Please check this company out before contracting with them! I thought I did by reading their referrals on their website, thing is they only paste the good ones.
I went online and asked for bids on moving our home from Bend, OR to Phoenix, AZ. And got multiple responses in less than an hour. I spoke with all the representatives of each of these companies and the quotes were all within a reasonable spread. I chose Authorized because they were the only one who would give me exclusive use of a 53 foot trailer (would not put anyone elses furniture on with my load) and would give me a "NOT TO EXCEED" clause on the price I was quoted. I was told the weight of the actual load would not matter. I signed the contract and paid by credit card for the full amount in advance. I chose this option because if I had problems with them I could always dispute the charges later with the credi card company. I paid $11,770.00 for this move as to the terms stated above.
I was contacted a week ealy of our scheduled move and they wondered if they could show up a day early to begin packing? Sure. So far so good. They arrived on time and managed to back this huge truck up a 750 foot driveway without hitting anything. I thought great! Careful driver, good sign. Turns out the driver was the ONLY professional mover coming, the other two were very inexpierenced in packing. One of them was only in his second week in this industry.
First thing out of the shoot the driver takes me out to the truck and shows me a mark on the van ceiling indicating the cubic feet of volume in the trailer that I am given per my estimate. What??? I contracted for the eclusive use of the entire trailer! No, he responded, you are contracted for 2857 cubic feet in the trailer. Any more volume and there will be an additional cost. I said bullshit!!! Stop your workers from packing any more and get out of my house! He called his boss and I went online and in 30 minutes had a southern California representative of Allied that could be at my house in less than 48 hours to move us at the same price. When I stated this, his boss relented and said they would move me under that scenario. Silly me for not hiring true professionals.
The packing went like I was afraid it would. Everything the driver (professional) packed was done very well. The others wrapped tape around everything! I later unwrapped oil paintings that had tape applied directly to the frames and required a hairdryer to get off. Several of the prints had tape on the paper backs (authenticating documents taped to the back) and tore them when the tape was removed. Some things were over packed (that was ok) and then we found china pitcher and bowl sitting in the bottom of a wardrobe box with NO packing whatsoever.
The driver hired two "will work for food" losers off the corner to help him load the truck and they took our pristine white mattresses and set them on their sides on the filthy garage floor. We had to have them steam cleaned to get them clean again. Thankfully after that episode, the driver let them go.
They did arrive on time to our new location. They unloaded in record time but once again, the driver hired mover losers to help unload and I thought I was going to have to punch one of them in the mouth when he lipped off to my wife about where she wanted something. She said "anywhere in this room" and he started to argue with her about he wanted to put it exactly where it was supposed to go. She indicated how did she know, she had only been in the house for 20 minutes and didn't knwo where she wanted anything! Just put it anywhere and I'll arrange it myself later. He continued to argue. I asked the driver to keep him out of her face and watch him! He came with an attitude and kept it all day.
If you haven't realized it yet, moving is as stressful as a divorce. Choose your mover carefully, contact referrals and ask them how it went. If you get a red flag, be warned! On moving day you are vulnerable and they know it and will take advantage of your confusion and stress. Getting extra money out of you is only the beginning!!!
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