Learning the Lingo Before Your Move

All companies have their own lingo when it comes to their company – and we get it! Sometimes the jargon can be a little bit confusing. So instead of just leaving you to figure it all out on your own we have compiled a list of some of the most commonly used phrases in the moving industry to give you a hand when it comes to figuring out your paperwork!

Bill of Lading: The verb “lading” originally means to put cargo on a ship, and the whole term came into play when international trade was becoming very common and it was recognized that there needed to be a some sort of legal binding and written descriptions of items going from point A to point B. Today, it is used as an agreement between movers and their customers. It acknowledges that your items will be loaded and delivered to the destination, and it assures customers that their goods will be delivered in good condition.

Binding Estimate: This one is pretty simple, but pretty important! It is the guaranteed price that is provided by the booking agent for your move. This means that if the weight of your shipment is more than in the written estimate you will still only need to pay the amount quoted.
* not all estimates are binding though, a nonbinding estimate means that if the weight goes over the original quote, you are only obligated to pay an extra 10%.

Flight charge, or stair carry: If you are moving from a multiple story home, or an apartment building that does not have an elevator you will find an additional charge that is added on because the movers will have to carry the furniture up and down stairs.  Make sure to ask your Sales Person about these additional charges, even if there are only a few steps in your home! This way you will avoid any surprise charges.

High-value Inventory: This is a special inventory for items listed at a much higher rate. This would be anything valued over a certain amount (this will be specified by your Sales Person), or if the item is valued at over $100 per pound. This ensure these items are given the additional protection need.
Don’t forget this includes art, jewelry, computers and expensive shoes!

PBO: This is an acronym for ‘packed by owner’. Pretty self-explanatory, if the customer packs the item themselves and the contents are found to be damaged enroute, the customer may not be ensured.

Accessorial Services: This can be anything extra that your moving company assists with, beyond the transportation of your household goods. It could include packing/unpacking, extra gas for the moving truck, ferry tickets or crating.

Consignor: This can be interchanged with customer or shipper. It is simply another word for the person who is being moved!

Agent: And agent is company who is moving you, this is typically different in each city. There will be multiple agents involved in your move.

DBO: Another acronym used during moving! It means ‘disassembled by owner’, so if you were to take apart a bed frame prior to crews arriving, it would be marked on your inventories as DBO. If you find that there is damage that is proven to be caused by disassembling, you as the customer, would be held responsible for repair.

Hopefully this makes understanding moving jargon just a touch easier! Remember, all of our Sales People are friendly and always willing to walk you through all the paperwork we have!