Blog

“Broker vs Mover”

 

Broker vs. Mover? 

When you're choosing a mover did you know that some companies are moving brokers?

What is a moving broker?

A moving broker is definitely not a mover. Brokers do not have the operational and logistic capabilities moving companies have. They do not have moving trucks, professional movers, proper moving equipment, and in a lot of cases not much moving experience. Moving brokers are sales teams that book your move and sell it to an actual moving company. 

 

Sometimes the broker is not able to sell the job for various reasons - low estimates, availability, resources and the list goes on - in this case you can get stuck without a mover on the day of your move. Many moving brokers operate from call centers located anywhere in the country. 

 

When you book your move make sure to ask the company to conduct the move whether they are an actual moving company or broker. For example, ABC Moving is a local moving company with an office (and supervisors) close to you that can assist with any problems or concerns that may arise during the moving process. To ensure this, confirm that the company uses their own crews and trucks to pick up your shipment. 

A household goods broker arranges transportation by connecting people that need their shipment of household goods transported with movers that are capable and willing to transport their shipment for compensation. The broker does not operate the truck, or handle the shipment but does make all the arrangements for the truck and labor to load and unload the shipment. Brokers can provide estimates for service on behalf of motor carriers based on the rates in the motor carrier's tariff. 

 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strengthened consumer protections when you utilize a broker to arrange for the transportation of your Household Goods. All household goods brokers must: 

1.Be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA);

2.Provide you with the FMCSA "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet and the "Ready to Move" brochure;

3.Provide you with a list of the moving companies they use;

4.Use only movers that are registered with FMCSA;

5.Have a written agreement with movers they use;

6.Base binding or non-binding estimates on the tariff of the mover that will transport your shipment;

7.Reference in their advertisements their physical business location, MC number, and their status as a broker that does not transport household goods but arranges for this service; and

8.Have the mover that is transporting your shipment perform a physical survey of your household goods if they are within a 50 mile radius of the mover or its agent's location, whichever is closer. It is your option to waive this requirement.

 

To check whether your broker or mover is registered with FMCSA and/or check its complaint history, go back to the home page on this website at www.protectyourmove.gov.

Under Important Resources, select "Search Movers/Brokers & Complaint History"

Complete the form "Search by Company"

Enter either the broker/mover name, USDOT Number or MC Number

Press "Search"

Check out the full article at protectyourmove.gov