Are you hiring a household goods mover or broker? What is the difference?

A moving broker is a company that arranges for the transportation of your cargo, utilizing for-hire carriers to provide the actual truck transportation. Moving brokers are sales teams that book your move and sell it to an actual moving company.

A moving broker is not a mover. A broker does not assume responsibility for, and is not authorized to transport, your household goods. Brokers do not have moving trucks or professional movers. Brokers for interstate moves are required to use only movers that are registered with FMCSA.

Sometimes the broker is not able to sell the job to a moving company for various reasons – low estimates, no availability, limited resources, etc. – and 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.

What do I do if I am working with a broker?

When you book your move, make sure to ask the company whether they are an actual moving company or broker. If they are a broker, they must:

• Be registered with FMCSA;
• Provide you with FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move bookletand the Ready to Move brochure;
• Provide you with a list of the moving companies they use;
• Use only movers that are registered with FMCSA;
• Have a written agreement with movers they use;
• Base binding or non-binding estimates on the tariff of the mover that will transport your shipment;
• 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
• 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.

Moving can be a stressful and overwhelming task, no matter how many times you’ve done it before. One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is whether to hire a broker or a licensed mover to help you with the process. While both options have their benefits, there are a few key differences to consider. Brokers act as intermediaries between you and the moving company, helping you to find the right fit for your needs and budget. On the other hand, licensed movers are the ones who physically transport your belongings from one place to another. Ultimately, the choice comes down to what you feel most comfortable with and what will work best for your unique situation. So, take some time to weigh your options and make the decision that’s right for you. Here at Discounted Moving we are not brokers, we are a statewide multi location licensed and insured moving company. We do not sell or auction your move off. If we cannot physically do your move due to unavailability or over booked appointments throughout the month we will always recommend our affiliate http://www.HireAhelper.com where there are over 52,000 vetted and licensed professionals across these United States.