The Chairman's Corner

By Shiree Hammer

June 2022

May has come and gone! As challenging as the next couple of months will be, they will likely go by even faster. Known as National Moving Month, May did not disappoint and lived up to the start of the summer peak season.

As movers, we prepare during the slower months for this time of year; however, challenges always seem to arise. One being that consumers do not always plan ahead and wait until the last minute to schedule surveys and moves. Not understanding the true meaning of peak season or capacity issues movers face during the summer months.

This is where unfortunate mistakes can be made, and unlicensed movers are chosen due to availability to service a move over a licensed mover. The rogue operators and brokers seem to have mastered the attentive nature needed to “seal the deal.”

The CMSA, BHGS, and FMSCA offer a place for consumers to search for licensed movers. Plus, there is a lot of information online provided by these websites, and others, to help consumers make educated decisions regarding their move.

Question is, how do we get the consumer to plan ahead and research? It is frustrating enough that rogue movers tarnish the industry’s reputation but hearing the stories of lost or stolen personal effects makes it even worse.

The FMSCA and BGHS both have options online to file complaints against these movers. The FMCSA has recently updated its website to include a link to find state enforcement agencies as well. Hopefully, this will encourage victims of fraudulent moves to not only file a complaint with FMSCA but in their home state as well.

On May 24th the CMSA hosted a virtual warehouse lien seminar. CMSA President Steve Weitekamp and CMSA Legal Counsel Gregg Garfinkel lead the workshop and educated attendees on sections 7209 and 7210 of the California Commercial Code. This seminar also included a review of the warehouse lien rights manual, best practices, warehouse lien procedures, and important forms.

Emphasis on issuing a warehouse receipt was noted as a best practice in and of itself. A warehouse receipt provides information regarding the inventoried items in storage as well as the storage contract details. This form protects the consumer and the warehouse. The notice of lien letter is also crucial and is the first step needed to start the lien sale process. This step is followed by the posting of two legal ads prior to the actual physical auction of the goods. The CMSA had three of its auctioneer Associate Members in attendance. Ron Scheenstra from American Auctioneers, Dave Hester from Dave Hester Auctioneers, and John Cardoza from Storage Auction Experts joined in and offered advice and knowledge based on their experiences with the auction process and the sale of used household goods.

As great as it was to see everyone online during this seminar, I look forward to the coming months. Visiting each chapter and meeting with the CMSA movers and vendors in person. In the meantime, I wish everyone a smooth, successful peak season.

June 2022- CMSA Communicator