Hi
Here is another horror story. I wish I had found out about your site earlier. Well here it is, which sounds similar to all of yours. All this events happened with a 6-month-old baby in my hand.
I moved from NY to PA recently.
Filled out a form and got quotes from many moving companies I hired a company called Nation Van Lines
Http://www.nationvanlines.com 1-866-577-5055 MC # 420-954 dot#992403 Plantation, Florida. I hear they operate under other names as well like nation movers elite movers etc.
Http://www.nationmovers.com. The owner is a Eli Pertez 1380 NW 65 Ave #D, Plantation, FL 33313. And 965 N Nob Hill Rd #161 Plantation, FL 33324. The crooks names are: Ben, Erik, Tom etc. I see these names on many complaints on your website associated with other companies as well. (I think these people probably are hiring illegal aliens with false documents as well)
I hired them because the rate seemed good and they were good in following up till I placed my order. They gave me an estimate for $1150, (and an additional 100 $ off) which they gave me based on the inventory I gave on Monstermoving web site at the rate of $2.50 per cubic feet. They were good in following up - the name of the booking agent was "Renee" who l disappeared just after I placed the order "on vacation" not in. I asked her of extra charges, when I placed my order which she said was only for extra stairs, floors (elevator floors) at the time when I placed the order. No mention of extra charges whatsoever. They never told me what kind of estimate it was.
I asked for a pick up date of Oct. 28 or Oct 30th. I call them on Oct. 23rd to find out when will they pick up. They told me Oct 30th at 10 AM-"confirmed"- I asked them if it is confirmed because I don't get "Renee" anymore I get some guys named Eric and Ben who are extremely rude, impolite and also who do not speak English well.
They call me on Oct 28th (pick up date is Oct 30th) and ask me if they can pick up my stuff because they are in NY. I tell them they confirmed it to pick up on Oct 30th when I called last time. I haven't packed my things and finally I agreed to have them pick up on Oct 29th. I had to pack my things over night with the help of my friends.
They were supposed to come to pick up at 2 pm instead they show up at 5 pm with a truck from Budget, two guys who speak little English. And they have their truck half loaded already with someone else's stuff, they make me sign papers, load things, open some of the boxes that I have already packed and repack it in small boxes and give me a bill for 4600 $ which was 3500 above the estimate or 3.5 times the estimate. I had 864 CF extra above estimate according to them which they charged at the rate of 3.50$ per CF, and they charged me 360 $ for packing materials though I had packed all my stuff except furniture and 150 $ for stairs which was 10 steps.
I did not have anything extra than what I gave on the inventory. I had no way of measuring how many cubic feet actually it was. It was 2 am in the night and the van was full already. They were supposed to take credit card payment and when I asked about it the way they took payment was call Western Union and make money transfer to some guys name. I did not to do that. And they wanted 50 % cash to take my things which I did not have (I had money that was a little more than their estimate) and I had to borrow money from friends in the midnight.
Also at the same time, while they were loading I was calling their office to get a delivery date.
The delivery date is left blank in the bill of lading. I was thinking they would deliver next day the distance was 200 miles. The girl who talked on the phone said Eric would call back. He did not return my call after I called 3 times. At the same time the Driver guy was talking to his office with this guy Erik in some language I did not understand. It was not Spanish. I asked the driver to call his office so I can talk he says, Ok after this he is loading and never calls.
I refuse to sign papers with the extra charges. He said I have to sign, and call their office next day so they would give me discount. Finally I sign because there was no other way, every single thing I own is in their van. But I wrote on the bill I do not agree to pay the extra charges and I do not agree with the volume (Cubic Feet) which they said actually is. Finally they take off at 2 am in the mid night. The driver guy says they will deliver within 5 business days, when he was leaving. (My wife, the 6-month-old baby and I did not have clothes or other necessary things for 10 days. I had to start working at the new place from next day. We had to buy new clothes, pots and pans and other household items and sleep on the floor for 10 days).
Then the phone saga begins from next day to find when they will deliver. I talk to Erik, Ben, Tom who all have one thing in common Extreme rudeness. I didn't know people do business in this country this way! I asked the Erik guy why they didn't tell me about the extra charges and hiked up rates when I placed my order.
He was yelling at me saying he charged only 3.50$ for extra CF not 6 or 7 $. I told him I have the right to know the tariffs before I placed the order they told me they did tell me before (which is true - after they have loaded almost everything into the van at 2am and just BEFORE they took off). I asked for delivery date answer was 5 business days and we will let you know before 24 hours and I have work to do don't call me again. I asked them to send an E-mail confirming that. They didn't and I call again after many times they send me an E-mail stating delivery within 7 business days. (Note it is 7 business days now, not 5-7). I reply to them saying If they do not deliver by 7 business days I will cancel my order and retrieve my goods.
I receive a call on the 6th business day after pick up saying they are going to deliver in the evening and gave me drivers cell phone number. I called him several times to find out when they are coming. He gives me different reasons for delay the storage is closed at 10.30 in the night says they had to wait till next day morning.
Finally they deliver on the 7th business day night after it was picked up. Some of the items were missing and some were scratched. They were supposed to assemble my furniture, which they didn't want to do. I had to tip the guys for assembling it. I had to pay the full amount in cash (50% remaining balance before they started unloading or else they wont unload). I paid because my things were held hostage and there was no way out. I have the copy of addendum to the bill of Lading where I have signed with the note saying that I do not agree to the charges over my estimate.
I want to get a refund from these guys but I am unable to talk any person other than secretaries. I'm planning on filing complaints to State agencies and federal agencies. What other options do I have?
Thank you
Babu
philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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