Moving brokers may only arrange household-move services with registered movers, must disclose that limit before serving a prospective shipper, and must not give certain estimates or include move costs in their fees.
507.056 Moving brokers; services.—(1) A moving broker may only arrange with a registered mover for the loading, transportation or shipment, or unloading of household goods as part of a household move or refer a shipper to a registered mover. Moving brokers may not give a verbal estimate or prepare a written estimate or contract for services which sets forth the total costs and describes the basis of those costs relating to a shipper’s household move, including, but not limited to, the loading, transportation or shipment, or unloading of household goods and accessorial services. (2) Before providing any service to a prospective shipper, a moving broker must disclose to the shipper that the broker may only arrange, or offer to arrange, the transportation of property by a registered mover. A moving broker’s fees may not include the cost of the shipper’s household move, including, but not limited to, the loading, transportation or shipment, or unloading of household goods and accessorial services. Any document provided to a shipper by a moving broker must include all of the following:(a) The name of the moving broker and the moving broker’s registration number. (b) The following statement displayed at the top of the document: “ (Name of Moving Broker) is not a mover. (Name of Moving Broker) is paid by the shipper to arrange, or offer to arrange, the transportation of property by a registered mover. The moving broker’s fees do not include the cost of the shipper’s household move, including, but not limited to, the loading, transportation or shipment, or unloading of household goods and accessorial services.” (c) The name, telephone number, and physical address where the moving broker’s employees are available during normal business hours. (d) An itemized breakdown, description, and total of all fees the moving broker charges to arrange with a registered mover for the loading, transportation or shipment, or unloading of household goods as part of a household move or to refer the shipper to a registered mover. (e) A list of all of the registered movers the moving broker has contracted with or is affiliated with, advertises on behalf of, arranges moves for, or refers shippers to, including each mover’s complete name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and Florida Intrastate Registration Number and the name of each mover’s owners, corporate officers, and directors. (f) A list of acceptable forms of payment, which must include all of the forms of payment listed in at least two of the following subparagraphs:1. Cash, cashier’s check, money order, or traveler’s check. 2. Valid personal check, showing upon its face the name and address of the shipper or authorized representative. 3. Valid credit card, including, but not limited to, Visa or Mastercard.