Terms & Conditions

Services: Arizona local and intrastate moves, interstate household-goods transportation, packing, loading, unloading, and storage as applicable.

Important: This document must be read with the signed estimate, bill of lading, order for service, inventory, valuation election, applicable tariff, and any storage agreement. If controlling law conflicts with a term below, controlling law governs.

1. Estimates, Services, and Charges

GMS will describe the requested services and provide the applicable written estimate. For a nonbinding estimate, the final lawful charge may vary based on actual services, labor, materials, shipment weight, access conditions, and additional services requested or authorized. Interstate billing and collection must follow applicable federal estimate and delivery-payment rules. A nonbinding estimate is not a guarantee of the final price. Charges for added services will be explained and documented as required by law.

2. Payment and Past-Due Accounts

The customer must pay lawful charges when due under the signed agreement and applicable transportation rules. GMS may use an authorized payment method only within the scope of a valid payment authorization and applicable law. Any late fee, collection charge, storage charge, or interest must be separately disclosed, reasonable, and legally permitted. Unpaid balances may be referred for lawful collection after appropriate notice. A disputed charge or stop-payment does not automatically authorize penalties or credit reporting. GMS will not withhold or dispose of property except as permitted by law.

3. General Care and Carrier Responsibility

GMS will use reasonable care in packing, handling, loading, transportation, storage, and delivery. Liability for loss or damage is determined by the facts, applicable law, the valid valuation election, and the governing tariff or agreement. GMS is not responsible for loss caused solely by pre-existing damage, inherent defects, inadequate customer packing, or other legally recognized causes, but does not disclaim liability for damage for which it is legally responsible. Events outside GMS’s control, including certain natural disasters, legal orders, highway disruptions, strikes, and quarantine restrictions, are evaluated under applicable law rather than treated as automatic exclusions.

4. Pre-Move Condition, Photos, and Inspection

Customers should identify existing damage, fragile items, special handling needs, and unusual access conditions before service. GMS may document items and property at pickup and delivery using photographs, video, inventories, and condition notes. Customers should inspect delivered items and note visible damage on delivery paperwork. A clean delivery receipt or lack of photographs is evidence to consider, but does not automatically prove that no damage occurred or waive a timely claim.

5. Scratches, Scuffs, Cosmetic Damage, and Repair

Claims for scratches, scuffs, chips, dents, paint transfer, clear-coat damage, and other cosmetic conditions are evaluated based on the damage shown, whether it occurred during GMS services, and the applicable valuation rules. A cosmetic mark does not automatically require replacing an entire functional item. When legally permitted, GMS may arrange or pay for a qualified repair or restoration, replace with an article of like kind and quality, or provide an appropriate cash settlement. The choice of remedy must comply with the customer’s valuation coverage. An item need not be a total loss to qualify for compensation. Customer preference for a new or upgraded item alone does not establish full replacement liability.

6. High-Value and Extraordinary-Value Property

Customers must identify unusually valuable property and disclose its value when asked, including premium bicycles, carbon-fiber equipment, artwork, antiques, collectibles, instruments, specialty electronics, and designer items. For interstate moves, articles worth more than $100 per pound are articles of extraordinary value under federal rules. GMS will provide the required opportunity to declare such items in writing on the appropriate shipping documents. Listing a bicycle or other item on a general inventory does not necessarily disclose its extraordinary value. Failure to make a required written declaration may affect liability only where authorized by federal law and the applicable tariff. GMS may request available receipts, appraisals, serial numbers, and supporting photographs.

7. Bicycles, Fitness Equipment, and Specialty Goods

Customers should identify carbon-fiber frames, expensive components, electronic shifting systems, hydraulic brakes, and other special handling needs. GMS may recommend professional preparation, disassembly, protective packaging, or specialized transport. A visible mark does not, by itself, establish that a carbon-fiber frame is structurally damaged or beyond repair; likewise, photographs alone cannot rule out hidden damage. Claims of structural failure should be supported by an appropriate qualified inspection. A quote for a complete new bicycle does not by itself establish the necessary repair or replacement amount.

8. Customer-Packed Goods, Fragile Items, and Electronics

Customers are responsible for adequately packing items they pack themselves and disclosing special fragility. GMS may recommend appropriate cartons or crating for televisions, mirrors, glass, artwork, marble, and other fragile items. For televisions and electronics, customers should document functionality before pickup and after delivery when practical. If a customer declines recommended packaging, GMS may record that decision. Any limitation based on inadequate packing, an inherent defect, or a signed special waiver applies only to the extent permitted by law; it does not excuse separate damage caused by GMS’s legally actionable handling.

9. Furniture, Disassembly, and Reassembly

Ready-to-assemble furniture, IKEA-style items, particleboard, pressed wood, previously repaired furniture, and aged furniture may have weaknesses that make handling or reassembly difficult. Customers should disclose known defects and missing hardware. GMS may recommend customer disassembly, specialized service, or a documented handling plan. GMS is not liable for failure caused solely by pre-existing weakness, but remains responsible for damage attributable to its services to the extent required by law.

10. Buildings, Driveways, Flooring, and Personal Vehicles

GMS will use reasonable care around walls, stairs, railings, doorways, floors, tile, laminate, wood, concrete, pavers, and driveways. Customers should disclose fragile surfaces and access limitations and move personal vehicles out of truck operating areas when practical. GMS may recommend street parking when a driveway cannot safely support a truck. Claims will be assessed for causation and the reasonable cost to repair the affected area; a minor localized defect does not automatically justify replacing an entire floor, driveway, or wall. No blanket waiver applies to damage for which GMS is legally responsible. Property-damage waivers for unusual access or requested truck placement should be separately reviewed and signed when appropriate.

11. Power Cords, Accessories, and Small Parts

Customers are encouraged to bag, label, and personally safeguard removable power cords, remotes, adapters, hardware, keys, and small accessories. GMS may inventory accessories that it agrees to pack or transport. Any loss claim will be evaluated based on the evidence and applicable valuation terms; this section does not automatically exclude all missing cords or accessories.

12. Matching Sets and Salvage

Damage to one item of a matching set does not automatically require replacement of the entire set. GMS will evaluate the damaged article and any legally compensable loss in value to the set under applicable law and valuation rules. If GMS pays the full lawful replacement value of an item, it may request transfer of the damaged item or salvage rights to the extent permitted by law and the settlement agreement.

13. Items GMS Will Not Knowingly Transport

Customers must not tender hazardous materials, explosives, ammunition, flammable chemicals, propane, illegal substances, or other items prohibited by transportation law. Customers should personally retain cash, negotiable instruments, deeds, jewelry, precious metals, essential medicines, live animals, and similarly sensitive property unless GMS expressly agrees and may legally transport the item. Live plants, perishables, and other restricted goods require advance approval. GMS may refuse unsafe or unlawful goods. Exclusions are subject to applicable law and any express written acceptance.

14. Valuation Options — Interstate Moves

For interstate household-goods shipments, GMS will provide the federally required valuation disclosures and choices:

• Full Value Protection (FVP): Generally applies unless the customer validly waives it and selects Released Value in writing. Subject to the applicable federal rules, the mover may repair, replace with like kind and quality, or make an appropriate cash settlement. The shipment’s minimum declared value is determined by applicable federal rules and shipment weight; any deductible, charge, or higher valuation must be properly disclosed and documented. GMS’s former flat $10,000 maximum must not be presented as an automatic federal FVP liability cap.
• Released Value: When validly elected in writing, generally limits liability to $0.60 per pound per article at no additional valuation charge.

Valuation is carrier liability protection, not a separate insurance policy. A customer may arrange separate third-party insurance. The signed interstate valuation election and applicable tariff govern, subject to federal law.

15. Valuation Options — Arizona Local and Intrastate Moves

For moves governed by Arizona law, GMS will provide a separate Arizona-specific valuation election stating available protection options, charges, any valid deductible, limits, and the applicable claims process. The existing GMS materials describe a no-charge $0.60-per-pound option and a paid $100 plan with a $250 deductible and a stated $10,000 maximum. Those amounts are retained here as items for legal review, not as approved terms for all Arizona moves. No default election, liability cap, deductible, or depreciation rule is effective unless permitted by applicable law and properly agreed to.

16. Claims: Reporting, Evidence, and Review

Customers should report suspected damage promptly through GMS’s claims channel and provide a description of the item, the alleged damage, available photographs, make/model/serial number when relevant, ownership/value documentation where available, and relevant estimates or specialist findings. GMS may reasonably inspect the item, verify an estimate with the provider, or seek an independent assessment. A quote, invoice, or replacement recommendation does not alone establish causation, total loss, or the amount owed. GMS will not impose documentation demands or deny a claim merely for lack of a particular document where applicable claims law requires otherwise.

Interstate claims: Customers must be allowed at least nine months to file a written claim. GMS will acknowledge, investigate, and dispose of claims within applicable federal timelines. The earlier 90-day interstate filing term is not carried forward.

Arizona claims: The deadline and process must comply with Arizona law and the valid Arizona agreement; a stated contractual deadline will not override controlling law.

Customers should preserve claimed damaged items and reasonably allow inspection before disposal or alteration, except where safety, mitigation, or other reasonable circumstances require action.

17. Settlements and Dispute Resolution

GMS may offer a good-faith settlement without admitting fault or liability. Any final release should be separately documented, identify the claim being resolved, and comply with applicable law. Interstate customers retain applicable federal rights, including access to the federally required arbitration program for eligible disputes; this agreement does not impose an unlawful blanket prohibition on court proceedings. Arbitration procedures, costs, and rights will be separately disclosed as required.

18. Delivery, Delay, Storage, and Unclaimed Property

Delivery windows, lawful charges, storage-in-transit, and storage responsibilities are governed by the applicable estimate, bill of lading, tariff, storage agreement, and law. GMS may use a lawful alternate route or carrier when necessary and properly authorized. Goods that cannot be delivered or are refused may be placed into lawful storage after required notices. Liens, auctions, sale of unclaimed goods, and disposition of perishables will occur only under applicable notice, timing, and sale requirements. GMS does not claim an unrestricted right to dispose of customer property.

19. Photography, Video, and Privacy

GMS may use photographs or video for operational documentation, safety, training, and claims handling consistent with applicable law and privacy obligations. Public marketing or social-media use requires a separate, clearly presented customer consent, which the customer may decline without affecting moving services. GMS will avoid displaying private customer information.

20. Theft or Missing-Property Reports

Customers should promptly report suspected theft or missing items. GMS may investigate using inventories, employee statements, photos, available records, and lawful cooperation requests. No customer is required by these terms to submit to a polygraph examination. Suspected criminal conduct may be referred to appropriate authorities.

21. Special Services and Piano Moves

GMS does not move pianos up or down stairs unless a separate specialized arrangement is expressly accepted in writing. GMS may recommend a piano specialist or another qualified service provider. Other unusually heavy, oversized, fragile, or specialized items may require additional planning, equipment, charges, or a separate agreement.

22. Governing Law and Severability

Federal law governs interstate transportation matters within its scope. Arizona law governs Arizona local and intrastate matters to the extent applicable. If a provision conflicts with controlling law, the provision is limited to the lawful extent, and the remainder remains in effect where legally permissible. Nothing here waives non-waivable rights or relieves GMS of liability it cannot lawfully exclude.

23. Customer Acknowledgment

The customer acknowledges receiving the applicable estimate, service terms, claims information, and valuation election; having an opportunity to ask questions; and understanding the importance of declaring extraordinary-value property and special handling requirements. A signature here does not substitute for any separately required federal or Arizona valuation election.

• Interstate Full Value Protection: Replace the old flat $10,000 cap and automatic Option A selection with a compliant federal valuation election, minimum shipment-value calculation, and tariff disclosures.
• Claims deadline: Remove the 90-day interstate deadline; retain at least nine months. Verify federal acknowledgment and disposition procedures.
• Arizona valuation: Confirm whether the existing $100 plan, $250 deductible, $10,000 maximum, and $0.60/lb option are lawful and accurately described for each Arizona service type.
• Payment: Review the original $25-per-day late fee, automatic card charging, collection fees, and credit reporting language; do not publish without legal and payment-processor review.
• Arbitration: Prepare a separate federally compliant interstate arbitration disclosure and procedure. Remove any statement that customers can never sue GMS.
• Claims and exclusions: Avoid blanket exclusions for cosmetic damage, functioning items, customer-packed goods, furniture, flooring, driveways, or TVs. Focus on proof, causation, repair-first remedies, and valid valuation limits.
• High-value items: Use a separate written high-value inventory/declaration and crew verification at pickup, with the federal extraordinary-value rule and tariff properly explained.
• Marketing privacy: Make public-photo consent optional and separate from the moving contract.
• Theft: Remove mandatory polygraph language.
• Storage and liens: Have counsel verify Arizona and interstate notice, warehouse, lien, and auction procedures.
• Version control: Date each revision and apply only to future moves after customer notice and proper agreement; do not attempt to apply new terms to existing claims.