Section 5143 Of Article 2. Regulation Of Household Goods Carriers From California Public Utilities Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 7. >> Article 2.
5143
. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the following meanings:
(1) "Consignor" means the person named in the bill of lading as
the person from whom the household goods and personal effects have
been received for shipment and that person's agent.
(2) "Consignee" means the person named in the bill of lading to
whom or to whose order the household goods carrier is required to
make delivery as provided in the bill of lading and that person's
agent.
(b) Any household goods carrier engaged in the business of
transportation of used household goods and personal effects by motor
vehicle over any public highway in this state shall provide each
consignor with a completed copy of the notice set forth in this
section. The notice shall be printed in at least 12-point type,
except the title and first two paragraphs which shall be printed in
boldface type, and provided to each consignor at least three days
prior to the date scheduled for the transportation of household goods
or personal effects. If the consignor requests services on a date
that is less than three days before the scheduled date for
transportation of the household goods or personal effects, the
carrier shall provide the notice as soon as practicable, but in no
event may the carrier commence any services until the consignor has
signed and received a signed copy of the notice. The carrier shall
obtain sufficient information from the consignor to fill out the form
and shall include the correct maximum amount and a sufficient
description of services that will be performed. The carrier shall
retain a copy of the notice, signed by the consignor, for at least
three years from the date the notice was signed by the consignor.
(c) Any waiver of the requirements of this section is void and
unenforceable.
(d) The "Not To Exceed" amount set forth in the notice and the
agreement between the household goods carrier and the consignor shall
be the maximum total dollar amount for which the consignor may be
liable for the transportation of household goods and personal effects
and any additional services ordered by the consignor (including any
bona fide change order permitted under the commission's rules and
tariffs) and agreed to by the consignor before any goods or personal
effects are moved from their location or any other services are
performed.
(e) A household goods carrier may provide the notice set forth in
this section either as a separate document or by including it as the
centerfold of the informational booklet that the household goods
carrier is required to provide the consignor under the commission's
tariffs. If the household goods carrier provides the notice as part
of the informational booklet, the booklet shall contain a tab that
extends beyond the edge of the booklet at the place where the notice
is included. The statement "Important Notice" shall be printed on the
tab in at least 12-point boldface type. In addition, the statement
"Customer Must Read And Sign The Important Notice In The Middle Of
This Booklet Before A Move Can Begin" shall be set forth in 14-point
boldface type on the front cover of the booklet.
(f) The notice provided the consignor shall be in the following
form:
"IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT YOUR MOVE
"IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ONLY AGREE TO A "NOT TO EXCEED"
AMOUNT THAT YOU THINK IS A PROPER AND REASONABLE FEE FOR THE SERVICES
YOU ARE REQUESTING. THE "NOT TO EXCEED" AMOUNT THIS MOVER IS
REQUESTING IS $____________________ to perform the following
services:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________.