SECTION 1
The General Application of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission Tariff 15-C — Household Goods
Rates, Rules and Charges Shown in This Section Apply on All Shipments
SIZE OF TRUCK
Seattle Moves & More LLC (“SMM”) decides the size of vehicle required to complete the move. A smaller vehicle may be used when circumstances exist which prevent us from using a standard box truck and a smaller vehicle is better suited to complete the move.
REFUSAL OF SERVICE
We may refuse to provide service, to pick up or to deliver a shipment, if in our judgment any of the following conditions exist and we or the customer have not made arrangements as described in (1), above: a. The move will cause us to provide service we are not authorized to provide. b. The customer does not provide adequate information necessary to establish his or her identity. c. The customer uses a false name with the intent to deceive us. d. Conditions such as civil or labor disturbances make pickup or delivery unsafe or unreasonable. e. The shipment is dangerous, contaminated, infested or has been improperly packed. f. We do not have suitable equipment. g. The condition of the roads, streets, driveways, alleys, or loading or unloading facilities is unsafe or inaccessible.
DELIVERY TO OR FROM A WAREHOUSE
Pickup from or delivery to a warehouse, other than our own warehouse, includes pickup only from a door, platform, or point convenient and accessible to our vehicle. If we are required to provide service at any other location, additional charges may apply.
DELIVERY TIME AND MEANS
We will attempt to deliver a shipment during normal business hours, but we are not required to guarantee delivery at a specific hour. 2. Unless specific arrangements have been authorized by the customer on the bill of lading, we are not required to transport the customer’s goods by any particular means or vehicle and we are not liable for delays resulting from causes other than negligence of the driver or in the case of a rented truck, negligence of the rental company. 3. In cases of unforeseen circumstances which prevent us from completing delivery, we have the right to forward the customer’s property by another carrier. The forwarding carrier must notify the customer of the change in carrier. The carrier issuing the bill of lading is the carrier held responsible for the goods.
STORAGE WHEN DELIVERY CANNOT BE MADE
We may place a shipment into storage at the storage facility of our choice if we are unable to make a delivery because: a. We were unable to locate a customer at the address given on the bill of lading or the correct address if known. b. The customer refused or was unable to accept delivery. c. For a shipment moving on a non-binding estimate, the customer was unable or refused to pay up to 110 percent of the amount of the original estimate plus supplements. 2. Our liability as a common carrier ends with delivery to a storage facility. The shipment becomes subject to the warehouse’s liability, terms, and conditions. 3. We must notify the customer by every means of contact that we have for the customer, including telephone, e-mail, and we must mail or deliver a written notice to the destination address advising that we were unable to make delivery and advising the customer of the name, address, e-mail address, if applicable, and telephone number of the warehouse where the shipment is stored. The written notice must include a statement that if the customer does not receive or claim the shipment within 30 days of the date the written notice was mailed or delivered as specified in the written notice, the shipment becomes subject to disposition by the carrier.
DISPOSITION OF UNCLAIMED GOODS
If the customer does not receive or claim the shipment within 30 days after we mailed or delivered the written notice required, the shipment becomes subject to disposition by us in accordance with the Washington State Uniform Commercial Code, Chapter 62A.7 RCW.
OVERTIME
We may bill the customer overtime charges for loading and unloading services performed: a. Monday through Friday, after 5:00 p.m. and before 8:00 a.m., b. At any time on Saturdays, Sundays and state-recognized holidays, and c. Any time after eight (8) consecutive hours of service.
MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES
If the customer asks us to provide a service for which there is no rate or charge listed in the tariff, and providing that service requires use of our vehicle and employee(s), the following will apply: a. Service will be provided at the option of the carrier. b. Rates will be at our discretion, in agreement with the customer. 2. We may charge for services associated with transportation of the customer’s goods for which there is no rate or charge listed in the tariff, such as toll bridge or ferry charges.
APPLIANCE SERVICE
Our rates do not include the servicing or re-servicing of appliances or other articles to protect them from damage in, or incident to, transit. These appliances or articles include, but are not limited to: refrigerators, deep freezers, radios, microwaves, washing machines, television sets, satellite television/radio receiving discs/dishes, air conditioners, grandfather clocks, computers, clothes dryers, cooking ranges, and dishwashers. Upon request of the customer, we will, if we possess qualified personnel, service at point of origin and re-service at point of destination appliances or other articles at rates of our own discretion, in agreement with the customer. If we do not possess qualified personnel to perform the services, we will, with the authorization of the customer, engage third-party vendors to perform the servicing and/or re-servicing.
CUSTOMER PACKED GOODS
If not using our packing services, customers must carefully pack, cover and wrap all breakable or fragile items. Customers must clearly mark the package as “breakable” or “fragile.” 2. If we find that an article has not been properly packed by the customer, we will notify the customer of the improper packaging. The customer may choose to repack the article or have us repack the article. We have the right to charge the customer additional charges for packing service. 3. If we are not able to contact the customer, we may repack the article and charge the customer for the service. 4. We may open and inspect any customer-packed article if we believe it is necessary to determine the actual contents.
*INSURANCE
We require all clients have their own renter’s insurance or homeowner’s insurance to use in case of any damages. If a client does not have any insurance, they may purchase insurance from us through our insurance company if offered, and we will issue a certificate of insurance before the move. We are not obligated to provide insurance or to ensure a customer carries their own insurance. In the case where an item or items may become damaged during a move and no insurance is binding, we are not liable for damages and it is at our discretion whether to compensate the customer for damages.
ESTIMATES
Estimates are non-binding unless specified otherwise. Estimates can be in writing or verbal. Estimates are not required but are given utilizing the most information from the customer that we can attain at the time. Estimates may be given before a walkthrough of the customer’s property, and may be amended after a walkthrough or as more information about the move comes forth. We estimate based on the amount of time we believe a move will actually take, even if it means the estimate appears higher than the customer anticipated. A deposit may or may not be required after an estimate is given. An estimate is not to be considered as a final cost of a move. An estimate is to be deemed an “approximate cost” or a “ballpark amount” to give a customer some idea of moving charges. Any deposits collected after an estimate is accepted will be deducted from the customer’s final invoice.
PAYMENT OF CHARGES
We have the right to charge a holding deposit for every move. We may require prepayment in part or in full, in cash, personal check, cashier’s check or money order, credit card, debit card, or via electronic funds transfer. 2. We may not charge any amount above a binding estimate. 3. We may only charge an additional 25 percent above a nonbinding estimate plus any supplemental estimates or charges due to a variety of factors: (a) The customer was not truthful when stating the amount or number of items to be moved. (b) The customer refused a pre-move inspection (walkthrough) so that we could give the most accurate estimate. (c) There were unforeseen circumstances which increased the time it took to move the items (i.e., logistics). The additional 25 percent does not include any finance-related charges the carrier may assess for extending credit, such as interest or late payment fees. 4. Unless credit arrangements are made or the move is paid in advance, payment for the move is due upon delivery. If the total due upon delivery exceeds the original estimate, the carrier must release the shipment to the customer when the customer pays either: a. The full amount of the original binding estimate and supplemental estimates. b. 110 percent of the original nonbinding estimate including supplemental estimates. 5. The carrier must allow customers at least 30 days from the date of delivery to pay amounts in excess of the 110 percent described in (4)(b) above. 6. If the customer fails to pay the rates and charges described in (4) above, the carrier may hold the shipment in secure storage at the customer’s expense until the customer pays the amount due. The carrier’s liability ends with delivery to the destination address or a storage facility. The shipment becomes subject to the storage facility’s liability, terms and conditions if items need to be stored. The cost of storage will be charged to the customer at the rates established by SMM. 7. Overdue invoices are subject to a 10% penalty, charged per week for each week the invoice remains past-due, unless other payment arrangements are made. 8. All invoices are charged a 3% invoice processing fee unless paid via paper check the day of the move.
CARRIER AND CUSTOMER LIABILITY
The carrier is liable for physical loss of, or damage to, any article from external cause while being packed, unpacked, loaded, unloaded, carried, or held in Storage-in-Transit, including breakage, if the articles are packed by the carrier and/or if the breakage results from negligence of the carrier. The amount of liability a carrier must assume depends on the level of valuation protection selected by the customer, as indicated on the bill of lading. 2. The carrier is liable directly to the customer for loss and damage, regardless of any cargo insurance policies the company may have. 3. Customers may include the following items in a shipment, however, the carrier is not responsible for the condition or safe delivery of: Coins, currency, deeds, notes, postage stamps, letters, drafts or valuable papers of any kind. Jewelry, precious stones, or precious metals. Items of extraordinary value. Items requiring temperature control. Household pets. Live plants. Perishable items. Furniture or other items made of pressboard, particle board or similar pressed material. 4. The carrier is not liable for the loss of or damage to any article from external cause while being carried or held in Storage-in-Transit, due to the following circumstances: a. Breakage, when items are packed by the customer or the customer’s representative unless it can be proved that the breakage resulted from negligence by the mover in handling the articles. b. Internal damage to electronics (radios, stereos, VHS players, CD/DVD players, televisions, computers, printers, scanners, etc.) when no visible damage to the external packaging or contents exists or if the item was packed by the customer or the customer’s representative. c. Loss or damage from insects, moths, vermin, mold, fungus or bacteria within the customer’s belongings or that develop therein due to conditions present before the carrier picks up the customer’s belongings. d. Loss or damage because the item was in an obvious state of disrepair at the time of shipment, provided that the carrier noted the disrepair on the inventory. e. An act, omission, or order of the customer, or loss or damage resulting from the customer’s inclusion in the shipment of such articles as explosives, dangerous articles or dangerous goods. Defective design of an article, including susceptibility to damage because of atmospheric conditions such as temperature or humidity changes. g. Hostile or warlike action or use of any weapon of war (in time of peace or war), terrorism, insurrection, rebellion, revolution, civil war, usurped power, and action taken in hindering, combating, or defending against such occurrences: a) by any government or sovereign power, or by authority maintaining or using military forces; b) by military forces; or, c) by an agent of such government, power, authority or forces. h. Seizure, confiscation or destruction under quarantine by order of any government or public authority. i. j. Strikes, lockouts, labor disturbances, riots, civil commotions or the acts of any person or persons taking part in any such occurrence or disorder. Acts of God. 5. The carrier will not accept the following items for shipment: 1. Explosives. 2. Dangerous goods. 3. Property liable to damage carrier equipment or other property. 6. The customer assumes all liability for goods left unattended by the customer before pickup by the carrier. 7. The customer assumes all liability for goods when the customer directs the carrier, in writing, to unload or deliver property at a location that will be unattended. 8. The amount of liability a carrier must assume depends on the customer’s renter’s insurance or homeowner’s insurance. *Refer to the section in our Terms “INSURANCE”.