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Review 11/13/2009
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Lightning Van Lines were very courteous and sounded trustworthy over the phone. Except they were very convincing not to do an on site visit. Every other company did a site visit. Even though their telephone rates were competitive when they got to the site they quoted $1095 differently. They actually gave me a binding rate of $1500. I have since gotten the same binding rate with more stuff added.
On the FMCA site it states a major red flag is when they don't want to come out to do a site assessment.
Here what I learned from the FMCSA who sets the rules for the transportation company:
(a) You must conduct a physical survey of the household goods to be transported and provide the prospective individual shipper with a written estimate, based on the physical survey, of the charges for the transportation and all related services. There are two exceptions to the requirement to conduct a physical survey:
(a)(1) If the household goods are located beyond a 50- mile radius of the location of the household goods motor carrier’s agent preparing the estimate, the requirement to base the estimate on a physical survey does not apply.
(a)(2) An individual shipper may elect to waive the physical survey. The waiver agreement is subject to the following requirements:
(a)(2)(i) It must be in writing;
(a)(2)(ii) It must be signed by the shipper before the shipment is loaded; and
(a)(2)(iii) The household goods motor carrier must retain a copy of the waiver agreement as an addendum to the bill of lading with the understanding that the waiver agreement will be subject to the same record retention requirements that apply to bills of lading, as provided in §375.505(d).
(b) Before you execute an order for service for a shipment of household goods for an individual shipper, you must provide a written estimate of the total charges and indicate whether it is a binding or a non-binding estimate, as follows:
(b)(1) A binding estimate is an agreement made in advance with your individual shipper. It guarantees the total cost of the move based upon the quantities and services shown on your estimate, which shall be based on the physical survey of the household goods, if required. You may impose a charge for providing a written binding estimate. The binding estimate must indicate that you and the shipper are bound by the charges.
(b)(2) A non-binding estimate is what you believe the total cost will be for the move, based upon both the estimated weight or volume of the shipment and the accessorial services requested and the physical survey of the household goods, if required. A non-binding estimate is not binding on you. You will base the final charges upon the actual weight of the individual shipper’s shipment and the tariff provisions in effect. You may not impose a charge for providing a non-binding estimate.
So here is a warning for this company and please check out the FMCSA it gives all the guidelines you need to make a solid decision.
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