Price quote from Humboldt (Boston, MA to Austin, TX) is ok?

[rachellech]

Hello, I am relocating to Austin, TX from Boston, MA. I checked other moving companies but none suggested an in-house survey except Humboldt and the others seemed suspicious. I am taking a flight with my dog to Austin, TX on 8/19 and was looking for a mover to arrive with my things after that time. Humboldt stated that if they picked up my items on 8/14 it will get there between 8/19-8/31. I was thinking about ABF and Broadway Express but I need a full service mover and don't want to deal with the stress of packing, plus parking is ridiculous in Boston so a mover like ABF can't stay outside overnight without getting a ticket.

Well, I got the quote from Humboldt (rep. is David Macdonald in Canton, MA) on Monday--7/31/06. He was professional, courteous, and knowledgeable. My estimated weight was 2160lbs (might be lower after donating items but Dave said their minimum is 2100lbs so it wouldn't make much difference in price). The transportation cost came up to $3953.31 and Dave said that most reputable places would be the same in this category. Further, for packing my items, the cost will be $902.33 (but with a 63% discount it is now $333.88) (that is for 6 1.5 boxes at $128.76, 10 3.0 boxes at $324.50, 6 4.5 boxes at $237.48, 1 dish pack at $89.64, 1 mirror cart (this might be deleted) at $77.97, and 1 wardrobe box at $43.98). The origin fee is $166.10, destination fee is $75.38, and origin shuttle service is $693 (I was told because of Boston traffic and parking restrictions for a 75-80ft tractor trailer, Dave said I will need a shuttle to bring my items to their location to the tractor trailer) which brings it to a total of $934.48. In addition, the fuel surcharge at 10% is $395.33, the IRR surcharge at 4% (what is that?) is $158.13, and the valuation for $0-$15,000 (I requested full coverage) is $191 and the parking permit is $125 (both valuation and permit is stated as no discount). These additional charges are at a total of $869.46, charges before discount is $6659.58, total discount is $3996.45, and the total estimated charge is $2663.13.

I was told that he couldn’t give me a binding estimate so it is non-binding. Dave said they only give binding estimates for moves of 8000lbs (is that correct?) and mine is just at the minimum. I was told that if I exceed my estimate (which I doubt) that I will be charge by 10lbs extra. My belongings will be secured by colored markings and numbered (is that sufficient or should I label all my things with my name and address in addition?). I’m told that only max 3 people will have access to my stuff, that the trailer is air-ride, I will have my own coordinator to speak to and tracking number regarding my items, and that I can pay by either certified check or cash at delivery but if with credit card it will be with an additional 10% for incidentals and has to be paid 2 days before pickup (if incidentals are not needed, then the 10% will be refunded 2-3wks after delivery). I’m thinking about credit card payment and I was told the total amount plus 10% will be frozen till delivery, but I’m not sure if this is correct practice, is it? This site has positive things to say about Humboldt but I wanted to make sure since this is my first interstate move on my own and I don’t want to be taken advantage of. Please help with any comments or advice. I have to let him know by next Monday, 8/7/06, if I’m booking with him.

Sorry for it being soo long, I just wanted to give you as much information as you will need to help me. Thanks.

[Diane]

Rachel,

Everything Humboldt has done and told you sounds OK to me. This is a prior post I made about the 4% IRR surcharge (which is legitimate):

IRR stands for Insurance-Related Revenue. This is something that was inserted into the 400N Tariff after 9/11 and from discussions about it on www.relorow.com I understand that it is unrelated to valuation but has to do with increased security threats and trucking being considered high risk. The drivers and some agents are exercised about it because the carriers (van lines) are taking part of the I.R.R. fee without being exposed to any increased risk. It is the agents and drivers who are exposed to increased risk so they should get the whole I.R.R., or so their argument goes. Anyway, this is the tariff item as presented by a poster on Relorow.com:

ITEM 60
INSURANCE-RELATED GENERAL INCREASE

All shipments transported under the provisions of this tariff are subject to an Insurance-Related General Increase Surcharge equal to four (4.0%) percent of the applicable transportation charges.

The Insurance-Related General Increase is to aid carrier’s recovery of increased carrier liability insurance expenses and will apply for the period of time that this item remains in effect.

To determine the surcharge to apply, multiply the applicable transportation charge and the applicable pickup and delivery transportation charge on SIT shipments (Item 210) times 4.0%.

An agent person on Relorow.com was commenting, "I don't know why the van line takes any, especially since some of them own the insurance company selling the high cost insurance." - http://www.relorow.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=338

Interesting, huh? As I've commented before, the moving industry is not a monolith as I originally thought. Instead, the various components such as the drivers, sales reps, agency owners, and van lines are often at odds with each other over money.

The payment methods that Humboldt has outlined and tacking an extra 10% onto the credit card charge (temporarily) are standard for the industry.

On whether Humboldt could give you a Binding estimate only if your shipment is at least 8000 pounds, every company sets its own policy on this. It sounds a bit fishy, but it's not something to make a big deal about since you are pretty sure that you are near the minimum weight.

On the question of whether to label the boxes with your name and address in addition to the stickers that Humboldt will put on, I personally would do that. You never know.

[rachellech]

Thanks Dianne, your input is very helpful. I'm starting to feel better about it. I'm going to wait till the end of the week before I let Humboldt know my decision. I wish I had other companies to compare but the other quotes I got I didn't trust (they were low but fishy), and the companies like Caroll, the Mover (I believe Allied) and McKees (Beacon) didn't respond and it was hard to reach them with questions.

I will definitely keep this board updated on my move. Thanks again.

Rachelle

[Diane]

Good - if you want to get a second quote, another company that stands out in my mind for good reviews and comments is Rainbow (North American). Some drivers said that it was good, and they are hard to fool because they see the nitty gritty in the warehouses.

[Glad to Help]

The payment methods that Humboldt has outlined and tacking an extra 10% onto the credit card charge (temporarily) are standard for the industry.

You can make a partial prepayment on your credit card with United Van Line agents if you would prefer, as opposed to prepaying 110%. Just tell your coordinator at Crown that you would like to make partial payment .This prepayment can be any amount under the estimate.