Moving companies affiliated with van lines are agents for that van line. In the course of a move you may be dealing with a booking, origin, hauling and destination agents.
Appliance Servicing
Definition:
A service provided by electricians, appliance stores or appliance technicians that prepare major appliances for transportation. Work that may be necessary includes securing the tub on the washer, disconnecting an ice maker fridge or disconnecting and capping a gas range.
Bill of Lading
Definition:
This is the most important paperwork of your move. This is the contract between you and the mover that will eventually detail all charges. It will also have all the information you require for communicating with your movers. The level of valuation and order number will also be on this paper.
Booking Agent
Definition:
The van lines agent who registers or books your move with the van lines. A booking agent acts as a coordinator between the van lines and the other agents and need not be located near the origin or destination.
Cube Sheet
Definition:
A sheet used by the estimator to detail the contents of a home in order to determine the weight and packing required on a shipment. This information is used to set a price and to inform the operations personnel of an agent of any special instructions.
Destination Agent
Definition:
Agent for the van lines located near your destination. This agent is contacted if you have cartons you wish removed.
Estimate
Definition:
Cost of a move gathered from information on the cube sheet and the application of the appropriate tariff. Electronic as in the estimating section of Cassidy's home page.
Hauling Agent
Definition:
Agent who owns the truck that hauls your furniture.
Inventory
Definition:
Numbered list of your possessions with a description and its condition at the time of loading.
Moving Consultant
Definition:
Name given to people who estimate moving costs. He/she represents a van line, gives moving information and acts as a contact for people moving.
Origin Agent
Definition:
Van line agent responsible for services at origin. These might include packing and arranging estimates. They also prepare the paperwork to initiate your move
Packing Certificate
Definition:
Sometimes called a packing slip, this paperwork details the numbers and sizes of the containers that the movers packed and unpacked. Packing charges are based on information contained here.
Registration Number
Definition:
Sometimes called an order number, this is used by the van lines to reference you in their system. It is most often found in the top, right corner of your bill of lading.
SIT (Storage in Transit)
Definition:
Temporary storage, usually at destination where your furniture waits until you can accept delivery. An expensive but sometimes necessary service required for periods less than 90 days.
Van
Definition:
Moving truck.
Van Line
Definition:
A national or international organization that organizes moving companies and provides centralized dispatch, marketing, monitoring, revenue distribution and claims settlement for its agents.
