| When should I call a
moving company? |
| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 United agent, who can advise you regarding the types and
costs of services available. |
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| Do I need an estimate? |
| A United 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 United 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 or a "long
carry" from the street to residence), the total cost will
increase. Binding estimates are valid for the time period specified,
up to 60 days. |
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| 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. |
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| If you are interested in obtaining a binding
estimate, please discuss it with your United agent. |
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| 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.
|
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| However, United Van Lines 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
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| 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.
|
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| With the help of United´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. |
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| Is a moving company
"licensed"? |
| It would be more accurate to say that a
moving company is "registered." For example, United
Van Lines 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, United has maintained a certificate
of authority with the US Department of Transportation (DOT)
since September 27, 1988. |
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| A local moving company ("agency")
affiliated with a national van line such as United may also
be registered with the DOT to move interstate shipments within
certain geographical areas. |
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| 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 United
agent at your request. These charges are based on "tariff"
rate schedules (see below). |
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| 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. |
