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| Awareness
of your rights and responsibilities will assure
that your expectations are fulfilled on moving day.
Your property and your lifestyle will be entrusted
into the hands of your chosen contractor. This booklet
will assist you in making an informed decision.
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| LICENSING |
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In the state
of California, all legitimate moving companies are regulated
by the Public Utilities Commission. This government
agency protects consumers from the possible confusions
and dangers associated with your relocation. By using
a licensed moving company, you protect yourself from
fraud, extortion, theft, damage, and personal harm.
Licensed movers undergo a thorough background check
and are monitored by the FBI.
Moving companies are provided with a license only
after satisfying stringent requirements These moving
companies are identified by their license number. This
number begins with
Cal T-...... Moving companies are required by the PUC
to operate within a standard set of guidelines that
assure a fair exchange between the service provider
and the consumer.
The following Public Utilities Commission published
booklet informs you of the professional protocol involved
with this complex transaction.
Click
the commission to view booklet!
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| INSURANCE
COVERAGE |
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Licensing
does not completely guarantee your satisfaction. The
Public Utilities Commission works to establish moving
companies within the legal parameters of the industry.
Although representatives are available to follow up
on complaints, this agency is too under funded to continuously
monitor the conduct and insurance standing of the thousands
of licensed movers in this state. As an informed consumer,
you are wise to shop around, to ask plenty of questions.
Movers must operate in your best interests
by carrying adequate insurance for your property and
for their workers. Cargo insurance and workers compensation
insurance protects you from property loss/damage and
from personal liability for injuries that occur on your
property. The state required cargo insurance policy
covers only $20,000 in damages. Many movers carry only
this minimum coverage.
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| AVOIDING
BANDIT MOVERS |
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 The
moving industry is facing an epidemic of discount fee
scams by unethical moving contractors. Do your homework
and verify the reputation of your prospective company.
If your cost estimate sounds
too good to be true..
The hook of this scam is set after offering a "Below
Market Rate" quote to a client seeking discounted
services. Once the fraudulent offer is accepted, the
crew arrives as planned, takes possession of your property,
and then increases the rates while in transit up to
400% according to an "amended“ weight calculation.
Their apology amounts to the effect of “Estimates
are not guaranteed and are subject to on site measurements.”
They refuse to deliver your property until the extortion
terms are satisfied.
This practice usually occurs with contractors that
are not locally invested in the community they serve
such as internet based companies.
For your own security, we advise that you hire only
California State Licensed Household Goods Carriers and
that you only recognize estimates that are performed
at your property by a locally recognized company.
"You Get What You Pay For"
Click the scales for further consumer protection
information.
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| RATES |
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Shop around
and compare the prices charged by movers in your area.
Local moves under
100 miles are usually billed at an hourly rate. Longer
distances are based on weight and mileage. The PUC published
booklet above describes how your expected bill will
be calculated.
All movers are not created equal. Quoted
hourly rates tell you very little about what your eventual
cost may be. Movers differ greatly in strength, work
ethics, and skill level. What one crew may accomplish
in three hours could take another crew six hours. Verify
the type of truck that will transport your household.
Assure that your movers are skilled, trained and competent
to take safe custody of your property and to complete
the work efficiently, ethically and safely.
Base your decisions on the qualifications
of your moving company and not solely on the cheapest
rate quote. Your property is priceless. Your peace of
mind rests in the assured satisfaction that a reputable
company brings to your project on moving day. The few
extra dollars spent on contracting with a company that
guarantees expert professional servicemen, conscientious
client care, responsible techniques and modern equipment
is well worth the lifetime of enjoyment you deserve
in your furniture and personal possessions.
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| SERVICE
QUALITY |
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The Myth of the
Hourly Rate
Do not base your decision merely on
the cheapest hourly rate quote. At the end of your day,
there is very little difference in the final cost between
a discount mover at $85/hour and a premium service provider
who charges $110/hour. There will in all likelihood
be a considerable difference in the quality of service
that you have received. The extra investment will always
prove to your advantage.
The reason for this is simple but not
always obvious…
The premium level company retains a staff
of career professionals. These tradesmen are well paid and are satisfied
with their chosen vocation. Your moving crew will offer
a quality of expertise, courtesy, and competence that
cannot be expected of casual laborers. Your service
experience is of primary importance to these companies.
These companies invest large sums of
money and time into training and monitoring the performance
of their staff. Their operations are adequately
financed and insured to offer the most accountable damage
claim procedures.
Discounted quality movers must cut many
corners in order to remain profitable. With low rates,
these companies cannot afford to pay their employees
more than a minimal wage. As a result the staff is usually
less qualified and enthusiastic about their work. Such
company's often place less emphasis on the character
of their workers which may lead to a degree of discomfort
for you and your family.
Their budgets and insurance standing
are not prepared to handle significant damage claims.
They will in all likelihood attempt to avoid responsibility
for their own negligence.
In the end...You get what you pay for.
The time proven truth is irrefutable.
By hiring a team of industry trained and certified professionals,
you will certainly pay a higher hourly rate. However
at the end of the day you will have been cared for with
more personalized service, fewer headaches, assured
damage protection, and quite possibly a lower bottom
line.
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| LONG
DISTANCE MOVES: VAN LINES OR PRIVATE SERVICE? |
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As a client
of a national van line, you will usually receive a lower
rate for your long distance relocation project. The
transportation involved with your move is the most costly
portion of the contract. Whether you move a single cabinet
or an entire household, the truck must make the same
journey.
Van lines maintain a national database of regionally
located projects and combine shipping space to offer
their moving services at a discount.
Your discounted rate does come at a price, however.
The disadvantage of “bulk rate” van line
servicing is two fold.
Disadvantage #1
There are no guarantees on your delivery date. Delays
are common due to logistical complications that inevitably
emerge with roadway transport. Your property en route
for Dallas, Texas may pass through Boise, Idaho before
reaching the final destination. Additionally, shipments
are often “unexpectedly” held for extended
periods to allow for other clients to share space aboard
a van bound for a similar location.
Disadvantage #2
There are no guarantees on service quality at the delivery
point. Van lines employ professional drivers. These
drivers are often independent contractors who may or
may not care for anything more than the quickest means
of unloading their truck so that they can make their
next appointment. Upon delivery, you will not necessarily
receive the same degree of friendly service that your
local sales agent has extended to you at your initial
meeting.
The driver will arrive in your city and pick up any
available workers to complete the unloading phase of
your project. Local van line affiliates do not have
a consistent qualification procedure for their labor
staff. If there are no associated offices in your new
home town, these drivers will resort to any means of
acquiring the necessary man power. This includes the
hiring of unqualified day laborers.
Although the nationally rated van lines are more or
less reliable, you can assure yourself of quality by
insisting that actual van line employees service your
entire project. If you are misled and find an obvious
crew of day laborers at your delivery point, you are
entitled to a substantial refund from the company for
their unprofessional conduct. You are advised to call
the national office after the move is complete to file
a claim. |
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| PRIVATE
SERVICE |
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Private companies invariably charge a
higher premium for your relocation project. These independent
companies offer their services to clients who demand
a quicker, assured delivery time and a guarantee of
professional handling from start to finish. You will
be the only client for the journey and will therefore
receive the personally tailored service that you desire.
Most private companies will send their own staff along
for the drive and provide a more courteous and flexible
experience.
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| QUALITY
CONTROL CHECK LIST |
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LEGAL
- PUC License number
- Insurance agents Name, Phone number, Address
- Insurance Policy Numbers
- Number of Damage claims in the past month, 6 months,
year
- Documented Liability and workers compensation insurance
for every worker on site
- Cargo Insurance limit
- Damage protection availability
SKILLS, TRAINING,
AND SERVICES
- Guaranteed use of screened, trained, and qualified
employees
- Depth and Breadth of Company Training Program
- Number of full time and part time employees who
will be on your job site
- Staff Experience Levels
- Company mandated background checks and drug screening
- Preferred Language skills
- Specialized servicing skills for Appliances, Electronics,
Pianos, Clocks, Antiques
- Special policies for packing and loading to eliminate
damage
- Truck Quality, Condition, Year, Make, Model
- Guarantee of Punctual arrival on your move date
FEES
- Company policies insuring an efficient and timely
completion of your project
- Outline of all additional fees that could possibly
present during the project
- Accurately estimated time of completion
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| THE
Olympic Movers FIVE STAR ADVANTAGE |
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Click
the icon above for 'The Olympic Movers FIVE STAR
Advantage page |
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