Faq

It would be more accurate to say that a moving company is “registered.” For example, Mayflower Van Lines has been issued a certificate of authority by the federal government to move household goods among any of the 50 states.
A local moving company (“agency”) affiliated with a national van line such as Mayflower Van Lines may also be registered with the DOT to move interstate shipments within certain geographical areas.

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 trailer, it is often necessary for two or more shipments to be loaded on the same trailer. Each shipment is carefully sectioned off from the others.
Pickup and delivery dates are scheduled according to the origins and destinations of individual shipments on the trailer, as well as shipment weight. You will be notified of these dates by our agency representatives.

The earlier, the better. We recommend giving the 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 real estate closing or lease expiration, 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 Sales Representative, who can advise you regarding the types and costs of services available.

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 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 Sales Representative.

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 equipment and personnel during these periods. However, we believe 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 equipment and trained personnel are more readily available, we’ll be better able to meet your preferred delivery schedule.

A Sales Representative 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 trailer space your goods will occupy. The agent will compute the approximate cost and give you a written Estimate/Order for Service. An accurate estimate cannot be calculated without a visual or electronic 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.

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 trailer 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 (refer to the question “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 Mayflower agent at your request. These charges are based on “tariff” rate schedules.

Some foods can be moved, but only under specific, limited conditions. Canned goods, uncooked rice and uncooked pasta can be moved. Any foods with a limited shelf life cannot be moved.
Drinks and/or alcohol cannot be moved. Liquids have the potential to cause progressive damage to your household goods if a bottle or can spills for any reason. There are also regulations in place about moving alcohol over state lines if you are moving long distance.
In most instances, we suggest to use up the foods or drinks prior to the move or donate them to someone.

Items of extraordinary value such as jewelry, money, photographs, antiques and stamp collections can be included in your shipment, provided you notify your Sales Representative 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.

Mayflower Van Lines 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 trailer. 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.

Pets cannot be carried on the moving trailer. Dogs, cats, canaries and parakeets can usually be transported in the family car. If this isn’t convenient, we will be glad to suggest alternate ways to ship your pets safely.

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 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.

With this type of valuation, Mayflower Van Line’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.

Under this protection plan, if any article is lost, destroyed or damaged while under Mayflower Van Lines 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 Mayflower, 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. Mayflower Van Lines will determine the appropriate settlement method to be used.
Mayflower’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.

If you are unable to take immediate possession of your new residence, your belongings can be stored in a local Mayflower Van Lines agent’s warehouse. Mayflower agents throughout the world 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 for information regarding storage arrangements.

Patterson protects all furniture items with furniture pads. This helps ensure that your furniture remains as clean as possible during relocation.

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 trailer. Upon request and for an additional charge, a moving company will perform this service, using an authorized service company.

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 Mayflower agent for a small fee.

Lightweight clothing – sweaters, shirts and blouses may be left in the drawers. Do not fill drawers with heavy items such as books, shoes 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.