional costs when you are given an estimate for
your move. Public movers cannot determine exactly what your move will cost until the move is completed (in the case of hourly
rate moves) or until the shipment is weighed (in the case of weight-based moves).
Before your shipment leaves the point of origin, you should obtain, from the public mover , a bill of lading signed
by you and the public mover. Be sure that this shows the public mover name, address, license number and telephone number at
which you can reach the public mover, and an address and telephone number furnished by you (to which the public mover can
send messages regarding your shipment while it is in his possession), the location from and to which your goods are moving,
the date of loading, date of delivery, storage instructions (if any) and the declared or released valuation of the goods.
This bill of lading will list all the actual charges you have to pay for services rendered by the mover.
If the
public mover's rates are determined by the hour, the mover will require you to sign for the start and finish time of the
actual working hours (subject to the mover's minimum number of hours). You will note and initial on the bill of lading
the time your truck arrives at your origin and again note and initial the time the men deliver the last piece into your new
residence. To this time you will add the appropriate travel time, if travel time is applicable, and deduct for time spent
by the movers for lunch time or time spent for any breakdown of the vehicle, and for any time spent in excess of normal for
the truck being lost en route to your new residence. Any accessorial charges will be in addition to the hourly charges.
Weight Moves
If the public mover's
transportation charges are determined on the basis of weight of your shipment and miles traveled, the public mover will weigh
its empty vehicle prior to the loading of your goods. This weight will be called the TARE WEIGHT. After loading your goods,
the vehicle will again be weighed and this weight will be called the GROSS WEIGHT. The difference between these two weights
is the NET WEIGHT, and this is the weight you will pay transportation charges on. If your shipment weighs less than 1,000
pounds, the mover may weigh it prior to loading by using a portable scale or use an estimated weight based on cubic feet.
Some movers may have minimum weight requirements. The weight tickets obtained by the mover must have a seal on them showing
that the truck scale used is approved by the NJ Bureau of Weights and Measures. Your are permitted to follow the loaded truck
to the weigh station to view your weighing.
The public mover will require payment in cash, money order or certified check before unloading
your goods unless credit arrangements were made beforehand. Be prepared in case the actual charges demanded at this time are
greater than what was estimated .
Preparing Articles for Shipment |
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Some articles such as stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, computer, copiers and other electronic
devices, may require disconnection and usually require special servicing to protect their mechanisms during shipment. It is
you responsibility to have this done. Some public movers, upon request, will arrange to have this service done at your expense.
You should arrange to take down all blinds, draperies , window cornices, mirrors and other items attached to the walls and
to take up carpets which are tacked down. The charge for such services are not included in the transportation charge and may
be performed by the public mover only at an extra per-hour charge. The mover should be advised prior to your moving date that
these services are needed. Under no circumstances should you pack jewelry, money or valuable papers with your other belongings,
or pack any matches, flammables, perishables , or other dangerous articles. The mover will not be responsible for these items
should they be transported without his knowledge.
Movers Responsibility for Loss
& Damage |
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The
public mover offers to you as the shipper a base rate called a release rate which is printed in their tariff, Order for Service
and Bill of Lading. The base rate limits the public mover's responsibility for your goods to $0.60 per pound per article
and is not to be construed as insurance. This means that if any article is damaged or destroyed beyond repair, you will be
reimbursed at $0.60 times the actual weight of the item. Depending on the mover you select, methods of insuring your cargo
follow:
1. You may declare a total value for your shipment at an additional premium.
Usually there are Actual Value and Replacement Value policies available. The rates and conditions may vary with each mover.
You can declare this value on the Order for Service form that the mover gives to you after you book the job with them.
2. You may purchase your own cargo insurance through you insurance broker. It is suggested that
the rate for this insurance be compared with those of the mover. Insurance obtained from you broker will be at your expense.
3. Some movers use what is called a full value bill of lading. Under the terms of this type of
bill of lading, the shipper may declare a value on the entire shipment which must be a value equal to or greater then $1.25
time the estimated or actual weight. (Unless the shipper declares a value in writing, the shipment will be insured for a value
of $1.25 times the weight automatically). There is a charge to the shipper for the mover assuming this liability . If the
shipper does not wish to declare a value, the shipper must write $0.60 per pound in his own hand writing on the bill of lading.
When you order additional insurance from the mover, he must provide you with a certificate of insurance that gives you
full information about this insurance, the insurance company holding this policy and any deductibles involved.
Be sure to check your goods as they are delivered. Note any lost articles or damage on the bill of lading which you
will sign upon completion of the delivery. If other loss or damage is discovered later, notify the mover immediately. A claim
can be filed later but in no case after 90 days. No claim for damages or missing items will be honored by the mover until
your bill is paid in full.
These are publications in printed form, containing the rates, charges and rules of the public
movers. The tariffs of all public movers are not the same, but all of them are open to public inspection and may be examined
at the public mover's office or the office of the Board of Public Movers and Warehousemen during normal business hours.
All tariffs contain rules and regulations, and those in the tariff of the public mover serving you must be applied in determining
the charges on your shipment. Among the rules and regulations appearing in published tariffs may be special provisions such
as shipments picked up or delivered at more than one place, packing and marking, diversion of shipments en route, additional
services, etc., the charges for which are called ACCESSORIAL CHARGES and which include services such as packing, unpacking,
the furnishing of boxes or other containers, and carrying pianos up or down steps, etc.
