Warning About Delivery Services In Texas
There are many businesses and individuals posting on Craigslist, (usually Services - Labor / Move category), offering to pickup and deliver items such as bedding, furniture and appliances. Most of these operations are ILLEGAL and in clear violation of Texas State Law and Texas Department Of Transportation Rules and Regulations.
State Law clearly states and requires that ANY business or individual transporting ANY quantity of household goods ANY distance in Texas for hire MUST obtain a TXDOT Registration Number and comply with all rules, regulations and law related to household goods movers in Texas. These laws require the mover / delivery service to maintain proper insurance, keep accurate records, use "moving proposals" and "moving contracts" on EVERY delivery job, and make it easy for consumers to contact TXDOT and register formal complaints when nessecary. These laws are designed to protect YOU, the consumer.
"Household Goods" include, (but are not limited to), items such as appliances, furniture and bedding.
Example: You locate and purchase a sofa on Craigslist but do not have the means to transport the sofa from the seller to your home. You look in the "moving / labor" section of Craigslist and find and individual or small business who is offering to transport such items for a reasonable fee. The individual or business performing the service for you must comply with ALL of the household goods laws. No exceptions. Anything else is ILLEGAL!
A BUSINESS OFFERING TO TRANSPORT FURNITURE, APPLIANCES, BEDDING OR OTHER HOUSEHOLD ITEMS IN TEXAS FOR PAY MUST HAVE A TXDOT REGISTRATION NUMBER, DISPLAY THEIR TXDOT REGISTRATION NUMBER IN ALL ADVERTISING, (ALONG WITH TXDOT TOLL FREE NUMBER), AND COMPLY WITH ALL STATE LAW RELATED TO THE TRANSPORTATION OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS.
When you are seeking a a delivery service look for a TXDOT Registration Number and TXDOT Toll Free Number in the advertising. Household goods carriers are required by law to post this information in their advertising, (including Craigslist), and if you do not see this information the company is violating the law. If you find a business which is violating the household goods carrier laws you should immediately report them to TXDOT, (for violation of state law), and report them to Craigslist management (for violating CL Terms Of Use - posting an illegal service).
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Why Some Delivery Companies CANNOT comply with Texas Household Goods Carrier Laws:
One of the major requirements of obtaining a TXDOT Household Goods Carrier Registration Number is that the business seeking such registration must obtain and maintain a very specialized type of "cargo insurance" which is simply unavailable to small delivery service companies. Insurance companies in Texas are unwilling to offer the mandated insurance coverage to small businesses. Texas insurance companies are only offering the correct insurance to large corporations and big businesses. Many smaller delivery companies have insurance which fully covers any loss, damage or claims to cargo, (including cargo being transported as part of a commercial enterprises), but find that TXDOT refuses to accept common and readily available cargo insurance coverage. TXDOT requires SPECIAL insurance which CANNOT be obtained by smaller companies under any circumstances for any price. Furthermore, TXDOT is well aware of this situation but refuses to take any action to resolve the problem. However, TXDOT has made it very clear that these extremely unfair insurance requirements which prevent may delivery services from transporting certain types of items are NOT an excuse for violating the law. Texas Department Of Transportation is aggressively seeking out, investigating, and, in some cases, taking action against "illegal" delivery services in Texas.
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Do not put your valuable property at risk by doing business with an illegal delivery service.
Why would you even consider patronizing a company which refuses to obey the law?
Seek out a LEGAL delivery service. They are out there.
Report illegal delivery services to TXDOT.
Report postings offering illegal delivery service to Craigslist.
Please support legal delivery companies.
Please help get rid of ILLEGAL delivery services.
Texas Department Of Transportation Contact Information:
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/services/motor_carrier/consumer_protection/default.htm
1-800-299-1700 (select option 3)
Craigslist Contact Information:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/cgi-bin/emailForm.cgi
CRAIGSLIST TERMS OF USE
http://www.craigslist.org/about/terms.of.use.html
Quote From Craigslist Terms Of Use:
7. CONDUCT
You agree not to post, email, or otherwise make available Content:
n) that advertises any illegal service
Texas Household Goods Laws, Rules And Regulations:
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/services/motor_carrier/household.htm
Quote From Texas Household Goods Laws, Rules And Regulations:
All for-hire household goods carriers operating in Texas must register their operations with the Texas Department of Transportation’s Motor Carrier Division. A "household goods carrier" is defined as a motor carrier who transports household goods for compensation or hire in furtherance of a commercial enterprise.
"Household goods" are defined as personal effects and property intended to ultimately be used in a dwelling when the transportation of such effects is arranged and paid for by the householder or his representative.
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This article relates to individuals and businesses whom are posting offers of service and advertising on Craigslist and other websites in Texas including the cities and metro areas of Dallas / Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Houston and El Paso and offering to transport items such as furniture, appliances, bedding and other items classified as "household goods" by the Texas Department of Transportation for hire, pay, compensation, or in the furtherance of a commercial business or enterprises, but refuse to come into compliance with and obey the laws of the State of Texas. The individuals and businesses being referred to make classify and describe themselves as a delivery service, pickup and delivery service or hauling service. These companies frequently advertise their illegal business operations on Craigslist, Backpage, and / or their own websites but refuse to comply with Texas State Law related to transporting goods such as furniture, appliances, bedding and other household items. These types of businesses do not have legally required insurance, (intended to protect the consumer and the consumers property), they do not keep detailed and accurate records as required by law, they do not use legally mandated moving proposals and contracts, and they have not registered their business with the Texas Department of Transportation and obtained the TXDOT registration number which is required by law and which must be posted, (along with the TXDOT Toll Free Number), in any and all advertising including Craigslist postings.
The information contained in this article is completely factual. None of these statements are opinions. You can read the rules, regulations and laws for yourself directly from the Texas Department Of Transportation website at this link:
Texas Household Goods Laws, Rules And Regulations:
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/services/motor_carrier/household.htm
or by contacting TXDOT directly at:
1-800-299-1700 (select option 3)
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HELP STOP ILLEGAL DELIVERY IN TEXAS
DO NOT PATRONIZE OR SUPPORT ILLEGAL DELIVERY SERVICES
SUPPORT LEGAL DELIVERY COMPANIES
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