Mo. Code Regs. tit. 7 § 10-25.040
Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 20, October 15, 2024
Section 7 CSR 10-25.040 - Notice to be Given to Consumers by Household Goods Carriers-Timing of Delivery, Form and ContentsPURPOSE: This rule requires motor carriers of household goods to provide an informational pamphlet to customers or potential customers at appropriate times, informing them of their rights and obligations as consumers of intrastate household goods carriage services. The intent of the rule is to better inform consumers and reduce the likelihood of disputes arising between household goods carriers and their customers.
(1) Motor carriers transporting or offering to transport household goods in intrastate commerce on the public roads of this state shall provide a notice of consumer rights and obligations as set forth herein to their shipper customers or potential customers.(2) The notice shall be provided to the shipper customer or potential customer at the first occurrence of the following events between the carrier and the shipper customer: (A) When the carrier presents to the shipper customer any binding or non-binding estimate of charges for carriage of household goods in intrastate commerce;(B) When the carrier takes any action in furtherance of assuming the carriage rights and responsibilities of any other carrier, which has become incapable, for any reason, to complete a shipment of household goods in intrastate commerce;(C) When the carrier presents to the shipper customer any contract or offer to provide for carriage of household goods.(3) The notice to be provided shall be delivered by hand delivery, in person, when the contact with the shipper customer or potential customer as described in section (2) above is in person contact. When the contact with the shipper customer or potential customer is by telephone or mail, the notice to be provided shall be delivered by depositing the notice brochure, enveloped and addressed properly to the shipper customer or potential customer, into United States mail, first class postage prepaid, within two (2) working days of the telephone or mail contact. Carriers may send the notice via facsimile transmission, e-mail, or any other electronic medium which accurately duplicates the prescribed form and content of the notice, within two (2) working days after an event described in section (2) of this rule. Carriers shall send the notice by such an electronic medium, if available, whenever the shipper customer or potential customer has requested notice via that medium, or has contacted the carrier by that medium and has not requested notice by a different medium.(4) Motor carriers of household goods shall maintain a permanent written record which certifies that they delivered the required notice pamphlet to the shipper customer or potential customer as required by this rule, including the date and manner of delivery. This record shall be kept at the carrier's principal place of business or terminal of operations responsible for that move.(5) The notice of customer rights and obligations shall contain words and phrases set forth in the current form of notice printed by the Department of Transportation (MoDOT), in not less than nine (9)-point type, in a readily legible format. The Department of Transportation shall make copies of the notice available in reasonable quantities at no cost to the household goods carriers registered for intrastate carriage in this state. The notice can be found on the MoDOT Motor Carrier Services website located at:http//www.modot.mo.gov/mcs.(6) Motor carriers of household goods in intrastate commerce shall, prior to delivery of the notice brochure required by this rule, insert or affix their company name, address and telephone number by imprint, stamp or decal affixed to the blank space provided for such information in the notice form prescribed by MoDOT.(7) Motor carriers of household goods in intrastate commerce shall maintain records of delivery of the notice required by this rule at their principal place of business or terminal of operations responsible for the move, for a minimum period of twelve (12) months following the contact with the shipper customer or potential customer, and shall produce such records for inspection upon demand at any time by authorized Motor Carrier Services Inspectors or other authorized personnel from the Department of Transportation.(8) Nothing in this rule shall be construed to cause, work, provide or effect any representation, guarantee, warranty, indemnification or other assurance by the state of Missouri, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission or the Missouri Department of Transportation, of the services, representations or compensations for damages of any motor carrier to any shipper customer or potential customer of any motor carrier. AUTHORITY: sections 226.008, RSMo Supp. 2005 and 387.060, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed Aug. 16, 2004, effective March 30, 2005. Amended: Filed May 11 , 2006, effective Nov. 30, 2006. *Original authority: 226.008, RSMo 2002 and 387.060, RSMo 1939, amended 1996.