February 26, 2010 -- Revisions to MAX 4 Now in Effect

Dear CMSA Member,

The CPUC Commission ratified the revised pages of the MAX4 on 2-25-10 and the changes are effective immediately. CPUC staff has advised me that they plan to mail out the revised pages to all permitted carriers next week.

Highlights:

MAX 4 contains rates and rules for the transportation of used household goods and personal effects over the public highways within California by household goods carriers. By Application (A.) 08-03-005, the California Moving and Storage Association (CMSA) requested that MAX 4 be revised and simplified. D.10-01-027, issued January 21, 2010, revised MAX 4 in accordance with a joint proposal of CMSA and the Commission’s Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), as described in Ordering Paragraphs 1a. and 1b. of the decision:

Hourly rate Territory C is eliminated, and Territory C counties are incorporated into current Territory B, by revising Items 210 and 230 in accordance with the terms of this order, and conforming other Items to these revisions.

Distance rate Region 1 is eliminated, and Region 2 rates are applicable to the entire state, by revising Items 220, 240, 300, 310, 380, and 390 in accordance with this order, and conforming other Items to these revisions.

Impacted tariff pages:

All the best

Steve Weitekamp
President
The California Moving & Storage Association

February 2, 2010 -- MAX 4 Tariff Changes

Dear CMSA Member,

Our Tariff Simplification Application has been signed by the CPUC Commission (1/21/10), and is now law.

Approved Changes:

• Hourly rate Territory C is eliminated, and Territory C counties are incorporated into current Territory B, by revising Items 210 and 230.

• Distance rate Region 1 is eliminated, and Region 2 rates are applicable to the entire state, by revising Items 220, 240, 300, 310, 380, and 390.

• The productivity offset factor used in making annual rate adjustments is reset from .667 (the current factor) to .95 for five years, effective with the tariff increase in January 2010.

  • Commencing with the tariff increase in January 2015, the productivity offset factor will be re-evaluated and reset every two years. If productivity change is positive, the productivity offset factor will be set at 85; if productivity change is negative, it will be set at .95.

We are working with the CPUC on the revised pages and can expect the revisions to the tariff to be approved in the next several months. Once the final draft is approved by the Commission the Regional and Territorial changes will be in effect and revised pages will be distributed to all permitted carriers. The upcoming Communicator will have additional information.

All the best,

Steve Weitekamp
President
The California Moving and Storage Association

March 31, 2009 -- The Today Show (NBC) ran a story on Moving:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29972260/

I believe that it is worth the few minutes required to view the video at the link above as many consumers rely on this type of information. The woman speaking is a real estate expert, not a moving industry expert and there are inaccuracies in some of her comments.

Better to know what is being said and be prepared to address misconceptions and sell the strengths of a legal and ethical CMSA member!

All the best,

Steve Weitekamp
President
The California Moving & Storage Association

February 26, 2009 -- Warning!   I have heard from several colleagues in other states that the FRAUDULENT USDOT LETTERS are circulating again. Printed on (alleged) USDOT letterhead, the letters are requesting financial information.

Please don’t fall for it!   If you receive one of those letters, just ignore it.

Click HERE to view a memo from the USDOT explaining more about this.