One company takes your call, one company writes your estimate and one company answers your questions, even when three or four companies touch the shipment. That is the booking agent, and knowing who it is tells you where to direct a question or a complaint.
What the booking agent does
The federal rules ask a mover to hand over those documents with the estimate, before the bill of lading is signed.
- Prepares the written estimate and explains binding and non-binding options
- Supplies the FMCSA booklets and the arbitration and complaint summaries
- Books the dates and arranges the other agents or carriers
- Stays the main contact through delivery and any claim
The regulation behind the role
Section 375.205 describes a prime agent as one that provides transportation service for the carrier or on its behalf, including selling or arranging a transportation service. Such an agent must have a written agreement with the carrier. This is different from a broker, which FMCSA describes as a company that arranges transportation by a registered moving company.
Because the booking agent often sells under another company's authority, the bill of lading names the motor carriers taking part, with USDOT numbers when known.
Booking agent versus the others
The booking agent is the contract and customer-service role. The origin agent handles loading at the start, the hauling carrier drives the miles, and the destination agent delivers. Sometimes one company holds more than one role, and sometimes four different companies do.
Ask each estimate to name who plays each part, so you know whom to call at every stage.
Booking with O'Brien's
When you book with O'Brien's, the Sparks office is your contact, whether the move starts in Northern Nevada or in another state. For moves leaving Nevada, the Bekins network carries the shipment, and for moves into Nevada the office coordinates the move from the origin through that network, then delivers, unpacks and stores in Sparks.
O'Brien's has been a Bekins agent since 1955. Call 775-359-6683, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, to book a free in-home estimate.