Accessorial Services – services such as packing, unpacking, servicing appliances or carrying a piano up or down stairs that you request the mover perform, (or which are necessary because of landlord requirements or other reasons such as local ordinances). Charges for these services are in addition to the transportation charges.

Advancing Charges – charges for services not performed by the mover but instead by a professional, craftsman or other third party at your request. The charges for these services are paid for by the mover and added to your bill of lading charges.

Agent – a local moving company authorized to act on behalf of a national van line.

Appliance Service – preparation of major appliances to make them safe for shipment.

Authority – carriers with authority have complied with government regulatory requirements.  They pay road use (weight-mile) taxes and carry liability insurance.   This is important.  If there should be an accident you will want a carrier who has authority handling your move who maintains proper insurance coverage.  In addition, if your possessions are lost or damaged, you will want a mover with authority who will respect your claim.  Not all movers who advertise in the yellow page are legitimate carriers with authority to operate.   Yellow page companies are not required to check to see if an advertiser has authority.    If your are moving between two points in Oregon, you can confirm that a carrier has authority by calling ODOT – Oregon Department of Transportation at (503) 378-5985 in Salem, Oregon.

Bill of Lading – the receipt for your goods and the contract for their transportation. It is your responsibility to understand the bill of lading before you sign it. This is also where you indicate the valuation protection you have chosen for your shipment. You will want to treat your copy of the bill of lading as an important contract document.

Carrier – the mover providing transportation of your household goods.

C.O.D. – Collect on Delivery payment is required at the time of delivery at the destination residence or storage facility.

Estimates - only permit the mover to require you to pay 110% of the original estimate amount at the time of delivery. You are then obligated to pay any remaining charges, over this 110% amount, within 15 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.  All  estimates cover only the goods and services listed on the estimate. If you add items or request additional services, the mover adds an addendum to the original estimate for those additional goods or services. Movers can also charge for all services necessary to accomplish delivery, even if those services are not requested by the shipper. For example, additional charges will apply if extra stairs or elevators must be negotiated at your new residence, or if you are not prepared to accept delivery and the shipment is placed in storage, or if a smaller (shuttle) truck must be used to accomplish delivery because your new home is on a street that is not wide enough for the linehaul vehicle. The 110% then pertains to the new applicable total charges.  It is customary for movers to require that charges be paid in cash, by certified check, or by money order on delivery.

Expedited Service – an agreement with the mover to perform transportation by a set date.

Flight Charge – an extra charge for carrying items up or down flights of stairs, outside of a single family residence.

Inventory – the detailed descriptive list of your household goods showing the number and condition of each item.

Linehaul - the vehicle transportation portion of your move.

Long Carry – an added charge for carrying articles excessive distances between the mover’s vehicle and your residence.

Order for Service – the document authorizing the mover to transport your household goods.

Order (Bill of Lading) Number – the number used to identify and track your shipment.

Pickup and Delivery Charges – separate transportation charges applicable for transporting your shipment between the SIT warehouse and your residence.

Reasonable Dispatch – movers must try to perform the pickup and delivery of shipments on the dates, or during the period of time, shown on the shipper’s Order For Service and Bill of Lading, provided there are no conditions beyond the mover’s control, such as: riots, accessibility problems, or extreme weather conditions.

Shuttle Service – use of a smaller vehicle to provide service to residences that are not accessible to the mover’s normal linehaul equipment.

Storage-In-Transit (SIT) – temporary warehouse storage of your shipment pending further transportation, for example, if your new home isn’t quite ready to occupy. You must specifically request SIT service and you will be responsible for the added charges for SIT service, as well as the warehouse handling and final delivery charges.   Shipments placed in storage for over 360 days become permanent storage. The carrier liability for permanent storage may be different than for storage in transit.  Make sure you discuss this with your carrier if you need long term storage.

Tariff – when moving between two locations in Oregon, movers must charge their published rates on file with the government.  They can not charge you more than those rates.  You can get a copy of the primary tariff in Oregon called ODOT 200 by sending $11.25 (check or money order – not cash), which includes priority mail postage to ODWA.  Our office is moving so please call us 503-236-1183 for our new location.  Remember to indicate the mailing address you will be reached at after allowing for up to 3 business days for the post office to deliver.

Valuation – the degree of “worth” of the shipment. The valuation charge compensates the mover for assuming a greater degree of liability than that provided for in the base transportation charges.

Warehouse Handling – an additional charge applicable each time SIT service is provided. This charge compensates the mover for the physical placement and removal of items within the warehouse.

Weight Break – the weight at which it is cheaper for you to be charged as if for a heavier shipment at a lower rate.