Colonial Van lines and its affiliates Colonial Relocation Division are beyond description in how deceptive there business practice is. We contracted with them in Oct were given a "binding estimate" based on weight and were ripped off royally. Two times after we contracted with them during the 5 day loss of refund period they added additonal charges to our moving contract, several of which were not agreed to us in writing.
They had NO professional help at the time of pickup or delivery and were so late that our family had to do the remaining boxing and move items / boxes to the driveway for loading. Additonally we had to purchase our own packing, boxes etc... To the tunme of 650 dollars as they arrived with none.
We managed to get our near midnight the night before our home was to be turned over to another family. I am so glad that we took our precious and sentimental items with us as upon arrival another attempt to add fees wass done by Alvin Garcia and Taharia... Even though full moving services were NEVER provided to us at all.
When we attempted to dispute the final bill due to the above reasons, we were told if we did not pay the remaining balance in full they would "lock down " our posessions and we would be charged. I almost told them tge o take the furnture and burn it, except by daughters Art Portfolio and one or two Antique items that we could not have moved were on the moving van. I paid the balance and the driver was contatced to offload
The driver upon arriving at the storage unit that we are using until we purchase a home had once again no help. He managed to "rustle up" (his term) 3 day workers with absolutley no moving experience and 2 of them spoke very little English. They basically dumped our goods into the unit and several times I or my husband had to tell them to stop and treat our stuff with more care. Will the driver and moving "professional" said and did nothing. He couldnt get out of there fast enough!
We are still going thru the boxes and have noted that pieces of wood from chairs, etc have been discovered. I am more then certain that there is serious damaged to our belongings.
However, more upsetting than that is this company and these individuals continue to bait and switch others and rip off families.
I am writing this in hope that I can help other people/families will listen and due more homework.
I plan to take this further with the DOT/AG of NY and RI howver understand there are only 8 people that oversee all the van lines that license to do home moving, due to deregulation that occurred in the past 10-15 years the consumer is really on there on. So the term Buyer Beware really does apply here.
Please do not use this company or do so at your own peril or loss of thousands of dollars.
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