Most people remember to photograph an expensive television or antique table. They are less likely to document the ordinary items surrounding them: dining chairs, lamps, kitchen cartons, bedroom furniture, small electronics, artwork, tools, and boxes packed weeks before the move. That becomes a problem when something is missing or damaged. After delivery, memory is not strong evidence. A customer may remember that the dresser had no scratches, but the mover’s inventory may say

A $3,000 sofa and a $3,000 watch have the same purchase price. Under federal interstate moving rules, however, they may be treated very differently. Why? Because when movers talk about an article of extraordinary value, the important number is not simply what the item costs. It is how much the item is worth per pound. For interstate household-goods moves, an item worth more than $100 per pound is considered an article of extraordinary value for liability purposes. Jewelry, ch