Oklahoma Corporation Commission Crackdown on Moving Companies Continues |
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The rules went into effect July 1, 2010, but Oklahoma’s Corporation Commission, which regulates intrastate transportation of household goods, is still contacting companies to ensure they know how to become compliant. The major points of the new rules cover five areas. Household goods movers must provide the consumer with a written estimate. Movers must give the customer a “Moving in Oklahoma” brochure, created by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Advertising must include the U.S. Department of Transportation number for the moving company. Movers also must get a certificate from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Intra-city movers are included in the regulations along with companies that work around the state or out of state. “Consumers now have tools they can use to better know something about the mover that they’re talking to and what is expected by the mover,” said Matt Skinner, public information officer for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. “Regulation in general is moving toward a consumer base – giving consumers the information they need to make a decision. But it also lets the companies know what they need to do to be operating legally, so it protects them as well.” Marchi McCartney, transportation division director for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, said 78 movers have become certified so far; some were already certified when the new rules went into place. The certification process includes the commission’s verification of a company’s insurance, she said. Certification also requires a $100 fee, she said. Certified companies are listed on the commission’s website for public perusal. “Many household movers under the old rules had to have authority from us, but there were others who did not have to. Now they all have to,” Skinner said. “It is assurance that the company has the insurance they need to be properly covered for their customers.” Previously, companies that only moved goods within a city did not have to be certified by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. “If you were limited to move intra-city only, you did not have to have authority,” McCartney said. “The exemption was removed from the statute when they changed the law because those people have the same issues as everybody else. Those are the ones we’re trying to contact and let them know they need to be certificated by the state.” The brochure is important because it outlines the customer’s rights, Skinner said. The written estimate can be either binding or nonbinding, he said. Paula Dodson, owner of Discount Moving, a 22-year-old family business based in Oklahoma City, said the changes represent more rules to follow, but ultimately they’re good for the consumer. She said she hopes they lead to a crackdown on shady moving companies that give the industry a bad name when they treat people poorly. “In all honesty and fairness, it is a good thing because it helps the consumer,” Dodson said. “I’ve heard so many horror stories. There are several moving companies that ‘fly under the radar.’ They either won’t show up for a move, damage people’s stuff or just hit the road and take people’s money. It’s like anything you do – if you’re remodeling your home, you want somebody who will take good care of your job and, in the end, it will be worth your money. “The only downfall (involves) keeping prices affordable for consumers. We charge the lowest amount possible so it’s affordable and we’re still able to keep the doors open,” Dodson said. “We haven’t raised our rates in 12 years. But it’s getting to the point where, with all the changes and regulations and prices going up for everything, we’re about to face that battle. We hate to do it, but we don’t have much choice.” Cathryne Schmitz, owner of Affordable Movers in Edmond, said the rules won’t greatly affect her business because she was already doing most of them. But she said a brochure is a good supplement to a verbal explanation of the moving process. When people are moving, their minds are often scattered and they don’t always remember everything they hear, she said. “We also move a lot of senior citizens,” Schmitz said. “That transition is already hard, and moving is stressful anyway. I always try to make sure I make everything clear to them.” Schmitz also said she hopes unscrupulous movers lose their ground under the new regulations. She points to them as part of the reason her business has suffered – of her seven trucks, she’s dropped the insurance on five of them because the work simply isn’t there. High costs for workers’ compensation and other insurance were already taking a toll. “Then you’ve got these companies coming in that are not even registered or insured, and they’re charging $50 an hour,” she said. “How do you compete with that?” | ||||||
| Last Updated ( Friday, 23 December 2011 ) | ||||||
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