Preparing for a move is a major undertaking. Whether
your move is across town or across the country, it
will be filled with many questions. Pre-planning is
the key to an easier move.
Frisbie has structured its frequently asked questions
into four segments to assist you in finding your answers
as quickly as possible.
The earlier, the better. Although the actual van assignment
may not be made until a few days before your move,
it's wise to give your moving company from four to
six week's notice, if possible. The more lead time
you can give, the more likely we will be able to meet
your preferred delivery schedule.
All moving companies, for their standard type of service,
require alternate pickup and delivery dates. We'll
do our best, of course, to comply with the dates you
prefer or the nearest possible alternatives. You will
be notified in advance of the loading date for your
goods and of the estimated date of arrival.
If your pickup and delivery dates are critical due
to such factors as a lease expiration or a real estate
closing, you may choose an extra-cost service which
will enable us to accommodate a more precise, reasonable
schedule. You should discuss your specific pickup and
delivery requirements with your Frisbie agent, who
can advise you regarding the types and costs of services
available.
Do I need an estimate?
A Frisbie agent will make a pre-move survey of your
household goods to be transported. A pre-move survey
is needed to determine the approximate cost of a move
and the amount of van space your goods will occupy.
Your Frisbie agent will compute the approximate cost
and give you a written Estimate/Order for Service.
An accurate estimate cannot be calculated without a
visual survey of the goods to be moved. There is no
charge for the estimate.
Keep in mind that estimates (household goods surveys)
are only guidelines. On interstate shipments, you must
pay the total charges as determined by the actual weight
of your shipment, the distance it travels, and the
services that you authorize or which become necessary
to handle your shipment.
Charges for local shipments are generally calculated
on an hourly basis. There may be a minimum number of
hours required. These shipments are handled by the
local moving company, not the interstate carrier.
What is a binding estimate?
A binding estimate or binding cost of service specifies
in advance the precise cost of the move based on the
services requested or deemed necessary at the time
of the estimate. If additional services are requested
or required at either origin or destination (such as
a
"shuttle" to or from a location to which
a full-size van cannot operate directly), the total
cost will increase. Binding estimates are valid for
the time period specified, up to 60 days.
If you add items to be moved or require additional
services, such as packing, between the time of the
estimate and the time of your move, there will be additional
charges. An addendum specifying these additional charges
will be prepared for your signature.
If you are interested in obtaining a binding estimate,
please discuss it with your Frisbie agent.
When is the best time
to move?
If there is a choice, most moving companies suggest
you select a time other than summer, the end of the
month or the end-of-year holidays. The heaviest demands
are placed on vans, equipment and personnel during
these periods.
However, Frisbie Moving & Storage believes you should
move when it is most convenient for you. Factors involved
in the decision may include:
whether
the move must be made immediately moving
children during the school term separation
of the family while the move is under way
If the move can be scheduled for a time when vans and
trained personnel are more readily available, we'll
be better able to meet your preferred delivery schedule.
How long does it take
to move?
This depends on many factors, such as the time of year,
weather conditions, size of your shipment, time required
to load and unload, and the direction and distance
your shipment is traveling.
Because the furnishings of the average household will
not fill a van, it is often necessary for two or more
shipments to be loaded on the same van. Each shipment
is carefully sectioned off from the others.
With the help of Frisbie's computer-assisted dispatching
system, pickup and delivery dates are scheduled according
to the origins and destinations of individual shipments
on the van, as well as shipment weight.
Is a moving company "licensed?"
It would be more accurate to say that a moving company
is "registered."
For example, Frisbie Moving & Storage has been issued
a certificate of authority by the federal government
to move household goods among any of the 50 states.
As a motor carrier, Frisbie has maintained a certificate
of authority with the US Department of Transportation
(DOT) since September 27, 1988.
A local moving company ("agency") affiliated
with a national van line may also be
registered with the DOT to move interstate shipments
within certain geographical areas.
How do you determine
what my move will cost?
Unless you have been given a binding estimate, the
exact cost of your move cannot be determined until
after your shipment has been loaded on the van and
weighed. If additional services are requested or become
necessary after loading and weighing, additional charges
will be incurred. Basic transportation charges depend
on the actual weight of your goods and the distance
they will travel. The total cost will include these
transportation costs, any charges for Full-Value Coverage
or Depreciated Coverage (see "Am
I Protected Against Loss Or Damage While My Goods Are
In Transit?"), plus charges for any "accessorial" services
(such as packing and unpacking) performed by the Frisbie
agent at your request. These charges are based on "tariff" rate
schedules.
What is a tariff?
This is the list of rules, regulations, available services
and resulting charges used by all motor carriers which
provide interstate transportation of household goods.
The tariffs are published by each household goods motor
carrier and include its various services. The tariffs
are available for your inspection upon request.
Tariff provisions require that all charges be paid
before your shipment is unloaded at destination (unless
prior arrangements have been made for later billing).
Payment for your Frisbie shipment can be made by one
of the following methods: cash, traveler's check, money
order or cashier's check. In addition, the American
Express® Card, DiscoverSM Card, Visa® or
MasterCard® can be used to pay for interstate moves
only, with advance approval required prior to loading
(unless other billing arrangements have been made).
Personal checks are not accepted.
All payment forms apply to both binding and non-binding
estimates.
If you have received a non-binding estimate and your
actual moving costs exceed the estimate, you will be
required to pay no more than 110% of the estimated
cost at delivery. Should your actual costs exceed the
estimate by more than 10%, you will be given 30 days
after delivery to pay the amount over 110%.
Payment of estimated charges plus 10% does not apply
if goods are delivered into storage. If storage at
destination (storage-in-transit) is necessary, all
transportation charges must be paid at time of delivery
of the shipment to the warehouse. You will then be
assessed storage charges based on the applicable rates
set forth in our tariff.
Am I protected
against loss or damage while my goods are in transit?
Yes, but how much protection you have and its cost
to you depend upon the Frisbie "valuation" program
you choose – Full-Value Coverage or Released
Rate Liability (60 cents per pound per article).
The valuation option you select determines the basis
upon which any claim will be adjusted and establishes
the maximum liability of Frisbie. The liability of
Frisbie for loss or damage is based upon Frisbie's
tariffs, as well as federal laws and regulations, and
has certain limitations and exclusions. Valuation is
not insurance; it is simply a tariff-based level of
motor carrier liability. If you desire insurance, you
should consult your insurance company representative
about available insurance coverages, because Frisbie
does not offer insurance.
Released Rate
Liability - Basic Coverage
With this type of valuation, Frisbie's maximum liability
for loss or damage to any article in the shipment is
60 cents multiplied by the weight of the article. This
is the basic liability level and is provided at no
charge.
Full-Value Coverage
Under this protection plan, if any article is lost,
destroyed or damaged while under Frisbie's
interstate authority, it will either 1) repair the
article to the extent necessary to restore it to the
same condition as when it was received by Frisbie,
or pay you for the cost of such repairs; or 2) replace
the article with an article of like kind and quality,
or pay you for the cost of such a replacement. An additional
charge applies for this option. Frisbie will determine
the appropriate settlement method to be used.
Full-Value Coverage and deductible options are available
in dollar increments to fit your needs at very attractive
rates.
The deductible options are as follows:
Option
A -- Full-value protection with no deductible Option
B -- Full-value protection with a $250 deductible Option
C -- Full-value protection with a $500 deductible
Frisbie's total liability for loss or damage will be
the amount you declare as the value of your shipment.
However, the minimum total declared value must be at
least equal to the weight of your shipment multiplied
by $6.00.
Items of "Extraordinary
Value"
In the moving industry, items having a value of more
than $100 per pound are known as "articles of
extraordinary value." All "articles of extraordinary
value" in your shipment must be listed on the
High-Value Inventory form which will be given to you
by the salesperson to complete. Although you might
have other articles of extraordinary value, the following
list should help you identify items that might fall
under this classification: jewelry, furs, art and coin
collections, crystal, figurines, antiques, Oriental
rugs, precious stones or gems, china and silverware.
In the event of a claim, any settlement involving an
article of extraordinary value listed on the High-Value
Inventory form is limited to the value of the article,
not to exceed the declared value of the shipment, based
upon the Frisbie valuation program applicable to your
shipment. If an article of extraordinary value is not
listed on the form, Frisbie's maximum liability
is limited to $100 per pound per article. If you are
not shipping any items of high value, sign the form
and print the word
"None" in the inventory list.
Shipments that move under the Released Rate Liability
program, in which the declared value of the shipment
would be 60 cents per pound per article, would not
be covered by the provisions applicable to articles
of extraordinary value. The High-Value form should
still be signed with the words "Not Applicable" written
on the form.
You must select the valuation program, and
you must write your choice in the "Valuation" box
on the Bill of Lading in your own handwriting.
For a full description of the Full-Value Coverage and
Released Rate Liability programs, please ask your Frisbie
agent.
If you are unable to take immediate possession of your
new residence, your belongings can be stored in a local
Frisbie affiliated warehouse. Frisbie agents
provide safe storage facilities for holding your goods
until you're ready for them. However, you are responsible
for the storage charges, warehouse valuation coverage
and final delivery charges from the warehouse.
If your goods are placed in storage, there will be
an additional charge for the valuation or insurance
coverage provided for your shipment, as mentioned previously.
The type of coverage and cost will depend upon whether
the shipment is held in storage-in-transit (temporary)
or in permanent (long-term) storage. Please ask your
Frisbie agent for information regarding storage arrangements.
Will my
furnishings remain clean?
Frisbie's Sanitized®-treated, air-ride
vans provide a clean, safe move. The Sanitized® feature,
which inhibits mildew growth and controls insects,
is an extra measure of hygienic safety for your belongings.
In addition to this service, Frisbie protects your
upholstered furniture with ClearGuardSM,
a clear plastic material, before they are wrapped with
furniture pads.
Do my appliances
need special attention?
Most refrigerators, washers, dryers, and other electrical
or mechanical appliances require special servicing
to ensure safe transportation. Any moving parts such
as motors on major appliances, washer drums, and icemakers
should be securely fastened for shipment. Gas appliances
need to be serviced and disconnected prior to your
move.
It is the owner's responsibility to see that appliances
are serviced for shipment before they are loaded on
the van. Upon request and for an additional charge,
a moving company will perform this service, using either
its own qualified personnel or an authorized service
company. For more information on servicing and cleaning
appliances for moving, ask your Frisbie agent for the
booklet
"Moving Appliances & Other Home Furnishings."
Can I pack
my china, glass and crystal?
Most people prefer to have their household possessions,
especially fragile items, professionally packed by
a moving company. However, if you decide to pack these
items yourself, remember that the basic principles
of good packing include wrapping the items individually,
providing plenty of cushioning and making sure of a
firm pack.
Be sure to select a sturdy container with a lid. Place
a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper on the
bottom of the carton as a cushion. Wrap each item individually
with a soft material to provide a safe, protective, "padded
nest." Pack the heaviest items on the bottom and
the lighter ones next, filling in empty spaces with
crushed paper. Place plates on edge and glassware on
rims for maximum protection. Mark the carton "Fragile," and
list the contents on the outside. Be sure to seal the
carton with tape.
Cartons, paper and tape may be purchased from your
local Frisbie agent for a small fee. Also ask your agent
for a copy of the free booklet "Doing Your Own
Packing."
Can I pack
my clothes in a chest or dresser drawers?
Lightweight clothing – sweaters, shirts, blouses,
and lingerie – may be left in the drawers. Do
not fill drawers with heavy items such as books, table
linens or sheets, which can damage the piece of furniture
during transit. Be careful NOT to leave fragile items,
money, jewelry, watches or other valuables in the drawers,
as well as anything that might spill or leak. For more
information on how to pack clothing, please visit the Packing
Tips section of this Web site.
Frozen foods can be moved, but only under specific,
limited conditions. Be sure to discuss this with your
Frisbie agent. In most instances, we suggest that shipping
arrangements be made through local frozen food locker
plants, especially for a long-distance move. It is
even easier just to use up the foods prior to the move
or donate them to someone.
For a complete list of items that cannot be shipped,
please visit the Non-Allowables section
of this Web site.
Can I move jewelry
and other valuables?
Items of extraordinary value such as jewelry, money,
photographs, antiques and stamp collections can be
included in your shipment, provided you notify your
Frisbie agent of these items before packing or moving
day. However, we strongly recommend that you carry
irreplaceable and expensive articles with you, or make
other arrangements for their transport.
In the moving industry, items worth more than $100
per pound are considered to be articles of "extraordinary" value.
To be assured that a claim involving these articles
is not limited to minimal liability, complete and sign
the High-Value Inventory form and sign the
"Extraordinary (Unusual) Value Article Declaration" box
on the Bill of Lading. If no articles of extraordinary
value are included in your shipment, simply write "none" on
the High-Value Inventory form and sign it.
For a complete list of items that cannot be shipped,
please visit the Non-Allowables section
of this Web site.
Can I move my
house plants?
Frisbie Moving & Storage cannot accept responsibility for safely
moving your plants, because they may suffer from a
lack of water and light as well as probable temperature
changes while in the van. You may prefer to transport
your house plants in the family car or ship them by
plane.
Some states prohibit the entry of all plants, while
other states will admit plants under certain conditions;
still others have no plant regulations. Be sure to
check the regulations of the state to which you're
moving. Ask your Frisbie agent for a copy of the booklet "Moving
With House Plants."
For a complete list of items that cannot be shipped,
please visit the Non-Allowables section
of this Web site.
Can I move my
pet?
Pets cannot be carried on the moving van. Dogs, cats,
canaries and parakeets can usually be transported in
the family car. If this isn't convenient, your Frisbie
agent will be glad to suggest alternate ways to ship
your pets safely. Ask for a copy of the helpful Frisbie
booklet
"Moving With Pets."
For a complete list of items that cannot be shipped,
please visit the Non-Allowables section
of this Web site.
whether
the move must be made immediately
