Take the time to read this!!!
Chain of events regarding advanced moving & storage, inc.
Wednesday, april 18
Received Estimate Chart with Guaranteed Price Total of $4328.27 via email along with letter outlining specifics relative to our move. This letter also defines pick-up and delivery dates. We were informed that this was our contract.
THURSDAY, APRIL 19
Joan placed deposit of $1207.02 over the phone with Laura Reese of Advanced Moving & Storage, Inc. See breakdown below.
1. Required Deposit 25% $ 1082.02
2. Premium for addn'l $25,000 INS. $ 125.00
$ 1207.02
Balance of $3246.25 would be charged to me prior to the move taking place. A charge of $150.00 included in the balance was later reduced to $75.00 on 4/23/07 due to the cancellation of extra stop at storage facility at the origin. This brought the balance due to $3171.25. This is the amount charged to our account that we are disputing. THE LEVEL OF SERVICE PROVIDED BY ADVANCED MOVING & STORAGE, WERE NOT ONLY LESS THAN PROMISED, BUT CONTRACTUALLY BREACHED.
May 1
Uneasy with Estimate Chart as our contract, Joan called Advanced and requested a more formal contract with everything spelled out, including changes, and signed by all parties. She was told that it wasn't necessary, but would send out their representative Jim Borgelt to talk to her. Mr. Borgelt came out and said that he would draw something up and return on the 7th or 8th. He never returned. During that visit he viewed all the contents boxed and packed, including previously unseen storage contents that we had brought back to the house. Joan was also informed that the 7 free wardrobe boxes were only on loan and would be taken back by the driver after the move. Joan was upset over the misunderstanding and was told by Mr. Borgelt that he would give us the boxes at no extra charge.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 (MOVING DAY)
Movers were to arrive at 8:30 9:00 A.M. At 9:00 Joan called Advanced and spoke to Laura. She said that they were just loading up the truck and would be there shortly. Joan asked what size truck they would be bringing and was told a 26 Ft. Truck. Joan said that the truck would be too small. Laura assured her that these were experienced packers and everything would fit. The driver (Edgar) and 5 additional men arrived at 10:30 A.M. Paperwork was signed including a Credit Card Authorization Form for the balance of $3171.25.
The loading went without incident. Joan gave each mover $5.00 to help defray their lunch cost. At 6:00 P.M. The driver came to Joan to tell her that they couldn't fit all the furniture on the truck. They would have to take the loaded truck to the warehouse and bring another truck back for the rest. Joan had Edgar call the office to inquire as to how the all the furniture would get to Bluffton, SC if it were on two trucks. Edgar was informed that they would strap the excess to the back of the truck on the outside and that they do it all the time. Joan said that that solution was totally unacceptable and insisted that all their belongings be placed on a larger truck and that she had told them at the very beginning that the truck was too small.
In the meantime, Joan tipped each mover $25.00 and the driver $30.00. They all left and Joan waited for the second truck to arrive. During that wait Joan had a phone conversation with Jim Lalagos (owner) regarding the transfer of the shipment to a semi-truck. She was assured that all would be fine and all the belongings would arrive in Bluffton in one truck on Monday, May 14. Mr. Lalagos said that he had a semi-truck driver that was returning from a run to California and that they would have the load transferred and leave Addison, IL on Saturday, May 12th.
The second truck arrived with Edgar and one other mover. They loaded the rest of the furniture and left.
THURSDAY, MAY 10
Joan arrives in Bluffton, SC. While in transit she spoke to Laura and was informed that the load was about 800 lbs. Over the quoted price on 10,000 lbs. An additional charge of $214.20 would be assessed to our account. Joan gave her permission to bill it to her credit card.
FRIDAY, MAY 11
Joan called Advanced and was told that the load had been transferred to a semi-trailer and delivery would be made on Monday, May 14th.
SUNDAY, MAY 13
Joan received a call Sunday evening from Jim Lalagos informing her that the driver was in the area and that unloading would take place Monday morning, and that we should be available at 8:00 A.M. That morning.
MONDAY, MAY 14 (SCHEDULED DELIVERY DATE)
Joan and Stirling were at the move-in sight by 8:00 A.M. At approximately 10:00 A.M. Joan called Advanced and asked where the truck was. Advanced didn't know and said that they would call back after they called the driver and that he probably overslept. No call came, so Joan called again at about 12:00 (Noon). Mr. Lalagos said that he had not been able to reach the driver and very curtly said that he would call when he had any information and that he had no information so just wait for his call. He said that he was going to call the driver's wife to see if she had heard from him. A couple of hours passed with no word so Joan called again and spoke to Laura. Joan asked what local company had been hired to off-load and was told 2 Men and a Truck. It is now mid-afternoon and Joan told Laura that even if the driver showed up it was too late to do a several hour unload.
After talking to Laura, Joan called the only 2 Men and a Truck company in the area and was told that they had no record of the move or Advanced Moving & Storage. About one more hour passed and Joan called Advanced again. This time she spoke with Jim Lalagos. He was very irritated with what he considered excessive calls after having told her twice that he would call when he knew anything. When Joan told him about her call to 2 Men & A Truck he got ticked off and said that they were using All My Sons moving company to unload. Jim became angry and told Joan that she was a "crazy b*h" and that it was people like her that makes him want to get out of the moving business. He said that he was doing the best he could and that not just our stuff was missing, but so was his truck. Joan told Jim that if there weren't word soon as to where their belongings were that a police report would be filed. Also, Joan pointed out that Advanced had until Mid-night to deliver the furniture before they were in Breach of Contract. It was at that time Joan brought up for the first time possible compensation for the fiasco.
Jim went ballistic and said that we were not getting the move for free and said that Joan was probably the kind of person to go to the grocery store, buy $150.00 worth of food and then tell the cashier that she wanted it all for free. Joan said that she wasn't looking for a free move, but felt that some compensation may be in order. Jim repeated that she was crazy then hung up on her.
A call came to Joan from Jim at about 6:30-7:00 P.M.informing her that they had located the truck and the driver in Indianapolis, IN at a truck stop and that the driver had a nervous breakdown and would not be able to complete the drive. Mind you, the driver had told Advanced that he was in the Bluffton, SC area the night before. Joan asked if an ambulance had been called and who was with the load? She also asked what would happen now? Jim seemed irritated and said that he would call the DOT to check on the driver. He also said that he had a team of drivers that, at that moment, were in the mountains around Chattanooga, TN. He would contact them and dispatch them to Indianapolis to pick up the load.
Joan was relieved that their belongings hadn't been stolen, yet upset with Jim and the events of the past several days. She asked Jim what kind of compensation he might consider. Jim became extremely angry and said Lady, all you care about is money and your stuff when there is a man maybe dying of a nervous breakdown. All you care about is yourself. You are not getting a free move! Joan said that she wasn't looking for a free move and that she did care for this man's well being. Jim stated that when the move was complete he would consider some compensation. The conversation ended with Jim telling Joan that he would be in touch.
WEEK OF MAY 13
Joan called the credit card company this week to alert them to a possible dispute relative to the Advanced Moving & Storage, Inc. Charges. She didn't want to file the dispute yet because she hadn't received their furniture yet and the possibility to work out compensation with Advanced was still open.
TUESDAY, MAY 15
Laura called Joan this morning to say that the load was back in Addison, IL and that they were looking for a driver to make the trip to SC. Advanced would call us when they secured one and had a schedule. Joan asked about the condition of the first driver and was told that he had issues and didn't know anything else. We did find out later that the driver (Jason) was never hospitalized, was fired and now employed with another company. We don't know if Jason drove the load back to Addison, IL, or if it was one of the team of drivers.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 16
Laura called and said that they found a driver. It happened to be the original driver (Edgar) who loaded the truck in South Elgin. He would leave Addison on Thursday the 17th and deliver the load on Saturday the 19th at about 8:30 A.M.
FRIDAY, MAY 18
Joan received a call from Laura about 7:00 or 8:00 P.M. Telling me that the truck broke down in Columbia, SC and that Edgar was waiting for a tow truck. They didn't know what was wrong with it and that Goodyear would service it in the morning. They still intended to make the delivery on Saturday afternoon. Joan asked how that would be possible since they didn't know how long it would take to fix the truck and Columbia is a 3 hr. Drive to Bluffton. The response was that we'll hope for the best and that they would call me in the morning.
Joan asked for Edgar's cell phone number and Laura gave it to her. She also expressed concern about the move taking place on the weekend because a semi-trailer would block most of the parking in the complex. It was then that Laura told her that all of our belongings had been taken off the semi and loaded back on to the 26ft. Truck with the excess strapped to back of the truck exposed to the elements. Joan was furious, but unable to do anything about it. The reason given for the change was that Edgar was the only driver they could get and he doesn't have a license to drive a semi.
Joan called Edgar on the cell phone and asked him the status of things. He said that Goodyear thought they could fix the truck by 11:00 A.M. The next morning.
SATURDAY, MAY 19
Joan notified mid-morning by Advanced that the truck was being fixed and that the unload was still expected to take place that afternoon. Joan asked how that could possibly happen with the driver still 3 hrs. Away even if he got underway immediately? She was told they could do it. Sometime early afternoon Joan called Edgar on his cell. He said the truck was ready but Goodyear was waiting for payment from Advanced before releasing. The bill for the new clutch wasn't paid until 3:00 P.M.
Joan asked Edgar who would be helping him unload the truck on Sunday since there was no way the delivery would take place on Saturday? Or, would they have to wait until Monday, the 21st? Edgar said that he would find some help when he got into town. Joan tried to tell him that no company she knew of worked on Sunday in Bluffton or Hilton Head. But, assuming that Advanced made arrangements with someone, Joan didn't pursue the matter further. It wasn't her job to secure the workers.
Edgar asked for directions and for the names/locations of motels. Joan gave him the names/locations of two motels not far from the delivery sight. Edgar said that he would call when he arrived in town.
Edgar called Joan at about 7:00 P.M. From a gas station in Bluffton, SC. He wanted to know where he was and where to stay for the night. He missed the two motels she had given him earlier. She directed him to a Holiday Inn Express. She also gave him directions to the delivery sight from the hotel. Joan asked Edgar, again, who was going to help him unload and he said that he would ask around to see if he could find a couple of guys wanting to make a couple of bucks.in astonishment, Joan asked just how he was going to find a couple of experienced strangers in a strange town on a Saturday night? He said that he didn't know. If he couldn't find anyone he would do it himself. Edgar is all of 5'3 and very slight in build, so Joan knew that it would be impossible for him to do it alone. Joan said she was willing to wait for delivery on Monday, but Edgar said that he couldn't do it on Monday because he had to be back in IL by Tuesday for a class he couldn't miss. Joan found out the next day, from Edgar, that the class is court ordered and he would be fined $300.00 each time he misses. Edgar said he would begin the unload at 8:00 A.M. On Sunday.
SUNDAY, MAY 20 - UNLOADING DAY
Joan at the delivery sight by 7:30 A.M. At 8:30 Joan called Edgar to see where he was. He was having breakfast and waiting for the two strangers he had found the night before (at the gas station) to show up at the hotel where he told them to meet him at 7:30. They didn't show. Edgar showed up at the delivery sight at about 9:30. He was not alone. He had his wife with him. He said that the two of them would do the unloading. At this point, Joan disgusted, but there was nothing the could do. Joan was going to have to help with the unload. Stirling, my husband who is handicapped, was unable to help at all.
The condition of the truck was deplorable. The passenger door on the cab couldn't open and close properly and the interior/exterior were all beat up. Furniture and boxes were shrink wrapped and tied to outside. Edgar informed Joan that he had been fined $500.00 at a weigh station for being about 2000 lbs. Overweight. He said that he told Advanced that he didn't want to drive the truck with the items strapped to the back because it was illegal. Advanced told him that it would be ok.
Almost everything that they started to unload was damaged. The real kicker was when our clothes came off the truck. What had been packed in wardrobe boxes in South Elgin now arrived rolled up in filthy furniture pads.in the contract, and Yellow Pages ads, Advanced states that wardrobe boxes are provided free of charge for our convenience. What left South Elgin in wardrobe boxes did not arrive in Bluffton in wardrobe boxes. Everything was just filthy.
When Joan saw two antique pieces of furniture damaged she lost it and asked Edgar to get Advanced on the phone. Edgar said that he had no way to reach them because the office was closed and he didn't have any home numbers.
It took 10 hrs. For Joan, Edgar and his wife to finish unloading. Only 1/3rd of the furniture went into the condo and 2/3rd went into storage (a garage on the complex property). There is no way to assess the total damage until all boxes in storage (15X20) are unpacked and examined. Advanced said that we have nine (9) months to file an insurance claim.
Edgar and his wife worked as hard as they could, but Joan should never have had to help unload with a bad back even though she wore a weight belt throughout.
Joan provided lunch for Edgar and his wife and tipped them $100.00. Joan completed paperwork with Edgar and made sure that everything that was damaged, so far, was documented. Joan refused to sign the release that all was satisfactory.
TUESDAY, MAY 22
Joan was so exhausted and angry about the move that she waited a day to call Advanced so she could rest and collect herself. She called Laura. Laura said that Edgar had just arrived back and informed her of the disaster. Joan filled her in on some of the details. Laura said that she was very sorry and that she hadn't thought of setting up movers for a Sunday unload. Joan asked for compensation for the move and was told that Jim Lalagos would have to discuss that with her. Joan then asked what the procedure was to file the insurance claim. Laura said to write down everything that was damaged and take pictures. Then send all of it to her and she would process the claim herself. Laura said that she would have Jim call her because he wasn't in. He was accompanying his wife who was having some medical procedure done. It would be 10 days before Joan called again. Jim Lalagos never did call back.
THURSDAY, MAY 31
Joan called Advanced around Noon because she hadn't heard from Jim Lalagos as promised 10 days earlier. Laura said he had been asking if the company had received the insurance claim information from us. Joan said that she was uneasy about not having a formal claim form from the insurance company and requested the name of their carrier. Laura said that she wasn't sure because she thought Advanced had changed carriers recently and repeated that Joan would have to submit the list of damaged goods and pictures to Advanced and they would file the claim. Joan then asked for the name & number of Advanced legal counsel. Laura said this sounded serious and asked why she needed it. Joan said that it was serious and that she wanted the information in case she filed a dispute. Laura said she didn't know who council was. Joan also said that if Mr. Lalagos didn't call her back that afternoon she would call and file a dispute.
Interestingly enough, Joan received a call back from Jim almost immediately. Jim was angry and said that if she called to file a dispute she would be committing fraud because Advanced provided a service for us and we ultimately received the shipment. He also didn't want to compensate Joan for anything. Jim said a few more nasty things and told her, again, that she would be committing fraud if she filed a dispute. He then hung up on her.
Joan called the credit card company to file a dispute at about 3:15 P.M. And spoke to Sabrina in the fraud division. Joan told her the whole story and asked to dispute $3171.25 of the total charges. Sabrina said that she would do so and explained that credit card company would send instructions as to how to proceed. She was very professional, informative and patient.
Jim Lalagos called again at 4:45 P.M. And calmly said that he remembered that he promised to talk about compensation after the move was over. Joan said that she had already called her credit card company and initiated a dispute for $3171.25. Jim became furious and called Joan a piece of s*t. Joan hung up on him. Jim attempted to call back but Joan wouldn't pick up the phone. That was the last contact Joan had with Advanced.
FRIDAY, JUNE 1
Concerned about the insurance claim, Joan called her attorney. He said that he would intercede and handle the communications relative to the insurance claim with Advanced from here on out. Joan also informed her attorney that she had filed a dispute with the credit card company.
A Total refund by advanced moving & storage was $400.
Do not use this company or any other company that might be affiliated with them in any way!!!
Andrew (son)
normal, Illinois
U.S.A.
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